Transport Catering
Transport Catering
Railway companies, for most of the parts of the country had one refreshment room for
each region. They even went to the extent of setting up a hotel attached to the station, so
that the passengers who were changing from one region to another could spend the night
before or after in relative comfort. The luxury of sleeping cars and restaurant cars were a
much later development.
In the early years of the 20th century, it was decided nationally to contract out the catering
requirement to private companies and hotels with a catering background so that the
traveler could be more professionally served during the often long and arduous journeys.
In 1910 the Spencers, who had a very large network all over India, were the first to cater
nationally on a contract basis. The Spencers had about 180 refreshment rooms all over
India. The size of the restaurant, the staff and the menu were structured to meet the
demands of the people passing through that particular area. Menus in these refreshment
rooms were quite elaborate and reflected British rather than Indian tastes. Catering was
considered to be an amenity provided to the travelers rather than a business proposition.
Spencer got almost all their raw material given to them by various companies, free. After
Independence, Spencer became a foreign company and so lost the contract.
The present Railway catering is managed both departmentally (the Indian railways) and
through licensed contractors. The catering facilities are available at thousands of stations
today. In-transit catering in also carried out by licensed contractors.
6. Industrial canteens
These are operated as a facility to staff in large factories and other similar
establishments. The food is of a high standard but the management has to work on a
tight budget. Food costs are usually subsidized. The staffs sometimes have to pay a
minimal price.
7. Institutional catering These are usually prevalent in hospitals and serve a
nutritionally high standard of food.
8. Airline Catering /Railway Catering
This is a big business operation, serving good quality food in difficult and limited
service areas. Competition is tough in this sector and thus a high standard has to be
maintained.
9. Out door Catering
This is a growing industry within the industry. The food is cooked in one place and
served elsewhere. Many Service staff is involved in this operation. This catering
establishment is proving to be the most profitable business on a long run.
10 Snack Bar
These offer everyday fare at reasonable prices and are popular with the working
people.