Catering companies welcome holiday business

RALEIGH, N.C. — With many holiday parties taking place this weekend, Triangle-area caterers are working overtime – a relief from a recent downturn in business.

“We don’t have as many company get-togethers anymore, different cocktail parties for companies or people just throwing a random party just to have guests over to their house,” LadyFingers Catering Chef T.J. Donovan said.

The Raleigh company had seven parties on Saturday night, but business as a whole was down 10 percent this year.

Caterers said they are seeing fewer and smaller orders. Some customers are providing their own alcohol and just having the food delivered not served.

“You can’t make it up. You end up having to let people go. You end up having to be a little tighter with food costs,” said Arthur Gordon, owner of Irregardless Café, a restaurant and catering company in Raleigh.

Gordon said he has had to let 10 percent of his workforce go. With business down more than 30 percent, Gordon hopes holiday parties will bring a much-needed boost.