Selecting the Right Caterer for Your Special Day
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Posted On : Apr-07-2009 | seen (700) times
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Your wedding's caterer will have an enormous impact on the event's success, not only with the food and service, but also with many other logistical concerns.
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Your wedding's caterer will have an enormous impact on the event's success, not only with the food and service, but also with many other logistical concerns.
Many caterers also take care of the set up and tear down for the event. The reception cannot start without chairs being set up, tables set with the linens and floral pieces, and the cake table ready for the cake to be delivered. How well the facility is cleaned after the event determines how much of your cleaning deposit you get returned.
Your guests' enjoyment at your wedding is strongly linked to the food and service you provide. Even if they never notice other details of the event, your guests will form an opinion about the food. Since everyone takes part in dining, it is quite evident if there are not enough servers to keep glasses full and the food hot. Your sense of smell and taste create the strongest evocations of memory. Cherished wedding day memories should include a wonderful meal.
Selecting the correct caterer is important to your wedding, so how do you find the best one? When speaking with prospective caterers, knowing what type of atmosphere as well as the food you’re looking for is very helpful. This narrows down the list of caterers to choose from, because you don't want a quote from someone whose specialty is BBQ when you are having a formal dinner.
These are a couple of things to keep in mind when selecting a caterer:
* How much money do you have to spend?
* Will the event location permit outside caterers?
* Are you looking for a specific type of food? Favorite foods and ingredients or foods you dislike?
* What type of meal are you looking for: fancy sit down dinner, buffet lines, family style, food stations, or something else?
* Does the caterer provide a complete event planning process or just handle the catering?
* Is a full bar service provided or do you provide your own beverages, or is there some mixing of the two?
Once you have decided on what you want and the priority of each aspect, develop references and referrals by browsing caterer websites as well as asking family, friends, and the event professionals you are working with. Begin a dialogue with a handful of caterers you think will be a good fit.
Questions you should ask every caterer include:
* What do you consider your specialties? Are they able to design a customer menu based on my ideas, or do I need to choose from a predetermined menu? Typically, the more the experience is customized, the more the caterer charges.
* What is the typical cost per individual? What does that cover for each person?
* What is the length of time you have been in this business?
* How many weddings and other events have you handled?
* On a weekend, how many events do you handle?
* What is the ratio of servers to guests? Do you assign an event manager to each event you cater?
* Where did the chef study and where have they worked before? The kitchen staff's skills are what your guests will remember, not the salesperson's charm.
* Are tastings available before or after booking, or maybe not at all? For a couple hundred dollars, a tasting is a worthwhile investment in your caterer.
* For my event, will it be the same chef as at the tasting? If that isn't the case, there's not much point in having a tasting.
* Are any services other than catering offered?
The most important thing is to get a good "vibe" from the caterer so you are completely comfortable hiring them. Enjoy your time in planning your wedding; it is a once in a lifetime event.
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Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Selecting the Right Caterer for Your Special Day_346.aspx
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Author Resource :
Chef Ethan Mantle, Componere Fine Catering proprietor, uses seasonal and organic ingredients in all the dishes on his Sonoma wedding catering menu. Hand selecting locally grown, fresh produce is a top priority for Chef Mantle, which is why he is one of the top San Francisco caterers.
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Keywords : San Francisco catering, Napa catering, Sonoma catering, San Francisco caterers, San francisco caterer
Category : Food and Beverage : Cooking
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