| Finding a Caterer for any event is an extremely | | | | drinks and then transport them to your venue. |
| important decision. Corporate, or private, large or | | | | Then you need somewhere to store them and a |
| small, choosing the right Caterer is imperative. | | | | method of keeping them cool. On the day you will |
| There are many catering companies in the | | | | need staff to serve the drinks along with a bar |
| market so you need to do your homework and | | | | serving area, plus glasses etc. So if the Caterer |
| choose carefully in order to guarantee the | | | | doesn't handle anything to do with the drinks |
| success of your event. This article gives you a | | | | you've got a lot more tasks to add to your |
| step-by-step guide to choosing the right Caterer | | | | to-do-list. |
| along with a useful checklist. | | | | Is the company an actual Caterer? (Not just a |
| Preparation | | | | bakery or cafe). There is after all a lot more to |
| Before seeking a Caterer you need to think about | | | | catering than simply the food, so you need to |
| your catering needs and gather together | | | | select a Caterer who is familiar with all aspects of |
| information that a Caterer will need to know: | | | | event catering. |
| - What is the time and date of the event? | | | | For peace of mind, check that the company is a |
| - Do you have a budget in mind? | | | | member of any relevant Catering Associations, or |
| - Where is your event being held? (Or do you | | | | you can also ask for references. A good Caterer |
| require a venue?) | | | | should have nothing to hide. |
| - Is there a kitchen at the venue? | | | | Ensure that the catering company you are |
| - How many guests are you expecting? | | | | considering has an actual premises and isn't just |
| - Do any of your guests have special dietary | | | | an online middleman. (In the case of the latter, |
| requirements? | | | | you may have problems with food quality, |
| - Does your event have a theme? | | | | accountability and find it difficult to contact the |
| - Do you desire a particular style of cuisine? | | | | company.) |
| - Do you require decorations, flowers, table | | | | What payment methods does the company |
| settings? | | | | accept? Make sure they accept all forms, including |
| - Do you need to hire equipment? (Tables, chairs, | | | | credit card, and that there is no additional charge |
| linen, crockery etc) | | | | for using a credit. Be very wary of companies |
| Once you have answered these questions you will | | | | that will only accept cash. You have very little |
| have a good idea of the services you will require. | | | | bargaining power should things go wrong. |
| A great Caterer will offer a complete service to | | | | Does the Caterer require a deposit? Almost all will, |
| save your running around organizing things | | | | however the amount will vary considerably. The |
| separately. Having everything organised by one | | | | lower the deposit the better. |
| company will help your event run smoothly and | | | | What is their cancellation policy? Can you get all |
| cut down your workload. | | | | your money back should the event be cancelled? |
| Research | | | | Do they have a postponement policy? Hopefully |
| After you've completed your preparation it's time | | | | the Caterer can simply change the date. However |
| for some research. First you need to find some | | | | some will charge a fee for this. |
| catering companies. The best way to do this is to | | | | Here's a quick checklist to help you find the right |
| seek recommendations. You can ask friends, | | | | Caterer: |
| family and colleagues. Or use a search engine for | | | | |
| a list of professional caterers in the area your | | | | 1. Menu options - Do they have what you are |
| event will take place. | | | | looking for? (Including any special dietary |
| Now select a short-list of Caterers according to | | | | requirements?) |
| the needs you identified in your preparation. For | | | | 2. Can they cater for your particular function? |
| example you may have identified that your venue | | | | (Corporate, private etc) |
| doesn't have a kitchen, or that your guests have | | | | 3. Are they available on the day of your planned |
| particular dietary concerns or that you need to | | | | event? |
| hire equipment. | | | | 4. Are they contactable 24/7? |
| Once you have a list of a few Caterers contact | | | | 5. Can they provide staff? Are the staff |
| them with a list of questions to make sure they | | | | professional and experienced in your style of |
| are reputable and are able to handle your | | | | event? |
| particular requirements. | | | | 6. Can they organise equipment hire? Is the |
| What to look for | | | | equipment in good condition? |
| First and foremost, does the Caterer offer a | | | | 7. Can they arrange a venue for you if |
| range of menu options including the particular | | | | necessary? |
| cuisine you are after? Most good Caterers will | | | | 8. If required, can they assist you with theming |
