Questions to ask potential Caterers

Interview Several Potential Caterers

Where do you start when choosing a caterer? Do you remember going to another wedding or event where you savored the food and your mouth is watering right now thinking of it? Getting the name of caterers that your friends have used will take some of the researching out of this decision..

Caterers will give you a quote based on your number of guests so make sure you have performed your “Creating Your Guest List” task before finalizing on a caterer. Get a price sheet of the entrees they serve along with their prices. Make sure to set a tasting appointment before any contract is signed. If you were not satisfied with the first tasting and you wanted to change the spicyness, or some other aspect of the food, make sure to ask for a second tasting. You want to feel confident that the food will taste great at your wedding.

Meet with 2-3 local caterers, sampling their food, and making sure the outside caterer you hire is right for you. During the interview process, here are some questions to ask each catering company:

What is your specialty? Do you have a signature dish?

Where is the food cooked? Is your kitchen near the venue?

How is the food transported? When do you bring the food to the venue?

Are additional cooking facilities needed at the reception site?

Is the food prepared from fresh ingredients, or frozen?

Who keeps the leftovers?

Will your provide servers? If so, how many servers per guest?

Are you licensed by the state? By the health department?

Do you provide table decorations? chair decorations?

How much deposit must be paid? When is the balance due?

How are the charges calculated? Per person? Per plate? Are tips included in the fees?

Will there an on-site supervisor on the day of the wedding?

What is the price difference between serving a buffet or plate dinners?

Are you able to provide special order or child-friendly meals (if needed)?

Ask if there are ways to reduce the per person cost. Caterers can be creative in reducing costs, you just need to ask.