How to Find the Best Caterer for Your Event

This article is about the preparation needed when searching for a caterer for your event. It suggests certain points that should be discussed before you book.

If you are planning an event such as a wedding reception, retirement party, baby shower, or bar mitzvah, chances are you are in need of a good caterer. Finding a caterer who will meet your needs while staying within your budget can be a tricky process.

However, with the right amount of direction and a little preparation, presenting the perfect meal to your guests doesn’t have to give you a nervous breakdown. Here are some simple things you should think about as you consider beginning to search for your event.

First, plan out exactly what your budget for food will be. Be sure to factor in tax, servers, and tips as you search for companies which will match your price range.

Prices will differ greatly depending upon if you want a buffet style meal, or an elegant silver service sit-down dinner. What is the overall theme or feel to your party, and which kind of dinner will best fit with it?

Be sure to speak to multiple caterers about price, so you will get an accurate idea of what is reasonable. Some companies will even price match if you give them competition to compare to.

Find out what their payment terms will be, and what kind of tax and service charges they require. If you get all of the information up front, you won’t encounter any problems when it is time to settle the bill.

One of the greatest things that factors into expense is the type of food you are serving. For example, a grilled salmon meal will end up being much more expensive than a simple chicken dish.

If you are set on a certain caterer but are not happy with the cost, think about changing your menu slightly to bring the price down. Chicken dishes can be very elegant, and just as satisfactory to your guests.

Make sure that you talk to the company about their quality of food. Where does it come from?

There are companies out there who use frozen or canned foods to create their meals. If this is not something that is acceptable to you, be sure to talk to them beforehand about what their plan is.

While you may not think of it, there are also companies which do not supply any kind of dishes, silverware, tablecloths, napkins, cups, or anything else to accompany the food. This may or may not be your responsibility, depending on the policy of the company.

If they do provide these services, you need to discuss with them in detail the way they are going to decorate your event. After all, you may expect an elegant setup, and they come with chafing dishes that look cheap, plain, or damaged.

If you are not happy with the look of the serving equipment, sometimes it is possible to substitute it with your own products. You can often buy inexpensive, elegant serving equipment from stores like Costco, or other home brands.

Another thing to be aware of as you shop for a caterer, is their staff. Be sure to tell them exactly how many guests will be attending your event, as this will directly determine the number of servers that are needed.

Servers are either paid Viagra Professional by the hour, or by the entire event. A rule of thumb to follow is one server to every ten guests.

While this may seem excessive, it will ensure that your guests are well taken care of, and places are cleared away in a timely manner. You may want to find out the ages of the servers, to make sure that they fit with your event.

For example, if you are having a very elegant wedding reception, you may not want sixteen-year-olds trying to take care of your guests. Make sure that you are going to receive the level of professionalism that you are paying for.

When it comes to leftovers, find out beforehand exactly what is done with them. Some caters have been known to throw out entire bags of good, unused meat and other food when the event is over.

Others will simply box them up and take them back. Technically, you have paid for the food, and it is yours.

You can arrange for them to box up the leftovers in your own Tupperware and save it for yourself. Don’t expect this to happen if you haven’t discussed it beforehand.

As you can see, there are lots of questions which need to be discussed with your Levitra Professional caterer well before your event. Do your homework beforehand, come prepared, be ready to take notes, and you will have no problem finding the perfect event staff.

Author Bio: Tommy Greene is in all ways a food guru. He as lived in and worked as a chef in Chicago, New York and Seattle. He has now settled in the beautiful mountains of Utah and specializes in Utah catering events.

Contact Info:

Tommy Greene
tommygreene09@gmail.com
http://www.vanityfarecatering.com

Category: Food and Drink/Gourmet
Keywords: Utah catering

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