Latest news with #catering
South China Morning Post
13 hours ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Overbite: China urges officials to pull back on dining austerity drive
Leading publications of China's ruling Communist Party have urged local governments to implement strictures on lavish banquets carefully, an attempt to temper overzealousness amid concerns from the country's beleaguered food and beverage industry. Advertisement Qiushi, the party's theoretical journal, said in a commentary piece on Friday that recent affirmations of the need for frugality in official meals are intended to limit extravagant practices, not ordinary dining. 'Some local governments scrutinise every meal gathering and intervene in every banquet. Some agencies, to 'avoid trouble', simply cancel all official receptions. Some cadres even go so far as to avoid normal working meals,' the piece read. Such 'oversimplified' measures have complicated understanding of the regulations in question, derailing their original intention and bringing 'unnecessary shocks to the catering industry'. Curbs on perceived excess in official meals spread across the country in May after the party's Central Committee and the State Council, the national cabinet, released their 'Regulations on Practicing Thrift and Opposing Waste in Party and Government Bodies'. Advertisement The document stipulates rules for receptions involving government officials or employees of state-backed organs, banning 'high-end dishes', cigarettes and liquor at these events. Localities, to demonstrate their compliance, have rolled out their own guidelines on the matter, with some extreme cases receiving media attention.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Pendle caterers encouraged to join rewards scheme for healthy eating
Catering businesses in Pendle are being encouraged to sign up to a scheme that rewards caterers for offering healthy eating options. The Recipe 4 Health programme, led by Lancashire County Council, supports takeaways, cafés, and mobile caterers. To join the scheme, businesses must have a Food Hygiene Rating of three stars or above. Jamal Dermott, from Lancashire County Council, said: "The Recipe 4 Health scheme rewards food businesses which offer a range of healthier snacks and meals, including salads, food with lower salt and sugar, grilled dishes, smaller portions, and water as an option if people want to avoid sugary fizzy drinks. "We are urging as many Pendle catering businesses as possible to sign up to the scheme, which has many free benefits. "These include free promotion of your business; free support in making positive changes to your menus, policies, and practices; and the opportunity to earn £1,000 per week contracts during the school holidays." Pendle businesses which are Recipe 4 Health accredited can be considered as food providers for the Holiday Activities and Food programme, which provides activities and nutritious meals during school holidays. For more information and to sign up to the scheme, visit
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
White Clover Catering Celebrates Over 5 Years of Growth and Culinary Excellence
06/17/2025, Durham, North Carolina // PRODIGY: Feature Story // White Clover Catering, a boutique culinary company known for its hyper-personalized approach to food and events, proudly celebrates five years in business. It has grown into a beloved mainstay in North Carolina, serving clients who value flavor, artistry, and the emotional connection food can create. 'I started White Clover Catering with the hope that I could build something personal and lasting. Now, five years later, I see how far we've come, and I'm beyond grateful. I'm filled with pride and excitement for what's next,' Katie Featherstone, executive chef and owner, states. 'This milestone is a celebration of every challenge, every collaboration, and every beautifully plated meal that has satisfied people's palates.' White Clover Catering is known for its private chef experiences, full-service event catering, special pop-up menus, and ready-to-heat meals. Most recently, the company has launched a new line of elevated corporate catering services. Focusing on freshness, detail, and thoughtful presentation, this offering provides handcrafted boxed lunches, grazing boards, and buffets designed to make even weekday meetings feel like special occasions. In each of White Clover Catering's services, its client-centered philosophy is evident. It's bespoke, heartfelt, and driven by listening. Clients don't just fill out a form. They speak directly with Featherstone in the early stages of planning to explore their ideas, preferences, and vision. Clients can expect a creative process where their stories shape the menu, whether for an in-home dinner, a wedding celebration, or a special gathering. 'This isn't picking off a menu and getting what you're given,' Featherstone says. 