10 Critical Factors to Consider While Hiring a Catering Service

Food Catering is undoubtedly the most important part of any event. Just ask your guests and they probably won’t remember so much about the decor or entertainment, but they will definitely remember whether or not your food was noteworthy. 

Much depends on your decision on which catering company to hire, and if you think that decision really isn’t that important, think of it in this way: Amazing catering can save an event that is on the rocks but bad catering almost always sends guests to the doors (or, in your nightmare scenario, to the toilets). Here are the criteria most event managers recommend when choosing a catering service provider.

1. Responsiveness and Interest in Your Needs

Many caterers will claim to have the best-tasting food with the freshest ingredients at the most competitive price, but being quick to return calls, texts or emails and open to criticism and new ideas is a rare trait.

While these factors may seem a little insignificant compared to the taste and total cost, it actually means that the provider is really keen to meet the needs of customers and to ensure that they are happy with both the food and the service. A potential caterer should find out all about you in your first few conversations with them. So expect them to ask questions about 20% of the time, and outlining your needs about 80% of the time. Most of the event managers think that if the provider doesn’t ask questions about the event, they may only see you as the next customer. You should be interested in hearing about your event. You should ask about your topic, purpose, budget and goals.

2. Ability to Handle Your Event Type 

Not all caterers are perfect for all types of events, and many caterers openly admit this. Many host a wide range of events, but some are designed to serve other markets more effectively than others. Therefore, it is important to ask enough questions to determine if a caterer has the right experience for you. Therefore, when interviewing your caterers, you need to specify exactly what type of event you are planning and what type of food and/or presentation you are expecting. Otherwise, you may be picking a service that just doesn’t go well with the type or style of your event. Some caterers are characterized by spit braai, which is ideal for corporate events, others with exceptional lunches and dinners in buffet form, others are ideal for gala events. You need to choose the caterer that is right for that particular role, not just because you’ve previously used the same service for a different event. 

3. Clear Budget

The budget is a very crucial deciding factor while selecting catering for any occasion. Be very clear about your budget to the caterer. This is an important decision and, depending on the cost and amount of food, can affect how much money you spend in other areas. Confirm the basic cost and get some information on each and every one of the dishes they prepare. Let them know how much you’re willing to spend and see if they can suggest the best options available for your budget. Select and rate your dishes. If you’re looking for a modest spending plan, let your grocer know about the money you’ll be spending once. Many caterers offer food packages that you can use to coordinate with your spending needs.

4. Flexibility Regarding Menu Options

Every catering service provider has a standard menu or menus to choose from, and many offer some degree of built-in flexibility to adapt these menus to your specific needs by replacing certain items and/or adapting others. Having a few different menu options that are constantly being updated and changed to keep up with the latest trends can set you apart from others. Go beyond standardized menu options and be ready to create incredible dishes for a specific theme and nutritional needs. Review and accept menu suggestions, attend tastings to finalize the flavours of each dish and refine the portions and presentations to complement or expand on our event design and our client’s theme.

5. Food Tasting Options

Unless you sample the food, you will never know what the menu items you are considering will taste like. No matter how perfect the description is, no matter how beautiful the pictures, make sure your prospective caterer offers a tasting. Some people shy away from asking to sample the specific items they want for their event because it seems like a hassle for the caterer, but it is standard to ask for a sampling of what you are intending to order before you sign a contract. Never settle for a caterer that will just give you a generic sample; you need to know what the food on your menu will taste like. 

6. Willing to Travel to the Event’s Location

Location is crucial when choosing the right catering service. Some caterers do not offer food services beyond a specific radius. So, make sure to check if the caterer will be able to travel to your event venue. Try to find a caterer who knows your venue, or at least has experience of a similar venue.

7. Experience Counts

Experience of the catering service with the type of event you are planning is important. Your catering service needs to be in sync with the style of the event and the underlying theme or concept. In short, it’s one of the elements that go hand in hand to shape the event experience because what if it blends in with the rest of the event? Avoid the mistake of hiring a supplier you previously have for a different type of event, instead talk about your needs and get suggestions from other catering companies with a proven track record of the type of event being run. 

8. Chef and Kitchen Staff

Surprisingly, how long a caterer has been in business may not matter as much to picking a great caterer as you might think. Spending time in gastronomy does not necessarily mean excellent, tasty food or excellent service. And experience may be more important than the business owner who has awards on their shelf. It’s the executive chef, the sous chef, and the kitchen staff who often close the deal. If the owner and chef are the same people, that’s even better. All the more reason for them to offer the best food and service as this is their livelihood.

9. References and Online Reviews

Always check out the reviews of the catering services you are considering and it’s always good to start online and check out the review sites WedMeGood for their reviews and ratings. But don’t stop there as online reviews are not always reliable. A great way to find out what their reputation is like is to speak to previous clients. So see if you can find and communicate with some past clients of the catering companies you are considering.

10. A Well-defined Cancellation Policy

No caterer with a shred of dignity and scruples signs a contract with last-minute plans to get out. However, you need to make sure that your contract includes a termination clause in case your provider needs to cancel. Make sure the catering company you choose has a well-defined cancellation policy. What percentage of the deposit would you lose if you cancelled a month, week or day in advance? And vice versa, if your catering company had to cancel the catering of your event or event due to unforeseen events. What recourse do you have?

Asking the right questions helps you select the best caterer for your special day. Use these tips to help you find the best catering in Delhi NCR and wow your guests with impressive and delicious meals.

At Fossetta Gourmet Catering we pride ourselves on being able to offer all levels of food and beverage, in any size or budget, with a full-service approach that includes attentive and professional staff. Connect with us and let Fossetta Gourmet Catering show you what has put us at the forefront of a competitive industry for over 40 years. Contact us today to discuss your event.

For more information:

Call us at: +91 957 766 0033

Write to us at [email protected]

Discuss on Call

Discuss Your Event - Call Now
× How can I help you?