Picking the perfect partner
We all know the best way to win over a crowd is with glorious food and attention to detail that would impress a royal.
So how do you go about delivering such impeccable service and delectable culinary delights?
We’ll tell you how. By finding a reliable caterer…
But, before you start fumbling for the ejector seat at the thought of trawling through millions of ‘reliable’ caterers, take your fingers off the button and read on. We’ve assembled some key points to bear in mind when considering who to put in charge of one of the most important elements of your event.
1. It’s the economy, silly!
Before you start going through caterers, make sure you have your budget sorted. And don’t be afraid to let them know. That’s way you should save yourself a lot of time by eliminating the ones that are out of your price range.
2. Location, location, location
If you have a venue in mind, then ask if they have a Preferred Suppliers List. Caterers who have worked with a venue a lot will know the lay of the land, have a good relationship with venue managers, and, all in all, be more efficient than someone who has never been there before.
Venues tend to have certain criteria that they like their suppliers to fill, which usually means fitting in with the style and feel of that particular place. You’ll also have the peace of mind that they are tried and tested.
Also, be aware that certain venues like to charge for bringing in caterers who aren’t on their P.S.L. so, to avoid disappointment, ask them upfront if you’ve already got a particular caterer in mind.
3. Hello, is anyone there?
You can tell a lot about a caterer from your first few emails or phone calls. If they are responsive from the get go, asking you lots of questions about budget, style, menus and the like, it shows they are interested in you and your specific needs. Your event is important to you and you should be important to them. No one wants to be, or should be, ‘just another customer’.
4. “Is there anything we can’t do?” Yes, yes there is.
You will read endless accounts of the versatility of caterers. Many wax lyrical about their ability to be able to turn their hand to any style of cuisine or deliver something out of the ordinary.
Our advice to you is if you have a chosen cuisine from a particular region or country, or have something special in mind, get a caterer who specialises in that style of cooking. Although they may claim to be experts in everything, not all caterers can turn their hand to every single thing so easily!
5 Menu’s galore
Once you have found a caterer you would like more information from, ask for a range of menus. While most will have a standard menu on their website, it’s best to see the extent of what they are capable of and any decent caterer will offer flexibility regarding menu choice. Remember, it’s your event so make sure you are choosing the food. By all means ask for advice, but don’t feel restricted by the caterer, and don’t be afraid to challenge them and see if they can rise to your expectations.
6. Taste everything!!!!!!!
We cannot stress enough how important it is to arrange a tasting with any potential caterer. You may be charged for this, but it’s worth every penny. And better the minor expense for peace of mind, than discovering on the day that the chef doesn’t know their Cacciatore from their Cassoulet. Don’t be afraid to ask for more than one tasting either – if it’s important to you then it should be important to them too.
7. We have ways of making you talk!
Ask, ask, ask. The more questions the better. It will give you the confidence in your potential caterer and any professional won’t mind taking the time to answer any queries you have and help you with anything you may be confused about. To help, here are a few questions that we think you must ask when looking for any potential caterer. It may be things you haven’t already considered but could prevent you being saddled with some extra costs you weren’t aware you would be paying:
Is there a charge for breakage?
What is the cancellation policy?
How far ahead are bookings required?
How much is the deposit to secure the date and when will they need it by?
When can I expect to pay final invoice?
Is VAT included in the price or is it added on the final invoice?
Is service included?
