If you’re planning an event at a venue that doesn’t have its own catering staff then you’re going to need to hire a caterer as well as catering equipment.
Finding the right caterer is an important task and should be researched and considered carefully before any decisions are made.
We’ve come up with five of the most important things that you should consider before choosing a caterer for your event.
Taste the menu
Never choose a caterer without first tasting their food! This gives you a chance to check out the way that they present their food as well as checking that it all tastes as good as it looks!
Review pictures of their work
A good catering company should have photographs of the food that they have made for previous events and occasions. This will give you an idea of how they set up and present their food at events and help you to decide whether they offer the type of service you’re looking for or expecting.
Get references
One sure fire way to find out what kind of service a caterer provides is by asking their past customers. Checking references can be a very insightful way of finding out any strengths and weaknesses that a catering company has.
Check for fine print
Make sure you give everything the once over before you sign on the dotted line. Make sure you fully understand what you’re paying for, things to check include whether service is included, whether you need to leave a tip, whether tax is included and what happens if your guest list changes at all in the days leading up to the event.
Ask about special dietary requirements
Make sure that the caterer can provide an alternative menu for anyone with special dietary requirements. They should be prepared to whip up delicious vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free alternatives at short notice.