RIAT 2024 - Catering Discussion

[Nighthawke]

They're the ones - presumably to match the small amount of toilet paper provided.

[Supra]

Definitely a Top-Tip for anybody attending RIAT... Never eat Chinese or Indian food the night before attending an airshow!
YOU will be grateful for that advice, but not as grateful as the hundreds that follow you in !

[warthog56]

Hi everyone. Went to Duxford yesterday for the D-day show and was stunned at the price of food this year - £4.50 for a tray of chips, £14.50 for fish and chips (which were advertised as "with mushy peas" but none provided). I suggest that anyone taking a family to RIAT agrees a bank loan in advance! The chip van that I used also stated "card only". I even used the cafe before boarding the shuttle bus back to Cambridge and was charged £7.70 for a cup of tea and a "brownie"! Never again - I'll eat before and after visiting any shows.

[James Cutting]

Ah yes. Airshow prices are always high,which everyone knows so it really amazes me when people act surprised.

[Nighthawke]

Catering is expensive everywhere as is the cost of household shopping etc etc. Prices have rocketed in recent times so, like James, I am surprised people are surprised! Maybe they are not used to doing the shopping either.

However those who complain seem quite happy to spend significant amounts on ticket prices, travel and accommodation.

[Seacat192]

We’re a captive market in reality.

Cheaper, in theory, to take your own food - but do you really want to lug a cool box around the static (unless you leave it with family/friends at base camp)?

Then again, how long would drinks/food inside a cool box stay cool on a really hot day?

[Jaymer15]

Seacat has got it spot on. I take a battery cool box and even a battery kettle to the Park & View days at RIAT as I'm in one place for the day. There's no chance of carrying that all around on the full show days.

But £4.50 for a tray of chips as Warthog56 has pointed out is in my opinion is well over the top.

What event caterers pay for there food is far less than the price at somewhere like the supermarkets.

I wouldn't mind pay the extra if the quality was better and portion size better.

[James Cutting]

What event caterers pay for there food is far less than the price at somewhere like the supermarkets.

Well obviously. Because caterers aren't chains like supermarkets. They have to pay a fee to be there on that stand for the duration. The prices at RIAT are NOT set by the caterers - however, there still has to be a margin for profit, once ingredients, running costs, staff salaries are all accounted for.

However, despite literally everyone knowing this, people still have to complain - even though they don't use the facilities and take their own stuff! Mental!

[James Cutting]

We’re a captive market in reality.

Cheaper, in theory, to take your own food - but do you really want to lug a cool box around the static (unless you leave it with family/friends at base camp)?

Then again, how long would drinks/food inside a cool box stay cool on a really hot day?

FRIAT's luggage facility - Sorted!

(In no way sponsored or paid to advertise that...)

[STN RAMP RAT]

Hi everyone. Went to Duxford yesterday for the D-day show and was stunned at the price of food this year - £4.50 for a tray of chips, £14.50 for fish and chips (which were advertised as "with mushy peas" but none provided). I Never again - I'll eat before and after visiting any shows.

OK il'l bite, my local chippy ......
Medium Cod and Chips ... £12.10
Large Cod and Chips ... £14.10

I live about 20 minutes from Duxford. probarbly best you dont move to the South.

[Blackcat1]

Seacat has got it spot on. I take a battery cool box and even a battery kettle to the Park & View days at RIAT as I'm in one place for the day. There's no chance of carrying that all around on the full show days.

But £4.50 for a tray of chips as Warthog56 has pointed out is in my opinion is well over the top.

What event caterers pay for there food is far less than the price at somewhere like the supermarkets.

I wouldn't mind pay the extra if the quality was better and portion size better.

In the words of Philip Madoc , the German prisoner in Dads Army . “ I want no soggy chips”

[red leader]

Hi everyone. Went to Duxford yesterday for the D-day show and was stunned at the price of food this year - £4.50 for a tray of chips, £14.50 for fish and chips (which were advertised as "with mushy peas" but none provided). I Never again - I'll eat before and after visiting any shows.

OK il'l bite, my local chippy ......
Medium Cod and Chips ... £12.10
Large Cod and Chips ... £14.10

I live about 20 minutes from Duxford. probarbly best you dont move to the South.

Yes but a fish n chips portion size from a chippy is much bigger than from a van at an airshow.

[Mike]

The price of the incredibly expensive catering at RIAT is mostly due to the huge amount of money that every single outlet has to pay before they even set foot on the place.

[The Cat]

You wouldn't have liked the ILA show then with a bottle of water at 5€.

[quid21]

I don't mind paying the price for the food it's the cost of juice and ice cream that amazes me £2.50 for a tin of juice and £4 sometimes £5 for an ice cream, It's expensive enough just going by myself but I feel for people who have kids as it must cost them a small fortune for the day out.

At least under 18's go free.

So the £150 + fees saved can be spent on their 2.4 childrens food.

I don't know why they chose over 18s, personally I feel like undre 10's should go free and under 16's should be half price and 17+ should be adult prices. But thats just my opinion

[Vulture 01]

This rather echoes the comments on catering at the viewing area at Waddington. People get so used to having what they want, where they want, they don't plan ahead.

Unlike me, my wife doesn't eat meat, so her choice is pretty limited. We buy some pre-packed sandwiches from M&S (or other) in Cirencester. A cool bag helps keep the stuff in reasonable condition. All you need to do is plan ahead, and you can also save yourself a few pounds (or more).

If the food quality on base at Fairford is poor, if people vote with their feet perhaps the suppliers will 'learn lessons'.This seems to be the stock answer when what they really mean is 'we really *****ed it up!'.

Just the random thoughts of a very old spotter. Feel free to differ.

[Andy_99]

I vote they bring back the 'Base Security Team', (IIRC) catering offering with proceeds to Charity, Burgers wet or dry, American Pop, & great hot dogs.

[Hunter49]

When the RIAT TEAM Decided to kick usaf booster club off the base where they live , it was a disgrace the crap food merchants WON , And the booster club USAF Had to go, that was the final straw for decent priced food bit the dust

[Bluesteve]

Why not just let the Americans do it, as they used to at Mildenhall...

[Supra]

Considering the relative prices of RIAT (Fixed-Price?) food to the High St, here's just a little comparison to perhaps understand the parameters?

Mobile Caterer:- Purchase of Van/Trailer. Road Tax, Travel Fuel, Tyres & Maintenance of same. Vehicle depreciation. Travelling time. Overnight accommodation. On-site Fuel (Propane/Petrol) Pitch Fee.

Retail Shop:- Cost of Premises/Rent/Lease. Council Tax/Business rates, Maintenance.Security. Electric/Heating?/ Cooling/ Water. Advertising?

Costs for Uncooked food, containers, Staff costs (pro-rata), preparation & other ancilliary expenses are considered similar in both cases?
I don't think that beyond the RIAT vendors having a captive-customer base & perhaps portion size there's much in it?