Planning a big event? There are so many things that you need to look into to ensure your event is a grand success. Things like event venue, parking facilities, decor and most importantly the food.
Choosing the ideal caterer can be a tough choice given that there are ample options to choose from. There are many catering Melbourne services but with through research and planning, you are bound to pick the one that suits your theme and event the best.
Some things to keep in mind before picking a caterer are food quality, the customer service and their ability to tailor to your specific dietary requirements.
Some tips for picking the ideal catering service are:
Quality of Food:
When you select you caterer, you want the presentation and quality of food to be of a high standard. Look through their menu and if possible their website to get a sense of their work and presentation. After all if the food looks good, it’s bound to taste delicious. Ask them about where they source their produce and how they prepare it. Also ensure they have quality utensils and serve ware to present the food on the day of the event.
Budget:
Depending on the event and the number of guest, your budget might vary but be extremely clear about this from the start to avoid any surprise charges at the last minute. Ensure you are happy with the quoted price and the services included before deciding anything. Most catering companies have packages for various events or for a certain number of guests. Pick the one that suits your event the best.
Level of Experience:
This is another important aspect that must not be overlooked. The company you select must have experience in their field and have a good reputation. Check their website for any feedback and make your decision based on that.
Taste test:
Ask the catering company for a taste test of their menu. Choose a few items that you would like to have on your menu and try it out. This will help you to decide if their presentation, style and quality are up to the standard or not. It will also help you to decide if you would like to have the tasted items or not.
Friendly staff:
This is also an important factor, along with delicious food the company should also provide friendly customer service so the guests leave feeling pampered. Try to visit the company for a taste test and observe how the service is. Do you have to wait long for the food to be served? Is the food nice and warm when it reaches your table? These are all good pointer to selecting a company with ideal customer service.
Customer Feedback:
This can really help you to make you decision. Visit the restaurant or talk to customers who have had the food and ask them about their experience on the dining, atmosphere and whole environment. If the majority of the feedback is positive, you have made a good choice.
Availability:
Try to organise the caterer a few weeks before your event to avoid any last minute hassles. Ask them about their availability and if they are willing to arrive at the required time to organise the food before the guests arrive. Also talk about the payment terms. Some companies prefer an advance prior to the event and the remaining once the event is over. Others prefer the full payment after the completion of the event. Either way, it’s best to know everything upfront.
If you follow the above tips, you should have no problem choosing the ideal caterer for your event. The most important thing is that the caterer should understand your overall vision for the function and try and incorporate their experience with your ideas to create the perfect customised solution. The menu should be the talk of the night and the guests should leave the venue with a satisfied feeling.
