A shoe policy is probably the last thing on your mind when you’re structuring and operating your catering business. After all you’ve got to worry about catering equipment, marketing, food orders, shelf life, stock rotation, menu planning, interviews, back of the house staff and more.  So why shoes?

Shoes are a big deal for several reasons; the most obvious is going to be comfort.

Catering Tips – Keeping your Staff Healthy & Safe

Catering isn’t a gig where you get to sit, or roll around in office chairs.  Everyone who is pulling their weight is on the move, non-stop.  There’s no time for breaks or resting during a busy venue.  Everyone has a dozen places they need to be.  That’s a lot of time on your feet, so comfortable shoes are a must.

A shoe that supports the arch as well as the ankles will reduce strain, reduce leg and back pain and prevent a turned ankle while back of the house crews are running around.  In addition, those shoes need a non-slip or slip-resistant sole.  Studies have shown dramatic declines in slip and fall incidents when people where these types of shoes.

Catering Tips – We Love Attractive Feet

You’d be surprised how many people are looking down and judging your shoes, especially during events.  It’s important to find a shoe that looks great, remains neutral (doesn’t attract attention) but is appropriate for the dress of the servers as well as the back of the house.

Badly worn shoes or shoes that draw too much attention can be a distraction to guests.  It can also paint a poor picture of the servers.  The last thing you want is for your guests or the host to think that your servers are dirty or unkempt.

Catering Tips – Keep Shoes Consistent

People are fickle about feet, and about professional service.  Pair them up and you’ve got eyes judging the different shoes of your service staff.  If you’re willing to dress your servers in matching uniforms then their shoes should be the same.  Everyone should have the same type and color shoe in order to maintain a consistent brand image.  Inconsistency could indicate a lack of organization and unprofessional management.

A shoe policy makes it possible to require everyone on staff to have the same shoe, the same color, the same type and the same slip resistant sole.  If you do require your employees to wear specific shoes, your best bet is to provide the shoes and establish a policy for how those professional shoes are maintainted.