As a business owner, you’ve invested a significant part of your capital in bricks and mortar. Whether you own your space or lease, you’ve no doubt created a meeting space that’s impressive to customers, comfortable to use and welcoming on an everyday basis.
So when you have special office occasions – holiday parties, retirements, the celebration of an outstanding sales quarter – why go out to an impersonal restaurant when the restaurant can come to the place you’re the most at home – in your office meeting space.
Sure, you can do it yourself. That strategy seems to be the most relaxed and economical, but think about past office shindigs – does this sound familiar?
Hey, did somebody sign up to bring ice?
This cake looks great! Do you think we can cut it with a letter opener?
All of the crockpots tripped the breaker – all of the food is cold!
Keep your paper plates for dessert – we just have enough for everyone to have ONE!
A full-on office soiree or casual lunch is far more than just food. The event calls for paper goods, plates, utensils, condiments. Food has to be kept hot – or cold. In the end, it all has to clean up quickly and efficiently – time is money!
Here at Cape Creations Catering, delivering the office lunch is one of our specialties. From simple to more elaborate – we can meet your office meal needs in a variety of ways:
Box lunches: This style of office lunch allows us to be a little more flexible in the creation of a L”lunch box.” From deli sandwiches to pitas, roll-ups to kabobs – part of the fun in lunch boxes is popping open the top to find a surprisingly delicious lunch inside. Add a cup of soup, a pasta salad or cup of fruit for variety. Of course, every box needs a sweet treat – cookies, cake or mini pudding? Lunch boxes can be all-inclusive – food, utensils, condiments and a box that serves as a “plate.” Add beverage service and the work is done. Clean up is easy.
Self-serve trays: Disposable platters are easy to clean up and provide office diners the chance to assemble a plate of their choosing. Platters can be all cold, deli-style offerings or a combination of hot meats and cold sides. Again don’t forget the tray of cookies! We provide paper goods and disposable serving utensils.
Hot Line: Lunch is by far the most popular catered affair – but we do breakfast as well. Here’s where a hot line really brings a rib-sticking treat to your co-workers. Disposable service pans stay sealed and piping hot until you’re ready to eat and then open to reveal, eggs, breakfast meats, grits, roasted potatoes – you dream it, we can do it.. An inclusive breakfast casserole, biscuits and fresh fruit makes a popular breakfast self-serve line. Hot lunches can be as close as the conference room and may encompass a variety of menus – from simple soup and sandwich to more elaborate meat and three combinations.
And remember, catered lunches aren’t just a treat for your staff. Your best customers will feel like royalty when you treat their office staff to catered lunch. Show your appreciation for their business with a stress-free office breakfast or lunch.
Monday, March 17, 2014
When ‘Eating In” Makes Perfect Sense
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Monday, March 10, 2014
Guests Won't Squawk When Served a Moist, Tender Recipe With Bone-in Chicken
Fish can be fragile. Beef can be
expensive – and more and more people are eating less red meat. Pork runs afoul
of personal lifestyles.
But chicken…chicken can rule the
roost for your special event.
The obvious go-to for chicken is
the boneless chicken breast. As popular as the choice may be, it’s not without
its own problems when being prepared for a crowd.
First, some history.
The boneless breast came about,
in part, because it was quick to prepare. Busy restaurant chefs could give the
chicken pieces a quick sear on each side then finish in a hot oven in just a
few minutes. When prepared properly, this is the ideal application.
But your party of 50 – or more –
cannot be served made-to-order chicken breasts. For large parties, we must think
about keeping food hot, keeping meat moist and tender and delivering lots of
flavor plate after plate.
The boneless chicken breast is
not at its best when prepared in quantity. It tends to dry out – even when held
in sauce. Plus, bone-in chicken has much more flavor than boneless breast
filets.
Choosing chicken to save money
is the right idea. According to price statistics from the National Chicken
Council, the retail price of chicken can be just one-third the price of a
comparable cut of pork and a whopping 75 percent less than beef.
So what are your options to
serve chicken, save money and get the best dish possible?
Work with your professional caterer
on braised chicken dishes, chicken in sauces or stews and always choose bone-in
pieces. Use dark meat – thighs and legs – when possible because these higher
fat pieces bring even more flavor to the table. These cooking methods will keep
the chicken at its best – and allow you to introduce some international flavors
to your event.
