Did you know that the top 5 foods in America are french fries, grilled cheese, mashed potatoes, cheeseburgers, and corn on the cob?
Coming up with delicious meal plans for yourself each week can be challenging enough, but hosting an event comes with even more pressure. Since people will need to eat and drink to keep the fun going, you need to find perfect party dishes that can please any crowd.
Exploring catering options can be tricky if you don’t have any direction. Keep reading for 5 helpful tips on how to choose a caterer so you can ensure your event is a smashing success.
1. Consider the Tone of Your Event
If you’re hosting a formal wedding or business event, then it doesn’t make sense to serve boxed pizzas or fried chicken. This is why you need to take some time to reflect on which types of foods can best reflect your party’s theme.
If your event is casual and you want to serve something that everyone is guaranteed to love, then you should look at businesses that can offer the best burgers for catering.
2. Ask About Catering Options for Allergies and Preferences
The hardest part about planning your catering is making sure that each guest will have something filling to eat. There’s a wide range of allergies and dietary preferences that you and your caterer should discuss beforehand.
If you’re having an ice cream social, then be sure to offer non-dairy flavors while parties with a barbecue theme should have more than a salad for vegetarians.
3. Set a Budget
Honest caterers will be upfront about their costs, so it’ll be easy for you to compare different restaurants.
If you’ve fallen in love with a business but they’re a little out of your price range, then you should discuss your budget and see if they have any ideas that can lower your expenses. For example, a caterer could only use local, in-season produce so the meals are cheaper to create.
4. Read Online Reviews
When you Google phrases like “catering options near me,” you’ll notice that dozens of local businesses pop up. If you feel overwhelmed by the choices, then you can narrow down your list by applying a filter that only shows caterers who’ve received high ratings.
Read what other customers have said about their experiences so you can form a reliable first impression.
5. Taste Test New Businesses
If you’re thinking about working with a business that you’re not familiar with, then you should never hire them without taste testing. Companies that are serious about securing you as a customer will be happy to provide samples of your menu so they can showcase how tasty their dishes are.
Now You Know How to Find Catering for Your Needs
There are tons of catering options out there, so learning how to find your perfect match is essential. By following these tips, you can feel confident that your upcoming event will be memorable.
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