'This is about creating something uniquely you. It doesn't matter if it's a flavor you remember from your trip to another country or a meal you've always dreamt of. We'll find the perfect menu for your special day.' White Clover Catering keeps events intentionally intimate, enabling Featherstone and her team to maintain the flavor, consistency, and attention to detail that larger-scale operations often struggle to achieve. The company's mission of making every bite meaningful has never wavered, may it be cooking in a client's kitchen or delivering an elevated box lunch. The journey to this milestone began in an uncertain time. Featherstone officially launched White Clover Catering in late 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic would grind much of the food and events industry to a halt. Ever determined, she adapted. Through twice-weekly meal offerings and a growing list of loyal clients, White Clover quietly built its reputation one delivery and referral at a time. Those early supporters became the bedrock of today's business, returning for baby showers, weddings, and holiday dinners. Still, much of White Clover Catering's growth is thanks to its heart, which is Featherstone herself. The founder's passion for culinary creativity and agricultural sustainability has shaped every aspect of the business. Her journey began with an early love for harvesting and food grown close to home. Featherstone later trained at top culinary institutions and worked in some of the finest kitchens in the United States and abroad. However, it was her return to North Carolina and an encounter with a local farmer that deepened her commitment to sourcing locally and seasonally. Featherstone holds not only two culinary degrees but also a certification in sustainable agriculture. Her hands-on knowledge of farming and food production informs her menus, which highlight what's in season, what's grown nearby, and what truly tastes best. Her dishes, may it be a refined cheese plate or a vibrant pasta salad, reflect a lifetime of learning and respect for the ingredients. The impact of White Clover Catering is in the relationships built over five years, the trust clients place in Featherstone to translate their stories into flavor, and the pride that comes from creating joy around a table. Featherstone shares: 'The first five years have flown by, but the journey is just beginning. Honestly, part of me can't believe that it happened, that it worked. And the other half of me is mad it took me so long to do it. But I know I wouldn't have been ready before. Every experience, every chef, every farmer, and every kitchen brought me here, and I wouldn't change any of it. Now, we're looking ahead to many more years of creating 'wow' moments for every client we serve.' Media Contact Name: Katie Featherstone Email: [email protected] Source published by Submit Press Release >> White Clover Catering Celebrates Over 5 Years of Growth and Culinary Excellence
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
White Clover Catering Celebrates Over 5 Years of Growth and Culinary Excellence
White Clover Catering commemorates over five years of operating with the same heart and ambition that started it all, aiming to continue crafting unforgettable moments, one plate at a time. Durham, North Carolina, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- White Clover Catering, a boutique culinary company known for its hyper-personalized approach to food and events, proudly celebrates five years in business. It has grown into a beloved mainstay in North Carolina, serving clients who value flavor, artistry, and the emotional connection food can create. White Clover Catering'I started White Clover Catering with the hope that I could build something personal and lasting. Now, five years later, I see how far we've come, and I'm beyond grateful. I'm filled with pride and excitement for what's next,' Katie Featherstone, executive chef and owner, states. 'This milestone is a celebration of every challenge, every collaboration, and every beautifully plated meal that has satisfied people's palates.' White Clover Catering is known for its private chef experiences, full-service event catering, special pop-up menus, and ready-to-heat meals. Most recently, the company has launched a new line of elevated corporate catering services. Focusing on freshness, detail, and thoughtful presentation, this offering provides handcrafted boxed lunches, grazing boards, and buffets designed to make even weekday meetings feel like special occasions. In each of White Clover Catering's services, its client-centered philosophy is evident. It's bespoke, heartfelt, and driven by listening. Clients don't just fill out a form. They speak directly with Featherstone in the early stages of planning to explore their ideas, preferences, and vision. Clients can expect a creative process where their stories shape the menu, whether for an in-home dinner, a wedding celebration, or a special gathering. 'This isn't picking off a menu and getting what you're given,' Featherstone says. 'This is about creating something uniquely you. It doesn't matter if it's a flavor you remember from your trip to another country or a meal you've always dreamt of. We'll find the perfect menu for your special day.' White Clover Catering keeps events intentionally intimate, enabling Featherstone and her team to maintain the flavor, consistency, and attention to detail that larger-scale operations often struggle to achieve. The company's mission of making every bite meaningful has never wavered, may it be cooking in a client's kitchen or delivering an elevated box lunch. White Clover CateringThe journey to this milestone began in an uncertain time. Featherstone officially launched White Clover Catering in late 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic would grind much of the food and events industry to a halt. Ever determined, she adapted. Through twice-weekly meal offerings and a growing list of loyal clients, White Clover quietly built its reputation one delivery and referral at a time. Those early supporters became the bedrock of today's business, returning for baby showers, weddings, and holiday dinners. Still, much of White Clover Catering's growth is thanks to its heart, which is Featherstone herself. The founder's