If you are planning to hire a catering service for your wedding, it is important to know how to choose the best company for your needs. You have plenty of money to spend, so you will need to find a company that can accommodate your needs without compromising on the quality of food and service. A good caterer should also be affordable, so you can use that money for other aspects of your wedding. Read on Elegant Touch Catering for some helpful tips!
Taste test
If you’re putting on a large wedding or are simply planning a small reception, you may be wondering how to choose a wedding catering company. The answer is simple: taste test! A taste test is a great way to get an idea of the type of food you want for your big day. Afterwards, you can give your caterer feedback about the food. Remember, though, that the tasting meal may differ from the one you serve your guests.
During the tasting party, be sure to talk with the chef. Often, a caterer won’t offer a taste test without a deposit. If the caterer is unwilling to meet with you, think twice before making the booking. During the tasting, you can discuss your expectations and choose dishes to try. Most wedding meals are full-size portions, and the menu will include beverages. Make sure to take notes so you can compare flavors later.
Ratio of servers to guests
A number of wedding catering companies offer various staffing ratios. The ratio between servers and guests will depend on several factors. The type of service required and the number of guests will affect the number of servers. For example, if the reception will include tableside wine service and a tight timetable for dinner service, more servers are required. Conversely, if the reception will be relaxed, fewer servers will suffice.
A minimum ratio of servers to guests is two servers per thirty guests. If you’re hosting a cocktail party, figure in two to three additional servers. In addition, if the dinner will feature a buffet, figure one server per eight guests. This ratio is often reduced if additional servers will be responsible for serving drinks. If you’re having a sit-down dinner, you may want to hire additional servers to take care of wine glass service, iced tea, and other tableside services. If you plan to use a specialty bar station, factor in two to three extra servers.
Price
Prices for wedding catering vary depending on your guest count and other factors, such as the reputation of the company and whether you want to work with a celebrity chef. Additionally, some caterers charge extra for additional services, such as dish rentals and set up. Make sure to ask any questions you may have before making your decision, as asking the right questions can prevent miscommunication and help you make a more informed decision. Also, don’t feel pressured to hire the first caterer you come across.
You should also consider whether you want to include appetizers or not. Although not necessary, they add value to your wedding. Appetizers generally cost anywhere from $1 to $5 per serving. Whether you choose to have appetizers or not depends on how many guests you expect to have. A variety of options for appetizers include cheese platters and fruit platters. While you may not need a lot of them, they will still make a big impact on the overall cost.
Quality of food
When choosing a wedding catering company, make sure you ask to sample the food before you sign a contract. It is crucial to choose the right one, and tasting sample menus can help you avoid making the wrong choice. When choosing a wedding catering company, make sure to get a variety of dishes, as not every caterer can offer a variety of choices. Then, ask about the menu options, and make sure they can accommodate all kinds of dietary needs and preferences.
When you are tasting a sample menu, make notes of the ingredients used to prepare the dishes. Don’t be afraid to ask for changes, as the caterer wants the dishes to meet your expectations and make a good impression on your guests. Ask for more options and meet the chef who created the sample dishes. He or she can answer any questions you have about ingredients, sourcing, and cooking techniques. Also, you should try to meet with the wedding catering company’s chefs to discuss the details of their dishes.
Experience
It is important to check references and photos of previous events before settling on a catering company. Contact past customers to see how the service was, and consider whether the catering style matched the theme of the wedding. You don’t have to hire the company if the venue itself has in-house catering. In fact, many large catering companies have their own venues. To avoid this hassle, choose a company that has a track record of excellent service.
You can also look at the number of events the caterer has catered, which is useful if you’re planning on introducing a new flavor or theme to your guests. It’s always better to select a company with a long track record because they’ve figured out what works and what doesn’t. A wedding catering company with a long track record is more likely to be flexible and responsive to any changes, so read online reviews to find out if past customers have a good experience with them.