How to choose catering for an event

Catering and event planning go hand in hand, so let's see how to choose catering for an event.

• Initial consideration before looking at catering.

• How to find suppliers and select the right one.

• The qualities of a good catering service.

• How to hire a catering service and what to discuss before the event.

What type of catering service is right for your event?

Before diving into your research, consider the type of event you are organizing. It will help you go a long way in determining the type of caterer to look for.

Questions to ask yourself:

• How formal is your event?

• In what kind of place does it take place?

• What are the seating arrangements?

• How many guests will attend?

• What kind of food are you waiting for?

• Do they have any dietary requirements?

The three main types of catering service you will find are:

• Reception Service: the least expensive option, which typically includes drinks and snacks that guests eat while standing and talking to each other.

• Buffet service: the second cheapest option, where guests serve themselves and can choose from a wide variety of food and drinks.

• Table service - The most expensive option, where guests sit at tables and are served by members of the catering staff.

How to find a catering service.

There are a wide variety of buffet catering services companies for events. Let's go through some key catering and event planning considerations to help you narrow down your search.

1. Size.

The caterer will need to be able to accommodate the number of guests that will be at your event. The size of the caterer should match the size of your event.

2. Location.

It is also a good idea to consider the location of your event. Find buffet providers near you may be familiar with the place and are less likely to experience delays due to a long journey.

3. Budget.

The amount of money you have set aside in your event budget for catering will also help narrow down your search. Try to find a caterer with a good combination of value and price.

4. Limitations of the place.

Many places have a list of catering services that they prefer to work with. Choosing a catering service from your list can not only reduce the risk of misunderstandings, it can even lead to a discount.

How to select a catering service.

You have already done some initial research. Now, it is time to select a catering service for your event. Let's review some of the qualities of a good catering service so that you make the right decision.

1. Communication.

A good caterer will be easily accessible and will respond to your calls and emails promptly. If you have trouble with communication at first, it will likely be a problem in the future as well.

2. Organization.

In addition to your communication skills, you also need to consider whether the caterer is organized. Have you received the proposal in a timely manner? If not, it may be a bad sign of things to come.

3. Experience and specialization.

Like most event planners who specialize in a particular type of event, many catering services do the same. Make sure your provider has experience working with your type of event.

4. Customer Service.

Your needs and expectations as a customer should be at the top of the supplier's priority list. Make a note of whether or not a particular catering service is paying attention to your specific needs.

5. Flexibility.

You should check the flexibility of the supplier regarding the menu and the food portion. Find out if they can satisfy any dietary requirements, such as food allergies and gluten-free meals.

6. Customer comments.

Online reviews and personal recommendations are very revealing when it comes to a supplier's ability to get the job done. Do your due diligence and research the caterer before hiring it.

How to hire a catering service?

Right now, you should have a short list of candidates for your event catering. There are just a few more ways to rate the right supplier and a few things to remember when hiring.

1. Photos of past events.

A picture says a lot about what to expect from food ... unless you're at McDonald's. If Big Macs aren't going to work, be sure to check out images from past events.

2. Certifications.

Before hiring a caterer, be sure to verify their certifications. They must comply with UK food regulations and the requirements set out by your event insurance policy.

3. Ingredients.

You may want to check where the supplier gets the menu ingredients from. Are they local ingredients? Are they organic? Were they purchased from a responsible supplier?

4. Preparation.

Talk to your provider about how and where the food will be prepared. Some foods are cheaper to cook off-site, but other dishes must be prepared on-site.