Recipe ideas
Chicken Tagine: This savory dish
can use all pieces of the chicken – dark and white meat. The traditional Middle
Eastern preparation incorporates rich flavors of the Med – lemon, turmeric,
cinnamon, ginger, parsley and cilantro. It’s a dish that is loaded with flavor
and colorful variety.
Chicken Cacciatore: This rustic,
Italian-inspired chicken dish can use all parts of the chicken and brings
together flavors of Tuscany: Tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, oregano and basil.
This dish offers an easy and affordable wine paring option – Sangiovese or
Chianti work just fine and are great values right now.
Coq au Vin: This classic French
dish is a crowd pleaser for both its simplicity and its flavors. Literally “chicken
in wine,” the dish marries earthy ingredients like thyme, mushrooms and pearl
onions with a rich wine sauce to produce chicken pieces that are moist, tender
and delicious.
Braised Chicken with Wine and
Oranges: The tangy oranges in this dish blend with the sweet Muscatel wine to
create a Spanish sweet-and-sour chicken. Spain is also the source of some great
wine values – and this dish pairs perfectly with the popular Spanish red wine
grape Tempranillo.
Beer-Braised Chicken Stew with
Fava Beans and Peas: This is a perfect foundation dish for parties where there
are plenty of craft beer fans. Onions, mushrooms, herbs and spices ramp up the flavor
in this hearty chicken stew – that can be make only with chicken thighs.
Compliment the dish with beer like a Belgian-style ale.
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Wednesday, March 5, 2014
A DIY Bar Can Be Fun
Handling kitchen duties can be overwhelming for the host of a special event. That’s where caterers come in – we work on-site or prepare off-site and deliver to your home or special event venue.
Tackling bartender duties isn’t so stressful and may be a way for you express yourself and save a few bucks at your next special event. Here are some ideas for your bar needs:
Explore discounts: Most wine shops and package stores offer case discounts on every 12 bottles – and some offer a discount on just six bottles. If it’s wine crowd and the party is going for three hours, plan on nearly one bottle per guest – that’s one drink an hour. Also, work in advance with your package or wine store operator and ask them to seek out any special deals for you. Lots of wine comes to market that never sees shelf time – and many of those are bargain bottles that are just right for a large crowd.
Ask guests to pitch in: Some wine and package shops have gift registries. Instead of getting overloaded with another toaster, create a wine and liquor gift registry and let your guests pick up the tab for your favorite beverages.
Mix in bulk: You don’t want to be tied to bar-tending duties any more than you want to slave over a hot stove. Some cocktails mix well in bulk and guests can self-serve from a container with a spigot. You don’t have to be an expert mixologist to put together these recipes. And, mixing in bulk allows you to use less expensive brands of liquor and mixers bought in bulk at warehouse or discount stores.
Some ideas include:
Manhattan (Serve over ice in small rocks glass, makes 38 oz)
750 ml rye whiskey
10 oz sweet vermouth
3 oz dry vermouth
Garnish with Luxardo cherries
Whiskey or Vodka Mule (Serve over ice in small rocks glass, make 85 oz)
1 liter Vodka OR bourbon
11 oz lime juice
40 dashes of Angostura bitters
40 oz ginger beer
Garnish with lime wheels
Don’t get hung up on labels: If you are serving champagne cocktails, don’t get all hung up on the label – after all, your bubbly is about to get diluted with juice or some other mixer. Set aside that special bottle to be shared by the bride and groom – or bridal party – and use the less expensive bubbles for mixers and guests. Consider the options of sparkling wines from the US, Cava from Spain or Prosecco from Italy – you may just get more bang for your buck with bubbles from outside of France!
Beer bliss: If you are among the growing number of craft beer enthusiasts you probably know a home brewer or two. Ask your favorite homebrewer to craft a special “wedding ale” for your event. It’s a way for the brewer to show off his skills and for you to have a remarkable and one-of-a-kind beer for your event.
