Whether you are hosting a corporate event, a wedding, or some other social gathering, catering cannot be overlooked. Though you may think that the subject matter and goal of your event is the most important aspect—and many ways it is—bad catering has the ability to tarnish the success of an event and be the strongest feeling that lives on in your guests’ memory. However, by this same token, hiring a good catering company has the ability to take your event to the next level.
In this blog, your go-to Denver catering company would like to share with you some helpful tips to keep in mind when going through the process of booking a catering service for your next event. Following these tips will have your guests talking about your event for years to come.
Hire Professional Catering Company
First and foremost, don’t expect to be able to tackle the job of providing superb catering alone or with the help of amateurs. The world of catering is complex. Everything from how much sauce to use to allotting the appropriate amount of time for preparation can greatly influence the success of your event. Many people assume that because they can cook at home they can also cook for their own events. In most cases, this is not the case. One mistake or omission has the potential to ruin all your efforts. When in need of catering, hire a professional catering service. They have years of experience planning, cooking, presenting, and serving exceptional food.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
Catering companies that have earned a reputation for reliably delivering amazing food are often not available at a moment’s notice. Because of their reputation and excellent service, their calendars fill up quickly. Therefore, don’t wait to find and book a catering company. By avoiding this, you can alleviate a great deal of the stress involved in event planning and you can help properly budget your event.
Share Your Budget Expectations with Your Caterer
From day one, be honest and direct with your caterer. To truly figure out what you can afford and what will work best for your event, you have to have a clear vision. If you don’t have this the moment you contact your catering company, that’s okay. Some of the best caterers will work with you to not only help flesh out your vision—all within your budget—but more importantly, make this vision a reality. On top of this, most providers are more than pleased to work with you to design a menu that meets your budget and accomplishes all your food goals.
Find Out What the Venue Includes
Nowadays, it seems that more and more events are taking place in untraditional venues—barns, fields, and other outdoor areas. Though these spaces have the ability to facilitate a truly unique event, they can also be very limiting, in terms of what you can and can’t do. Before making plans with your catering company, first ask your venue relevant questions: is there a kitchen for caterers to work out of? What does this kitchen include? How many tables can the space hold? What happens if it rains? Will there be other events before or after? These are the type of questions that can save you money, help better prepare, and ultimately improve catering and the event as a whole.
Have an A and B-List
The number of attendants is to never be overlooked. All of your event costs will be closely linked to this number and, therefore, your budget. If you are in a situation where you only have a budget for 100 guests, but you have 200 people on your list, begin by creating an A and B list—A-list being those that have to be there and B being the people you would like to attend if space wasn’t limited. Once you have created this split list, then you can send out RSVP invitations to the A-list, and each time you get a “no” you can move a person from the B-list over to A and send out an invitation.
Next time you’re planning an event, keep these suggestions in mind. And if you are looking for some of the finest Denver catering available, don’t hesitate to contact Pour La France! Catering. With an expansive menu that includes everything from hors-d’oeuvres to BBQ catering to gourmet dinner buffets. Contact us today to begin customizing your menu!