Question:
If a caterer is catering a meat pidyon haben during the nine days, may he eat meat with the baalei Simcha or must he refrain as he is not an invited guest. What about the waiters in that case?
Answer:
Hello,
The waiters are allowed to eat, because they are not formally invited as guests, however they are needed for the actual meal, therefore they may eat. The owner of the catering company often is not needed there, and only comes to collect the money at the end. If that is the case then he may not eat from the meaty part of the meal, however if he is needed for the functioning of the seuda then he may also eat.
Best wishes
