Catering is an essential aspect of the event planning process, and the competition for finding a great caterer is stiff. In 2022, there is projected to be a whopping 2.5 million weddings. Couple that statistic with all of the other functions that require catering, and you’ll see just how important it is to take the steps to find a good caterer ASAP.
If you’ve never had the chance to hire an event caterer, you might be wondering just what steps you need to take to find the best caterer money can buy. We’ve taken the guesswork out of that process. Read on to learn how to choose a caterer!
Ask About Experience
The first thing you want to find out about any caterer is how much experience they have. You don’t just want to know how many events they’ve catered to, but you also want to know if they’ve served events of your size in the past. Familiarity with the event venue is an added benefit.
For example, if you were considering hiring Becks Prime to host an outdoor work retreat, you might want to reach out to find out more on Prime catering. What kinds of meals do they provide? How many people can they serve at once?
The more info you gather about their experience, the easier it is for you to determine whether they’re a good fit.
Ask for References
If you have some caterers in mind, it’s also important to fully vet their claims by checking reviews and asking for references. Enter the name of the catering company in a standard internet search and you’re bound to find tons of reviews on websites like Yelp! and Google Reviews.
If you want to go the extra mile, ask for references from previous customers.
Schedule a Tasting with Your Potential Event Caterer
You’ve narrowed down your search to a handful of caterers, now it’s time to find out if they can back up their claims. Schedule a tasting with your potential event caterer to decide if you like the food they make. Don’t be afraid to ask for a few different dishes to choose from in order to make an informed decision.
What’s in the Contract?
If you’re ready to commit to a specific caterer, then you should expect to sign a contract. Before you sign it, though, take some time to carefully read through it, or even have an attorney review it. Caterers are pricey, especially if you’re hiring a high-end caterer for a large event.
Make sure that all of the fine details are outlined in the contract so there aren’t any surprises at the end.
Are You Ready to Find the Best Caterer for Your Event?
Event and party planning is hard work, especially when you have to take catering into consideration. Following these tips will put you ahead of the game in the search for the best caterer near you!
Whether you’re planning your party for your work or your social life, you’re bound to need more information to keep your life happy and balanced. That’s where we come. Check out the rest of our blog for tons of helpful tips!
