About the Operator

Jeff Ware is the Chief Operating Officer at Catering by Michaels, a premier catering company based in Chicago known for its creative and quality-focused approach to event catering. Specializing in corporate events, weddings, and large gatherings, Catering by Michaels is celebrated for delivering exceptional culinary experiences. As COO, Ware oversees the complex logistics, inventory management, and food safety standards that are essential to the company’s reputation. His strategic focus on digitizing and standardizing recipes and menus has had a transformative impact on operations, enabling the business to grow efficiently while reducing costs.

The Backstory

In his conversation with Galley, Jeff shared how Catering by Michaels navigated the challenges of disconnected systems and manual processes before adopting Galley Solutions. Ware emphasizes the importance of digitizing recipes and menus, noting that the shift to a unified platform has enabled the team to save an estimated 3-5% in operating costs by reducing errors and inefficiencies. With Galley, Catering by Michaels has streamlined its processes, enabling the team to focus on delivering high-quality experiences for its diverse client base

The Conversation

Ian Christoper: How would you describe the setup at Catering by Michaels and your role in it?

Jeff Ware: My role as COO is very hands-on because of the nature of our business. I’m in the office most days to manage operations, and there’s always a lot happening. We’ve got meetings, event preparations, and all the moving parts that come with catering. Being in this environment means I’m constantly overseeing the flow and making sure everything runs smoothly.

IC: What were some of the challenges you encountered before implementing Galley?

JW: We relied on multiple tools that didn’t connect, which meant recipe updates, inventory management, and cost tracking were all happening in separate places. This setup created a lot of manual work and opened us up to errors. Digitizing our recipes and menus wasn’t just a matter of convenience; it was about achieving consistency and efficiency. Taking the time to digitize and standardize has helped us save around 3 to 5 percent in operating costs, which is substantial for any catering operation.

IC: Specifically, how has Galley impacted your recipe and menu management?

JW: With Galley, our recipes are centralized and standardized, so we no longer worry about inconsistent or outdated information. Now, if we update a recipe, it’s reflected immediately, and everyone is on the same page. This has allowed us to maintain quality across events and reduce over-ordering or ingredient waste. Digitization and standardization are crucial for any catering business aiming to scale, and Galley has made that a reality for us.

IC: What features of Galley have been the most effective for Catering by Michaels?

JW: The inventory tracking and cost management tools have been game-changers. Galley lets us see our stock levels in real-time, which prevents us from over-ordering and helps reduce waste. The cost tracking feature is also helpful because we can stay on budget with full visibility into our expenses. Additionally, Galley’s allergen tagging and menu customization features are essential for catering to clients with specific dietary needs, ensuring we can adapt quickly and confidently for each event.”

IC: How does the flexibility of Galley help you handle the unique needs of different events?

JW: Catering is dynamic, and each event has unique needs. Galley’s platform allows us to be flexible, which is essential when clients have last-minute requests or specific dietary restrictions. With Galley, we can make those adjustments on the fly, and the whole team is instantly updated. This flexibility has been critical to delivering the consistent, high-quality service we’re known for, regardless of the event.

IC: What would you say is the biggest overall benefit you’ve seen from switching to Galley?

JW: The biggest benefit has been efficiency—getting rid of those repetitive, time-consuming tasks. Digitizing our recipes and inventory with Galley has freed us from so much manual work and allowed us to focus more on the client experience. By standardizing and centralizing everything, Galley has enabled us to not only save on costs but also to be more agile, which is essential in an industry like catering, where every detail counts.

Key Takeaways

Jeff Ware’s experience with Catering by Michaels underscores the transformative impact of digitization in foodservice operations, especially in catering, where consistency and precision are critical. By implementing Galley’s Culinary Resource Planning Platform, Jeff’s team has achieved several key outcomes:

Cost Savings Through Digitization: By taking the time to digitize and standardize recipes and menus, Catering by Michaels has realized an estimated 3 to 5 percent savings in operational costs, which directly contributes to the company’s profitability.
Improved Recipe Consistency and Quality: With Galley’s centralized recipe management, the team ensures that every dish meets the high standards that clients expect, regardless of the event’s scale or complexity.
Enhanced Inventory Control and Waste Reduction: Real-time inventory tracking allows Ware’s team to manage stock levels accurately, reducing waste and optimizing orders to prevent overstocking.
Flexibility for Event-Specific Needs: Galley’s flexibility enables Catering by Michaels to quickly adjust menus for various event requirements–from corporate dietary restrictions to wedding-specific themes–ensuring that client expectations are met with ease.
Increased Efficiency Across Operations: Galley’s integration of essential tasks such as recipe updates, inventory checks, and cost tracking has freed up time for Ware’s team, allowing them to focus on delivering memorable culinary experiences for clients.

Jeff Ware’s insights highlight how a focus on digitization and standardization can unlock efficiencies and savings, positioning businesses to scale while maintaining high standards. Galley has given Catering by Michaels the foundation to enhance both their operations and customer satisfaction, providing a model of efficiency for the modern catering industry.

Experience how Galley can transform your culinary operations—boost efficiency, reduce costs, and centralize your recipe management like never before. Schedule your personalized demo today and take the first step toward streamlined operations and unmatched quality.

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