Founded in July 1992, Capitol Caterers is now one of the leading industrial catering companies in South Africa. ‘Welcome to the Family’ is the company’s motto; a truism endorsed by staff and clients alike.

Capitol Caterers services more than 100 customised catering contracts in the education, healthcare, commercial and retirement sectors within South Africa and Eswatini. The company specialises in providing high quality, nutritious and well-balanced meals to meet divergent dietary requirements, tastes and group sizes.

CEO Merrill King heads up the operation, supported by joint managing directors, Russell Nzimande and Laura Morton. All bring a unique skill set to the company; King and Morton as award winning executive chefs, and Nzimande as an industry specialist in operations and contract catering.

The Capitol Workers Trust
Capitol Caterers currently employs in excess of 1400 personnel. Much of the company’s success can be attributed to a stable workforce evidenced by the large number of staff who have been with the company for over fifteen years. These trends stem from a strong empowerment ethic and a business philosophy deeply rooted in staff wellness.

Founder, Giles King, with a vision of empowering loyal staff for their long service, instituted a significant change in 2002 by transferring 21% of the company’s ownership to the Capitol Workers Trust. This percentage has now ballooned to 49% and beneficiaries (after five years of service) all receive a proportionate imbursement from regular dividend declarations.

Supply Chain
A dedicated department manages all procurement for the group. Capitol Caterers supply chain agreements ensure best price practice, quality compliance, field to fork traceability and adherence to the company’s sustainability plan. A strength is in the company’s flexibility to source products from smaller and entrepreneurial suppliers to service the specific needs of their contracts.

Quality Management Systems
All contracts adhere to QMS (Quality Management Systems) together with a customised in-house quality control system, CHESS (Capitol Health, Environment & Safety Standards). Operations are governed by the Occupational Health & Safety Act, ISO 9001 and HACCP standards. A dedicated OHS officer conducts regular internal audits and ensures training on food safety, hygiene and industrial kitchen standards.

Dietetics
The Dietetics Department offers nutritional support and contributes to the wellness needs of the company’s clients. Their functions include menu analysis, menu design, education on special diets and allergy considerations. The dieticians also prepare educational material and regularly conduct talks on the importance of healthy nutrition and balanced lifestyle practices.

Midlands Hospitality Academy
Capitol Caterers believes in upskilling their staff and to continuously develop their expertise. One of the tools to enable this goal has been the establishment of the Midlands Hospitality Academy (MHA), which is accredited by QCTO and CATHSSETA.

Learnership opportunities are offered to both employed and unemployed external applicants, which are conducted in-house or through on-line training programmes. The academy has partnered with various training providers who educate the students in the latest trends in the hospitality environment.

Capitol Caterers support the development and employment of disabled individuals. Four employees are currently participating in a registered learnership with ICAN (PMI Group). Additionally, a partnership with the Department of Social Development and Mental Health has, over the past year, enabled a further four people living with disabilities to be integrated into the workforce.

Environment
Capitol Caterers is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and imposes their environmental policy and strict recycling regimes at all client sites. Endorsing the company’s job creation philosophy, it has various contracts with entrepreneurial entities for the removal of waste to approved recycling facilities.

INDUSTRY SECTORS
Education: As a market leader in the education sector, the company strives to create a home away from home experience by providing nutritious, balanced, and tasty food. Providing a creative flair with functions, innovative meal plans and on-going student education on the nutritional value of the food served provides a comforting assurance to both parents and clients.

Healthcare: The company holds a solid footprint in the public and private healthcare sector. Capitol Caterers understands that nutrition is a vital part of patient care and their rehabilitation.

Commercial: Cost effective catering solutions for canteens are provided within the corporate and industrial sectors. The emphasis is on employee wellness and in providing healthy and hearty meals served within the defined time frames and operating requirements of each organisation.

Retirement: The residents at retirement facilities look forward to the serving of balanced meals, personalised dietary considerations, fantastic functions, and excellent service from compassionate staff.

ADDED VALUE SERVICE OFFERINGS
Private Event Catering: Capitol Cuisine provides niche catering for corporate functions, sporting events, weddings, and high-end private occasions.

Full Facilities Management: Included in the Capitol Caterers umbrella is a cleaning and laundry services division, a welcome service offering to its diverse client base.