Catering service at any event can make or break the impression of the occasion. Anyone who attends an event pays the most attention to the catering and relates their experience with the food. While planning an event the focus is to give a good experience to everybody who came so that they remember only the good things.
Good catering service can become an asset which can bring in more people to attend a particular event. Since so much is contingent on catering, it is natural to be careful while selecting a good catering service. In this article, we will be mentioning some of the most crucial parts of the caterer selection process.
Theme of the Event
One cannot select a service provider blindly without first evaluating their own needs. Different events have different demands in terms of how they want to be presented to the guests. A formal event will obviously have different requirements as compared to a casual party.
The theme and style of the occasion is seductive related to the concept for which an event is being organized. It is therefore important to combine all the elements to create a holistic experience. When you are looking at different options for catering services, understand that they have different strengths and weaknesses.
Refinery is much needed for formal events whereas casual locations might not require as much elegance. The extent to which one choses refinery also depends on the budget. So after you know how much to spend, you can easily shortlist the right contender to pick a good caterer.
Look at their Specialties
We have already explained that different service providers will have different strengths. Specialities come under the same category. A catering service might be able to match your team or concept depending on how they function and what they are willing to provide.
The concept of the event may require a certain level of specificity in the menu which can be related to freshness of the ingredients, the type of cuisine, vegetarian or vegan menus, and desserts. If you are looking for a full service catering, asking about their range of services will give a fair idea of what they can and cannot cover.
The speciality is related to particular conditions of the client which a service provider will be able to fulfill. In case you require allergen free options a good caterer should be able to adjust the menu accordingly. Either find a caterer who is willing to adjust or select a service which already specializes in that particular demand.
Know Your Guests
Knowing the guests is just as important as knowing the menu of the event. The people who are attending will have a certain profile which means that they will be expecting a certain level of service. If the guests are at the professional or economic level, their tastes will correspond to their lifestyle.
This is a general overview of the gastless which can help curate the menu better. Additionally, when it comes to the guestlist, one should also consider how many people will be attending. For a smaller group, one can probably adjust their budget to create more specific dishes.
On the other hand, a larger group will require a more generalized menu. Some caterers will be ready to serve a large party because of prior experience while others would only get her to smaller groups on intimate occasions. Sometimes adjustments can be made but the number of people attending should be clarified before going ahead with a caterer.
Opt for an On-Site Kitchen
An important consideration to make while selecting a caterer would be whether they are ready to have an on-site kitchen. Preparing food at the event and serving it is better than heating it up and rolling it out. It guarantees a certain level of freshness which cannot be translated to packaged food even if it was prepared hours ago.
Depending on the prestige of the event and the experience you want your guests to have, it is better to go with an on-site kitchen. Freshly cooked food is better in both test and texture as compared to the pre cooked alternatives.
However, one cannot expect an onsite cooking service if they are not willing to provide good conditions for the staff. The venue of the event should have the right conditions to work in an area which has enough space for safety and comfort. Any open air event offers the best conditions for on-site cooking but any cramped space might be a bad idea.
Always Get a Taste
A taste test is the most important factor of finalizing the menu before the event comes up. One can shortlist different services but it is always advisable to taste the dishes they are going to serve on the final day.
Curating the menu with the chef is a constructive process where one will have to rely on the expertise of the professional. It is good to let them have creative control but one should always be vigilant about checking the final product so that they can analyze beforehand. It is better to make changes so that everything can be managed easily.
Check the References
The references of a caterer are very important and will be listed on their website. One can look at both positive and negative responses to understand their services in an all rounded manner. It is the best thing to consider before finalizing a decision. They can also correspond to the type of events a caterer has previous experience at. It will therefore help in associating their services with your particular event.
The Takeaway
All of these considerations are equally important while selecting a catering service for any occasion or event. Food decides the mood of the guest when they leave the venue so no negotiation can be made about the quality. Opting for freshness and a specialized menu based on the guestlist is crucial to the success of an event.