Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Party Catering
Posted on: 12 March 2019
The food is the most important part of social gatherings and special occasions. Party catering plays an important role in the party-planning process, and choosing a good caterer is essential in knowing that the food for your party is covered. One of the first things you should know is that a caterer can provide a range of elements of food service for your event. For instance, you can opt for themed catering, buffet-style service, or a plated dinner. There are a wide range of catering options to choose from and there is usually something for every budget. Here are a few things you'll need to know when hiring a catering service.
Check With the Venue
The first thing you should do before hiring a party catering service is check with the venue to find out if they offer catering. Some venues provide their own catering, which is included in the price of the venue rental. If the venue does have a catering service, it is important to make sure they allow outside caterers to provide service in the venue. If outside catering is allowed, it is important to make sure there is enough space for your caterer to work in and to ask the venue if your catering service can use the venue's equipment, such as the stove and dishwasher.
Choosing the Catering Style
When contacting your caterer, you should have some information ready, such as the type of catering you are interested in. There are several service options to choose from. The type of catering you choose may be dependent on your budget. For instance, banquet catering is generally done for a celebration or ceremony and includes large dinners with several courses, whereas cocktail catering may be the least expensive because it generally only includes appetizers and beverages. Other catering service options may include:
- Buffet-style catering: This type of catering service generally includes the caterer preparing several types of food, including meats and vegetables. The food is placed in serving dishes and your guests help themselves to the foods of their choice. The guests typically have more options to choose from, which is good for guests who have special dietary restrictions. Buffet dinners are more flexible, allow seconds, and are often lower in cost compared to a sit-down dinner.
- A seated dinner: This type of catering is also known as plated service, which means the guests are asked to choose from a small selection of options, such as beef or chicken. The menu is pre-selected and guests are served while sitting at their table. This type of catering generally requires you to prearrange with the caterer how many of each main course you will need for the event.
- Themed catering: This type of service is often used for special events, such as retirement parties, birthdays, and other occasions. If you are having a themed party, such as a Hawaiian luau, you can request the caterer to provide luau catering, which may include beach-style beverages, tropical fruits, and even a hog roast. Themed catering is often used for relaxed events.
Before signing a contract with the catering service, it is important to thoroughly review the contract. Your catering contract should include information such as the agreed-upon price, everything that is included, such as the linens, china, and silver, and what time they will arrive to set up.
To learn more about catering, contact a company like Marians Island Wide Catering.
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