Arranging a major event is a massive task: there’s the agenda to be sorted out, the guest list, the date, the venue, the catering… the list goes on. Our handy guide is designed to help you take care of one major part of the day: the catering. When choosing an event company, you first need to know exactly what you want. Have a think about whether you want a sit-down meal or a buffet, the precise requirements for the event and the requirements of your guests.

It’s also a really good idea to get some recommendations as to which catering company you should use so you know you’ll get a professional service. Experienced caterers are generally best as they’ll know exactly what they’re doing. Ask the management at the event venue if they have a preferred catering company as they can often be a reliable source of help. Also ask around your contacts to see who they’ve used in the past and whether they’d recommend them for other events.

It’s important that your potential catering companies know exactly what the brief is, so get together with them to tell them your specific requirements (such as the dietary needs of the guests, the date, venue and time) as well as how much you’d ideally like to spend. Ask them for quotations so you can better plan your budget. Also make sure to give them time to ask you questions, as any good company will be able to give you advice and bring up things you may not have thought of.

You should then choose two or three potential companies from your list after you’ve obtained quotations from them. These are the companies you should get more detail from. All good companies will be able to meet your demands and provide you with any necessary information, so ask them for a plan of how they would manage the day so you know they’d be able to handle the work well and with competence. Also ask them for sample menus so you can see how they’d meet your requirements.

One final thing to do before making your decision as to which event catering company to hire, ask to try samples of their food or perhaps attend one of their events so you can see them in action. This is especially useful if you’re planning a major event as it will give you an idea about their quality and level of service. You should also ask them for references from previous customers so you can get some honest opinions about the standard of their work.

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