HOW TO GET THE BEST FROM YOUR CATERER?

Planning an event can be a terribly daunting, extremely stressful and very time consuming task, regardless of the size of the occasion. Right from choosing an appropriate theme to the table arrangements and most importantly, the food. Without proper thought, planning, and organisation, things can become overwhelming and hectic.

At Owen Brothers, we have been catering since 1974 for a vast array of events including party catering, office lunch and corporate meetings. We have an abundance of experience and are faultless on both, direction and execution. We not only listen to our clients but put forward refreshing, novel ideas and suggestions to make the event simply perfect.

We have put together some useful, simple yet, important tips on how to get the best services from your caterers:

Here are some factors that you must consider:

Exchange Information: Remember the key to any successful accomplishment is without a doubt, communication. It is crucial to have a thorough conversation with your caterers about the event, so that you are both clear, concise & are working towards the exact same goals. Clearly define and lay out your needs, wants & expectations, agree on a set budget, and clearly express any thoughts, suggestions or concerns that you may have buzzing around your mind to clear up any doubts or confusion. Always document what you have agreed upon so that both parties have a point of reference & to avoid any sticky miscommunication issues.

Instant Responses: A lot of the time, when exchanging information via email things inevitably go wrong through no ones fault in particular. Perhaps an email hasn’t be read or it’s gone through to spam or junk. As far as you are concerned, the email has gone through and assume it’s been read. A lot of the time emails are inconclusive and are often misinterpreted or misunderstood. Do not wait for a reply or in fact, expect an instant response. Emails are great for confirmation but other than that the way forward is definitely via phone and calling direct to address your concerns, face to face contact if you can, or other messages such as whatsapp where you can actually see if your message has been read. For example, if you want to make amendments to your menu from a straightforward Hot Breakfast to a Gluten-Free Menu- don’t assume that your mail has been read, it’s better to drop us a line to discuss the new arrangements to ensure mistakes are avoided at any cost.

Ask as many Questions as you like: Catering for an event is not only about money and time, it requires immense detail and an incredible amount of effort.To make your guests feel comfortable, fully catered and attended to it’s crucial that all the elements tally together. Do you provide buffet catering? Is alcohol required? If so what would you like to offer? What delicious luxury desserts will be the showstoppers? These details, however small, need to be addressed to ensure that your event will go smoothly and all your guests are happy. So make it a priority to clarify things until you are sure that the caterer understands you and provides exactly what you expect.

Be Critical, Not Stingy: Food Tasting is an essential part of an event planning process. When you get to finally taste your specific well thought out menu, instead of being overly critical and appear to be over pompous, go with an open-mind. You never know you could be pleasantly surprised! If you are simply not happy just explain or clarify your requirements. If you want your caterers to provide the best services for you, communication is the key, be sure to provide all the specific details and requirements, and always appreciate the effort that has been made.

Set a Fixed Guest List & Stick to it: Guest count is a vital factor in the planning of any event. Often, people complain about the shortage of food or beverages, but the actual reality of it there may be a lot of unexpected or unwanted guests at the event. This is beyond your caterers control and depends directly on yourself. If you ask your caterer to provide for 60 guest all of which request chicken or meat, if more guests arrive and just happen to be vegan or vegetarian this is your fault but the caterers usually get the brunt of it! To avoid these situations, make sure you make a list of guests, send RSVP cards along with invites and share the final list with your caterers on time. That way there will be no backbiting and your event will be a hit.

A party or an event is intended to be enjoyed and will often be talked about for a while. Pick an expert catering company and let them plan a wonderful event for you effortlessly so that you can worry less and celebrate more.