Top 10 Ways to Catering Bliss

One of the most stressful occasions in life, apart from moving house or having a child, can be organizing an event with catering. Nobody wants to be remembered for being the organiser of a wedding event, or a corporate engagement that falls spectacularly on its face because the catering was a disaster! I have experienced both success and failure, and have tried to list methods of making the process as comfortable as possible.

1. To begin with, does the caterer offer a range of menu options including the particular cuisine you are after? Most good Caterers will have detailed menu listings on their website. If they don’t you can contact them and request that it is sent to you via email or snail mail.
2. Identify what type of function you are planning to organise? Do you need private catering or corporate catering, a big or small event, formal or informal, inside or outside? Whatever you are planning, ensure that the caterer that most interests you, can actually handle the event.
3. Ensure the caterer that you choose is available on the day that you have planned. It is also worth checking to see that the Caterer has a 24 hour service and can be contacted 7 days a week. Many events are held after hours or on weekends so it will be a great disadvantage and frustration if you can’t contact your Caterer in the evening or on a Sunday morning when you suddenly think of something you need to discuss! You will definitely not want to pay more for your catering purely because it is not in the normal hours of business!
4. Does the catering company provide their own well-trained waiting personnel? Will the caterers ensure that the staff will be correctly addressed for the type of event that is being planned? Will the staff take care of everything from delivery and preparation, to waiting on the guests and cleaning up afterwards?
5. Looking at the list that was initially prepared, do you think that the catering company of your choice is capable of organizing the equipment that may be needed? This probably would include the tables, chairs, linen, crockery, glassware, cutlery and maybe even ovens and a bar serving area. Make sure they can provide what you need so that you don’t have to do additional running around to get what you need. Also ensure that their equipment is new and in pristine condition. The last thing that you need to offer your guest tatty linen and tarnished crockery.

1. Maybe you have to find a venue for your event? If so, a Caterer who can source a venue for you will save you time and have an established relationship with the venue. This will streamline the whole catering experience and make your life a lot easier!
2. If it is you desire to have a theme-based event, can the catering company help you to organise this, from cuisine choices to decorations and table settings?
3. Where will the caterer prepare the food? If your venue doesn’t have a kitchen the caterer will need to prepare and heat it at their premises and then deliver it ready to serve.
4. Can the Caterer organise all your drinks? This can be quite a difficult task if you were left to organise it yourself. Your first move would be to physically buy the drinks and then ensure their delivery to the venue. Then you need somewhere to store them and a method of keeping them cool. On the day you will need staff to serve the drinks along with a bar serving area, plus glasses etc. So if the Caterer doesn’t handle the drink side of the event, you will have a fair amount of work to do yourself. This should be crucial to your selection process.
5. Does the caterer of your choice have a cancellation policy in place? Are you likely to get all of your money refunded if the event is cancelled for whatever reason? It is advisable to scrutinise the company’s terms and conditions of business before you commit yourself to a deal.

Related posts:

• Catering at Home – a customer testimonial
• Wedding Fair – Catering for weddings
• Red win exclusive catering contract for New Venue in Eastbourne!
• Arundel Sparkle Ball – 9 Days Notice, 300 Guests, No Problem!
• Eastlands Estate in Sussex, Perfect Venue!

Tags: catering, corporate catering, private catering, wedding catering