Measure, monitor: While no one wants to get serious at a party – you are serving alcohol and by doing so assume the risk as host. To keep consumption – and expense – in check, use small glasses or cups, make plenty of ice available for cocktails and consider cutting off alcohol service an hour or so before the party ends. Offer coffee soft drinks and water. Lastly, don’t let guests who have had too much to drink get behind the wheel. Call a cab – or arrange to have drivers available to take home guests who have had too much to drink.
Tackling bartender duties isn’t so stressful and may be a way for you express yourself and save a few bucks at your next special event. Here are some ideas for your bar needs:
Explore discounts: Most wine shops and package stores offer case discounts on every 12 bottles – and some offer a discount on just six bottles. If it’s wine crowd and the party is going for three hours, plan on nearly one bottle per guest – that’s one drink an hour. Also, work in advance with your package or wine store operator and ask them to seek out any special deals for you. Lots of wine comes to market that never sees shelf time – and many of those are bargain bottles that are just right for a large crowd.
Ask guests to pitch in: Some wine and package shops have gift registries. Instead of getting overloaded with another toaster, create a wine and liquor gift registry and let your guests pick up the tab for your favorite beverages.
Mix in bulk: You don’t want to be tied to bar-tending duties any more than you want to slave over a hot stove. Some cocktails mix well in bulk and guests can self-serve from a container with a spigot. You don’t have to be an expert mixologist to put together these recipes. And, mixing in bulk allows you to use less expensive brands of liquor and mixers bought in bulk at warehouse or discount stores.
Some ideas include:
Manhattan (Serve over ice in small rocks glass, makes 38 oz)
750 ml rye whiskey
10 oz sweet vermouth
3 oz dry vermouth
Garnish with Luxardo cherries
Whiskey or Vodka Mule (Serve over ice in small rocks glass, make 85 oz)
1 liter Vodka OR bourbon
11 oz lime juice
40 dashes of Angostura bitters
40 oz ginger beer
Garnish with lime wheels
Don’t get hung up on labels: If you are serving champagne cocktails, don’t get all hung up on the label – after all, your bubbly is about to get diluted with juice or some other mixer. Set aside that special bottle to be shared by the bride and groom – or bridal party – and use the less expensive bubbles for mixers and guests. Consider the options of sparkling wines from the US, Cava from Spain or Prosecco from Italy – you may just get more bang for your buck with bubbles from outside of France!
Beer bliss: If you are among the growing number of craft beer enthusiasts you probably know a home brewer or two. Ask your favorite homebrewer to craft a special “wedding ale” for your event. It’s a way for the brewer to show off his skills and for you to have a remarkable and one-of-a-kind beer for your event.
Measure, monitor: While no one wants to get serious at a party – you are serving alcohol and by doing so assume the risk as host. To keep consumption – and expense – in check, use small glasses or cups, make plenty of ice available for cocktails and consider cutting off alcohol service an hour or so before the party ends. Offer coffee soft drinks and water. Lastly, don’t let guests who have had too much to drink get behind the wheel. Call a cab – or arrange to have drivers available to take home guests who have had too much to drink.
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Monday, February 24, 2014
Eight Ways to Trim Your Wedding Budget
All of the pieces and parts of your wedding have one thing
in common: Each has a price tag.
With a little imagination, plenty of planning and thought
and confidence, you can trim the budget. A little here, a little there – and
the next thing you know, you’ve saved potentially thousands of dollars.
Here are some ideas.
Use a wedding coordinator: A good coordinator or planner may seem like
an additional expense. However, the expertise a good coordinator brings to the
event should be focused around giving you the special day you want – while
saving you money.
Coordinators have long-term relationships with lots of
different vendors who will often extend special pricing – because they know a
coordinator’s event will be stress free.
Spend a little to save a little.
Choose a professional caterer: Yeah, that sounds a bit self-serving.
Just like a wedding coordinator, a professional caterer knows how to shave a
bit here and there or offer other suggestions to help keep your entertaining
budget in line. Rely on the expertise of others to relax the strain on your
bank account!
Invitations: One of the most common suggestions for saving a
huge amount of money up front is to use handmade or inexpensively printed
invitations instead of engraved invitations.
Be honest, that engraved invitation that you paid $4 each for
hits the trash can as soon as your guest puts the date on the calendar. Why not
ask a graphic designer friend – or your talented self – to create a
one-of-a-kind invitation that can be printed on a home printer or at a printing
center?
