Cal Blay: The Story of Catering that Revolutionized Events in Spain

A Catering Company that Was Born in a Bar and Conquered the World of Events

Cal Blay is not just a catering company, but a success story built on tradition, innovation and passion for gastronomy. Founded in 1974 in a small bar in San Sadurní d'Anoia, this company has evolved to become a national benchmark in corporate events, weddings and large-scale festivals.

In this interview with Santi Carda, founding partner, and Carlos Bordanaba, head of sales at Cal Blay , we explore the company's growth, its ability to adapt to market changes, and the challenges of organizing events for thousands of people without losing excellence in service.

From a small bar to a company with 300 employees

The story of Cal Blay begins with Santi's parents, who decided to open a small bar in San Sadurní d'Anoia. What started as a family business soon became a restaurant and, over the years, a catering company capable of serving thousands of people at large events.

Today, Cal Blay employs over 300 people , manages over 160 weddings a year and offers catering services for companies, festivals and private events throughout Spain.

Gastronomic Innovation: The Secret of Cal Blay's Success

The catering sector not only requires impeccable logistics, but also constant culinary innovation . At Cal Blay, they have an R&D team that works to develop new gastronomic experiences , adapted to market trends and needs.

Some of his most recent bets include:

✔️ Customized themed menus for corporate events and weddings.

✔️ Development of fifth-range products , such as high-quality prepared dishes for supermarkets and food chains.

✔️ Adaptation to special diets , including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

✔️ Pairings with local wines and cavas , to highlight the gastronomic richness of Catalonia.

Cal Blay's executive chef is responsible for ensuring that each event has a unique and differentiating touch , offering creative dishes without losing the essence of traditional cuisine.

Logistical Challenges: How to Serve 2,500 People at an Event

One of the biggest challenges in the catering world is logistics management at large-scale events. Cal Blay has proven to be a benchmark in this area , organizing gala dinners and multitudinous cocktails with millimetric planning.

An emblematic case was the banquet for 2,500 people at the Tarraco Arena , which required:

📌 300 employees including cooks, waiters and logistics staff.

📌 More than 7,500 glasses and 2,500 plates for service.

📌 Specific electrical installations to keep food refrigerated.

📌 Coordination with suppliers and bar setup to optimize the flow of the event.

Experience in large-scale events has made Cal Blay a trusted company for high-level event agencies and organizers.

The Value of Human Resources in Customer Experience

One of the fundamental pillars of Cal Blay is its human team . Beyond logistics and planning, the dining room and kitchen staff play a key role in the guest experience.

To ensure quality service, the company has developed a talent management model that includes:

✔️Continuing training for waiters and cooks.

✔️ Flexible schedules , especially for students and seasonal employees.

✔️ Incentives and motivation programs to maintain excellence in service.

As a result, Cal Blay has managed to build loyalty among its team and ensure that each event is carried out with the utmost professionalism.

New Gastronomic Trends in the Events Sector

The catering sector is constantly evolving, and Cal Blay has been able to adapt to the new demands of the market. Among the main trends that are marking the future of gastronomy at events are:

🔹 Vegan and sustainable menus , with local and organic ingredients.

🔹 Interactive experiences , where guests can customize their dish live.

🔹 Luxury catering with innovative presentations , fusing haute cuisine with corporate events.

🔹 Bet on technology , with the use of artificial intelligence in event planning and stock control.

The ability to adapt has been key for Cal Blay to continue leading the sector, offering avant-garde proposals without losing the essence of Mediterranean cuisine.

Conclusion: Why Cal Blay is a Reference in Gastronomy for Events

From humble beginnings to becoming a benchmark in event catering in Spain, Cal Blay has shown that the key to success lies in the combination of tradition, innovation and excellence in service .

With an infrastructure capable of managing events of any magnitude, a committed team and a constant commitment to gastronomic quality, this company continues to make a difference in an increasingly competitive sector.

If you are looking for a reliable catering service for your event , Cal Blay is a guarantee of quality, professionalism and gastronomic creativity.