It is important to choose the right caterer for parties when hosting an event. The type of food, its flavor, and its presentation determines the success of your event.
There may be a lot of things riding on your decision of which caterer to hire, but you should keep in mind that food is important for parties. Think of it this way: A bad event can be salvaged by a good caterer while a good event with bad catering can send the guests heading to the doors, or worse, the restrooms.
Plus, the fact that the caterer is the number one or the number two most expensive item in your event list means that your decision has a budgetary element into it. Choosing a caterer will influence how much money you have left in your budget.
Responsiveness
Believe it or not, but the responsiveness of a caterer plays a critical role in the decision process. A lot of caterers claim to have the best-tasting food with the most competitive price, but it is a rare quality for them to both make quality food and be responsive to the queries and the ideas of the clients.
A caterer should be truly concerned with meeting the customers’ needs and wants. A caterer should not only be responsive, he or she should also ask questions about the theme of the event, the purpose, the budget, and the goals of the host.
Expertise
Not all caterers are perfect for every type of event. Some are more used to serving smaller, intimate-type social events while others are experts in catering for large corporations, weddings, and birthdays.
When speaking to a caterer, you need to be specific about the type of event you are planning. You should also talk to at least three caterers. Otherwise, you may end up selecting a caterer who isn’t a good fit for your event.
Menu Options
Most caterers have standard menus, but they should also be able to customize and personalize the menu according to the current trends and the theme of the event. An ideal caterer should be willing to handle or consider special requests.
If the caterer is not willing to adapt its menu or challenge its staff to create a customized menu, then that’s an immediate red flag.
Food Tasting
You have to attend at least three food tastings with different caterers to get the taste that you want. Never settle for a caterer that will simply give you a generic sample. You need to know what the food will taste like because, during the party, your event will be judged according to the flavor of your food.
You may request for the caterer to suggest wine pairings for the tastings too so you can choose the appropriate drinks.
Familiarity with the Venue
You need to have a caterer who is already familiar with the venue. The caterer must have worked in the event venue before to make sure that they are used to preparing the place for their buffet or sit-down dinners. They would be aware of the restrictions as well. For example, red wine and live flowers are not allowed inside historic house museums.