Hackathon Catering Experience

The hackathon catering experience starts with the importance of choosing the best venue for hosting your event, that preferably offers catering services or, at the very least catering rooms for that purpose, so you can save time and money by searching for restaurants and bars for every lunch break and the winner’s announcement or cocktail reception. 

Choose Your Venue 

Finding the right place for your hackathon is crucial, therefore if the venue can sort out the food, you’re onto a winner. It keeps things simple, saves time, and keeps everyone focused on the task and keeps the hackathon’s logistics manageable. 

Even though one of these events is beneficial to host outside of the hackathon’s venue, during the problem-solving or coding sessions it is crucial not to exhaust your participants by collecting them all together and bringing them to the catering place during the day, simply because you might lose valuable time during the transportation period. On the other hand, hosting dinners outside of the venue elevates the overall experience of the event, since it physically distances the participants from their working environment. By doing so, you create space for dedicated effective working areas and steam-off areas giving everyone a well-deserved break and a chance to mingle and build their network in a different setting.  

The Menu

When it comes to choosing the menu, always remember to double-check the portions with every catering provider from coffee breaks through lunch to dinner, and also make sure that the quality of the food and beverages adds to the value of the event. A hackathon agency can take care of the negotiation and legal agreements as well. 

Diets And Portions

Since it is very common to have participants that follow different variations of diets, such as pescatarian, vegetarian or vegan, if you are dealing with a small group it is a great gesture to collect every participant’s preferences, including food allergies. A common best practice when you host an event with more than 30-40 people is to count with 15% vegetarian while you are collecting the offers from catering services. Another pro tip is to always remember to include 4-5 plus portions for the unexpected guests for example from the sponsors of the event. The secret is to be prepared.

The Catering Affect

The catering experience of a hackathon requires detailed planning and preparation, but it has a long-lasting effect on everyone involved. Hackathons are the nest of innovation and creation, therefore your goal is to make it as comfortable as possible for your participants. It makes a difference to fly economy or first class, isn’t it? The goal is to have everyone play their A-game in their role, so if the participants are solving problems all day, the mentors are supporting them with all their knowledge, and the venue is on board with every set-up change, it means that the organisers are responsible for the quality of the event to show their appreciation for their client and participants. 

Imagine it as a representative of the event’s quality. This is the most visible aspect and statement of how much you care about your guests, therefore it is one of the most important elements of your engagement strategy. Don’t be shy to ask for examples or a tasting menu, and also if you’re located in the area, check it by yourself, or ask for previous images of events that they hosted, this way you can make sure, you get what you pay for. 

Conclusion

The catering experience is a critical component of a successful hackathon. It requires careful planning, from selecting the right venue to accommodating dietary preferences and ensuring quality and variety in the menu. By partnering with a hackathon agency, organisers can streamline this process, focusing on creating an event that not only meets but exceeds expectations. Remember, the effort you put into catering is a direct reflection of your commitment to the event’s success and the well-being of its participants, meaning a positive experience leaves a lasting impact, making your hackathon memorable for all the right reasons.