Regardless of whether you are planning a wedding, corporate dinner, fundraiser or other large event, selecting a caterer that meets all your requirements is essential. A caterer can offer so much more than just good food, providing a comprehensive service that will see a number of aspects of your event taken care of and offering you complete peace of mind.
Hiring a catering service is something that takes a little research and it can be difficult to compare options if you have limited experience in planning an event. These tips will help you to select a caterer that meets your every need.
Set a Budget
Before you choose a caterer, you need to determine your budget. In this way you can rule out any caterers that are too expensive or are unable to meet your demands.
Always ask caterers about any unexpected costs that may be incurred and make sure that the quote you receive covers everything, including service, set-up and staffing considerations.
Ask for Recommendations
Word of mouth recommendations, positive reviews on social media and other reliable sources that offer feedback can be instrumental in helping you hire a catering service.
If you have a specific venue in mind, you can ask whether it can recommend a caterer or find out which caterers it has had positive experiences with in the past. This helps you to narrow down your choices and streamline your options.
Visit a Caterer’s Premises
If possible, always visit a caterer’s premises to see the conditions under which it operates. A clean environment and staff who are pleasant and professional are always a good indicator of whether a business is being run properly and can speak volumes about the service you can expect.
Assess Menu Options
If you are set on a specific menu for your event, you will need to find a caterer with experience in creating the dishes you desire. Some caterers specialise in specific styles of food; therefore, a little research should help you to determine the options available to you.
Dietary considerations are also important and you should be able to sample the menu before you give the go ahead, ensuring that it is exactly what you are looking for. A caterer should be able to accommodate your requests, and your menu tasting should provide an excellent overview as to what type of food you can expect.
Consider Serving Options
The way in which food is served can set the tone of an event; therefore, you will need to consider whether you prefer a casual or formal set-up. A buffet is a great way to cater for a large number of people; however, it is not necessarily suitable for a more formal dinner.
You will also need to discuss serving options with potential caterers, as they may have reasons for serving certain dishes in specific ways.
Hiring a catering service can be simple, but you will need to ensure that the company you choose meets all your expectations up front.