When enjoying a family gathering or holiday, the last thing you want to be doing is spending a large amount of time in the kitchen, preparing food.  It is for this reason that many people choose to hire a caterer to do the cooking, so they can enjoy their time away with family and friends.

If you are running a corporate getaway, having a caterer is usually compulsory because it allows you to focus on group events instead of food preparation.

Unfortunately, poor quality food or service from a caterer can ruin what should be a successful event.  Here are some tips to help you choose the right caterer.

Select a Caterer Who Specialises in Your Type of Event

Many caterers handle certain types of events on a regular basis, like weddings or corporate retreats.  If you are booking a caterer for a specific type of event, make sure they have experience catering for those kinds of groups.  If the catering company usually handles dinner groups of between 8-12 people, think twice before using them to cater for your large corporate event with 50 attendees.

Caterers might specialise in different kinds of cuisine as well.  Some caterers may provide a fine dining experience while others excel at barbecues that suit company picnics.  During your initial meeting with the caterer, give them very specific details about your event and ask if they have catered for that kind of group previously.

Make Sure They are Eager to Match Your Needs

If you have special requirements for the food or a specific menu in mind, make sure your caterer is happy to meet those requirements.  Their willingness to provide a vegetarian option or use specific ingredients usually indicates how well they will perform during the event.  If they are inflexible about menu items or unwilling to fulfil a reasonable request, then use someone else.

You should also gauge how eager they are to fulfil your requests.  If you call the caterer to discuss a change to the menu but they don’t call you back for 24 hours, that is usually a bad sign and you should try someone else.  When a caterer is truly concerned about meeting their client’s needs they will be responsive and engaged when discussing the food on offer.

It is a good sign if your caterer asks you a lot of questions during the first meeting — it reflects their interest in your requirements and an eagerness to fulfil them.

Are They Familiar With the Venue?

Your gathering might be taking place at a home, a hired venue or outdoors.  If your caterer has worked at the venue before, that is good sign.  They will already be aware of the facilities that the venue offers, any special rules in place and the kitchen appliances they may need to supply.

When hiring a caterer for a house party, familiarity with the house ensures that the event will run smoothly because the caterer is accustomed to the facilities available.

Will They Provide Tastings?

If you really want to make sure the food is of a high standard, ask for a tasting.  Most caterers will prepare one for you at no charge, allowing you to assess the quality of their cooking before you hire them.

Is the Contract Clear and Straightforward?

You should ensure the contract given to you by the caterer very clearly spells out what is on offer.  It should precisely describe how many meals will be provided, how many drinks and what other services will be offered.  If you have altered the menu, the changes should appear in the contract.  The contract will also detail how many staff will be provided, what their roles are and what services are ‘extras’.

Service alterations should also appear in the contract.  For example, if the caterer is expected to have enough capacity to deal with unexpected guests, it should be mentioned.  If you wish to keep the leftover food from the event, it should be specified in the contract and you may need to sign a liability release.

The contract should also mention what happens if the caterer or client need to cancel the arrangement.  The agreement should have clauses that protect both you and the caterer.  A very thorough contract helps you understand exactly what is covered and what you will have to deal with yourself.

While any reputable catering company should have liability insurance, it is worth confirming this fact with the company before signing any contract.

Are Staff Experienced?

There are many catering companies that have relatively low levels of experience in the industry.  These companies can struggle with unexpected challenges on the day, so it is usually better to go for companies with a great deal of experience.  Ask for the details of the chef’s background and experience before locking in the caterer.

References

Professional caterers that deliver high quality service and food should have many references available.  Don’t hesitate to ask for those references and call them up.

Thanks to the Internet there may be dozens of reviews available online.  Check websites like Yelp to see how well the catering company has performed in the past.

By using a professional catering company that delivers great food and service, the stress will be taken out of any house party or corporate event!