Planning an event is not an
easy task - organising food, drinks, entertainment and decor
can be a quite a daunting task. Everyone always remembers
the food though and if its good it will contribute to the
overall success of the event. Spend some time looking for
a professioanl and reliable catering team that will run
the food side of things efficiently. Here are some useful
tips to help you choose a catering company.
Research!
Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a suitable
caterer. Ask friends or business colleagues whom they have
used in the past. If your friends can't suggest anyone,
then turn to magazines and food websites and ask the caterer
for references from recent events. Phone the clients and
ask them what they thought of the caterer. Was their food
good? Were they professional and on-time? Were the service
staff friendly and polite?
Venues in your area are also a great source of information.
Call them and ask for their lists of approved caterers.
You can be sure that venue-approved caterers have been qualified
and meet the high standards of the venue.
Once you have made a shortlist of caterers that seem to
be right for the job, schedule an interview with each and
go from there. You will get a feel for a particular caterer
whether it be because of their ideas, enthusiasm or professionalism
etc..
Catering Styles
Understanding your caterer's area of specialty and their
limits is crucial to ensuring a successful event. You need
to select a caterer that will be able to meet the needs
of your event. Some caterers only offer a boutique style
of catering ie. food for small groups of people such as
small dinner or cocktail parties. Other caterers offer a
full catering service that can provide food for any size
event. Make sure to ask your caterer what they are capable
and comfortable doing!
Meeting with the Caterer
Once you have decided upon the caterers you wish to interview,
you should gather some information so as to have a productive
meeting. First, you need to be able to explain the type
of event and the overall vision that you have for
the event. Are you celebrating a special occasion
in a warm, intimate style? Do you want a funky, fun atmosphere?
Are you having a themed party?
Second, have some sort of a budget in mind
before meeting with your caterer. The cost per person varies
by caterer and type of event, but ultimately it is the number
of guests, venue choice, type of food, type of menu and
service that will determine the price. Discuss your budget
and event details with your caterer and they will let you
know whether it is possible. A good caterer will make your
money work for you and will come up with suggestions to
decrease the cost if necessary.
Third, your caterer will ask questions about your
event as they will need all the details
possible such as number of guests and whether there
are any guests with specific food allergies or preferences,
whether there is equipment available for the caterer to
use at the venue or whether they must bring their own. These
are all details that your caterer needs to know and will
help in their planning. Most caterers will (and should)
provide you with a detailed estimate, which will outline
the breakdown of services and clearly state the costs that
can increase. Once you have the estimates, you can determine
which catering company has best understood your ideas for
your event.
Your Experience
Your entire experience should be a positive one, beginning
with the first contact with your catering consultant. Are
your ideas received with enthusiasm? Are they asking relevant
questions? Do they provide alternative suggestions and ideas?
Are they excited about your event? Do they seem professional?
A lot of your time will be spent with your caterer and you
should feel as though they are listening to and comprehending
your ideas properly. This will help ensure a successful
event.
The Tasting
Some caterers offer tastings and others do not. It is widely
accepted though, that a tasting is offered only once your
event is booked and you wish to taste the menu that you
have confirmed with your caterer. The tasting is more of
a finalizing of the event, not a sales point as it is very
expensive to produce, as well as time-consuming so you may
well be charged for this service.
Decision Time
Once you have met with the various caterers, you can make
a confident decision about who will be best able to cater
for you. Remember that catering is an art, it invloves going
to unknown venues, working in ill-equipped kitchens or setting
up kitchens, being creative, dealing with weather conditions
and lots more. All of these factors require good organisation,
skill and talent. Together with time and budget constraints
this will demand someone who has experience and knowledge,
as well as a love of food and parties!
Once you have chosen your caterer, listen to their ideas.
They have done this before and can offer beneficial advice
on creating a successful party. Good luck choosing the right
caterer!
