As per Section 88 of the Finance Act, 1997 caterer has been defined to mean any person who supplies, either directly or indirectly, any food, edible preparations, alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages or crockery and similar articles or accouterments for any purpose or occasion and an outdoor caterer has been defined as a caterer engaged in providing services in connection with catering at a place other than his own.
In case of Outdoor catering:
Outdoor Catering attracts both Service tax as well as Vat.
In service tax there is an abatement of 50% of the total amount charged has been provided (Notification No. 30/97-ST refers)
Coupons for Outdoor catering given to customer will attract service tax.
Sales by counting coupon will attract VAT. 