Catering Services Guarantee a Mouthwatering Event

Maybe you’re the kind that gets a kick out of hosting dinner parties and other events for friends and family. You probably have strong opinions about what kind of food and drink people should be served at a certain event, and you’re probably also quite familiar with your guests’ likes, dislikes, and even any food allergies. That could be a walk in the park for you if the events were on the smaller side. However, when tackling a more significant event, you ought to seek assistance from professionals. In particular, the assistance of teams like event planners and caterers.  

Hosting or organizing a much larger party or event requires a lot of forethought and preparation. Hiring a caterer to take care of the meals for your guests is a decision that might significantly lighten your load. Nevertheless, before choosing a caterer, you need to know how to choose the best one for your event and what questions to ask them. 

Sirwiss works with the UAE’s top caterers, so we asked them what the mandatory questions are you should often ask when vetting a catering service. 

Begin With the Fundamentals 

There are a few fundamental things to ask a caterer to determine whether they would be a suitable match, ranging from their availability to their licensing. This is an excellent way to ensure that the firm can manage your event, whether it’s a large wedding or a small office Christmas party. After giving event specifics such as date, time, and place, you may go on to more general inquiries. Be sure to speak with your venue to get a checklist of vendor requirements so you can ask about those, too. 

1. How long have you been in business? 

2. How many events do you cater per year? 

3. What types of service do you offer? (Buffet, pass-around appetizers, formal, etc.) 

4. Where can I see your reviews? 

5. Do you hold a valid food service license? 

6. Does your license allow you to serve alcohol? 

7. Can you provide proof of liability insurance? 

8. Are you aware of any special permits (outside of venue requirements) needed for my event? 

Address the Catering Staffing Needs 

Your vendor will need to know the expected number of guests in order to determine the optimal number of employees to hire for the event. When calculating the number of staff members required, it is also important to consider whether guests will be seated for their meal or whether they will help themselves from a self-serve buffet. In the case of certain catering services, such as food trucks, a formal uniform may not be obligatory. Don’t be hesitant about addressing the staff’s attire, especially if the occasion is formal or you have a certain theme in mind. 

1. Do you provide bartenders? 

2. What uniform choices are available for your staff? 

3. How many staff do you recommend for my event? 

4. Who will be my day-of contact? 

5. What is your staff’s health protocol? (Gloves, headgear, etc.) 

Discuss Event Setup and Cleanup 

In addition to preparing the food, many caterers are also able to help with things like finding a venue and arranging for rentals of tables and chairs. The services of a caterer may be needed in addition to those provided by the venue, so be sure to ask about both. Setup and dismantle should be discussed before booking the venue. 

1. Do you provide tables and chairs, dinnerware, linens, or menus?  

2. Do you offer decor options for the serving tables? 

3. How much time do you need to set up and break down? 

4. Are there additional fees for setting up and breaking down? 

5. Can you set up an area for event staff and vendors to eat? 

6. Do you provide takeout containers for leftover food to be taken home by guests? 

7. What is included in your clean-up services? 

Create a Menu for The Drinks and Snacks 

These are the top questions you should ask any caterer before hiring them for your event. Food and drink discussions often take up the most time when organizing a special event. It’s important to provide a range of meats, vegetables, breads, and sweets, as well as to consider the needs of persons with special diets. It is common practice for prospective caterers to provide a menu from which clients may choose the dishes they would want served at their event. They can also advise you on how many of each to account for when finalizing the total number of guests. Think about some additional questions related to your event before making any final decisions. 

1. Do you have options for those with dietary restrictions? 

2. Can you provide kid-friendly options? 

3. Can we arrange a sample tasting of a few of our desired menu items? Is there an additional fee for this service? 

Finalize Your Pricing Quotation 

A price quotation from your caterer should be attainable after you discuss the details of your event with them. It’s likely that they’ll want an upfront deposit to help defray the price of meals and other incidental expenses. Make sure you fully understand the price structure before making a reservation by asking any additional questions. 

1. How do you price your service? (All-inclusive flat rate, per guest, etc.) 

2. What is the price difference between buffet/food stations, passed hors d’oeuvres, and sit-down dinner services? 

3. Is the cost of all staff, rentals, linens, and food included in the price per guest? 

4. Can you provide a detailed list of all services you provide and their corresponding fees? 

5. What is the deposit amount required to hold our date, and when is the rest due? 

6. What is your cancellation policy? 

7. When do you need a final guest count? 

8. Are there any other miscellaneous fees not included in your quote? 

Investing time and attention into finding the best caterer is crucial to the success of your event. The delicious appetizers, refreshing champagne, and sugary desserts will be much appreciated by your guests. To top it all off, the finest caterer can provide all of this and more.