who provides the food? irctc or ....?

Just wondering if it is the same IRCTC, what is the gain in booking in advance? Maybe I am missing something..

I am not sure on this, If PC is not there, will vendors take contract for a particular train to cater? If so, is IRCTC giving contract? I have seen in 12785/86 and 17603/04 vendors roaming in uniform and not allowing others to cater.

Yeah. It does happen on KR, Matsyagandha does not have a PC, but has a contractor and uniform,ed servers move around the train selling food. THis happens in Maq-Verna passenger too

Same with Godavari Express too.
One Exit door of B1 coach is blocke to fill with all hot packs to serve for dinner.
The count is around 120-150 only. Whenever I board the train @ HYB(Nampally), I book my meal then itself so that I can get good food.
Maximum till S9, the deman is met and rest all wil have to adjust on Biryani and other items.

When I was travelling by Wainganga Coach attendant said IR will give license for a party to sell/cater food/water when it doesn't have PC for which selling person should be with Uniform and Badge having Details of License to Sell in that particular Train. Observe Few trains for SWR(Weekly) A/C Bedding fellow(Not permanent Employee of IR) itself will sell water with a Badge ( I felt License Holder is trying to Manage with OnBoard staffs for selling that deploying one more)

Oh ok, thanx for this info. You book meal by orally telling the order or is there any phone service like this for godavari too?

Not through phone but orally by meeting the vendor/caterer @ B1 coach.
This is must if you want to have good food and in week ends and festival days, its more tough.