5 Noteworthy Questions To Ask Your Event Caterer

By Author: Peter Mundy
Total Articles: 13
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Hiring appropriate event caterers for your event is a prime necessity, especially since the parties you organize are a true reflection of your tastes, work ethics and the way you choose to treat your guests. Well-planned events with good quality caterers go a long way in creating a favourable impression in society.
Here are the top 5 questions that are mandatory to ask a prospective caterer before hire.

Which food/cuisine does the caterer specialize in?

This is an important question to ask, so that both you and the caterer are aware of the latter's strengths in this trade. If your occasion requires special food delicacies, rituals or any specifications in food preparation, it is all the more essential to inquire about their expertise in a particular cuisine. This will help you to quickly assess whether or not the particular caterer is the ideal one for your event.

What is the average price band of the caterer? 

Price is an imperative question to ask when hiring a catering service. Discuss with your potential caterer ...
... whether the price is determined by food selection, duration of event or if the company charges a flat rate, depending upon the number of people attending the event. This is to make sure that you evade unexpected and escalating expenditure while organizing the party.

Will the caterers provide wait staff, silverware, tables, chairs & linen? 

Ensure to note the entire array of services provided by your prospective caterer. This is because organization is of prime importance, to lessen the chances of leaving out important details for your event. Reputed caterers usually provide a complete set of tables, chairs, linen, silverware and dedicated wait staff at your disposal for the party. However, every catering company differs from the next and it is essential to ask about their services, to choose one that fits your needs best. By knowing what the company will exactly provide, you can add necessary details to your party. Decide on whether you wish for a buffet style or wait staff, and then know if your caterer will provide wait staff or warming stations for your event.

Does the catering company own a trade license?

This is a question of utmost importance, as reputed event caterers or catering companies always possess a business license. Having a business license is a clear indication of the fact that the concerned company has obtained a clean chit from the local Health Department and that its services are in accordance to current standards of catering service. In case, you are organizing a lavish party and plan to invite conservative people, you may wish to take extra precaution and ask if the potential caterer owns liability insurance or not. This way you can be assured of only quality catering services for your occasion.

Can the company provide you with references of previous clients or images of past events catered by them?

Most renowned party catering companies love to boast about their past experiences with eminent clients and how they planned extravagant events in the past. In case the catering company of your choice begs to differ and poses a low-profile exterior, do not hesitate to ask for references of their past clients as well as images or videos of parties they may have catered in the past. This will help you to adjudge their versatility and ensure that they are capable to meet your expectations successfully for the event.
By getting the aforementioned questions listed to your satisfaction, you can hire the most appropriate event catering services for your important occasion. Remember, the best catering services in your locality may be your first preference, but whether it has the expertise to cater to your party requirements is the real question.
There is no dearth of event catering services but makes sure you filter them through to make the most of the services offered by them. Also, it's highly recommended to check if they have necessary licenses.