Caterers see growing appetite for their services at home.

An improving economy and growth in dual-income families are feeding a growing trend in business entertaining - catered private dinner parties at home.

Richard Nix Jr., president of The Butler's Pantry, said home catering is up about 50 percent in the past decade, as fewer people find themselves with time to cook.

"Especially now, when two incomes make up a household, there's just not as much time, and more and more people are utilizing caterers," he said.

Not only do the caterers prepare and serve meals, but they also can provide bartenders, carvers, housekeeping and valet service, Nix said.

"When our business started 30 years ago, we were just a fill-in. The wife or husband wanted us to fill in a starch or a vegetable or a dessert," Nix said. …