caterer

From cater +‎ -er.

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈkeɪtəɹɚ/

caterer (plural caterers)

1. A person employed to obtain and maintain the storage of provisions, especially food.
   • 1821 June 19, ”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”, in The Complete Works of Captain F. Marryatt, volume I, published 1840, 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?”

   • 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.

2. A person or company hired to provide and serve food, 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”, in New York, 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.

• (person responsible for provisions): cater (obsolete), manciple, obsonator (obsolete), steward
• (person or company hired to provide food):

• cater
• catering

• provisioner

• Terrace, reacter, recrate, retrace, terrace