Frequently asked questions

Caterers choose the areas they serve and publish travel fees by distance. When you search with your event location, caterers in that area are shown first.

AlfaCaters is owned and operated by HENSIMFRA (Pty) Ltd. Full details are available on our Company Information page.

No. AlfaCaters is a marketplace. The food is prepared and served by independent catering businesses, who are responsible for its quality and safety. We review caterers before they are listed, pass booking requests between customers and caterers, and assist if a problem arises.

Search using your event type, date, location and number of guests. Open a caterer’s storefront, choose a package and any extras, and send a booking request. Your booking is confirmed when the caterer accepts.

Up to 48 hours, and less when your event is close. The app shows the exact deadline before you send your request. If the caterer does not reply in time, the request expires and you can choose another caterer.

As soon as the caterer accepts your request. You receive their phone number and email address, and they receive yours together with the venue address.

Add any allergies and dietary requirements to your request, and confirm them with the caterer once they accept. The caterer is responsible for acting on this information.

No. Sending a booking request is free, and AlfaCaters does not charge customers any fee.

For now, you pay the caterer directly. Once the caterer accepts, agree the deposit and payment with them, and ask them to confirm the total and their cancellation terms in writing before you pay.

We plan to offer online payment in the future. Until then, AlfaCaters does not receive or hold any money for bookings.

You can withdraw a request or cancel a booking in the app up to the day of the event, and the caterer is told by email. Any refund of money you have paid follows the terms you agreed with the caterer and your rights under consumer law.

It means our team has checked the caterer’s identity and bank details. It does not mean we have inspected their kitchen.

The caterer has submitted a certificate of acceptability for food premises, which our team has reviewed and approved. You can filter search results to show only these caterers.

First raise it with the caterer. If you cannot resolve it, email support@alfacaters.com with your booking reference and photos where possible. We will look into it and may suspend or remove caterers who do not deliver what they agreed.

Listing is free, with no registration fee or monthly subscription. Founding caterers pay 0% commission during our pilot, and we will give at least 30 days’ notice before any fees apply.

Open the AlfaCaters app, enter your email address and choose I am a caterer. You can then set up your storefront from your phone.

Your ID or passport and a bank confirmation letter. Business registration documents are optional. A certificate of acceptability is recommended, as it gives you the Food safety certified badge.

For now, customers pay you directly. When you accept a request, you receive the customer’s contact details and agree the deposit and payment terms with them.

Yes. You set your service area, working days, notice period, maximum events and guests per day, and any dates you are unavailable. Customers can only send requests for dates on which you can take bookings.