Top Tips When Choosing A Party Catering Service
What do you remember from the last party you attended? Most people will answer food. Thus, very often, food is the most memorable element in a social event. Even if the other aspects of a party like the music and speeches are tedious, catering can save the day. Therefore, it is essential to have well-thought-out criteria for selecting a caterer. Here are some helpful tips when choosing a party catering service vendor.
Service Capacity
The foremost consideration when choosing a party caterer is the capacity to deliver. Start by reviewing the caterer's certification. In this case, consider certificates for catering proficiency and operational licenses. More so, establish if the company has health certificates for food and health safety. Then, find out about the caterers' food preparation methods, equipment, and utensils. Notably, check whether the caterer can do both onsite and offsite food preparation. Again, establish if the company has adequate catering staff. For instance, your party may require buffet servers, waiters for sit-down dinners, bar staff, and ushers. This assessment helps you anticipate the level of service quality and value for money.
Event Size
The size of the party event is a significant determinant when selecting a caterer. In most cases, the caterers differ in terms of their capacity to handle events. While some catering companies can manage a small intimate event, they may not have the ability to serve a big group. Therefore, make sure you discuss the number of the guest with the prospective vendor. Ask if they have a demonstrated capacity to meet your needs. A capable catering company will provide references to events of similar magnitude executed in the past.
Flexibility
An event planning process demands a lot of flexibility. One of the most frustrating experiences is engaging a rigid event planner. The ideal caterer will be open to your ideas despite being an expert in the field. In this way, the caterer will find a way of accommodating your ideas when preparing a plausible service plan. In addition, a flexible caterer can efficiently respond to last-minute changes. Therefore, engage the vendor in scenario planning. For instance, find out how they can respond to a change in venue or an increase in the number of participants. The creativity in the answers will help you evaluate the vendor's flexibility.
Customer Reviews
One of the most critical steps in prequalifying a party catering service provider is conducting a customer review. Every caterer will project an image of being the best in the industry. Thus, it becomes difficult to predict the level of service quality without prior experience. Some caterers can organize tastings as an experiential decision-making process. However, one of the best ways to ensure you select a suitable caterer is to check out customer reviews. You can find reliable feedback on the company's website, social media platforms, and local review sites. More so, consider getting referrals from local social networks.
The ideal party caterer offers more than affordability. Thus, take time to review the service provider's ability to deliver quality regardless of event size and venue. Importantly, engage a flexible vendor with a reputation of reliability.
Talk to local catering companies, such as Marians Island Wide Catering, to get started.
