Catering is one of the essential components of a successful and memorable event. With caterers taking up a large part of your event budget, there’s no compromise when choosing the best caterer for our upcoming big gala. If you’re planning your next big corporate event or family celebration and are interviewing a leading buffet caterer in your area, below are vital questions to ask Event catering
before signing a deal to host an event to remember.
Does the caterer have a safety license and certificate?
Before signing with a potential caterer, make sure they have a catering license from your state regulatory agency and are licensed to serve alcohol in your area. Approval of the Health Department is critical because it ensures that event providers meet all health and safety requirements. Ask if the caterer has liability insurance to cover you against an unfortunate incident at the venue.
Do you offer a tasting?
The best Catering services always offer their customers a taste of their menu. Check with your caterer of choice if they offer free menu tasting before signing the contract to understand better the cooking process, preparation method, quality of ingredients and taste. The tasting allows you to provide feedback on the food and helps the caterer modify the dish to your liking.
Can you provide a recommendation for a similar event you are hosting?
Regardless of the size and type of your event, it is crucial to ask the Event catering services for some references and testimonials from previous clients. When hiring a wedding caterer for the big day of your life, ask the event caterer to provide at least 3-4 references from previously served clients with a similar menu, type and size of event.
Can you arrange and set up catering equipment?
If the venue you’ve chosen doesn’t have the equipment you want, you’ll need to hire them from a third party. To save you from this unnecessary hassle, a full-service Event catering company will take care of almost anything related to setting up the equipment, decorating, pitching the tent, etc. Before hiring a reliable event caterer for your upcoming event, ensure they coordinate all aspects of equipment rental from glasses, tables, linens, tableware, etc. Find out about the deposit and damages policy before closing the deal. Confirm if the event caterer will also take care of preparing, unpacking, and cleaning the dining area.
Who is my Point of Contact on the Day of My Event?
Working closely with experienced coordinators from selected catering companies is essential for each event’s smooth planning and execution. Before giving the token amount to the chosen caterer, ask who is in charge of the event or who is supervising the possibility to make sure every detail is accurate. Hire reputable Catering services or a company that will appoint an event coordinator to ensure effective communication between the client and the catering company to ensure your big day or event is a success.
Take the last call wisely
Professional and experienced Catering services are used to answering all of these questions, so feel free to respond to them. If you are planning to hire one of the best caterers for your event, take note of your budget constraints and specifications and ask them to propose a custom menu design that fits your needs. Ask relevant questions to confirm whether the Event catering is a good fit for your job and can get the job done within your set budget.