Catering Melbourne Blog

Hi Lauren,

Just wanted to say a big thank-you to you and your team they did such a greaty job on saturday night, cdan you please pass on a big thanks for me..

T
Kate

Chris Evans, announced that Minimum Salary Levels (MSLs) for temporary skilled overseas workers will increase by 3.8 per cent from 1 August 2008.
The increase is part of a package of reforms outlined in the Budget designed to improve the integrity of the temporary skilled migration (457 visa) program.

This increase will apply to new temporary skilled migrants coming to work in Australia as well as those already in the workforce who are subject to an MSL.

The 3.8 per cent increase is based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics all employees earnings increase for November 2006 - November 2007.

It increases the safety net for skilled migrant workers to help preserve their earnings power and protect them from exploitation in the workplace.’

The change will increase the current standard MSL from $41,850 to $43,440 per annum. For ICT professionals, the MSL will rise to $59,480 from $57,300. In regional areas, the MSL will rise to $39,100 (from $37,665) and $53,530 (from $51,570) for ICT professionals.

If an industrial instrument, such as an award or agreement, prescribes a level of salary that is higher than the MSL, then this is the salary that must be paid.

The Department will directly contact employer sponsors affected by this change prior to August. The Department will also run an information campaign to inform existing visa holders of the change.

The Workplace Ombudsman will be conducting an education and compliance campaign in July 2008 targeting hospitality and service industries in the Victorian Snowfields. This has been a direct result of a considerable increase in non-compliance issues that were reported to the Workplace Ombudsman from the last snow season

The Workplace Ombudsman should have already made contact with Victorian Snowfields hospitality and service employers about the campaign and their intentions.

Then in July, a workplace inspector will make contact with the selected employer for a full compliance audit. The main focus of the of the audit will be ensuring that workers are paid in accordance to their minimum entitlements, time and wage records comply with the provisions of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 and applicable industrial relations instruments.

Please do not disregard this notice. I know the timing of their audit is unfortunate and not practical, but the Workplace Ombudsman is focused on protecting and enforcing workers rights as their record shows.

Australia’s cafes, restaurants and caterers generated $13.7 billion in income during 2006-07, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The main sources of income for the 15,423 cafes, restaurants and caterers were:

Takings from meals consumed on the premises (47%)
Takings from catering services (24.1%)
Sale of liquor and other beverages (19.9%)

The Australian Bureau of Statistics have released their figures for this industry for the period ending June 2007.

An alarming observation that was raised was that for 2006-07, operating profit margin was 3.8% for Restaurants and Cafes. Click here for more information.

The Catering Services performed slightly better for the year, where operating profit margin was 5.3%.

Congratulations to Brandy Creek winery and View Cafe in Drouin East for winning the Tourism Winery category at the Gippsland Tourism Awards last Thursday.

The Tax Commissioner Michael D’Ascenzo has announced that the ATO will be vigorously targeting business owners that seek to avoid tax by taking illegal cash-in-hand payments are set to become a renewed target of scrutiny from the taxman.

“Cracking down on the cash economy will remain a priority for the ATO,” D’Ascenzo says. “Unrecorded cash transactions are an unfair practice and have an adverse impact on the vast majority of small businesses that abide by the rules.”

D’Ascenzo warns “rouge” businesses that should they chose not to reform their ways, they will be caught. The introduction of ATO improved methods of detecting possible business breaches of tax laws will assist in their search. He specifically points that the building and construction, hospitality, taxi, retail and transport sectors will be under the heaviest scrutiny.

Good Morning Oron

I cannot thank Laura enough - she was fantastic. Laura was helpful, efficient, brilliant people skills and a delight to have helping us. Can you please advise me of a mailing address so that I can send a note to her.

The food was excellent and I would have no hesitation in recommeding Catering on the Move to anyone.

Kind Regards
Lorraine

Dear Lauren

Well, you said I was getting the A-team and you were right!!!

What a night we had and Bev, Caroline and Julie arrived with their masks for my masquerade theme and took care of me, the guests, the food, the drinks, the cleaning, the setting-up and putting away. Nothing was too much trouble and nothing was left undone. They were just fantastic and all my guests were impressed.

I think you are likely to get further business from this occasion as a few of my guests are in corporate situations where they use caterers from time to time and they have your card.

I had a great night and just wish I could do it all over again!

Keep up the good work

Best Regards

Cathy Moncrieff

Lauren

I just wanted to send you a quick email to let you know how pleased I am with how everything went on Saturday night.

Lee was great on the night. She was very efficient and very helpful with whatever I needed her to do.

Friends and Family have raved about the food. Im just sorry I was too busy to try any of it!

Thanks again

Jenny

Hi Lauren,

This is just a quick note to say thank you very much for the catering provided at my 30th Birthday on Saturday night. I was really surprised at the quality of the food, and the service provided was excellent. Carol was not only professional and friendly, she was baby-sitter, first-aider and a motherly figure who really looked after everyone at the party. Carol blended in so well some of my friends thought she was a family friend who was just helping out with the food!

The food, service and low cost all exceeded my expectations, I would 100% recommend your services in the future.

Many thanks,
Vanessa