How to talk with your potential Caterer

Catering demystified:
selecting a caterer should be fun, not stressful. The more you know about how a caterer works, the easier it will be to interview caterers. With that in mind, we're providing this questionnaire for your reference.

What you need to know first:
First of all, you need to see the kitchen and their operation; this includes insurance, licenses, etc. A caterer must be invested in the community. If they do not show you their kitchen, this should be a red flag item for you. So many times we hear from a client the horror story of a caterer using their own kitchen in their home. They claim this is why they can give you a good deal. They collect the deposit and sometimes full payment for event, and suddenly they do not return phone calls and cannot be found. It is also against the law for anyone to cater out of their own home.

From a caterer's perspective every event is different based on the type of event, venue, the guest count, the service style, and the client's special requests. Therefore, there are certain questions that any good caterer is going to ask you - and if you've already had a chance to think about these issues, it will save both of you time and produce a better event. Share your budget with your caterer.

What type of event are you envisioning? What is your goal? A formal seated dinner, family-style, or buffet? For a reception - do you want a combination of passed hors d'oeuvres and stations? Do you want live action stations where a chef prepares guests' selections to order? How many guests do you expect? What time of the day, date. If children are in attendance, do you want a separate menu for them? Will they be seated intermingled with the adults or in their own section? Do you need rentals of china, linen, etc? What kind of bar do you want - wine & beer, a full open bar, what kind of liquor for the full bar? Champagne, specialty drink? Do you need to rent glass ware?

Do you have a specific theme that you want to incorporate into your event?

What you should ask your Caterer:
* How many years have you been in the catering business?
* Do you have sample menus with pricing that I can see?
* Will you customize a menu for my needs and budget?
* Will the catering salesperson be at the event?
* What's included in the catering price, and what do you price separately? (Food, beverages, service,      centerpieces, linens, china, and chair cover, other rentals, etc.)
* How do you charge for liquor; per person, per hour?
* What is the ratio of staff to guests?
* How do you price your staffing and gratuities?
* Can we make an appointment for a food tasting? Is there a charge for this?
* Will you provide us with a contract including your payment/cancellation policy? 
* When do you require the final head-count?
* Do you have liability insurance?
* May we contact past clients for a reference?