One rule that has followed me ever since my wedding is that the only thing people really remember is the food. Whether a birthday party, bar mitzvah or family reunion, the quality of the food and professionalism of the catering staff is a truly defining feature that turns an average party into one that is talked about years later. But with so many caterers flaunting their special cuisines and services, how do you know which one is right for your event? Even though they may serve an all vegan entrée, does their service truly provide what you need? Knowing what you want is essential for asking the right questions.
Do You Like the Food?
The food and wine tasting is far more than a sample of what you’ll be enjoying at the event, it is a way for you to honestly judge if you like what you are going to be paying for and testing out if the flavors complement one another. This is also the perfect time to make any changes if what looked great on a menu does not taste as good. Also, take some time to enjoy the visual presentation. Does the look match what you are trying to achieve? It is possible that it could be too fancy for the event, allowing you to scale down to a dish that is a bit more relaxed and possibly more affordable.
How Will They Run the Event?
Nothing gives more peace of mind than knowing the catering service understands how to handle events of varying sizes. After you present them with the figures in regards to number of people, whether the food will be served seated or buffet style and the number of courses, the person you are meeting with should be able to provide you with how many they will have on staff, how they are planning the set up and takedown as well as naming the individuals that will be in charge of the different special tasks that may need to be performed. Knowing that they are well-versed in catering means they will know how to run and adapt to your event.
What Are the Extra Services?
Depending on how in depth you want them to be involved with the event, many catering companies provide access to linens, tables, silverware, glasses and countless other food-related accoutrements. We talked with Padonia Park Club about any tips they may have, and they said, “See if you can get a list with prices included to compare to other caterers. This is a selling point that can easily break a tie between two companies that have delicious food but extremely different capabilities.”
Can Menus Be Altered for Special Diets?
When there are large groups of people, there will no doubt be a few with allergy problems. While the entire menu does not have to be adapted to fit the needs of one or two guests, the caterer should offer options. Whether they make special plates specifically for those guests or one or two specialty options are added to the menu, most places are happy to adjust their strategy by offering possible alternatives. If they don’t, it is time to find a caterer who knows how to address dietary issues within your plans and your budget.
Can They Send You an Itemized Cost Estimate?
Know what you are paying for. While there are per-head prices, these prices usually cover more than simply the food. Sometimes it covers their participation in a three course meal with plastic silverware included. Other times it is strictly for the food. This price also changes based on any beverage or cake services you may request. Likewise, have them factor in all of the additional fees including bartender wages, chef’s wages and gratuity. This way, you will have a much better grasp of what, exactly, is going in to your services and what you should expect to have on the day of the event.
Resources
- Catering. (2014, August 5). Retrieved from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catering
- Geobeats. (2014, August 5). HuffPost Video. Retrieved from Huffington Post: http://videos.huffingtonpost.com/travel/weddings-choosing-a-caterer-517106392
