A person employed to obtain and maintain the storage of provisions, especially food.
1821 June 19, â€Peregrine,†The Traveller: Letter IV, in The Kaleidoscope; Or, Literary and Scientific Mirror, page 401,It was in vain that I petitioned, appealing to our caterer, if proofs of appetite were wanting; for sick men seldom have occasion for that important person′s services.
1830, Frederick Marryat, The King′s Own, 1840, The Complete Works of Captain F. Marryatt, Volume I, page 335,“I say, Mr. Cribbage,†cried an old master′s-mate, to the caterer, who had entered shortly after the tea-kettles, and assumed his place at the end of the table, “what sort of stuff do you call this?â€
1838, The Southern Literary Messenger, Volume IV, page 263,There is a caterer for the table, whose sleekness of face, rotundity of person, and general air of comfortable well-being, do great honor to the cheer he provides.
A person or company hired to provide and servefood, usually for a large group and at a location separate from where the food is prepared.
1979 July 23, Andrew O. Shapiro, Of Canceled Parties and the Beleaguered Teenager, New York (magazine), page 64,If so, you will probably sign a contract with a caterer months, maybe years, in advance and make a substantial down payment.
1994, John N. Ingham, Lynne B. Feldman, Dutrieuille, Peter Albert (1838—1916) and Albert E. Dutrieuille (July 26, 1877—April 25, 1974), entry in African-American Business Leaders: A Biographical Dictionary, page 225,From a family of French West African descent, Albert Dutrieuille was the last of the great African-American caterers in Philadelphia.
2008, Zushe Yosef Blech, Kosher Food Production, page 176,Although many hotels work with outside Kosher caterers to provide Kosher services, some have developed their own in-house Kosher catering departments.
