A: We serve an average of 180 people between our two restaurants, the Captain's Room and 1688. We also serve about 50 working lunches each day — that's sandwiches and snacks. And we cater for an average of 200 people for evening functions.
Q: Who are the people that you're catering for?
A: We serve a largely male audience. At lunchtime they are a mixture of Lloyd's staff, underwriters from the syndicates associated with Lloyd's and members of Lloyd's Hospitality Club. Anyone in the City can join and this means that they can come into the building to use the dining rooms.
Q: What are the most popular dishes?
A: In the Captain's Room the top choice of the moment is grilled John Dory with rosemary butter, while in 1688 the most popular dish is always sausage and mash.
Q: What's are the best-selling drinks here?
A: People at Lloyd's still like a tipple at lunchtime and most wash down their lunch with at least one glass of wine.
Q: What sort of prices do customers pay?
A: In the Captain's Room starters cost between £4 and £7.50, main courses £9-£18.50 and desserts are £4.95. In 1688 starters are around £4, mains generally £7-£9 and desserts are £3.95.
Q: Do you get much feedback from your customers?
A: That's an understatement — people aren't shy here! Fortunately, most comments are positive.
Q: Describe the contract
A: It's an ongoing rolling contract, operated by contract caterer Avenance. The turnover is around £4m a year. It's quite a complicated hybrid contract — a mixture of cost-plus and commercial.
Source
The Facilities Business
