Supplier view: Catering
We’re so pleased to bring you another Italian supplier interview. This time we’re talking to Lina from Dolce Tradizioni Toscane (DTT), a catering company based in Colle val d’Elsa whom we work with regularly.
How has coronavirus impacted your business?
DTT usually service around 100 foreign and local weddings, 100 pizza parties and various other local catering events such as christenings, funerals and even filming of Hollywood movies. In fact, we fed the cast and crew of ‘Killing Eve’.
Obviously the strict lockdown in Italy has meant that none of the schedule catering could go ahead and as gatherings are still not permitted in Italy, so we won’t be back to normal for a long time.
This has resulted in a complete loss of income and challenges as we continue to pay our overheads, including maintaining staff salaries and training.
What has been your policy on postponing weddings and why?
We work with many clients directly as well as through many wedding planners. Some weddings have been cancelled and those deposits have been refunded. If weddings have been postponed, there has been no penalty such as increase in cost for the service.
We felt that everyone is in a very tough situation at the moment and we must do our bit to support our clients. We always want to offer the best service we can, in every way possible.
How do you think weddings might change when they can happen again?
Initially we assume that we will have to have some level of additional hygiene and that caterings will be very small, likely completely outdoors.
It’s possible that for some time weddings may be smaller and people may want extra services.
How are things looking for Dolce Tradizioni Toscane in 2021?
Busy! 75% of booked weddings have postponed to 2021. We anticipate less new bookings for 2021 or perhaps they will be booked quite last minute.
We have been busy creating new products and experiences in the time of lock down, such as our new APE van that has a built in pizza oven and bar. So through this diversification we hope we can make up for the loss this year.
Final word?
We can’t wait to welcome our clients to Italy and serve you incredible local Italian food once more.
—————————-
Well done to all at DTT for staying so positive in such a tough time for the business and innovating, bringing us new and exciting products and services in 2021.
Next time, we’ll be speaking to a wedding photographer.
Thanks always,
Lucy
