Key Questions Before Hiring a Chester, PA Caterer
The search engine has permeated in all aspects of our lives that it’s almost second nature to “
Google” the information to the question you want the answer to. You know how when you have so many choices of catering services—and each choice seems to be better than the last—that it’s very hard to decide? It’s the same with the unfiltered search engine like Google.
When you hire a catering service, you do so with the end purpose of providing your guests with the whole experience. Before doing anything else, choosing a caterer should be at the top of your to-do-list. After paying for the vendor, whatever’s left of your budget can be adjusted accordingly. But you can’t sell your caterers in Chester, PA short.
The tricky part is finding the right supplier for your needs. Finding a caterer is not hard in the sense that a cursory search on Google will yield you multiple results of businesses near your location.
We list the best catering services for corporate events, weddings, birthdays and all special occasions. We offer tips on how to choose the perfect caterer for your specific needs.
Catering Authority, which is an online directory that compiles a list of caterers in multiple cities in the U.S., is giving some tips to make sure you choose the right caterers so you not only get delicious food but also get the most value for your money.
- Know how many are attending your Chester, PA event
When choosing a menu from the catering company, it’s important to consider whether it’s capable of serving large crowds even in short notice. The caterer will always adjust to the budget of the customer whether you are planning a small birthday dinner or a large wedding party. Do not just to come up with the budget; a firmed up guest list ensures that nobody goes home hungry. Questions should be sorted out during the interview process.
- Constant communication is key to a successful event in Chester, PA
This is more like the administration and communication aspect. For instance, the corporate host can’t be expected to follow up on the service provider every day. How about if you want to hold the location in a hotel with its own waiting staff, can the caterer work well with other people not specifically chosen by them? Assigning a point person just makes sense because the supplier is not expected to talk to just about anybody from the company or family. If three or more companies are shouldering the costs, the complexity of the negotiations would make the head of the caterer spin.
The catering company will only deal with the point person in order to lessen the chances of miscommunication in the catering services. Each of the corporate entity may have its own requirements and demands from the catering services, and that is why there needs only to be one person who is in charge of communicating with the catering company.
- Organization in food and beverage can go a long way in a Chester, PA event
The catering team should be cognizant that their responsibility extends far beyond just bringing the right food and beverage when the time of the event arrives. For large gatherings, it’s not feasible to call each invited guest. There are those who don’t partake of alcohol and only drink juice. An organization that will hardly get back to you if you call or email is not the right service provider for you. How caterers conduct themselves not just in front of customers but how well they treat their staff speaks volumes about company professionalism.
- Where in Chester, PA is your event going to be held?
The location can also pose a challenge for the caterer. A hotel ballroom is very easy because the caterer has unfettered access to the site through the back door and basement, and where they will set up the food is also clear based on the layout of the room. But people always want somewhere unique to hold their weddings or birthdays. You need to communicate everything to the caterers and make sure he or she knows all the full implications of accepting the contract. Make sure the caterers know beforehand so they know if they are up for the challenge.
- Can’t serve two masters at the same time in Chester, PA
Ideally, the catering service company will only handle your event on that scheduled day to make it truly unique. You can actually ask the chef of the catering service to cook food on the spot at the wedding.
All these need to be communicated at the outset so the caterer can give you a realistic quote for your wedding. Make sure that you communicate to the caterer that you want their unfettered attention on the day of your wedding.