Free operational planner

Catering Event Timeline and Run of Show Planner

Anchor day-of tasks to service start, assign ownership, see exact local times, and catch schedule conflicts before the team arrives on site.

The starter tasks are editable examples, not prescribed lead times. Replace them with your route, venue access, menu, equipment, staffing, and contract requirements.

Event anchor

The service start drives every exact time in the run of show.

Service anchor

Add the event date and service time

Scheduled tasks

10

Owner conflicts

0

Tasks sharing an owner and overlapping in time

Completion

0 of 10

0 tasks without an owner

Task editor

Offsets are minutes before or after service start. Use a negative number before service and a positive number after it.

5h before: Add the event date and service time
4h before: Add the event date and service time
3h before: Add the event date and service time
2h before: Add the event date and service time
1h 40m before: Add the event date and service time
30m before: Add the event date and service time
At service start: Add the event date and service time
2h after: Add the event date and service time
2h 15m after: Add the event date and service time
3h 15m after: Add the event date and service time

Generated run of show

Sorted by start time. Confirm travel, access, setup, safe holding, service, breakdown, and return assumptions with the responsible people.

StartEndTaskOwnerAreaStatus
Add the event date and service time5h beforeAdd the event date and service timeRelease packed order from kitchenKitchen leadKitchen
Open
Add the event date and service time4h beforeAdd the event date and service timeLoad food, equipment, and service kitLogistics leadBase
Open
Add the event date and service time3h beforeAdd the event date and service timeDepart after load and temperature checkDriverTravel
Open
Add the event date and service time2h beforeAdd the event date and service timeArrive, gain access, and confirm site conditionsEvent leadVenue
Open
Add the event date and service time1h 40m beforeAdd the event date and service timeSet up service area and equipmentSetup teamVenue
Open
Add the event date and service time30m beforeAdd the event date and service timeTeam briefing and final readiness checkEvent leadVenue
Open
Add the event date and service timeAt service startAdd the event date and service timeGuest serviceService teamService
Open
Add the event date and service time2h afterAdd the event date and service timeClose service and record final countsEvent leadService
Open
Add the event date and service time2h 15m afterAdd the event date and service timeBreak down, pack, and complete venue checkBreakdown teamVenue
Open
Add the event date and service time3h 15m afterAdd the event date and service timeReturn, unload, and hand off exceptionsLogistics leadBase
Open

What belongs in this timeline

  • Kitchen release, load verification, departure, and travel handoff
  • Venue access, utilities, equipment setup, safety checks, and team briefing
  • Service stages, replenishment ownership, client cues, and close
  • Counts, waste handoff, breakdown, venue sign-off, return, and exceptions
Sterling Food Service - Food Truck & Catering Business Startup Hub

Practical guides, calculators, templates, and research for food truck and catering operators. Check local rules and replace every example with your own records before making decisions.

© 2026 Sterling Food Service. All rights reserved.