Most people think of weddings when they think of caterers, but little do they realize that caterers can do so much more than just making the best wedding menus. Although it is true that they may often come up with the best wedding menus, their talents do reach far beyond weddings. They also are assets for planning other events that involve a large number of people. They can offer a sophisticated and polished feel to your event and relieve you of some of the hassle involved with coordinating a big event.
What Services Does A Caterer Provide?
Depending on the caterer, a range of services may vary. Some caterers go the whole nine yards, taking responsibility for decorations, how the table looks, how the food is arranged, while other caterers only provide the minimum of staffing and providing food. In any case, the caterers are responsible for the staff they employ, which can include cooks, servers, cleaners, dishwashers, set-up and break-down crews. Their staff should be knowledgeable about their schedule, how the table is supposed to look, serving etiquette, and food safety regulations. Additionally, catering services are expected to be up-to-date on food safety laws that are enforced in their state and have their staff appropriately informed.
Times to Consider Hiring a Caterer
Caterers are most commonly used for larger events, especially those that are themed, like weddings or birthdays. Graduations, funerals, dinner parties, or networking events are also great times to hire professional catering services. They can often provide customized menus (which is why they’re often known for coming up with the best wedding menus), like hors doeuvres menu or a dinner catering menu. These can be popular for business events like nights out or company bonding. A company may also employ corporate menus for business lunches, recruiting or networking events, which usually include a spread of basic foods that appeal to everyone: subs, salads, pastas, etc.
Things to Keep In Mind When Hiring a Caterer
It’s important to be specific with a caterer, especially when it comes to accommodating dietary restrictions. These may be religiously based (like keeping kosher) or just a lifestyle preference (vegan, vegetarian) or be due to health reasons (gluten-free, lactose-free, nut allergies, etc.,). In any case, it’s important that your caterer be aware of these restrictions to avoid a lawsuit or any casualties. This is especially true if you’re submitting specific recipes to the caterer that might need to be altered. The price may go up for substitutions or in some cases, the caterer may not be able to make the changes necessary and you would have to alter your menu.
Find out what the caterer needs from you and/or your venue. It’s important to be prepared for any emergencies or requirements that may come up. You usually won’t get to keep any leftovers from the event, unless you specifically write that into the contract. You only get what you paid for; in other words, what you and your guests consumed during the event.
All in all, hiring an events and catering team can be a great way to add some pizzazz and professionalism to your next event.
