A Simple Guide To Hiring The Perfect Caterer For Your Event
Before you start searching the internet for "the best caterer" let's take one step back and lay down some key points to keep in mind. First, how many people do you plan on inviting? Feeding all of these people is an important concern with budget, as well as finding the right caterer who will prepare the best tasting food. Often, when you let the caterer know you have "x" amount of people coming they will inform you how much money to expect to pay per person. This should help give you an idea on your starting budget.
The next key point that you will need to think about is the kind of food you would like to provide. If you have a large number of guests attending the event, you would want to take the cost-effective approach and select a dish that is inexpensive to serve. However, don't forget that low cost doesn't always mean it will taste like low-quality. After all, we are trying to hire the best caterer not the worst! There are a lot of ways in which we are able to cut corners to save on the final catering bill. Never forget to always ask if there are special promotions going on for the amount of guests you have. You never know if a discount will be available for your event. Another easy tip that some people tend to forget is to go straight to the caterers web site and have look at their online menu. Most caterers will typically have an online menu that will give a list price on all the dishes. This should give you a ball park of what to expect as well as save some time once you sit down with caterer for your consultation.
Alright, now that we have the amount of people in mind as well as the budget you are willing to spend on the food, let's ask some important questions about the hall you would like to use. First question is whether or not the reception hall will supply you and your guests with tables and chairs. Oftentimes, this is included but it never hurts to ask. You should observe carefully around the hall and analyze if this hall will give everyone enough comfortable room to be seated as well as move around. Socializing is important in a party as guests love to mingle with each other and share a laugh or two. So keep in mind if the hall you decide on is comfortable for everyone as well as the caterer's to move around and serve the guests. Many reception halls are going to have a kitchen area available to the caterers. Once you have seen the kitchen, confirm with your caterer to see if it's adequate to prepare the food and not have any last-minute issues.
The next step is actually the fun part! That is to try out the food that will be served at the event or party. It's important that the food being served is something you would personally enjoy. Also make sure you have a vegetarian choice available if you know you have some vegetarian guests present. It's also important to note how the food looks visually, because as the food is being served to each guest they will all have an impression before they even eat it. A variety of desserts makes everyone happy as some people look forward to that. Another question to ask the caterer is if they will supply the individuals or if they will need the hall to supply them. Also another point is will the silverware, tablecloths with coordinating napkins be available from the catering business? If not, then this is something you will need to take care of.
Once you have gone through this checklist then you should be well on your way to a perfect catering event. It will pay off in the end that you did all your homework to find the best caterer for your event. Do not simply just go with the first caterer you see but ask these important questions to find out if they fit your budget as well as quality expectations. Numerous guests will sure be commenting on your event and it will be a lasting memory for you and your loved ones. So why not make sure everything is perfect? Take it from a professional caterer to follow these guidelines and you will be happy with the result. Good luck!