Southeast Texas Commercial Catering as a Thank-you for Closed Business – Chuck’s Catering

April 12, 2023

How Do You Thank Clients for a BIG Piece of Closed Business?

Chuck’s Catering has Some Ideas

Southeast Texas Commercial Catering – Chuck’s Catering Serves Southeast Texas construction sites, industrial facilities, and Golden Triangle corporate events.

Are you looking for a top Southeast Texas commercial or industrial caterer?

One of our focuses with Refined Magazine is introducing you to Southeast Texas commercial services companies that can help you take what you do to the next level, whether you’re a developer, Southeast Texas Commercial Realtor, or a local general contractor.

Today’, we’re introducing Chuck Harris, owner of Southeast Texas commercial catering company, Chuck’s Catering.

Many of you will already know Chuck Harris from his appearance on national cooking programs or from the Spindletop Steakhouse.

Did you know Chuck Harris is also a “go to” commercial and industrial caterer for events across Southeast Texas?

In Southeast Texas, commercial catering can be a way to get people to a meeting on time, a way to let staff know you appreciate all the overtime they’ve been working, or a way to celebrate another year in business.

Today we’re looking at ways you can use commercial catering as a thank-you for closed business.

Chuck Harris helps his clients across Southeast Texas use catering deliver messages like:

I am glad we got this deal done – I know it was rough at times, but I look forward to working with you again.
I appreciate all of the time you put into this project. You really went above and beyond, and I noticed.
This deal took you away from your family a lot. Let me see if I can make a gesture to smooth things over with your spouse.

Image courtesy of Clem T. Webb Photographer

Today he’s taken some time to talk with us about using catering as an effective business tool.

Chuck, food play a lot of roles in our lives. What are some guidelines for when to use food as a thank-you?

Big deals call for a celebration. This is especially true if you would like to work together again in the future.

Putting together a big project and seeing it through can be tedious at best. At worst, it can become confrontational.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou

Providing or sharing a thank-you meal can leave them with a great feeling, even after some hiccups during negotiating the deal itself. Southeast Texas Commercial real estate and development players can negotiate hard- but you want to keep those relationships strong. Chances are, you’re going to be working together on another deal again next week or next year.

Providing a meal shows your appreciation, and we all want to be appreciated.

The tradition of hosting a meal to wrap up a big deal gives you a chance to put any tedium and animosity of the deal behind you completely.

Breaking bread lets both parties blow off steam, “setting the table” for future deals.

What is the ideal setting for a “Thank-you for closed business” meal?

In most cases you want privacy.

For a lot of Southeast Texas commercial real estate deals, you often already have the most appropriate location.

If you’ve just closed the deal on a nice commercial property, it can be the ideal setting.

It doesn’t have to be ready for move in. With a little time and budget your SETX caterer can work miracles.

Using the building you just sold or leased, can really make a big impact.

After all, this building brought you together.

If the property is not an ideal location for a catered meal, you can use their office (putting them in the comfortable position of being on their “home turf”), your office, or a private event facility. You can also use your home, which can be a tool to welcome the client further into your life by letting down boundaries.

Private event facility ideas:

Clifton Event Complex

This is a great venue for events of any size. For a small event, check out Moresi’s Pub – a private bar setting ideal for up 50 or so attendees. They do have a nice larger venue on site that can hold up to 300. One nice thing is that they have multiple venues, so if you need breakout sessions for management that is no problem.

Refined Magazine Overview of the Clifton Event Complex: Convenient for Beaumont commercial and industrial clients. Security fenced for privacy; easy to install security team if needed. Ample parking. Very responsive event staff. On-site museum is a wonderful backdrop for a dinner meant to impress.

Click here for the Clifton Event Complex website.

The Brown Estate in Orange

Super close to Chemical Row clients, this is a large – and full service – event venue that can handle any of your corporate events. The venue is already popular for corporate training, new employee orientations, and office holiday parties for companies working in Orange County TX. They would also be as great venue for your next client apprecition dinner or special event.

Refined Magazine Overview of The Brown Estate in Orange: The Brown Estate can reduce work on your staff because it does offer a wide spectrum of services: event venue, catering, AV setup. The gated venue is also easy to setup for your security needs. If you’re doing business on chemical row or near the Texas/ Louisiana coastal border, this venue should e high on your list.

