5 Things to Be Aware of When Choosing a Caterer

The food that’s served and the catering service is one of the most important aspects of an event. If you’re in charge of planning, you must know how to select the best catering company for your specific celebration. Read the information below to learn five things you should be aware of when choosing a caterer.

Menu Options

As you plan your event, you may already have an idea about the food you want to serve. Caterers, such as stamfordcs.com.sg, will need to know if you want a casual meal, a formal menu or something else for your party. Some catering services only prepare certain foods while other companies do their best to accommodate special requests or specific foods for the occasion. It’s always a good idea to ask the caterer if they offer menu samples so you can taste the food they serve before the big day.

Price and Extra Fees

While it’s always important to stay within your budget, using the least expensive option may not always be the best choice. You should always ask for a detailed breakdown of the charges and fees to make sure the catering company doesn’t charge you for things you don’t need or want. Make sure you get all price quotes and add-on fees in writing before the event and inquire about any charges you don’t understand.

Included Services

Get clear instructions from the catering company concerning what services they do and don’t provide. This may include table decorations, venue clean up, and special supplies. They should also specify the included services in the catering contract, so there’s no confusion on the day of the event. When in doubt about certain services a caterer provides, ask them about it so you can make other arrangements if necessary. Ask the caterer about special food or drink requests and any extra charges you may incur.

Venue and Location

Local caterers often work at several venues in the area so they’re accustomed to the venue’s layout and regulations. If your venue isn’t one that a catering service normally uses, you must make sure that the venue has all the essentials the catering service needs to prepare and serve the meal. The caterers should inspect the building beforehand and make any necessary adjustments. If the venue is outside of the normal route of the catering service, they made need to charge an extra travel fee. Make sure the catering company has specific directions to the venue and there’s convenient parking for the caterers.

Recommendations and Reviews

Word of mouth is one of the best forms of advertising for any business and before hiring a caterer, you should first talk to family, friends, and coworkers and ask for recommendations. Talking to people who have used a service or who have been at an event where the caterers were serving can really give you valuable insight into a company. It’s also important to talk to several people to get various viewpoints about each catering service. Finally, look online for actual customer reviews about each specific caterer before deciding.

Before hiring a catering service, it’s always best to talk to several companies before making your final selection. When you consider the menu choices, final fees and the services that each catering company offers, you can easily make your choice. By following these guidelines, you’ll have the confidence to select the best catering service for your event.