How
to hire a caterer...
Say
you love throwing extravagent bashes at your house or business.
However, lately, you've been getting tired of all the cooking and
food prep involved. Money is not an issue, you just want to enjoy
the party. May we suggest hiring someone to cook and prepare food
for you? You might be in the market to hire on a catering service
to do your dirty work.
1. Before you do any shopping for caterers, you need
to know the date of your party and where it will be. These are two
pieces of vital information they'll need.
2. As soon as you've got down a date and event, start
shopping. Give as large a buffer in terms of time for the catering
service.
3. Decide what you are willing to spend. Make a budget
and know your limitations. What you'll get for food is most likely
a per-head cost. This can range anywhere from $10 and up.
4. Start shopping for catering services. They'll most
likely offer to set up a tasting consultation, offering some of
their dishes for your approval.
5. Your caterer will want to know the following things:
What type of food are you looking for - appetizers, hors d'eaurves,
a meal, all of the above?
How would you like the food - on plates held by servers, buffett
style, or plated (put on plates and served to a table)?
Would you like a bar? If so, do you want a cash bar (guests pay
for whatever they drink) or hosted (drinks are free to guests, you
pick up the entire tab)? Often, if a catering service is present
and you order the bar or not, you will not be able to serve your
own alcohol because of liability issues. If you can bring your own
alcohol, do it. It will save you a bunch of money.
Would you like any extras - linens, tables and chairs?
How many guests will be there?
Are there any vegetarian guests?
6. After this has been discussed, there are some questions you should
ask your caterer, namely:
What is your standard overset? (Caterers will prepare
extra food in case more than expected guests show up. This will
be a percentage of your total guest number)
How much do the extras cost?
What extra charges, fees, taxes apply?
When will you start setup?
Are the bartenders TIPS trained (trained to stop serving/deal
with drunks) and what is the ID Policy?
How much do the staff members cost? Servers, bartenders,
clean up?
How long do you estimate the cleanup will take and
will you start before the last guest leaves?
7. Have your caterer check out where you plan to have
the party so they know where they can position tables, chaffing
dishes, etc. Have your order written down and a contract between
the caterer and yourself.
8. The day of your party, call them beforehand to
make sure everything is on schedule.
COST SAVING TIPS:
Save cost on appetizers by ordering more hot appetizers
and less cold appetizers. People will eat more hot appetizers.
Instead of doing the caterer's china dishes or glasses,
go with paper plates and plastic cups.
Ask if you can bring your own alcohol. Buy discount
and return the bottles/cans yourself!