The Holiday Inn & Suites Beaumont Plaza

This Beaumont event venue offers a full service approach to corporate events – and has overnight rooms for your out of town staff, clients, and guests.

They have the largest event ballroom in Southeast Texas, but they can also handle meetings for a half dozen attendees.

If you are looking for a turnkey approach to corporate events in Beaumont, this is a great option.

Refined Magazine Overview of The Holiday Inn and Suites Beaumont Plaza will handle catering for your breakfast meetings, snacks for training sessions, and catering for all meals – just let them know the feel and budget of your event.

There will be occasions when you want to waive privacy. Maybe you want to “be seen” wining and dining a well known client after a closed deal. Sometimes this can generate the right buzz and attract your next big client. In this case, you’ll want a semi-private room at an upscale restaurant or private club.

Setting, in business as much as in film and literature, can do a lot of the work for you. Think about the statement you’re trying to make. Let your caterer know and they will help you choose the right location.

If you’ve just closed a BIG Southeast Texas commercial real estate deal, what should be on the menu?

In Southeast Texas, many caterers do an excellent job with Cajun, Mexican food, and barbecue – Chuck’s Catering included.

These can be extremely appropriate if your client is from out of market. If they’re based out of Chicago or Canada or Europe, they’ll love any of these options – and brag about them when they get back home.

If your client is local, you’ll often want to go with something they don’t get here regularly. Maine Lobster and Dover sole can be flown in just for your event by your caterer. Kobe beef makes an impact.

One sure to please option is to use the finest local ingredients prepared different ways- jumbo Gulf of Mexico shrimp, blue crab, wild boar, and prime Texas beef.

If you’re not sure, steak and shrimp is a pretty safe bet in Southeast Texas.

They both represent Southeast Texas, and most importantly they are foods we already associate with a celebration.

Your caterer can set up high end tasting stations or have tasting portions passed among your guests.

Again, who is your audience and what message are you trying to send? Talk with your caterer and they can help you with the right menu – and work within your budget. Sometimes even a nice sized deal doesn’t mean that “money is no object”. Your caterer will get you the right menu while keeping you within budget.

If one of our readers is trying to move from “thank-you for the opportunity to handle this project” to “I really want to handle all of your projects” what are some ideas for making a bigger impact?

Consider a wine focused dinner with multiple small courses. Your SETX caterer can present each wine and food pairing and explain why they were matched. At the end of the night surprise your client with a mixed case of the wines used in the meal. Each time they open one, they’ll be reminded of the experience.
Has the deal been super time consuming, resulting in lots of late nights for your client? Arrange for your caterer to provide a special in home meal for your client and their spouse or family. Not only will your client be impressed, you’ll get their spouse’s stamp of approval.
Put your listening skills to the test. Has your client mentioned a passion for hunting? Have your caterer create a wild game dinner. Did they share special memories of a trip to France? Have your caterer create an authentic “One night in Paris” experience. Showing that you listened, and catered to their preferences, will make an impact.

Chuck, I think you’ve given us a great deal to digest. Any final thoughts for our readers?

More and more, Southeast Texas will be a melting pot. We have people buying commercial property from many different states, countries, and backgrounds. If you think food restrictions may be an issue, let your caterer know and they will plan your evening accordingly – some clients won’t want pork, alcohol, or will have other restrictions. If you’re not sure, your Southeast Texas caterer can play it safe. If your caterer knows about special needs or wants in advance, they can create a wonderful experience for anyone.

If you are serving alcohol, consider providing a car service to get everyone home. Sometimes it’s the “extra step” that makes the most impact.

Spend a little time with your caterer and they will set you up for success.

Are you about to close a big deal? Talk to Chuck Harris about putting together a “Thank-you for closed business” meal to remember.

chucks.catering@gmail.com
Chucks-Catering.com
Phone: 409.553.4311

Chuck Harris a great Southeast Texas commercial and industrial caterer. He can handle your needs from a small breakfast service for a sales meeting to big formal sit down dinner for your company’s annual meeting or holiday party.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this introduction to one of our Southeast Texas commercial services companies.

Are you looking for more insight on Southeast Texas caterers?

Visit EatDrinkSETX.com.

Their site provides new information daily on Southeast Texas caterers, restaurants, and entertainment.

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