In 2010, catering businesses in NSW and ACT can either be voted for by clients or can instantly enter by downloading the entry/category form. Nominations close 1 March 2010.

1.  BOARDROOM CATERER

Caterers providing food service onsite at in-house boardroom facilities during a specified boardroom function (cocktail parties not permitted).

2.  EVENTS CATERER*
Caterers involved in catering and co-ordination of an event covering the social, corporate, public and government sectors. This includes party functions, incentive events, major public one-off events, charity events, entertainment, sporting events, product launches, themed and media events. Weddings are not permitted to be judged in this category. Event must be a single site function.

2a.  CATERER AT A MAJOR EVENT (Metropolitan only)
Caterers involved in catering and co-ordination of an event held at a place which is not commonly used as a function venue, for more than 500 people covering the social, corporate, public and/or government sectors.  This includes incentive events, major public one-off events, charity events, entertainment, sporting events, product launches, themed and media events. Caterers may enter either Caterer at a Major Event or Caterer at an Event - but not both.

2b.  CATERER AT AN EVENT (Metropolitan only)
Caterers involved in catering and co-ordination of an event for less than 500 people covering the social, corporate, public and government sectors.  This includes party functions, incentive events, major public one-off events, charity events, entertainment, sporting events, product launches, themed and media events. Caterers may enter either Caterer at a Major Event or Caterer at an Event - but not both. Event must be a single site function.

3.  CORPORATE CATERER*
Caterers based in a commercial kitchen/s or at corporate sites providing a range of services exclusively to the corporate sector – breakfasts, luncheons, cocktail parties, product launches and seminars. May include off-site functions with the specification of the corporate sector.

4.  FUNCTION / CONVENTION CENTRE CATERER*
Caterers primarily providing catering and function facilities to customers for a variety of events including family celebrations, conferences and corporate events undertaken at a purpose-built function or convention centre, owned or leased exclusively by the caterer. Catering services are to be provided either on the premises or on the surrounds of the premises. Premises such as golf clubs, sailing clubs and regatta centres. Weddings are not permitted to be judged in this category.

5.  HOTEL CATERER (Metropolitan only)
Hotels providing catering and function facilities to customers for a variety of events at a purpose-built, in-house function facility managed directly by the hotel. Services must be provided on the Hotel premises. This is the only catering category a Hotel is permitted to enter.

6.  INDUSTRIAL / INSTITUTIONAL CATERER*
Caterers with single or multiple sites (contracted or self-managed) providing services for institutions including hospitals, aged care, prisons and the educational sector. Entry is permitted for one site only.

7.  NEW CATERER
Caterers which have been operational for a period no greater than 12 months and opened since the close of nominations of the previous Awards for Excellence in the region.  A new company, new operator/owner at existing premises qualifies for this category. New Caterers do not qualify for Caterer of the Year.

8.  SITE-CONTRACT CATERER*
Caterers contracted to provide services at single or multiple industrial sites such as canteens and cafeterias. The contract must state the caterer as the sole provider of services for the site. Entry is for one site only.

9.  VENUE CATERER*
Caterers with preferred agreements or contracts to provide catering services at venues such as museums, galleries, and performing arts complexes or sports grounds. The caterer provides services for various events including dinners, cocktail parties, charity events, conferences. Event being judged must be on the premises or the surrounds of the premises.

10. WEDDING CATERER*
Caterers specialising in the wedding market. Caterers based in their own commercial kitchen's or at a function venue.

10a.  WEDDING CATERER IN A FUNCTION CENTRE (Metropolitan only)
Onsite caterers in a Function Centre specialising in the wedding market.  Services are to be provided on the premises or the surrounds of the premises.  May be judged outside of normal judging periods providing there is sufficient notice.

 

10b.  WEDDING CATERER – OFFSITE (Metropolitan only)
Caterers who specialise in the wedding market at offsite locations.  Services to be provided at a place which is not commonly used as a wedding venue with catering based at the caterer’s commercial kitchen/s or offsite – marquee, parklands, private residence or location available for hire. May be judged outside of normal judging periods providing there is sufficient notice.

CATERER OF THE YEAR*
Not eligible for direct entry. The winner is determined by a judgement of the highest scoring points from the winners of all the catering categories

PLEASE NOTE: 

• Restaurant & Catering invites entrants to nominate their preferred category but reserves the right to make the final category allocation. Functions MUST be available within the judging period to be considered in the Awards.

• Functions must be undertaken in a single site facility at the time of judging. 

• Weddings may only be judged within a designation wedding category.

*  These categories will progress to the National Awards for Excellence. In the categories of 'Events Caterer' and 'Wedding Caterer', the caterer who scores the highest result in the sub-categories will move forward to the National Awards.