Experience: Ensure your caterer has longevity and catered many differing styles of events. This leads to foresight and preparation. A caterer who is ill-prepared to handle potential problems or worse yet, not predict possible problems from the outset probably doesn’t have the experience required to professionally facilitate successful outcomes.

Understanding: Each client will want something unique. This, being a human trait, is what makes a good caterer thrive. The ability to cater events with a point of difference and to let the creative juices flow, allows caterers to grow and provide events that are cutting edge, unique and brilliant. The starting point is communication. Good dialogue allows for events to be created with the clients absolute desires to
be perfectly met.

Ability: Caterers will promise the world but can they deliver? Fancy websites and brochures promote one level of professionalism, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating; literally. So don’t be afraid to try before you buy. Taste the product, see the facilities and satisfy yourself that these are the people you want to drive your event.

Most good caterers are also total event managers. Find out if ancillary services can be provided. Why burden yourself with extra workload if you caterer will do it for you? Most times the fee for this service will be minimal as the caterer should receive a discount from the supplier, which acts as their ‘commission’. Floral arrangements, hire of equipment, theming, entertainment, staffing, security, rubbish removal and recycling are all part of a good caterers services.

Payments and Fees

A quality caterer will discuss your budgets and payment options early in the negotiation process in order to provide you with full disclosure. Usual practice is for a reasonable deposit to be paid on confirmation and the balance within a few days of the event. Terms and conditions should clearly outline the consequences of cancellations and alterations. It is fair and reasonable for certain fees and penalties to exist. People often have limited comprehension of the actual workload that goes into, not only quoting an event, but following up and securing it as well. Countless hours, most unbilled, go into sourcing all the information and subsequent actions to finalise arrangements. More often than not, the client will have a few mind changes along the way.

There should exist, among all suppliers, the ability to pay in a manner of ways; cash, cheque, credit cards and direct debit as a minimum. The payment process should be easy, quick and as painless as possible. The old adage; “the food will be remembered long after the price is forgotten” rings true for catering events. There must be a clear representation to the client that a special day catered will be remembered long into the future and dollars spent are merely a means to an end. Regrets after an event for those few extra dollars that could have been spent, are far too common.