Catered Events

Of all the decisions you have to make when planning your special event, finding the perfect catering company for your day may seem like the most daunting task of all.
The first step is to figure out what you're looking for in a caterer. For example, do you need wedding catering or corporate event catering? Asking these questions is a good start:
• Will you be needing caterers who can also provide tables, linens, utensils and chairs in addition to food and drinks?
• Is the event going to be a brunch, a luncheon or a dinner?
• Do you want caterers who specialize in a certain type of food, such as unique menus or organic or locally grown ingredients?
• Do any of your guests have special dietary restrictions, such as vegan or vegetarian options, or allergies to specific foods?

Once you determine what your needs are, it will be easier to approach finding a professional off-site, full-service catering company that can meet your specific requirements. After determining what your key catering priorities are, there are two critically important factors that should be weighed in: food quality and cost. The cost-per-ratio of the food being served is just as important as finding a caterer that serves the highest quality of ingredients when deciding which company is perfect for your event.

There are many variables that will have to be considered when attempting to find the best caterer for your event. One of the most important is matching up with a company that specializes in your style of event. Choosing a caterer with very little experience in the type of food you’ve chosen, based only on price, is catastrophe waiting to happen. The local Hamilton business directory can provide an overview of the catering companies in the area, as well as looking online. Looking at their advertisements and menus will give you a fair overview of what types of events they cater, whether they do indoor or outdoor events. This is very important, because you’ll want to find a caterer that has the most experience in that type of catering and food, such as BBQ’s or buffets. Find out if they have a licensed bar service if your guests will be expecting alcoholic beverages.

The best way to find out about a catering company you are considering is to ask friends, family and colleagues what their experiences have been with them – both as a client or as an event guest. Ask specific questions about the food and beverages, as well as the type, style and size of the celebration. Check online for reviews on social networking sites and web searches on review sites and blogs. Ask the company for referrals to actual clients they have catered corporate events catering for, and ask them pertinent questions about how they feel the event was handled, and how satisfied they and their guests were with the service.

Sorting through all the catering companies in Hamilton, Ontario can be stressful, but there are several ways to make the decision easier, before you commit to setting up an appointment for a consultation.