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Hiring The Perfect Caterer for Your Upcoming Event

One of the most fundamental parts of any type of event is the food that is served to the guests. From weddings to graduation parties, there are a number of celebrations that will require food to be catered by a professional company when have to serve hundreds of people. For those who are looking to select the perfect caterer for an upcoming event, there are a few important steps to take. 

  1. Taste the Food

    The best Caterers will allow you to sample the food before you decide to book their services. You’ll get the chance to visit their kitchen or facilities where you can try various dishes and view the presentation of each plate that is served. The Caterer should also have flexibility with your menu options and are willing to customize the menu to your specific needs or requests. 

    Caterers who have experience in the industry are always making changes or updates to their menu to ensure that it stays updated with the latest trends.

    It’s important to attend at least three tastings with different vendors, in addition to ideal wine pairings that should also be considered. Some caterers may also charge a fee for the food tastings.

  2. Start by Asking Around

    Consult your friends! Chances are someone knows someone who had a great catering experience, so get talking. Or think back to a Wedding where you loved the prime rib and mashed potatoes, contact that friend or family member and find out who did their food. Perhaps you can get the same person to do your menu!

  3. Ability to Handle Your Specific Type of Event

    Not every caterer is perfect or every type of event, and many caterers themselves openly admit this.

    So when interviewing your caterers (and you should speak with at least 3 caterers for any event with a reasonable budget), you need to be specific about the type of event you are planning and the type of food and/or presentation you are expecting. Otherwise, you may end up selecting a caterer who simply isn’t a good fit for the type or style of your event.

  4. Consider The Way You Serve the Meal 

    A plated dinner will require more waitstaff than a buffet, thus it will naturally be more expensive to serve a sit-down dinner. Serving the food family style is an option that is in between buffet and sit-down dinner. It requires waitstaff, but not as much as the sit-down option.

  5. Obtain References

    Most caterers are happy to provide you with a list of references of their former customers, which will allow you to ask each person if they were satisfied with the services that were provided.

    You can ask each reference if they would hire the caterer again and if they have any complaints to ensure that you can determine if they’re a good fit for your event. You can also look online to check for reviews of the company that are often posted on wedding websites.

  6. Willingness to Provide Tastings

    How will you ever know what a caterer can do unless you sample their goods? And more specifically, how will you know what the menu items you are considering will taste like unless you specifically try them?

    Some people shy away from asking to sample the specific items they want for their event because it seems like a hassle for the caterer, but it is standard to ask for a sampling of what you are intending to order before you sign on the dotted line.

  7. Ask Other Vendors for Recommendations

    Your florist or wedding planner can steer you in the right direction when it comes to finding a reputable caterer in the local area, according to The Knot. Most vendors have connections with other professionals in the wedding industry and will be able to give you a few recommendations. You can call each caterer and schedule an appointment to meet them in person before deciding on the right company to use. 

  8. See if It Fits Your Budget

    The prices of your caterer are one of the most important parts of determining what company to hire for your special event. It’s important that the company offers fair prices and works within your budget. If you’re limited on your funds, you can ask about the different packages that are available and if they can work with the amount of money that you can afford to pay.

    You’ll also need to ask if they include tableware or linens in their services, which can increase the cost. The caterer may also charge less for a buffet style that is offered, which won’t require the plates to be served to each table.

  9. Find a Company with Experience

    The caterer that you hire should have a chef and staff that is experienced in providing a high level of service in the industry. You’ll need to ask how long they’ve been in business and about the chef’s background to determine if they have any awards or are trained in cooking.

  10. An Experienced Chef and Kitchen Staff

    Surprisingly, how long a catering company has been in business may not be as critical in selecting a great caterer as you may think.

    “Length of time in the catering industry doesn’t necessarily translate into great and tasty cuisine”. “The chef’s background and experience can be more important than the owner of the company who has awards on their shelf. It’s the chef, sous chef and kitchen staff that often seals the deal.”

    So make sure to ask about the chef’s bona fides because he/she will probably be the one most responsible for the outcome of the meal and whether your guests enjoy it or not.

  11. A Clear Cancelation Plan

    Professional caterers who are credible are known to have a clear cancellation plan established, which should be listed in the contract that they provide you with. There should be detailed information on how cancellations are handled and if the deposit will be refunded if they need to cancel at the last minute.

    They should also be able to provide you with other caterers in the area to ensure that you still have the services that you need for your event. This will allow you to have a backup plan if your caterer doesn’t come through or if they fail to fulfill their responsibilities that are listed in the contract.

  12. Think About Your Guests 

    If the majority of your groom’s family members are veg, serve a vegetable lasagna alongside those nonveg chops. If you know most of your friends and family are adventurous eaters, serve something you know they’ll love and be excited about like surf and turf.

  13. Select a menu of seasonal dishes. 

    If your wedding is happening in winter, you might not want to serve a dish with fresh tomatoes as they aren’t in season and will cost more. Choosing food that uses in-season produce will help keep your budget down.

  14. Questions To Ask A Prospective Caterer

    • May I have a list of references?
    • Does your company cater more than one event at a time?
    • Will you be present at my wedding?
    • How much of a deposit do you require?
    • Is the deposit refundable?
    • How soon before the wedding do you need the final count?
    • When is the final payment due?
    • What are your preferred forms of payment?
    • Do you provide the wedding cake? Groom’s cake?
    • What does the price-per-person include? Tables & chairs? Linens? Real china and glassware? Cutting the cake(s)? Punch Service?
    • Are we required to pay full price for small children?
    • Would you be willing to meet me at my reception site to draw up a floor plan?
    • Are we expected to tip your staff?
    • Can we get a discount if we use all nice disposable wares?
    • How much time do you need to set up?
    • Do you take away all the trash when you leave?
    • How will your staff be dressed? Will they have nametags?
    • How many staff members would be working my wedding?
    • What are your bartending rates?
    • Will you announce to our guests to go ahead and enjoy the refreshments while we’re having last-minute pictures made?
    • Do you have a business license?

Here at UrbanHands, we make sure you hire the best caterers for your important events and within your budget

The post Hiring The Perfect Caterer for Your Upcoming Event appeared first on UrbanHands.



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