Have fun, put your personalities into the invitation – that
will be much more memorable to guests than a stereotypical, engraved
invitation.
Avoid guest list bloat: Early on, define who will be invited
– and stick to it. Simply, invite only those who are closest to you and your
partner. Do you each have lots of college friends who still live in the same
town? Coordinate with them and live stream your ceremony via Skype – while
those friends celebrate at a party of their own. Sen a DVD to far-flung family
members.
The tunes: No wedding reception is complete without music –
and we all remember the fun scenes from “The Wedding Singer.” Still, a full
band can run into the thousands of dollars – a DJ will likely be a few hundred
bucks and can do just as much to entertain the crowd. For a smaller affair the
couple’s favorite songs assembled into a playlist and pumped over a great sound
system may be plenty. Still want live musicians? Check with local musical
instrument stores – they may know of a “pick-up” duo or trio who will give you
live music for a few less dollars. Remember though: Musicians are professionals
just like chefs and wedding coordinators – and should be paid accordingly.
Booze by the numbers: If a full bar is in your plans, pay
for alcohol service by the head – not by the drink. Even casual drinkers will
belly up to a free bar. A per head fee will be much better on the budget versus
per drink – which can reach $7.50 per drink or more. For an early afternoon
wedding – consider keeping alcohol service limited to wine and beer.
Timing is everything: An afternoon wedding allows you to
reign in bar costs with just wine or beer – see above. It also allows reception
food to become light appetizers and cake instead of pricier heavy apps or
dinner service. Maybe a very small private ceremony is your thing. Take the
honeymoon – then come back and host a big backyard BBQ for you to celebrate
with friends and extended family.
Network your worries away: I’m always amazed when I post an inquiry
on social media sites. Wow, I often have resources that I didn’t know I had.
Maybe you have a long lost cousin who is a professional photographer – and
would love to “gift” you photography. Your aunt’s best friend is a newly opened
florist who will swap flowers for a business card on every guest’s seat. Your
nephew is a graphic design student who needs a project – invitations!
Ask, and you will likely receive!
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Monday, February 17, 2014
Choosing the Perfect Venue: Number of Guests, Budget and Personal Style are Key Elements
The decisions you must make for your special event – whether it’s a wedding or a corporate retreat – are seemingly countless. Among the most crucial decisions is the venue – where you will host your special event?
Here are some thoughts to consider when choosing a venue.
How many guests do you want, and how mobile are they?
Is this a small group or several hundred participants? And if you’re planning a destination wedding or remote retreat, are your guests willing to travel to the venue?
The number in your party can immediately trim down a list of potential venues rather quickly. The smaller the group, the more likely you are to find more venue options.
And for events requiring travel, consider the budget of your invited guests, especially those who are important to the success of the event.
Do you want a religious ceremony?
A church-based service can impact the number of guests. Churches vary a great deal in size and depending on your convictions; you may find your choice of church falls short of needs. Consider a larger facility of the same faith – but be prepared for your choice of minister to possibly share the ceremony with the host minister.
How much work are you willing – or do you want – to take on?
The most austere of event venues can be made to sparkle with the right decorations and flowers. If you’re particularly talented in these areas and can take on the work – you’ll save a huge piece of your budget. Otherwise, know that décor and flowers can quickly add lots of extra dollars to a budget.
Size, budget – and style
OK, so you’ve found the perfect sized hall or venue, it fits your budget perfectly – but does it fit your style? Outdoorsy couple may have found the perfect hotel garden and reception hall for their big day – but does the glitz and polish of a hotel really fit their style? For this couple, an open air wedding and a reception in a state park picnic pavilion may be more their style. Likewise, the urban couple may not be very much at home with a beachside wedding. Consider style!
Public venues are magical – but often require permits
If the idea of a beach wedding or ceremony in one of Savannah’s beautiful public squares is more your style, work with a planner or make contact with city hall. Permits are often required for such events and can include other mandatory expenses like security or parking oversight. If you plan on having a reception in the same place, there may be rules and licenses required. Plan ahead and secure permits – you don’t want your event interrupted and potentially shut down for lack of permits!