| have detailed menu listings on their website. Failing | | | | and decorations? |
| this, you can contact the company and have this | | | | 9. Are they flexible regarding food preparation if |
| information emailed or faxed to you. | | | | you have limited kitchen facilities? |
| What type of function are you organizing? Is it | | | | 10. Can the Caterer organise beverages? |
| private or corporate, small or large, casual or | | | | 11. Are they actual Caterers, rather than a |
| formal, inside or outside? Whatever the case, | | | | bakery or cafe? |
| ensure that your chosen Caterer can handle the | | | | 12. Are they a member of the Restaurant & |
| type of function you are planning. | | | | Catering association? |
| Make sure the Caterer is available on the day that | | | | 13. Ask for references. |
| you desire. (With no weekend or public holiday | | | | 14. Does the Caterer have actual premises, not |
| loading.) Also check that the Caterer has a 24 | | | | just an online reseller? |
| hour service and is contactable 7 days a week. | | | | 15. Do they accept all payment methods including |
| Many events are held after hours or on | | | | credit? |
| weekends so it will be a great disadvantage and | | | | 16. Do they have a credit surcharge? |
| frustration if you can't contact your Caterer in | | | | 17. What deposit do they require? |
| the evening or on a Sunday morning when you | | | | 18. What is their cancellation policy? |
| suddenly think of something you need to discuss! | | | | 19. What is their postponement policy? |
| And you certainly don't want to pay more for | | | | Get a Quote |
| your catering just because your event isn't in | | | | Once you've gone through the above checklist |
| business hours. | | | | and identified a reputable Caterer that can fulfill |
| Does the Caterer provide their own waiting staff? | | | | your requirements, it's time to get into the |
| Are the staff experienced in the style of event | | | | specifics and get a quote. |
| you are planning? Will they be professionally | | | | Good service Caterers generally have a well |
| attired? Will the staff take care of everything | | | | designed online form to submit for a quick quote |
| from delivery and preparation to waiting and | | | | which can make things easier and quicker for you. |
| cleaning up afterwards? | | | | However you may prefer personal service so it's |
| According to the needs that you identified in your | | | | important that the Caterer you select is easy to |
| preparation, does the Caterer provide the | | | | contact. |
| equipment that you require? This may include | | | | In seeking a quote, it's helpful for the Caterer if |
| tables, chairs, linen, crockery, glassware, cutlery or | | | | you can advise a budget. That way, they can help |
| even ovens and a bar serving area. Make sure | | | | you to design a menu based around what you |
| they are able to provide what you need so that | | | | can spend, how many guests you are expecting |
| you don't have to do additional running around | | | | and what other services you require (such as |
| after event hire. Also ensure that their equipment | | | | staff and equipment for example.) A good |
| is new and in excellent condition. You don't want | | | | Caterer has a wealth of knowledge and will most |
| tatty linen and tarnished silverware to take the | | | | likely have some inspired suggestions that may |
| sparkle out of your event. | | | | not have occurred to you simply from perusing |
| Perhaps you require a venue for your event? If | | | | their menu selections. |
| so, a Caterer who can source a venue for you | | | | Once you settle on the food, staff, equipment, |
| will save you time and have an established | | | | drinks, venue or anything else you require, ask for |
| relationship with the venue. This will streamline the | | | | a detailed quote. |
| whole catering experience and make your life a | | | | Ensure that the quote covers everything including |
| lot easier! | | | | tax and delivery so that you're not stung with |
| If you plan a theme for your event, can the | | | | hidden extras once you've committed to the |
| Caterer help you to achieve your desired | | | | Caterer. |
| atmosphere, from cuisine choices to decorations | | | | Place your order! |
| and table settings? | | | | Now you've conducted your initial preparation and |
| Where will the food be prepared? If your venue | | | | research along with obtaining a detailed quote. If |
| doesn't have a kitchen the Caterer will need to | | | | you're happy with the price and you've been |
| prepare and heat it at their premises and then | | | | through everything on the above checklist, it's |
| deliver it ready to serve. | | | | time to place your order! And you can do so with |
| Can the Caterer organize beverages? There's a | | | | the confidence of having chosen the right Caterer |
| lot involved in the logistics if you need to do this | | | | for the job! |
| yourself. First you need to physically purchase the | | | | |