Catering - Money Well Spent For Most Hosts

If you are planning a party at your home, you might want to consider having it professionally catered. Then you can sit back and enjoy yourself, knowing your guests will be taken care of, and at a surprisingly affordable cost. Before you pick up the phone to call one, however, here are some things to consider.

In addition to the food, a caterer will provide the necessary wait staff, as well as the tables, chairs, linens, china, glasses, and flatware needed. The food may be prepared at your event or cooked elsewhere and then transported to the event in warmers, with the finishing touches added after their arrival. Some caterers advertise themselves as a full-service company and can provide you with any additional services you may need, such as a florist, emcee, or bar service. The caterer can in essence become your event planner, saving you the additional expense of hiring one. It is important to keep in mind that a legitimate catering company will have a business license and the proper health permits, which adds to the cost but is worth the peace of mind that comes with hiring a licensed professional.

To find a good catering company, ask your friends or acquaintances if they have any recommendations; you can also check event planning websites to find the more popular companies in your area. Once you have narrowed it down to a few choices, you should set up an appointment with each of them to see the services they can provide for you and the approximate cost involved, keeping in mind that the price is usually determined on a per-person basis. They should provide you with a proposal based on your specifications, including the number of wait/bar staff needed, and the type and amount of food you want. Many companies have put together standard menus with some of their most popular items to make your menu decisions easier, although they will also customize one for you if needed. For instance, you may want to provide some vegetarian options or need to consider a guest's food allergy.

Your menu choices will depend on whether your function involves a brunch, lunch, dinner, or supper. Generally, brunch and supper are the least expensive meals to provide, so consider this if you need to economize. If you are going to provide hors d'oeuvres, you should have a minimum of two stations or three to four passed items. Meals can be served buffet style, which is usually cheaper, or plated, which is served by the wait staff and consequently is more expensive. Tables, chairs, and linens can be provided for an additional fee as well as china, flatware, and glassware; if it is a casual event, disposable products can be substituted, often at no additional cost. The staff usually consists of a captain or manager, chef, kitchen assistant, and usually one server for every 25 guests, and they receive a gratuity of anywhere from 15 to 20 percent.

As you can see, a professional catering company can make most events successful while allowing you to relax with your guests. With careful planning, you will not have to break the bank to do it.

By: Aarthur

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