This is as good a place as any to discuss alcohol service. Rules vary wildly from state to state – and city to city within a sate. Your caterer, bar caterer or alcohol provider should be able to answer questions regarding permits. In some cases, the bar caterer will have the only license necessary. In some cases, know that you may have to acquire your own special event alcohol license. Check local regulations.
Ask to see pictures of previous events
Regular event halls should have photos of past events to help you get a feel for how the space looks when set for a wedding or special event. The pictures, in fact, may not be perfect, and may illustrate difficult to decorate features of the space. Scrutinize the photos carefully.
Is it clean, well-managed and maintained?
When you visit potential venues, walk around. Look not just at the public space, but at the areas that will be used for catering, bar service and restrooms. Is it clean? Are fixtures, floors and doors well maintained and functioning? Do you see fire extinguishers, clearly marked exit signs and other indicators that the venue owner takes pride in the location?
Any restrictions on catering – and can your caterer’s needs be addressed?
Some venues have a mandatory list of caterers that must be used – or handle food service in-house. Regardless, coordinate between catering and the venue to make sure your caterer has what they need to work. If your venue, for example, does not have a working kitchen, your caterer will have to bring cooking surfaces and hot-holding vessels, which can add to your cost. Caterers need refrigeration, hot and cold running water and areas in which to handle clean-up. Trying to save a few dollars on an ill-equipped venue can come back to haunt you with a larger catering bill.
Home weddings: Is the wear and tear worth it?
I’ve been to several weddings held in private homes or on the scenic lawns of Savannah’s many waterfront homes. The events are beautiful – but are the wear and tear worth the savings of a commercial venue? I’ve seen one evening’s worth of wedding guests literally wear the paint off of a staircase bannister!
You can possibly have as many as a few hundred guests parking on the lawn, treading on gardens, interior floors and carpeting. In all likelihood, you will need to bring in portable toilet facilities to accommodate a large party. Bands or DJs will require a place for staging and have demanding electrical needs. And, again don’t forget your caterer: Will they work from the home kitchen or need to bring cooking, cleaning and hot-holding equipment?
Is there parking?
If you’re having a wedding with 150 guests in one of Savannah’s squares on a busy spring day – you will have parking issues. What began as a storybook wedding can turn into a scene from a bad movie. Elderly guests can’t be expected to walk – and loading and unloading zones will have to be managed and cleared quickly. When planning, remember that people have to get to your event in some form of transportation -- consider parking and how guests will get form cars to the venue.
What is payment policy? How about add-on charges?
Venues will require a deposit and many require full payment in advance of the event. Understand payment polices, get the pay structure in writing – and don’t forget to include details on venue cancellation policies. Some venues will have a per piece charge for chairs, tables, table cloths and other add-ons. Some venues will break out fees for things like security, valet parking, clean-up and a site manager.
A part of any venue agreement is the time prior to and following the event. This allows florists, designers, musicians and caterers time to prepare and time to break down and clean up. Any time outside of the venue’s standard access period may be charged additionally.
Know what the fees are – and know that as you continue to add these details, the budget will continue to climb.
Rain, rain, stay away!
Your outdoor event is all set – but don’t forget that you will need a Plan B in the event of rain.
What? Yes, you just added to your budget! Most large scale events with out of town guests can’t be cancelled due to rain or inclement weather. Work with a venue to be your back-up plan.
Thanks to Savannah-based photographer Richard Burkhart for use of his photographs. Richard is a veteran photographer with experience shooting in many of the city's and region's venues. You can view his wide range of work and contact him on his website, http://photosbyrb.com/.
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Sunday, February 9, 2014
Break Tradition: Put A Personal Touch, Sense of Humor Into Your Catered Event
In the past, catered events usually went one of two ways.
In one, guests are seated while a cadre of servers present
every course on a plate in front of each guest.
From appetizers, to salads and soups and through the entrée and dessert, guests stay seated while servers scurry about. Today's plated dinners aren't nearly as ostentatious as formal service at Downton Abbey -- but can feel as stuffy to guests more accustomed to casual dining.
From appetizers, to salads and soups and through the entrée and dessert, guests stay seated while servers scurry about. Today's plated dinners aren't nearly as ostentatious as formal service at Downton Abbey -- but can feel as stuffy to guests more accustomed to casual dining.
