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Friday, August 24, 2012

Asking Caterers the Hard Questions

Caterers provide a fantastic service. In fact, it is often one of the most memorable parts of any event. No matter if you are hosting a corporate function or you are planning a wedding, the company responsible for the food will be one of the most important people of the event. How can you ensure the person behind the menu and recipes is going to do a great job? Sometimes, you have to ask the hard questions to make sure you get the right outcome.

Will You Work Within Limitations?

Good chefs realize the importance of creating dishes that appeal to the masses but there will always be a few in the crowd needing something specific. Determine if the caterers are willing to work with the limitations of your group. For example, some may require vegetarian or vegan dishes. Others may have an allergy to a type of food that is common. If there will be children in the audience, this can also pose a problem in some cases. Then ask about any specific dishes you would like. Do you only want organic foods served? Perhaps you want a kosher menu. Can the company meet your true needs?

Visit an Event?

Will the professionals allow you to visit an ongoing event already scheduled prior to your date to see the service? If you are booking in a facility, for example, you may be able to visit during an event like your own to see how well the service is doing and potentially to get an idea of what people think of the food offered.

Will You Offer a Free Sampling?

The only way to know what the food will taste like, ultimately, is to sample it. This means you will get to try out a few dishes from the provider free of charge. Not all companies offer this. However, if you are able to sample these dishes, you can make a decision about whether or not they are right for you. Do you like the sauce? Did the company prepare the protein properly? Be specific and voice any concerns. A great way to pare down the menu is to include everything you want based on just how good it tastes.

Do not put off hiring caterers for your event. Big or small, your function is important to you. You need the right people behind the food. From preparing to serving, the caterer has a lot to do to help you to pull off a fantastic event. By scheduling them early, you have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you would like to. You also have the ability to be as picky as you want to before you make a decision about who to hire.


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