Comparison Guide
Creventa vs TellTheChef
Which platform saves your team the most time? TellTheChef focuses on menu choices. Creventa automates the entire event workflow, making it the stronger choice for hotels, stadiums and larger hospitality venues.
Six critical differences that matter most
1. Workflow coverage
Creventa automates every stage. TellTheChef doesn’t.
2. Allergen accuracy
Creventa: automated and compliant. TellTheChef: manual consolidation.
3. Payments
Creventa: deposits, balances, upgrades. TellTheChef: no payment system.
4. Seating plans
Creventa: drag-and-drop tools. TellTheChef: no seating functionality.
5. Reporting
Creventa: full reports. TellTheChef: basic lists.
6. Staff savings
Creventa: 40 to 70 percent reduction. TellTheChef: partial reduction.
What complete automation really means
TellTheChef helps you collect menu choices. That’s valuable, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Creventa connects pre-orders to your wider operation:
- Fewer systems to manage and maintain
- Less duplication of data entry and effort
- Better guest experience from booking to service
- Cleaner service delivery on the day
It’s the difference between collecting orders and running events smoothly.
When to choose each platform
Choose TellTheChef if:
- You only need basic menu collection
- You have small, simple events
- You manage payments separately
- You don’t need seating integration
Choose Creventa if:
- You want complete event automation
- You run hotels, large venues or stadiums
- You need integrated payments and seating
- You want to reduce staff time by 40 to 70 percent
For venues managing complexity, multiple events, large groups, joiner parties and seasonal peaks, Creventa delivers the automation and integration that TellTheChef simply can’t provide.
Why hotels choose Creventa
TellTheChef is a good tool for basic pre-orders. But when guest numbers, complexity and expectations grow, venues need more. That’s where Creventa excels:
- Higher revenue through upsells and upgrades
- Lower waste through precise kitchen planning
- Fewer errors through automated workflows
- Happier teams with 40 to 70 percent less admin
When events are your business, not just an add-on, Creventa is the platform that scales with you.
See how Creventa compares in action
Book a Demo to see the complete Creventa platform, and discover why hotels and venues are making the switch.
This comparison is based on direct experience of both products and is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. We keep this page current, so if anything needs updating, please let us know. The 40 to 70 percent reduction in admin time is reported by customers in a Creventa user feedback survey, and varies by venue and event.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Creventa and TellTheChef?
Both collect guest menu choices. The question worth asking is what happens to that data afterwards. Creventa carries it through to allergen records, seating plans, place cards, deposits and balances, kitchen run sheets and function sheets, so the same record drives service on the day. When comparing, ask each supplier to show the reports their system produces from a real booking, rather than the order collection screen.
Does Creventa handle deposits and payments?
Yes. Creventa takes deposits with a due date, lets guests pay for their own orders where a venue enables it, and lets the host settle the remaining balance online, after which the event is locked. Discount codes can be applied to deposits and to orders, and refunds and partial payments appear in the Event Transactions report.
Can Creventa produce seating plans and place cards?
Yes. Seating plans are built with drag and drop, invites can be sent directly from an event, and place cards print from the same record as the orders, so a changed guest name or dietary requirement does not need retyping anywhere.
How are allergens handled?
Allergens and dietaries are recorded against the named guest who declared them, covering all 14 UK declarable allergens. Menu items a guest has declared an allergy to are disabled at the point of ordering, with an explanation. Allergen orders can be printed first on the kitchen run sheet, and modifiers carry their own allergens and dietaries.
How much does Creventa cost?
Creventa pricing starts at £74 per venue per month billed annually, excluding VAT. Restaurants most commonly choose Creventa Select at £129 per month, hotels Creventa Suite at £249, golf clubs Championship at £149 and stadiums Arena at £249. Onboarding, training, support and migration of existing menus and bookings are included on every plan.
How long does it take to move across mid-season?
Onboarding, training and migration of menus, packages and existing bookings are included, so venues do not start with an empty system. Most teams move live events first, starting with the furthest out, so nothing already in service depends on the new system on day one.
Competitor details on this page are based on each provider's public website and marketing materials, last reviewed October 2026. If anything is out of date, let us know and we will correct it. Creventa results such as wet-spend uplift, time saved and reduced food waste are typical outcomes reported by customers and vary by venue and event.