Market day workflow: prep → service → post-event (a checklist that keeps you sane)

Most market stress comes from forgetting small things that become big problems.

Here’s a simple workflow you can reuse every service day.

The day before (prep)

• confirm arrival time + pitch info
• stock check + key ingredients
• packaging check (always)
• power/gas plan (spares, backups)
• card machine charged + backup plan
• staff rota confirmed

On the day (service)

• arrive early enough to set up calmly
• quick food safety checks (keep it consistent)
• keep notes on anything that went wrong (you’ll fix it once, forever)

After service (post-event)

This is where admin debt builds. Do the quick wins:

• mark the booking complete
• log obvious expenses (fuel, pitch fee, emergency stock)
• create invoice (if catering/organiser needs it)
• note anything you should change next time

If you want the “one calendar + one workflow” approach, read:

• Manage bookings without spreadsheets
• Catering invoices checklist
• Temperature logs routine