The catering industry is booming right now and has been increasing annually since 2017, and we understand this may be leaving you with many caterers to choose from. When hosting an event, you want to make memorableand well put together. This will include the catering company that you end up deciding on. Catering contributes in a big way to the overall energyof your event. It can be the indicator of a successful event or cause it to fall short of your and your guest’s expectations. We will share some things to look for when searching for a caterer that can deliver a memorable experience while allowing you to sit back and enjoy the fun of your event instead of worrying about the food/service.
Menu Flexibility
Almost every caterer has standard menu options, and most are flexible to adapt to your menu needs by substituting specific alternatives and customization of others. Any established caterer who knows what they are doing should always have menu options that are updated, rotated, and frequently changed to keep up with current trends and clients’ needs. Nonetheless, a standout caterer will go above and beyond their pre-set menu options and offer flexibility to the client that can match specific themes, dietary restrictions, etc. If your caterer isn’t open to changing certain menu options to help meet your needs, that raises significant concerns.
Responsiveness/Familiarity
A caterer’s response time is a good indication of how your experience is going to be. You will want to choose a company that responds promptly to your concerns, questions, and accommodation requests. You will want someone who is careful and considerate when communicating with you and who is helpful in bringing your idea to life.
Also, the catering service needs to be familiar with the type of event that you are hosting. For example, a birthday party is vastly different from a wedding. We highly suggest talking with caterers about their past experiences and familiarity with your type of event when you are considering them.
Customer Experience
A great caterer cares about their employees. It is apparent that a catering company cares about its staff, clients, and service when there is a motivated team of workers. Employees who are happy with their work environment will happily go above and beyond to be attentive to their guests. An example of this would be, giving explanations of dishes to guests, refilling the buffet, replenishing silverware, and many more upholding service behaviors.
Budget
A catering company can price its services best by offering a package with set prices that are not adjusted due to changes in the event timeline or guest count. Doing this will allow you to set a proper budget and ensure that you will stay within it. The prices of a catering service can entirely depend on what area you live in, the type of service you are expecting, and the type of food and drink you want for your event.
If you look for all these four things in a catering service, you should find great value in a company that suits your needs!