Cambro’s Business of the Week: On The Spot Catering

Cambro Manufacturing

7 months ago

While many catering businesses serve buffet-style, On the Spot Catering owner Alec Ayala wanted to do something more personal with his business. Ayala chose the name “On the Spot” to describe how he prefers to cook onsite and serve plated dinners for his customers. OTS Catering started by accident in 2022 when Ayala cooked at a backyard party and a few people took his information down. Three years later, Ayala has been hired to provide quality catering for more than 780 private events.

1. What inspired you to get into foodservice?

“I’ve always loved food and had a relationship with food; it brought me comfort. I was introduced to the industry through a private treatment facility where I washed dishes and helped prep.”

2. What do you love about your business?

“I love the consistency my business offers. I’ve had a lot of repeat customers based off their first experience, and to be able to guarantee it’ll be the same is something I can’t describe.

What makes us different from others is we plate every single dish for the people who book us. We basically bring an open kitchen concept for our guests to watch us cook and plate and see how a kitchen is ran. I love to cook outside of the box and bring unique platting styles to really capture the eye.”

3. What’s the most interesting thing to happen to your business?

“As of now, the most interesting thing has been doing the greenroom catering at the Fox Performing Arts Center in downtown Riverside! I’ve had the opportunity to cook for some celebrities, and to see their faces when I cook and plate is amazing! Most travel bands or acts are used to buffet style catering so it was a breath of fresh air for them when I get to do it!”

4. What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?

“So far, it’s been getting people to know there are other options rather than buffet-style catering. Also, space; I started this business out of my home with absolutely nothing and grew it into an actual company, which I now have a shared kitchen space.”

5. Which Cambro products help make your business work?

“I mainly use the Cambro hot boxes for almost every event! They are a life saver along with the Cambro hot plates! All of my sauces are stored in Cambros.”

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