Which of the following is essential for a valid catering contract related to goods sold?

For a catering contract related to goods sold to be valid, it is essential that the vendor owns the goods they are providing. This principle is rooted in contract law, where the seller must have the legal right to transfer ownership of the goods to the buyer. If the vendor does not own the goods, they cannot legitimately sell or offer them, which undermines the contract's validity. Ownership also relates to the vendor's ability to guarantee the quality and delivery of the goods, further ensuring that the obligations of the contract can be fulfilled.

While the type of service provided, event timing, and decorative styles may all be important factors in the context of catering, they do not affect the fundamental validity of the contract like ownership does. These aspects may influence how the contract is executed or the specifics of the service, but they are not essential conditions in establishing a legally binding agreement concerning the sale of goods.