If you’re in charge of planning and executing corporate events for clients, partners, the press, or other purposes, what you’ve really been tasked with doing is making your company look good. This means choosing the perfect venue, wowing with your decor, providing stellar entertainment, and of course, offering an impressive spread of food and drinks.
This last item requires you to find a catering service that can meet your needs and ensure that your corporate event is a winner. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best catering service for your event.
Know What You Need
You might not know what kind of food or drinks are best for your corporate event, which is why you need a catering service in the first place, but you probably have some idea of where and when the event will take place, how many people will attend, what kind of budget you’re working with, and other particulars. If you want to find the best catering service for your needs, it’s important to go into your search with a listing of known factors already assembled.
This prep work could help you to choose a caterer that is available on your selected date that can handle the volume of guests that has a kitchen if your venue doesn’t provide one, and so on. If you don’t know the details when you start your search, you’re going to have a hard time finding the best caterer for your needs.
Referrals and Reviews
Once you have an idea of what you need, it’s time to start combing through caterers in your area, and one of the best way to find a good one is through word of mouth. Start by asking colleagues, family members, and friends about catering services they’ve used in the past. The personal experiences of those you know can help you to find suitable options (or avoid bad ones).
What if you don’t know anyone with appropriate experience hiring caterings services? Online consumer reviews can help you to figure out which local caterers offer the services and the stellar reputation you’re looking for. If you want to narrow your options and expedite the hiring process, referrals and reviews are a big help.
Menu Options
These days it seems like everyone has an allergy, aversion, or alternate diet. You can’t please all the people all the time, but you can try to provide a menu that offers different options. When choosing a caterer, make sure to ask if they can accommodate special menus like vegetarian, vegan, or locally-sourced meals. Ask if they provide gluten-free, dairy-free, and other allergen-specific alternatives. See if they’re willing to do specialty services like a taco, dessert, or cocktail bars, for example.
A good catering service will not only try to accommodate your requests, but will also provide you with a slew of potential menu options, some of which you probably wouldn’t have thought of on your own. A diverse array of menu options will help to ensure that your corporate event is the toast of the town, so come prepared with plenty of questions. Professionals at a reputable service like DeFazio’s Catering can partner with you to plan a perfect event and build a lasting relationship for future events.