As a commercial caterer, you’re at the centre of life’s biggest moments.
Weddings. Launches. Corporate functions. Sporting events. Awards ceremonies. Milestones that matter deeply to your clients and their guests.
But here’s something to think about:
If you’re not fully prepared, you risk turning a dream event into a disaster. No one wants to be the reason a special day falls flat.
So, what’s the secret to seamless service and happy guests?
It all starts with having the right catering equipment.
Ready to make sure you have everything you need?
This complete checklist covers the essential catering equipment for large events that you need to make your next big catering gig a professional success.
Why the Right Catering Equipment Matters for Large Events
Having all the right equipment needed for catering events lets you operate efficiently and professionally, so you’re on time, the food’s great, and your staff are on track with the right tools for the job.
- Ensures food safety and quality at scale
- Improves efficiency and workflow for staff
- Allows you to wow guests with professional presentation
- Reduces stress and last-minute equipment issues
Flexikitch Tip: Always check your equipment list against the event’s guest count, menu, and venue constraints to avoid last-minute shortages or bottlenecks.
Essential Catering Equipment Checklist
Food Preparation Equipment
Before any dish reaches the oven or serving platter, the real work begins with preparation. For large events, efficiency and consistency are non-negotiable. You need:
- Commercial Food Processors: The ROBOT COUPE CL 50 Gourmet Vegetable Preparation Machine is ideal for high-volume chopping, slicing, and dicing.
- Immersion Blenders: The Sammic MB-51 Professional Immersion Blender & Whisk Combo handles soups, sauces, dips, and spreads with ease.
- Planetary Mixers: For doughs and batters, the Moretti Forni MP80T Planetary Mixer is a robust choice for large-scale prep.
Explore more Food Prep Machines at Flexikitch.
Flexikitch Tip: Prep as much as possible in advance and label everything clearly; this keeps your kitchen running like clockwork during service.
Cooking Equipment
Cooking at scale means you need powerful, versatile, and dependable equipment. The right mix ensures you can deliver hot, delicious food to every guest, no matter the menu or venue.
- Ovens & Ranges: For caterers who need to maintain high output with consistent quality, the Moretti Forni COMP P150G A/3 is a proven solution that helps streamline workflow and reduce stress during large-scale events.
- Burners: For events with varied menus, the Goldstein PF12Q640E 6 Burners & BBQ Chargrill Electric Oven unit allows you to keep multiple dishes going at once; boil pasta, grill steaks, and bake sides all at the same time. The electric oven is especially useful for venues with limited ventilation or where gas is not permitted.
- Deep Fryers: The Frymaster Master Jet Gas Fryer MJ150 is perfect for high-volume frying. Use the split frypot to keep vegetarian or gluten-free items separate from other fried foods, catering to dietary needs without extra equipment.
- Benchtop Grill: For grilling versatility, try the Anvil Benchtop Grill 6.
- Mobile Induction Cooktop: The Dipo Countertop Induction Cooker with Temperature Probe is safe, portable and precise for off-site events.
Shop the full Cooking Equipment range.
Flexikitch Tip: Opt for energy-efficient models and multi-functional appliances to save space, power, and time on-site.
Food Holding & Warming Equipment
Timing is everything at large events, and keeping food at the perfect temperature is crucial for both safety and satisfaction.
- Bain-Maries: The King Edward Small Bain-Marie keeps sauces and sides hot and ready. For larger needs, the Roband BM26A Hot Bain Marie holds up to 12 dishes.
- Hot Food Display: The UNIS 4 Tray Kentucky Hot Food Display Cabinet offers a multi-tiered, humidity-controlled display for buffets.
- Hot Cupboards: The Culinaire Under Bench Hot Cupboard is perfect for holding plates and bulk meals at serving temperature.
See more Hot Holding Solutions.
Flexikitch Tip: Use insulated food carriers for off-site events to keep dishes hot during transport and setup.
Beverage Service Equipment
No one likes to wait for their hot or cold drink! Beverage service can make or break the guest experience, especially at high-volume events.
- Coffee Machines: Flexikitch stocks a range of commercial coffee machines to suit every event, from compact single-group to high-output multi-group models.
- Bar Fridges: The Glacian 2 Door SS U-Bar Fridge keeps drinks chilled and ready for service.
- Ice Makers: For large-scale beverage and food presentation needs, the Austune Modular Ice Head Half Dice 350AHD delivers serious capacity.
Browse all Beverage Equipment.
Flexikitch Tip: Always have extra glassware and ice on hand; these run out faster than you think at large events.
Serving & Display Equipment
When you’re serving hundreds of guests, a uniform and polished presentation does matter.
- Display Fridges: For desserts and cold items, Flexikitch offers a wide range of display fridges.
- Stainless Steel Trolleys, Platters, and Utensils: These are essential for efficient and hygienic service. Browse our Catering Equipment.
- Portable Bars: Set up beverage stations anywhere with portable bar solutions that include juicers, slushy machines, beer dispensers and more.
Cleaning & Sanitation Tools
A spotless kitchen is the foundation of food safety and reassures guests about the quality of food that you’re serving.
- Commercial Dishwashers: The Eswood SW500 Smartwash Warewasher handles high volumes efficiently.
- Sinks: Ensure you have dedicated hand-washing, prep, and cleaning sinks for best practice; see Flexikitch’s expert advice.
- Cleaning Supplies: Stock up on waste bins, gloves, and sanitisers for hygiene compliance.
Explore more Dishwashers & Warewashing.
Flexikitch Tip: Assign staff to cleaning and restocking duties throughout the event to maintain standards and prevent pile-ups.
Our Tips for Choosing Commercial Catering Equipment
- Prioritise equipment that meets Australian safety standards and is easy to transport or set up.
- Choose energy-efficient models to save on running costs.
- Opt for modular and stackable designs to maximise event space.
- Always have backup equipment for critical items.
- Consider staff familiarity: Choose equipment your team can operate confidently and efficiently.
Flexikitch: Your Partner in Event Catering Success
Flexikitch offers a comprehensive selection of commercial catering equipment designed for large-scale events. With flexible rental and purchase options, you can access industry-leading brands and expert advice to ensure your event runs smoothly.
Browse all Commercial Catering Equipment.
Tick Off Your Large Event Catering Equipment Needs with Flexikitch
Catering successfully for a large event hinges on having the right equipment. Use this checklist to plan your setup, streamline service, and impress your guests. For quality commercial catering equipment and expert support, trust Flexikitch as your event equipment partner.