The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : When the cooking gets tough

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Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

When the cooking gets tough

K. Lakshmi

The rising prices of commodities and increased labour costs has seen many caterers take a huge cut in profits

Several people are prepared to pay the additional amount to make the wedding a grand affair
Radha Varadhan

Photo: K. Pichumani

Expensive affair Wedding feasts

No wedding ceremony is complete without a feast. Though wedding caterers have adapted to the changing tastes of people, several say they are unable to cope with the frequent change in prices. City caterers still get sufficient marriage orders, but struggle to make a profit because of spiralling prices of essential commodities and labour costs.

Several caterers say the price of commodities such as oil and pulses has gone up by 30 per cent in the past six months. Some cut down on a few dishes to suit a family’s budget, rather than compromise on quality.

A caterer in T. Nagar, who has been in the business for over two decades, says the cost of a meal per head has increased from Rs. 90 to Rs.120 in the last six months. Labourers and cooks have seen an increase in their salaries, thanks to inflation.

Another caterer, K. Sivasubramanian of Kolathur, says the recent hike in fuel and LPG prices has compounded the problem. “I am unable to demand a higher price for fear of losing customers to the growing competition. In order to provide quality food without increasing the price, I take a hit of anything between 40 and 50 per cent on my profits.” He has reduced the serving staff by 10 per cent to cut down on expenses.

Caterer Radha Varadhan of Neelankarai says that the budget for throwing a feast for about 800-1,000 people has gone up to Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh from a sum of Rs. 1 lakh six months ago. The cost of other services provided by the caterers may differ according to the family’s preferences. “But, several people are prepared to pay the additional amount to make the wedding a grand affair,” she says.

While things are relatively okay on the wedding front, things are more difficult for those who cater to offices, because some customers are simply not willing to pay a higher price. A few caterers have managed to work their way around this by restricting their work to just cooking, and not purchasing commodities.

Christian and Muslim wedding feasts have become costlier affairs, because of the rising price of meat and Basmati rice. Says R. John of Purasalwalkam, who has been in the business for several years: “Basmati rice, which was sold for Rs. 60 a kg a few months ago, now costs Rs. 95. This has led to an increase in the cost of a meal per head from Rs. 90 to Rs.100. I sometimes end up managing the additional expenditure as it is difficult to convince customers about the escalating cost.”

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