The Times Australia
The Times Food and Dining

.

Tantalising treats: what to ask your afternoon tea caterers



The afternoon tea is a special occasion for Sydney workplaces looking to refresh their senses with something delightful. From the brownie to the bread, the cake to the coffee, this is a taste-tantalising shindig that is perfect for office events!

But to enjoy the ultimate afternoon tea you need the best team in the business. We’re talking about the experts in eating, those who can bring the most scrumptious goodies and serve them in absolute style, and will take care of everything so that you can focus on your job whilst they do theirs.

But how do you find this team of experts? Well, you simply have to ask them a few questions to ensure that they are the team with the most tantalising treats:

  1. What kind of goodies do you provide?

Because the best afternoon tea catering Sydney has should create a special occasion, and not one where you and your team get shafted with a couple of stale muffins and burnt coffee. They should be able to provide a plethora of mouthwatering munchies, with everything from brownies, croissants, cakes, slices, tea and barista coffee on the delectable menu!

So, the first thing you should ask when it comes to finding your team is this: “what are the goodies you are going to bring?”

  1. Can you cater for large groups?

The best caterers will be able to cater for functions big and small. Sydney has a diverse office culture that ranges from five-person startups to multinational corporations, and the caterers should be able to accommodate your requests regardless of numbers!

After all, this service is one that is typically used for office functions and special workplace events, and so it shouldn’t falter when it comes to feeding the masses of hungry team members.

  1. Do you provide servers?

Many low-grade caterers will simply pop by and drop off their meagre offerings, leaving team members to squabble over the food when they should really be enjoying this reinvigorating break from their duties. But the best catering team will provide professional, highly experienced servers who will take care of everything from setting up to service, barista duties and cleaning.

This is truly the mark of a highly professional team who is passionate about turning this event into an awkward gathering into a special, vibrant occasion!

  1. Are you available on this particular day?

Because afternoon teas often fall on the funner days of the week (at least Thursday), you want to be sure that you can bring in your experts on the day you need them. What’s more, your caterers will need time to prepare your chosen goodies and bring the right amount for your attendees, so it’s important to get in early to ensure you can book them exactly when you need them!

  1. Can you cater to different dietary needs?

Because you don’t want to go with a team who says, “nope, it’s the highly glutenous croissants and cows milk coffee or nothing at all”. Today’s workplace events should cater to all kinds of dietary needs, accommodating people for their dietary concerns, health, lifestyle and religious beliefs, so you should definitely find a caterer who is happy to meet your team’s needs across the board.

These are the five most imperative to questions to ask your prospective caterers. Once you have got these out of the way, you will know for sure whether or not they are the team to make your afternoon tea a taste-tantalising treat!

Food & Dining

Italian Street Kitchen: A Nation’s Favourite with Expansion News on Horizon

Successful chef brothers, Enrico and Giulio Marchese, weigh in on their day-to-day at Australian foodie favourite, Italian Street Kitchen - with plans for ‘ambitious expansion’ to be announced in the coming months.  Italian Street Kitchen: A slice o...

Après Skrew: Peanut Butter Whiskey Turns Australia’s Winter Parties Upside Down

This August, winter in Australia is about to get a lot nuttier. Skrewball Whiskey, the cult U.S. peanut butter whiskey that’s taken the world by storm, is bringing its bold brand of chaos to Aussie shores with Après Skrew: a mash-up of alpine energy...

450 people queue for first taste of Pappa Flock’s crispy chicken as first restaurant opens in Queensland

Queenslanders turned out in flocks for the opening of Pappa Flock's first Queensland restaurant, with 450 people lining up to get their hands on the TikTok famous crispy crunchy chicken tenders. The highly anticipated opening comes after months of d...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banquets to Sydney’s first-ever Acquapole fitness classes and family fun gal...

Times Magazine

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

DIY Is In: How Aussie Parents Are Redefining Birthday Parties

When planning his daughter’s birthday, Rich opted for a DIY approach, inspired by her love for drawing maps and giving clues. Their weekend tradition of hiding treats at home sparked the idea, and with a pirate ship playground already chosen as t...

When Touchscreens Turn Temperamental: What to Do Before You Panic

When your touchscreen starts acting up, ignoring taps, registering phantom touches, or freezing entirely, it can feel like your entire setup is falling apart. Before you rush to replace the device, it’s worth taking a deep breath and exploring what c...

Why Social Media Marketing Matters for Businesses in Australia

Today social media is a big part of daily life. All over Australia people use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok , LinkedIn and Twitter to stay connected, share updates and find new ideas. For businesses this means a great chance to reach new customers and...

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

The Times Features

Benefits of Tree Pruning for a Thriving Australian Garden

Tree pruning is an essential aspect of garden maintenance that often doesn't get the attention it deserves. It's a practice that involves the selective removal of certain parts...

What is psychosocial therapy? And why is the government thinking about adding it to Medicare for kids?

The government is considering new, bulk-billed health checks for three-year-olds, to pick up developmental concerns and refer kids that might need additional support. The de...

Detect Hidden Water Leaks Fast: Don’t Ignore Hot Water System Leaks

Detecting water leaks early is crucial for preventing extensive damage to your home. Among the various parts of a home’s plumbing system, hot water systems are particularly suscept...

Why do hamstring injuries happen so often and how can they be prevented?

In a recent clash against the Melbourne Storm, the Brisbane Broncos endured a nightmare rarely seen in professional sport — three players tore their hamstrings[1] in a single g...

What Is the Australian Government First Home Buyers Scheme About?

For many Australians, buying a first home can feel like a daunting task—especially with rising property prices, tight lending rules, and the challenge of saving for a deposit. ...

How artificial intelligence is reshaping the Australian business loan journey

The 2025 backdrop: money is moving differently If you run a small or medium-sized business in Australia, 2025 feels noticeably different. After two years of stubbornly high bo...