Whether you’re hosting a lavish corporate event, a beautiful wedding or a family reunion at your banquet hall, you’re going to have to hire the right caterer! Thankfully, you can make the process a lot easier by asking a few simple questions, and doing a little basic homework.
Read on to learn a few basic tips on how to choose the right catering company for your next banquet hall event. By following these tips, you’ll help craft the perfect event for your guests.
#1) ASK ABOUT THEIR FOOD KNOWLEDGE
A good caterer knows what goes into making great food. They’ve probably done a lot of banquet hall events over the years, and developed their own techniques and workflow for handling events of multiple sizes. They also realize the importance of making sure to serve foods that won’t cause any issues for people with peanut or seafood allergies. If you bring this up, and the caterer stumbles to give an answer, it could be a red flag. Similarly, be sure to ask about their food preparation, delivery and styling to make sure that it fits with your event. The right catering company should have the experience necessary to deliver quick, confident answers to pressing questions.
#2) MAKE SURE TO NEGOTIATE
Some catering companies can be rigid in how they deal with their customers, which can be a tremendous turn-off, especially if you’re working within a calculated budget. The best caterers take pride in their food standards, but that should also extend into price negotiations, too. Those unwilling to budge on price may not be worth your time, whereas other caterers will be happy to exercise some flexibility in order to make a deal with you. The ultimate decision will come down to you. Are you willing to pay more, or would you prefer to negotiate for a package that makes both sides happy?
#3) ASK IF THEY OFFER A TASTING MENU
The menu might sound good, but unless you can sample the cuisine before you buy, there’s no sense moving forward. Make sure that the caterer in question is willing to schedule a tasting appointment so that you can get a sense of their quality. This is also a fantastic opportunity to mention any specific signature dishes you need to have at your banquet hall event. Have them prepare the dish so that you can be sure they’re worth the price. The last thing anyone wants is the stress of wondering whether the food will be good when the date of the event comes.
#2) ASK FOR REFERENCES
Proud caterers should be openly willing to provide you with references and ratings regarding their service. Take advantage of them to ask questions and see if they’re worthy of your confidence. However, it pays to check online, as well. Most companies will provide you with glowing references, while tucking the negative reviews under the carpet. The internet is a great place to see who had a bad experience, and who had a good one. Check the ratio of likes to dislikes, which is usually an accurate gauge of whether a company is worth the money. Since negative reviewers are more likely to take to the internet to post a review, a large imbalance of positive reviews means that happy customers took the time to express how happy they were the service.
#1) ASK IF THEY KNOW THE BANQUET HALL
This isn’t always necessary, but it does help if the catering company is familiar with the layout and location of your chosen banquet hall. This will help guarantee that the caterer can deliver on time, without any interruptions or setbacks. Since banquet halls are time-sensitive locales, punctuality is a must. A caterer who knows your banquet hall probably has a good relationship with the owner, and knows how to navigate their way around. It’s one less thing to worry about!
These tips can save you a lot of trouble on the day of your event, so be sure to take heed of them. If you exercise a little diligence, your next banquet hall event will run smooth as silk, and your guests will thank you! For more information about renting a banquet hall for your next event, please contact us today!