Food is something your guests will likely always remember about the functions that they attend, so if your event venue does not have an in-house caterer, selecting the right caterer for your event is very important!
Here are some of the main tips and tricks to make this process flow smoothly from time of booking until the dishes are being washed at the end of the night:
1) Catering/Food Budget: It’s important to decide this first, prior to beginning your catering search. This information is crucial for the caterers to begin putting their quote together. Please keep in mind if you’re doing just appetizers, a plated/served meal, or a buffet. If you’re doing a plated/served meal – do you want the caterers to provide the serving, or do you have people that will be serving? Keep in mind, some caterers will request that they exclusively do the serving, so providing your own staff may not be an option. When preparing your budget, know in advance what areas you’re wanting to emphasize and where you can advise the caterers to cut costs. Do you want the main course to be big budget and cut back on how many salads? Do you want an elegant dessert, or can this be scaled back? etc.
2) Make sure that you contact multiple caterers. Each company is different with their costs and policies, so it’s important to get multiple quotes. Maybe one company insists on supplying all staff and dishes/cooking items, while another company would allow you to outsource at a lower cost and simply utilize them for the food portion. It’s important to find all of your options so you can make the best choice for your event and your budget.
3) Obtain referrals and read reviews. These referrals can come from online forums, your venue, friends and family, etc. Word of mouth is huge in this industry, and if you find a caterer that is highly recommended everywhere you turn, that is a great feeling!
4) Select your top 2-3 choices and book a tasting. Some companies will do this complimentary, others charge a small fee, but doing the tasting is something that is highly recommended.
5) Ask the right questions. As mentioned in point 2, each caterer is different with what they supply, and which of those things are mandatory. If your caterer doesn’t have the option to supply linens, dishes, etc. that is a cost that you’ll have to outsource and factor in. Side note: Here at Handy, we have many different linens, dishes, cutlery, glasses, and catering items to choose from!
6) Pay close attention to the communication being received from your caterer. If you’re running into a lot of delayed responses and unanswered phone calls and emails, this should definitely be a red flag when proceeding.
6) Make sure there is a contract in place, and it’s not recommended to sign this contract until you have finalized your menu and sampled all items going on the menu.
Bon Appetit! Please contact us today for pricing on any of our rental items that would help with the food service portion (and more) of your event.
Check out the gallery below for some samples of our rental items that can assist with food service at your event!
