Catering company gears up for post-pandemic recovery

CEBU, Philippines — In preparation for market rebound, food catering company Cebu Red Carpet Catering opened 400-pax capacity events place called Heartland Estate.

Located in Basak, San Nicolas, Cebu City, the newly opened events place is the company’s first entry to providing function space after 40 years.

In an interview with Cebu Red Carpet Catering vice president Jovie Uy- Kanchanapairoj, she said the business slump due to the pandemic has led the company to pursue this expansion plan, “while activities are slower.”

Just like other events and service related businesses, the company suffered as food catering demand plunged from as high as 100 event bookings a month before the pandemic, to one booking (at most) a day.

“We even struggle to get one booking a day in the new normal,” she said adding that that new normal however, gives them a chance to slowdown, correct things that may have been overlooked in the busier days,

Founded by Jovie’s mother Vicky Uy, Red Carpet has carved its name in the food catering business in Cebu in the last 40 years.

Now managed by Vicky’s children led by Jovie, the company has moved to expand its business even amid the pandemic.

“We used to be moving to one place from another. Now, we decided to put our own party place to give our clients options,” Jovie said.

Under the new normal, Red Carpet continues to serve the market, especially those intimate events such as baptisms, first birthday, among others.

“Our industry is one of the most affected,” she admitted.

The company’s decision to open its events’ place is a gesture that the business is here to stay and that stakeholders like them are not losing hope.

During the pandemic, Red Carpet also introduced its online ordering platform, including the introduction of innovative food offering products such as party boxes, among others.

Jovie expressed confidence that in the next two years the market will get to its feet again. By that time, players like them are prepared to accommodate the upsurge.

Aside from opening the Heartland Estate party place, Red Carpet also plans to set up a cooking institute within the same company-owned property.

She said the industry may have experienced the worst times, but stakeholders are using these times to prepare for the recovery.