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Gastronomy: A caterer's table

Besides restaurants, the industry's operators offer many other services.Par Dippah Kayessé

The air visibly concerned, Emmanuel Mbella, restaurateur installed Douala, going from one corner to another of the "House Party". It gives instructions to his staff and sometimes readjusts itself tablecloths and other items covered. After three to four hours of bustle, everything is almost ready to receive guests. At the center of each table, there sits the menu board on which the address of the catering service also occupies a prominent place. "The catering service, although recent home, has grown very quickly, hence the competition field. The catering is in the range of restaurants offering culinary services at events, what no matter the size, " says, smiling, Emmanuel Mbella. In the room, the odors that leak heated pots placed on the buffet tickle the nostrils of the first guests. Auctions In recent years, the catering business has expanded enormously in Douala and in some major cities. We remember that, until recently, it was sometimes seek the services of a hotel or a restaurant for large events. Or call to women for making dishes for receiving a large amount of guests. But increasingly, weddings, ceremonies medal awards in government, novenas, seminars, etc.. are assigned to restaurants professionnels.Sollicité throughout the year, catering knows, however, periods of intense activity. This is generally the case in December during the holiday season. "From mid-November, the stresses are becoming more and lasts until late January," says Remy Ottou, a restaurateur Douala.Les benefits established at the restoration generally revolve around three points: the entry, main dish consisting of African and European dishes and finally dessert. "The customer presents his desires and in return, we will look back over the quote," adds Nicolas Mbouck, another operator of this sector. Generally, and invited the dishes vary between 3,000 and 7,500 CFA francs CFA, or 20,000 CFA francs. At a ceremony, the customer can pay 500,000 CFA francs in all. The notes sometimes amount to millions of CFA francs. Everything depends on the restaurant, class of customer and number of guests. "That's the price to pay for such a service that requires a strong mobilization of troops and equipment. All things that reflect breakages of glasses or plates to replace. These amounts are likely to discount, "said Master Valerius, who for some time, has a mobile kitchen highly regarded in the economic capital. Faced with the competition room, some providers offer additional services to make it easier for customers. Apart meals, catering sometimes provides staff for the bar, chairs, tables, tablecloths, covers, tarpaulins, etc.. The settlement of these benefits is two to three weeks in advance and up to nearly 75% in cash or by check. "It is above all a question of guaranteeing the order, give us the time to market, "says Nicolas Mbouck. Other difficulties encountered in this trade are linked to the number of guests." This is a parameter that organizers culinary master of ceremonies difficult. At lunchtime, the staff is always more important than reported. And this often creates many frustrations, "laments Emmanuel Mbella. To circumvent the problem and avoid inconvenience, caterers say very often go beyond the number of guests indicated. As for the organizers, they provide food support to , where, come to the rescue of those restaurateurs.