So YoU cAter??

Sugar Plums....

Let’s face it, catering can be tricky…real tricky! Naturally, you have certain people you gravitate to when working because of their work ethic-it can sometimes be pretty hard to pick that same characteristic out in a caterer. My advice is to go with recommended caterers! In my experience, you get what you pay for and if a person shows you who they are in the beginning of your correspondence….believe them. There have been caterers that pull it out in the end, yes, but those events are extremely stressful! Many things are certainly unavoidable in the catering realm, but in all things remember proper prior preparation prevents piss poor performance!  #homagetoDST

Get the business out of the way first!!!!! Depending on answers to these 3 questions will determine how much money you’ll have to add on to the caterer’s price. Prim and proper reception venues require certain formalities and in the event the caterer is unable to meet them, they require YOU to purchase a 1-3 million insurance policy for 30 days. Something to think about….

Do you have a license?

Do you meet  health department standards?

Do you have liability insurance?

Here are some additional questions you should ask your caterer…..

Do you specialize in a certain type of food or service?

May I see some sample menus?

Do you provide an official tasting of specific foods I’m interested in prior to my hiring you?

What is your average price range for _____  guests?

Are costs itemized depending on the foods I choose, or is there an all-inclusive flat rate? What things are included in the price? Linens, tax, and gratuity?

Do you have a printed price sheet for food selection?
How involved are you in a typical reception?

Will you work alongside the wedding coordinator or banquet manager, cueing the band, telling the couple when to cut the cake, adjusting the schedule if guests don't seem ready to sit down to dinner? Will you do these things solely?

Do you provide tables, chairs, plates, table linens, silverware, salt-and-pepper shakers, etc?

May I see these items to make sure they'll compliment my décor?

Do you rent tables, place settings, or other equipment?

Will your arrange for the rentals, is there a discount associated with renting through you?

May I have the main contact?

Will the same person I work with when planning also oversee meal service on the day of the wedding?

Will you work any other weddings on the same weekend, the same day, or at the same time as mine?

Do you handle all table settings?

Will you set up place cards and favors?

Will you provide wait staff?

How many wait staff would you recommend for the size of my wedding?

What attire will the wait staff wear?

Will you be willing to include a recipe of my choice? A special family dish, or an appetizer with some sort of sentimental significance?

Will you prepare vegetarian, kosher, or kids meals for just a select few of my guests?

Where will the food be prepared?

Are there on-site facilities, or do you, and the site manager need to make additional arrangements?

Do you work with fresh (not frozen) food?

Do you have a liquor license for the bar?

Can you provide alcohol?

What are the prices for the alcoholic packages?

How will you arrange the food, on buffet table or on plates?

Do you have photos of previous work displays?

Do you also bake wedding cakes?

Should I use an outside baker if I desire?

Is there a cake-cutting fee?


~XOXO