Catering Consultancy FAQs

On The Pass Consultancy is a specialist catering and hospitality consultancy with over three decades of hands-on experience in the industry. We provide expert guidance on menu development, staff training, kitchen processes, commercial kitchen design, and catering equipment supply, helping businesses achieve greater efficiency, sustainability, and profitability.

Our key services include:

• Menu Development — Creating innovative, profitable menus tailored to your operation and incorporating global trends.
• Staff Training — Customised programmes for front- and back-of-house teams to improve skills, service, and efficiency.
• Kitchen Processes and Equipment Audits — Identifying inefficiencies and recommending improvements to reduce costs and waste.
• Kitchen Structure & Design — From concept planning to turnkey solutions, optimising layout for better workflow and energy savings.
• Food Service Equipment — Supplying high-efficiency, eco-friendly equipment through trusted brand partnerships, including layout advice and installation support.

We support a wide range of clients in the catering and hospitality sectors, including independent cafés, restaurants, hotels, contract caterers, and large-scale central production kitchens.

Sustainability is at the heart of our approach. We recommend energy-efficient equipment, optimise kitchen layouts to reduce waste and energy use, and incorporate eco-friendly practices into menu development and operations, helping lower costs while meeting environmental goals.

Yes. Through established partnerships with leading brands, we supply high-quality, energy-efficient catering equipment. We also assist with equipment selection, layout integration, and installation to ensure seamless operation.

Add an answer to this It begins with an initial consultation (via phone, WhatsApp, or our contact form) to understand your needs and challenges. We then conduct an assessment (which may include a site visit or audit), provide tailored recommendations, and agree on a scope of work. Projects can range from one-off advice to full turnkey designs.item.

Pricing depends on the scope and scale of the project — from targeted audits to comprehensive kitchen redesigns. We offer transparent, bespoke quotes after the initial discussion. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

Timelines vary: a menu development project might take 4–8 weeks, while a full kitchen design and implementation could span several months. We work flexibly to minimise disruption to your operations.

While we're based in the UK, our expertise is applicable internationally, and we’re open to discussing overseas projects. Please get in touch to explore feasibility.

Simply use our contact form on the website, email us, or message via WhatsApp at +44 7967 736372. We’ll respond promptly to discuss how we can support your business.

Yes, we are increasingly integrating AI tools and insights into our consultancy offerings. From AI-assisted menu engineering and predictive inventory forecasting to recommendations for smart kitchen tech, we help clients leverage AI to boost efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance profitability – all while preserving the human touch that defines great hospitality.

AI refers to technologies that automate tasks, analyze data, and provide insights to improve operations and guest experiences. In catering and restaurants, it's used for personalized menu suggestions, inventory prediction, dynamic pricing, staff scheduling, and more. AI acts as a powerful tool to support teams, not replace them.

AI offers practical advantages such as:

• Reducing food waste through accurate demand forecasting
• Creating personalized menus based on guest preferences and trends
• Optimizing kitchen layouts and equipment with data-driven audits
• Streamlining staff training and scheduling
• Improving sustainability by monitoring energy use and suggesting eco-friendly practices Many clients see 15-30% reductions in waste and costs, plus higher guest satisfaction.

No – AI is designed to augment human roles, not eliminate them. It handles repetitive tasks (like inventory tracking or basic queries), freeing staff to focus on creative menu development, exceptional service, and building guest relationships – the heart of hospitality.

AI tools analyse sales data, guest feedback, trends, and dietary preferences to suggest profitable, innovative menu items. We can incorporate generative AI for recipe ideation, descriptions, and pairings, tailored to your operation's style and sustainability goals.

Absolutely. AI monitors energy consumption, predicts waste, and optimizes ingredient use (e.g., favoring seasonal, local items). During audits, we recommend AI-integrated equipment that auto-adjusts for efficiency, helping reduce costs and environmental impact.

AI predictive tools forecast demand based on historical data, events, weather, and guest counts – ideal for off-site catering where over-prep is costly. This can cut waste by 20-30% and prevent shortages.

Yes! Many AI solutions are affordable, subscription-based, and easy to integrate. We guide clients on starting small – e.g., with menu optimization or basic forecasting tools – for quick ROI without overwhelming changes.

Common concerns include data privacy, integration costs, and staff training. We address these by recommending secure, scalable tools and providing hands-on guidance to ensure smooth adoption and compliance.

Contact us for an initial consultation. We'll assess your operations, identify high-impact AI opportunities (tied to menu dev, audits, or design), and create a tailored roadmap. No obligation – just expert advice to future-proof your business.