When it comes to things that can make or break an event… Food is one of the most important! The taste, the quality, the type, the drinks, the list can go on and on. Your event could be talked about for ages for all the right reasons if you make sure you hire a good caterer. If you don’t you will never hear the end of it. It’s only natural to want the most perfect event possible. If you’ve never had any professional experience event planning or hiring a caterer, it can get very confusing. Hiring a caterer is not a decision to take lightly so here are some tips to help you find the company that works best for you.
The number one thing people may worry about when planning an event and hiring a caterer is cost. Some important cost factors will be the amount of guests, style of meal and service, and the menu. Before you search for a caterer, set a budget. When you research catering companies, and they give you a quote, ask for a full breakdown of services. Make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck! You can absolutely find a caterer that will work with you to develop the best menu and service for your budget.
Before you decide on a catering company make sure you are researching them. Though you may get recommendations on the best caterer in town make sure you are doing your OWN research. What works for some people may not work for you. Ask them what experience they have. Do they have any awards? Check their review sites like Google and Yelp. Don’t just read their website testimonials. A good caterer will have the reputation for it, as will a bad one. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions about them!
The most important thing when hiring a caterer is of course your menu. Before you decide on one make sure you have an idea of what you want your menu to look like. Make sure your caterer is willing to work with you on this. The age of guests, type of event, and time of year are all factors that may impact your menu. Would you want a buffet or a sit-down style dinner? These are things your caterer should be willing to help you with. Is it important to you that all the food is fresh and not frozen? Make sure your caterer knows this. To get a good idea of what the food at your event will taste like, ask if they offer taste testing. If they don’t, I would consider choosing another caterer. Especially if you have never worked with them before.
Asking tons of questions never hurts anyone. You don’t want to be blindsided the day of your event and realize the food tastes horrible and the service is subpar. Choosing a caterer may be hard but with these tips you’ll know when you’ve found the one!
