Where to Start when finding a Caterer for a Wedding or Special Event.

Finding the right caterer for a wedding reception ensures that guests go home full of fond memories and delicious food.

But where to start?

Here are some tips on how to choose a caterer for your event:

• Start early — a year in advance if possible — to identify where the reception will be held, reserve the site, establish a budget and a number of guests, and determine what your catering needs will be. A full sit-down meal? Buffet-style?  Which meal?  Appetizers only?  Do you want real plates and silverware or are paper and plastic ware ok or do you want to use a combination? Beer and wine?

• Get recommendations from family and friends and schedule meetings with candidates.

• Ask lots of questions:

    • How long have they been in business?
    • What percentage of their business is wedding receptions?
    • Are they licensed and insured?
    •  Do they have the proper health permits?
    •  Do they have their own plates and silverware
    •  Can they pour liquor?
    •  Do they do the decorations?
    •  Do you also make cakes?

• Ask for references, and then call those references.

• For the food, ask more questions:

    • Do they offer set menus only, or will they customize?
    • Can they accommodate special dietary needs for those who have food allergies or are    vegetarians?
    • How many servers can they provide?
    • Will they feed the staff — photographer, disc jockey?
    • Do they charge by head count?
    • Is there a different price for children?
    • Is the gratuity to servers included in the price?
    • What will happen to any leftover food?
    • Can they do the wedding cake?

• Make the contract as detailed as possible, so all parties know just what is expected of them.

“A good caterer has a portfolio of pictures and different menus and can sit down with the bride and groom and talk about prices, the number of guests and other details. And in the end, it should all be written into a contract that says exactly who does what.”

 

For availability and information, contact George at stenglscatering@go-concepts.com , or call (513) 932-6400/(513) 604-6400