How To Pick A Caterer

If you never picked a caterer before, it can be an overwhelming decision. Depending on the function, the guests, and your own particular tastes, there are quite a variety of things you should consider. Things like personnel, specialties, special diets, wines, beverages, and so on and so on and so on. Here are a few basic things to keep in mind when choosing a caterer.

You want to know who the people are involved in planning and preparing and serving as your function. The person you talked to in the initial stages, may not be the same person you talked to while the event is being catered. Especially for larger events. This is particularly important to understand during an event, as you don't want to be interrupting someone who really can't provide the service you need.

While it's hard to cater to everyone's particular tastes, there are a few exceptions you should be conscious of. If you have guests with very specific and strict dietary requirements, such as food allergies, or diabetic restrictions, these must be taken into account. And not just taken into account by you, but by the caterer as well. Your caterer needs to be able to cope with these requirements.

Wine beer and other drinks, need to be planned for as well. At the very least, you need to understand if this is a service the caterer is going to provide. In some function halls this may not be an option for you. As some places run their own bar with their own bartenders.

Timing is important as well. Not just in the delivery of the service, food, and drinks, but the time the caterer will work the event. How late will the staff be there? Is there a charge for overtime? This may also be a question you need to ask of the facility you're using and not the caterer. Just to be sure the facility and the caterer are in sync with one another.

Administrative details need to be considered as well. Such as when you need to make your final menu selection by, what additional charges there may be for last-minute arrival guests, and what the caterer's policy is in regards to cancellations and deposits.