Friday, July 25, 2014

Tips On Hiring Charlotte Caterers

By Paulette Mason


In a party, serving food and drinks is usually the norm. No matter what type of event you are hosting, your guests will expect appetizers, desserts, main courses, side dishes and drinks such as coffee, aperitifs and sodas. It can be difficult to plan a menu especially if you are holding a large event or party since you have to choose the foods and drinks that your guests will appreciate. One way to simplify the task of hosting an event is hiring Charlotte caterers.

After hiring a catering company, you will avoid the stress associated with planning the menu, decor and table settings of your event since the staff members of the firm will assist you. No matter where you want to hold the event, the catering company will ensure that your guests experience the best. You can be in a better position to choose the best caterer if you know the special requirements of your guests in advance.

Selecting the right menu is vital. Catering companies usually have a wide range of preset menus that can be used in various types of events. For example, a finger buffet menu usually consists of salads, sandwiches, sausage rolls, small pies, Canapes, dips and pastries. On the other hand, a knife and fork buffet consists of meals that are more complete. Ensuring that vegetarian options are available is also essential.

As they hire a catering company, event organizers should follow the steps they usually take when hiring other service based companies. They should note down some questions they can ask the caterer and be ready to answer the common questions that caterers usually ask. It is also wise for them to speak with several catering companies and compare their experience, service fees and quality of service. Full service catering companies usually provide their clients with drinks, food, linens, dishware and decorative items.

As they discuss the budget, the prospective clients of a catering firm should ask for an estimate of the amount of money they will spend per person. In general, the cost depends on the kind of food that will be served at an event. If the firm can provide them with several options that comply with their budget, they can ask for references and also taste the food.

Event organizers should also provide the catering firm with detailed information about their event. This includes why they are holding the event, the number of guests, location and anything special about the menu like the inclusion of vegetarian or gluten free foods. They should also inform the firm about the level of service they expect.

It is also wise to ask the catering company to advise you on the foods that can work best for your event. Ask the caterers whether they serve specialties such as ethnic, comfort or rustic food. Most trusted firms in Charlotte are usually busy and it is therefore wise to inform them that you need their services as early as possible.

As you look for a caterer, it is wise to interview even the newer and smaller firms. Such companies do all they can to ensure that an event is successful in order to attract new clients. It is good to visit the caterer yourself so that you can gauge the kind of services the firm offers.




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