In the other scenario, guests queue up to a buffet where
they either self-serve or have servers scoop dishes onto each guest’s plate.
These were great ideas and still fill the need for many catering
clients. But more and more – particularly among wedding parties – brides and grooms
want guests to be active, to have fun – and perhaps even experience something
about the couple’s food interests or ecological beliefs.
So what are the options?
Options are only as limited as the imaginations of the
catering client and the caterer. Let’s explore some innovative and imaginative
ideas!
Get Up And Move With Action Stations
Everyone is familiar with the old-school roast beef carving
station – that’s an example of an Action Station. Let’s take the idea one step
further.
How about an action station that serves guests rough-mashed
potatoes – and then guests ladle on their own choice of toppings? Everyone
loves a hearty dollop of sour cream and chives on a potato – or even Cheddar
cheese. But expand the toppings to include exotic cheeses, mini meatballs or shredded
and tender braised pork and you’ve turned the starch course into a meal.
In the Lowcountry of Georgia and South Carolina, the
ubiquitous Shrimp and Grits dish can become an action station at which guests
choose from a variety of grits (stone ground, creamy or cheese grits are ideas). Offer a variety of shrimp styles. You don’t have to go all Forrest Gump, but
consider the flavor variations of allowing guests to choose between shrimp scampi,
grilled shrimp or shrimp in a spicy Cajun gumbo.
The action station concept can comprise the entire event –
or constitute only a portion of service. From build-your-own salad stations
through the ideas listed above to make-your-own sundae stations – action stations
keep guests active, engaged and happy.
Pass the Lima Beans, Please
Embrace the Southern tradition of family-style service.
Here, each table of guests is presented with platters of the menu choices and
pass between one another in a self-serve style.
Family-style service engages guests, encourages interaction
and can reduce the number of service staff required for your event.
And, just like a plated dinner, family-style service limits
the amount of food going onto guest’s plates. An empty platter can mean “all
gone” versus a buffet, which encourages guests to go back for “all they can
eat.”
Family-style also allows incorporation of some plated
service. You might consider a plated salad, family-style main course service
and a plated dessert.
Take a Culinary Safari With Ethnic Foods
Professional caterers usually have an international repertoire
of dishes. Ethnic dishes provide guests with an opportunity to explore and
provide the ingredients for an event that is sure to be filled with lots of
laughter, lots of oohs and aahs and a room full of happy guests.
![]() |
| Smoked ostrich filet. |
If you’re serving your wedding cake as dessert, consider a
small sweet bite with coffee to signal the end of the meal. A single, luxurious
French-inspired chocolate truffle can make a meal memorable – and assuage
guests’ sweet tooth until cake is served.
Express Your Convictions
If the bride and groom or party host has strong views on
culinary topics like sustainability, organic or local ingredients or nutrition –
you have a captive audience with whom to share your beliefs through action!
Here, the options are only limited by the event host’s
beliefs and imagination. You need to work particularly close with your caterer
in order to source in-season ingredients and to stay on budget. In this era,
nearly anything is available by overnight shipping – but the cost may be
prohibitive and quality may suffer.
And ecological beliefs go far beyond the food. Is your
caterer using disposables that are bio-degradable, compostable or made from
recycled materials? Where does left over food go? With proper planning your
leftovers can provide a substantial addition to a local food homeless shelter’s
daily rations.
Come to the table with imaginations turned to “high,” and an
open mind. Hosting a catered event does not mean sacrificing fun or following traditional
practices. This is your special event – put your special mark on it!
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Friday, January 31, 2014
So You Need A Caterer...
Go into the relationship prepared for the best experience
It’s your big event – wedding, bar mitzvah, anniversary –
and you want a caterer.
Congratulations! Relieving yourself of the stress of dealing
with food, service and preparation frees you to enjoy your special day. To make
sure your day is completely stress-free, here are some points to consider
before meeting with your caterer:
Come to the meeting with an idea of how much you will spend
for your event. Remember, hiring a caterer is like owning a restaurant for a
few hours. You will work with a chef to plan your menu; you will taste a sample
menu to make a final decision on food. Then, on the day of the event, the
entire restaurant comes to you: Plates, glassware, servers and food. Per person
cost of a catering includes prep time, clean up time, wages, fuel and more. You’re
doing far more than buying food – you’re paying for a professional team to make
your event special.
