Events 101: Five Indispensable Tips to Hiring the Best Caterer for an Event

Food, in the end, in our tradition, is something holy. It is not about the nutrients and calories. It is about sharing. It is about honestly. It is about identity.” -Louise Fresco

Without a doubt, food is one of the worldly aspects that bring people together. For this reason, food has become a rather pivotal element when it comes to throwing an event—whether it may something be as grand as a wedding or something as intimate as a dinner get-together. Food taste and preparation would both contribute to the overall experience of your guests and at times, would even amplify it. This is why choosing an appropriate catering staff to cater to your event is immensely crucial. However, finding an ideal caterer for your event can be incredibly confusing—especially when you are presented with a myriad of options. You want to be sure that you get the best caterer for your money, but if you are not a professional events planner, finding one might not be so straightforward. If this is the case, it is imperative to take note of two questions: What you look for in a catering service and how do you compare one service to the other?

In any case, here are some of the best tips that would help you select the perfect one for your next event. So, before you start scouring for catering services in QC, read on these tips first:

1.) Narrow the field

Gather a few of your favorite vendors and narrow your options until you finally end up with one. This is the first step when it comes to finding the ideal catering service for your event. If you have no prior experience with a prospective caterer, read some reviews or ask from someone who has hired them before. Additionally, to give you a broader selection, ask your friends, business associates and family who they can recommend. From there, you can then start picking out unsatisfactory caterers.

2.) Visit the premises

It is imperative that you know first hand how the food you will be serving would be prepared. With this in mind, you should make an appointment to visit a catering service’s kitchen before slating them as the caterer for your event. Once in their kitchen, check for cleanliness and observe how professional the staff is. A clean kitchen means that the food would less likely be contaminated and a professional staff would spell wonders for your event.

3.) Menu options

Look for the catering service that would match the needs of your event. Remember that not all catering services would be able to cater all kinds of events and may not even have menu options specific to your event. Take a gander at the caterer’s specialties and come up with a potential menu you might want to work with. Additionally, you can discuss your ideas with the caterer and go over the various menu options. It is in this discussion where dietary restrictions and several other accommodations should be brought up by you.

4.) Customer Input

It is necessary to compromise every now and then, but this in no way would mean that your caterer should disregard your input all the time. Make sure the catering service you potentially hire is well prepared to work closely with you and would take your suggestions seriously. If your suggestion is not feasible, they should at least offer another practical option or compromise but not downright ignore it. The caterer you hire should be ready and willing to work closely with you at all times during your event.

5.) Menu Tastings

Of course, it is very important for you to give the food a test run before having it served at your event. The caterer you have chosen to work with should schedule a tasting so that you can have a brief sample of their menu and approve of the dishes you want to be served during your event. This will help you come up with a better menu knowing that you have the tasted the food beforehand. Caterers should be willing to have you sample their work before serving it to your guests as this is how you gauge your approval.