Choosing the Best Caterer

“But was the food any good?”

With all of the events we have the honor of hosting here at the Carriage House, “But was the food any good?”  seems to be a prime question for those who weren’t in attendance.  It’s also a question asked quite frequently by those planning  events. They want to know all about the meals provided by catering staffs of companies who handle the food here.  If they haven’t yet hired a caterer, they’re looking for one who has the reputation for great food and presentation.

In that vein, I thought a post about hiring a good caterer for the wedding venue would be very beneficial to many of you planning upcoming events here at the Carriage House.

I’ve learned a lot about caterers for wedding venues in my time here.  Here are some things you should know:

Don’t wait until the last minute.

Give yourself plenty of time to meet and interview potential caterers, sample menu items and choose a caterer who can deliver to your expectations.  Good caterers book early, especially when dates are in high demand.  Perhaps the best tip of all when working with a caterer is to start early to avoid stress.

Not all caterers are created equal.

There are a lot of folks who throw their hats into the catering ring at some point.  Some people are wonderful cooks and offer a beautiful presentation, but they aren’t so good at running a business.  Some caterers struggle with being on time, retaining staff, and other imperative elements of creating the best experience for you and your guests.  Choose an experienced, well-vetted caterer and chances are good that you’ll avoid a few headaches.

Your caterer should be responsive and take an interest in creating a unique experience that meets your expectations.  It is helpful if a caterer already has some experience here at the Carriage House since this is the wedding venue you will be utilizing for your event.

It’s also a great idea to vet the chef and kitchen staff if you don’t already know them well.  How long have they worked with this catering company?  What recent events have they worked at this wedding venue or others?  Can you sample some of their more popular items ahead of the big day?

References are imperative.

Good caterers are more than willing to provide references; if your potential caterer is not one well known to your wedding venue already, ask for them, but also be willing to do some additional legwork and find past clients that aren’t on the caterer’s hand-selected list.  Reach out to make certain these clients were satisfied with the services the caterer provided.  It’s also a good idea to check Facebook and Google reviews.

Asking questions is always a good idea.

In addition to asking for references and about staff, here are few other questions that are important to ask your wedding caterer:

• Will you be handling other events on the date of mine? Be in the know about the caterer’s schedule for the day of your event. This can help if you need to communicate with him or her shortly before the event. Remember to be respectful of your caterer’s time and other commitments.
• What is your ratio of servers to guests? How will servers dress?
• Based on my budget, what food options do you recommend?
• Can you provide specialty meals for guests with allergies and food preferences? If any of your guest have dietary restrictions, this one is especially important. Kid-friendly foods may also need to be on your request list.
• What is your cancelation policy? No good caterer will leave you in a bind willingly, but you should make certain there is a cancelation clause in your contract.  Is your deposit refundable?  Will they help you make alternate arrangements with another caterer?  It’s always a very good idea to have a back-up plan.
• Are you insured? Caterers should have liability insurance. This protects you if there is an oversight or accident that is the caterer’s fault.

Experienced, full-service wedding caterers handle a lot of small details that you may not have considered. Beyond creating and serving a good meal at the wedding venue, they may well set your tables and provide decor, coordinate your rentals, provide the waitstaff and bartenders, stay after the event to clean, pack leftovers, and haul off the garbage. The price reflects those details. Some caterers will offer services that allow you to handle some of these tasks on your own at a lower cost.  Consider the value of what you are being offered and plan accordingly.

We want everything to be perfect on your wedding day, and the food, the presentation, and the caterer’s staff and service are all integral making your wedding the one you’ve always dreamed of.  So, be prepared, find a great caterer in advance, and enjoy your day!  Have more questions about choosing a caterer?  Give us a call. We’re happy to chat further.

All my best,

Lisa

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