Availability
Have a date in mind – and a couple of options if possible.
There are peak seasons in which catering services become scarce due to demand.
If you plan to use a caterer, confirm a date with the catering company – as well
as bar service, a band or DJ and any other outside contractors before printing
invitations!
Where your event will be held is just as important. It’s a
real juggling act to nail down dates for so many aspects – but it has to be
done early in order to accommodate your needs. Your professional caterer can recommend
venues in some cases. At the least, your caterer needs to know where
they will be working in order to plan for the proper equipment, food storage and
service.
Quality of Food
Don’t hesitate to ask where your caterer sources food. You
are paying for chef-created dishes – not frozen food that came in a box and has
been reheated prior to your event.
In an era where there is so much emphasis on farm-to-table,
organic or sustainable foods, professional catering chefs hold themselves to the
same standards as the finest restaurants and should openly discuss how and
where they source their ingredients.
If you have food philosophies or standards in terms of
sustainability, local vs. imported or other expectations – make that clear to
your caterer.
Tasting Session
A professional caterer will offer a tasting session in which
you and your future mate can taste from a menu of proposed dishes. In the past,
brides tended to be the sole decision maker, but more and more grooms are
stepping to the table to voice their preferences.
Consider this the first of many marital compromises! Creating
a menu to satisfy a variety of tastes is just one of the challenges
professional caterers accommodate with every job.
Great Expectations
Communicate clearly and early on about what you expect from
your professional caterer. If you want all-local ingredients but have an event
date outside of growing seasons – you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
Rely on the feedback from your caterer – they work in this community every day,
have experience and have already overcome many of the pitfalls first-time event
planners encounter.
If you anticipate guests with dietary restrictions, plan
from Day One for the contingency. There are lots of decisions to make and a variety
of options ranging from service type (passed appetizers, buffet, seated dinner,
action stations) and the professional caterer is there to help you make choices
that fit your budget, your venue and your lifestyle.
It’s like the saying goes: “The best surprise…is no
surprise!”
Experience
Prepare a list of potential professional caterers, then make
contact and ask for references. Call those references and get their feedback. A
client who has had a bad experience will not hold back – they had a problem
with their special event.
Visit the caterer’s website to seek out testimonials, see
photos from their events and determine if the caterer truly has pride in their
work. Visit social media sites like Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram to see if
your caterer candidate is savvy about promoting their business by putting forth
great images, positive comments and professional-looking presentations.
Setting the Scene
Presentation is part of the package. Professional caterers
are artists on many levels: as chefs, as table
dressers, as food stylists. Even the simplest of food can be made to look great with exquisite serving pieces, tablecloths and table dressing and little touches that add elegance and style to a table.
dressers, as food stylists. Even the simplest of food can be made to look great with exquisite serving pieces, tablecloths and table dressing and little touches that add elegance and style to a table.
A great looking table setting or tidy, colorful buffet is
just one part of the scene. Look through photos of your caterer’s other events.
Is the caterer dressed professionally? Are servers dressed appropriately and
consistently? Are tablecloths, flatware and china clean, free of damage and stylish?
Service
Depending on the size of your event, your caterer might find
it necessary to enlist service staff. The number of service staff, additional
cost and expectations should be outlined as part of your contract with the
caterer.
Equally so, the performance of these additional staff should
be spelled out – remember, this is your “restaurant” for a few hours – and you’re
the boss!
Server and bartenders should dress and act professionally.
They should not patronize with guests, nor disappear on “breaks.” They should
be familiar with and able to explain dishes and ingredients to guests – and bartenders
should be skilled enough to handle any bar service being provided.
The supervision of these staff falls upon the caterer – to whom
you should report any deficiencies you witness.
Working with a professional caterer for your special events
can be one of the most rewarding and educational experiences of your life. Both
parties must keep open lines of communications, be clear about expectations and
understand that – even in a perfect world – little changes crop up that have to
be handled.
Above all, have fun and enjoy your special day!
Labels:
caterer
,
chef
,
event planner
,
Savannah
,
wedding catering
,
wedding planner
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