Weddings might be the event we think of most when it comes to catering, but there are plenty of other events and special occasions when catering is just as important. Whether it’s a business meeting, a birthday, an anniversary, or another special event, people are always going to work up an appetite, which requires something tasty on the menu.And why not let a caterer take care of the work for you?
To help get you on the right path to choosing the best caterers for your event, here are seven questions to ask all event catering companies before you go ahead and sign any contracts.
1. What Are Your Signature Dishes?
This first question might sound like a pretty basic way to start off the conversation when interviewing event catering companies, but asking about their signature dishes or style of food is actually very important. If you have a specific vision for the fare at your event, or you know that you’ll be catering to a crowd with specific tastes, it’s important to ensure the catering company can meet your requests.Wanting an Asian inspired menu from a BBQ specific caterer may not be the best use of their services.
2. Where Do You Source Your Food?
As the locavore movement shows no signs of slowing down, more and more people want to know where their food is coming from. If this matters to you, you’ll want to talk to the catering company to find out where they source things. Do they focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients to keep it local, or do they use a food supplier who imports most of their products? The only way to find out is to ask.
3. What Kind of Licenses/Insurance Do You Carry?
As much as the food is the star of the show, don’t let it sidetrack you from asking about important details like liquor licenses, health permits, and liability insurance. These seemingly small details can often go overlooked, but if a situation were to arise, they could cause big problems down the road. For this reason it’s best to do your due diligence up front. Asking to see proof of their certificates goes with the territory, and a reputable caterer will accommodate your request to make sure you are comfortable with them.
4. What Rentals Are Included in Your Quotes?
Many event catering companies will provide clients with a per person pricing quote. This is simplistic and easy for budgeting purposes, but you must ask questions to ensure you know what is included in the cost. If you need to order or rent other supplies, you’ll want to know this and include it in your budgeting considerations, or it can blow your budget out of the water.
5. What Are Your Onsite Access Needs?
This is an especially important question to ask if your event is going to be taking place outdoors or in a unique space. Caterers will be hard-pressed to create on-site food without amenities like water and electrical hook ups, so make sure you clarify what is needed and what is accessible with your caterer and your venue coordinator.
6. How Does Your Staff Dress for Events?
This may seem like a trivial detail, but if you’re going to great lengths to create a certain atmosphere or ambience at your event, asking what the catering staff will be wearing can be an important question.You want your staff to look professional and be able to serve without being a distraction from the actual food.Most companies have a standard bistro-type uniform, so if this will clash with your event theme, you’ll want to ask if any variations can be made.
7. How Do You Handle Dietary Restrictions?
Dietary restrictions: it’s a huge question these days. Since it has become commonplace to have menu adaptations to meet the growing needs of guests with food sensitivities or restrictions, most catering companies will be able to accommodate these kids of requests, but always ensure you ask to make sure you know the policies.There may be additional costs or regulations that could factor into your final budget, and finding out ahead of time will save on surprises later.
