Cost Sector Catering: Rugby World Cup

Influx of diners

“As England and Wales prepares to host one of the biggest sporting events in the world, it is essential that caterers look to offer cost effective foods that will entice diners.

“The Rugby World Cup (RWC) will see over 450,000 spectators from across the world are due to land on our shores. The economy is expected to see an additional £962m added to the national GDP as a direct result of the tournament.

“Interest in rugby as a sport is becoming greater and greater and the TV audience is estimated to reach a potential 4 billion. Rugby now has a mass appeal and with the World Cup lasting 44 days, it is important that caterers react to this huge event by offering a menu that reflects it.”

Convenience is key

“The Rugby World Cup will be a national event, taking place all over the country in 13 stadiums. With the large influx of spectators around games and enjoying the match atmosphere, caterers must offer suitable foods that will suit these kind of activities.

“With numerous mid-week matches occurring over the course of the tournament, most fans will be looking for somewhere to catch the game. Over this period caterers could look to create an atmosphere and dining experience that embodies the RWC. As well as offering diners the opportunity to watch the game on TV, caterers could look to offer convenient food which could enhance the viewing of each match.”

Handheld hot dogs

“For caterers looking capitalise on the Rugby World Cup, serving the ideal food event food which benefits the diner whilst remaining cost effective is crucial. Hot dogs have many qualities that make them suitable for this as they can be served as a standalone hand held snack or as be used as a base for a more creative option.

“The recent rise in popularity of the gourmet hot dog has seen an increased variety of toppings and sides as accompaniments being introduced to broaden customer appeal and allow for improved profit margins. The variations in toppings allow caterers to create theme related menus. Toppings such as Irish stew, American Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Japanese Chicken Teriyaki can be added to make hot dog menus more appealing during the tournament.”

A helping hand

“Frankfurter specialists, Westlers offers a high quality product that has been produced to satisfy the needs of caterers and diners. The authentically beechwood smoked frankfurter offers diners a wonderfully flavoursome product, while the 90% meat content gives peace of mind to caterers who know they are offering a premium product. The Westlers frankfurter can also help drive down costs as a menu can be created by using one versatile product as a base on which to build a range of meals and snacks.

“To aid caterers further, Westlers offers equipment which can provide support with the cooking process. Steamers, bain maries and roller grills can also help to save money as lower skilled chefs do not have to be trained. These machines can also be used to create additional theatre around your offer when used alongside Westlers point of sale packages.