Great food is the cornerstone of any memorable event, whether you’re planning a party, a wedding or a corporate function. Finding an exciting and reliable food caterer is essential to arranging a successful event, so if you want to make sure your next event is truly unforgettable, follow these tips to get the perfect catering service.
1. Online Reputation
Catering service providers are responsible for handling events of all shapes and sizes, and in an industry where word of mouth is a key business driver, having a good reputation is crucial. Therefore, it is important to read reviews online to check the credibility of the caterer you have earmarked, as well as look for industry awards that the company may have won. You can even look at the UK caterer service business directory to find the most well-respected and reviewed companies.
2. Keep the Budget in Mind
There are plenty of catering service providers in London, some of them better than others. However, there is one thing that you need to keep in mind before making any final decisions: your budget. Finding a caterer that fits your budget is absolutely essential. Start off by asking yourself, what is the total budget for my event, and how much budget are you keeping for your catering?
If you have a limited amount to spend but still want something special, you can ask your catering service for suggestions on how to stay under budget. For example, if you have your heart set on serving something like sushi, they may suggest serving it as an appetiser rather than hiring a separate and costly sushi chef for the event.
If you are looking for an affordable catering service that will work with you to provide a completely bespoke quote, get in touch with Le Bab Catering, or If you are looking for affordable catering on rent, have a look at Daniel Lay Event Services.
3. The Proof of the Pudding
The proof of the pudding is in the eating as the old saying goes, and this is especially true when finding the right catering services. It is vital to schedule a tasting with the caterer that you go for. Even if all the reviews point to them being excellent, it is always best to try them out for yourself! During a tasting, you can ask the caterer for any special dishes or modifications, and get a true sense of the food and how it will shape your event.
4. Read the Contract (Thoroughly!)
Once you have selected the catering service for your event, make sure to get a contract signed. Additionally, it would help if you read all the clauses in the contract to ensure you understand everything the caterer offers. Ask them to explain sections that you are unsure or unhappy about and ensure that both parties enter the agreement on an equal footing.
5. Check for Licenses and Certifications
Every caterer needs to have a particular type of license to be in the business. Make sure that the license they have is valid and is issued by the food authorities. These licenses ensure that all the food is prepared under hygienic conditions and does not violate any health laws.
6. Catering Services With a Flexible Attitude
It is always best to have caterers who understand what you want and are willing to work with you to ensure you get the food you want for your event. Moreover, it's a good idea to sit down with your catering service provider and ask them any important questions that you might have, and make sure they are as accommodating as you need them to be.
7. Think about the Venue
If your catering service company has worked at your decided venue previously, this could be a plus. It may mean that they could be aware of any potential pitfalls that may arise on the day, helping you to plan a little better.
It’s obviously not crucial that they have worked at the venue before, but it helps to remove as many unknown variables as possible to ensure a successful day! It may be worth asking your caterers to pop down to the venue before the big day to make sure they have any issues ironed out beforehand.
8. Appropriate Service and Staff
When selecting the right catering service, it's not all about the food, the service and staff matter a lot too. It is important to get the right staff, who are professional, friendly and well-trained to handle any type of event. Confirming that the right number of staff will be present at the event is also necessary before signing of contract.
9. Size of the Event
Not every catering service has the experience to handle all types of events. Some may have great expertise in managing large-scale events, but they may not have as much experience managing smaller events. You should always ask your catering service about any experience they have had with similar events that you are planning to have.
10. Always Have a Backup Plan Ready
You may have found the perfect catering service; they tick off all the right boxes and you can't wait to have your event. But contingency planning is important and you need to have a backup plan ready in case of any unexpected issues. It can either be the weather, equipment malfunctions or even the chef falling sick. Having a backup plan will go some way to allaying your worries.
You will have instincts on what sort of catering service you want, and it is important that we always go with what our gut says. Whatever happens, never ignore that gut feeling. If you feel something off about any catering service then do not book them even if you hear great reviews about them.
Selecting the right catering service may seem like a difficult task at the beginning. However, once you get the hang of it, you will learn how to find the perfect one for your event. Keeping a trusted friend or family member alongside you to make the final decision can also help ease off the burden a bit.
Interested in trying something completely unique for your next event, speak to Le Bab Catering and get a bespoke menu to match your budget.
Dur-e-Sabih provides ghostwriting and copywriting services. Her educational background in accountancy helps her tackle topics ranging from career and business productivity to web development, finance, and digital marketing.
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