Some Dos and Don’ts While Hiring Catering Services
With different options on the catering services market, it is extremely hard to differentiate one caterer from another. More than their food—it is about how exactly they run their businesses and the lengths that they go to create positive customer experiences.
Here are some key dos and don’ts you should consider while choosing a caterer.
DO: Create a basic budget. Keep your event coordinator informed about your budget, what you can budge on, and what you can’t. Even if you’re not entirely sure yet, try go in with as much information as you can - your caterer will be able to help you work out the rest from there.
DON’T: blindly jump into planning an event without a budget unless you are willing to splurge. Try to create a basic plan before you involve your caterer, to make the process as efficient and as affordable as possible.
DO: Try choosing a caterer that offers something a bit different. If they claim to have the best food (as most good caterers will!), try setting up a food tasting appointment to see for yourself. You should test your caterer to stand by their claims, or else, you must not take their words at their face value. You can also check reviews and testimonials to stay informed and see what others have to say about their services.
DON’T: Haggle on service. Don’t try to decide the number of caterers yourself—take your caterer’s advice. It’s their interest to make sure your event goes smoothly too. Despite great food, your event’s reputation can be marred by bad service, or not enough caters to get your food to your guests.
DO: Ask lots and lots of questions. It is crucial for you to build rapport with your caterer so you can trust them handling your event. You must be crystal clear about the vision you have for your event. They would rather you asked lots of questions and communicate lots so you both know you’re all on the same page.
DO: Find out if your caterer knows your venue well. It will help both you and them if they understand what facilities or on site. If you have not decided upon a venue yet, ask them if they can help you find one - for example, here at Speyside Kitchen, you can hire out the very site where we are based, Badaguish, for a beautiful event set amongst pines and mountains.
DO: Try to find out how flexible they really are. Does your potential caterer have allergy immune ingredients and provisions? Do they have a coherent plan to follow through? Do they have flexibility about service style (like standing buffets vs. sit down meals, etc)? A rigid caterer might actually do you more harm than good - remember, if in initial conversations they’re not meeting your vision, you can always go elsewhere and find someone more suitable for you and your event.
DON’T: Worry about your event! If you follow all these dos and don’ts, your event will be more than looked after by an excellent team who understand your vision. So don’t stress, just sit back and enjoy!
Contact us if you’re planning an event soon. Email info@speysidekitchen.co.uk or call +44 1479 861387 / +44 7925 544473.
Speyside Kitchen: helping busy individuals and groups alike achieve memorable life events by providing first class event planning and catering service that prioritises customer service and customer experience.
Food brings us together
The best caterers will creatively match your needs
DO work out if your caterer has all the right skills
The venue makes all the difference