passion for culinary creativity and agricultural sustainability has shaped every aspect of the business. Her journey began with an early love for harvesting and food grown close to home. Featherstone later trained at top culinary institutions and worked in some of the finest kitchens in the United States and abroad. However, it was her return to North Carolina and an encounter with a local farmer that deepened her commitment to sourcing locally and seasonally. Featherstone holds not only two culinary degrees but also a certification in sustainable agriculture. Her hands-on knowledge of farming and food production informs her menus, which highlight what's in season, what's grown nearby, and what truly tastes best. Her dishes, may it be a refined cheese plate or a vibrant pasta salad, reflect a lifetime of learning and respect for the ingredients. The impact of White Clover Catering is in the relationships built over five years, the trust clients place in Featherstone to translate their stories into flavor, and the pride that comes from creating joy around a table. Featherstone shares: 'The first five years have flown by, but the journey is just beginning. Honestly, part of me can't believe that it happened, that it worked. And the other half of me is mad it took me so long to do it. But I know I wouldn't have been ready before. Every experience, every chef, every farmer, and every kitchen brought me here, and I wouldn't change any of it. Now, we're looking ahead to many more years of creating 'wow' moments for every client we serve.' Media Contact Name: Katie Featherstone Email: whiteclovercatering@ Sign in to access your portfolio
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘The account was in minus': 35yo Aussie reveals how he turned his business around after getting hit hard by the pandemic
Today, Alex Cadger is the proud owner of multimillion-dollar business, but he lost absolutely everything five years ago. Mr Cadger, 35, runs successful catering business The Blonde Butler. He has been catering for as long as he can remember, first as a side hustle in high school, then on the weekends when he worked in marketing, and eventually full-time from 2015. 'It has always been a dream of mine,' he told Mr Cadger can still remember the baffled response he got 10 years ago when he announced to family and friends that he was going to leave his safe and secure marketing job to focus on serving canapes. 'People thought I was crazy and absolutely mad,' he said. Mr Cadger wasn't too concerned. His weekend catering side hustle had reached the point where he was totally booked up for the remainder of the year. He had reached a fork in the road – should he throw everything into his dream or retreat and try to find some work-life balance? Mr Cadger chose to take a risk, a calculated one. He did some contract marketing work to support his flourishing catering business, and pretty quickly, even working casually wasn't cutting it. 'I remember sitting on my lunch break on a little casual job I had and my phone was almost combusting because it wouldn't stop ringing with clients wanting to make bookings,' he said. 'I was trying to manage a boss and business.' He made the decision to quit trying to juggle both and just manage his booming catering business, with immediate success. The business owner paid himself a moderate wage and funnelled his profits back into the business. 'Every time I got some money coming into the business bank account I'd purchase something for the business,' he said. 'I got a fridge, then I got a van, when I got a bit more money I put refridgeration in the van.' He grew the business to the point where he had two employees and was serving the who's who of Sydney. Then the pandemic hit. How does a business survive when there's a government-mandated lockdown and people are barely allowed to leave their homes, let alone attend events and host parties? The answer is that it doesn't. 'When the lockdowns started our office phone was ringing off the hook … and I was just crossing name after name off the planning board,' he said. The Blonde Butler fell apart overnight, and he had to let go of his two employees pretty quickly. 'I had to close it,' he said. 'The account was in minus during Covid.' Mr Cadger was heartbroken. He'd worked so hard for years just to 'watch it crumble' within 24 hours. 'I felt quite depressed. I'd put so much time and energy into building a business and a brand,' he said. He knew his business couldn't function during the pandemic, but he didn't want to give up the kitchen space he was renting, so he hustled hard to keep it. 'I ended up going to pack vegetables in a factory for a few months for $25 an hour,' he said. 'I felt quite depressed. I'd put so much time and energy into building a business and a brand. Despite struggling, Mr Cadger knew that he couldn't just give up and he had to somehow push through. In the end, he managed to pivot, creating cheese and wine boxes to send to people's houses during the lockdowns that helped sustain the business. Eventually, the lockdowns lifted, and Mr Cadger was filled with fire to bring his business back to life. 'Watching it crumble ignited a spark,' he said. Ms Cadger didn't do anything drastic to turn things around; he just preserved, kept investing back into the business and refused to quit until The Blonde Butler was back to thriving. Five years later and Mr Cadger has 60 employees, a cafe, a restaurant, a wedding venue and over 10 vans. 'It took years to recover from but now I'm back on my feet. I'm super proud of what we've achieved and that we're expanding,' he said.
