The Right Catering Service Can Make Your Event a Success
Whether it's a dinner after a wedding, graduation ceremony or family gathering, the food that you serve to your guests can be the difference between a successful and dull event. Catering services can provide quality, flavorful and aesthetically appealing food options for your specific occasion.
With many options out there, identifying a flexible, responsive and high-quality caterer can be challenging. You also cannot afford to make a poor decision, because bad catering is the number one reason why guests choose to leave an event early.
So how can you make sure you choose the best catering services available for your event?
Consider the level of service and attention to your needs
When seeking out catering services, pay attention to how the various caterers respond to your needs. Are they listening to your concerns? Are they providing helpful suggestions for your event? Are they quick to pick and return calls?
All these can indicate a caterer who is willing to work with you to make your event a success. Caterers who are more concerned about pricing and how quickly the event will end should be avoided.
A Flexible menu
Any professional catering company should have a flexible menu. While most caterers tend to maintain a standard menu as a reference point, the catering should be able to respond to certain requests for modifications and customizations to their food options.
When looking for a caterer, don't restrict your food options. Express your specific tastes and preferences and see how far the catering company is able to bend backwards and accommodate your needs.
The best caterers are also able to create menu items that fit a specific theme and the dietary restrictions of guests.
Are they willing to offer tastings?
When it comes to food, tasting is the best way to ascertain the abilities of a catering company. Any caterer who believes in their ability to offer quality services will be willing to allow you to taste their menu items.
Don't shy away from asking for samples of specific foods. Bring along a friend or two who will be helping to organize the event. Once you get a taste, you can make a more informed decision.
Experience is key
Make sure you select a catering company that is familiar with your type of event. For example, when catering for a wedding, ask them how many weddings they have done and of what kind.
Some caterers tend to specialize in one type of event over another. For example, a catering company that does many weddings may not be too familiar with family gatherings or graduations. Make sure the caterer is familiar with your type of event and is willing and ready to play their role.