Caterer – Sarasota, FL

Key Questions Before Hiring a Sarasota, FL Caterer

No matter how grand the event is, if you hired the wrong company, it’s guaranteed that your party is ruined. The default setting for most people when hiring somebody is always going to be Google. But there’s also the very real risk of hitting a proverbial wall called information overload. If you overshot your budget, you can take out from the column under “wants” first before moving on to the column under “need.” If you are lucky, you can probably take out two or three items before you agree with the caterer on the price. If you are looking to find caterers in Sarasota, FL who will feed your guests for your party, you should make a list and classify it according to your “wants” or “needs.” When you speak to companies offering catering services, you can refer to your list. Regardless of how much you spent on the entire party, people will always remember the food and they will associate their impression of the wedding or corporate event with the taste of the food. If you are going to believe all the claims, it seems like everybody offers the best service, the cheapest rate, and the most delicious food. Going online to search for caterers is quite tricky. Also below is a handy guide on some essential factors to consider before hiring your service provider. Our website also offers some key questions that you should first ask before hiring somebody for corporate events, weddings and birthdays.  

1. Set a budget according to your guests in Sarasota, FL, but be prepared to break

When choosing a menu from the catering company, it’s important to consider whether it’s capable of serving large crowds even in short notice. If you are really on a budget, you can send ticket stubs along with the invitation to make sure that the guests won’t bring anybody else over the seat/s you reserved for them. Other companies will need a longer notice if the guest list will reach more than 100 people or so. Also, it’s important to plan ahead to make sure the fruits and vegetables you picked for the food are in season. This goes also for your special orders that are not in the menu package. The caterer will always adjust to the budget of the customer whether you are planning a small birthday dinner or a large wedding party.  

2. Who’s in charge of the catering service in Sarasota, FL?

It’s easy to make the mistake of just leaving the company to do its job for your corporate event. After all, you are dealing with a professional, right?  Wrong. The point person will communicate what they want the vendor to deliver, and make sure they don’t sway from the overall theme.  The quickest way to create miscommunication is when so many people are talking all at once. They think that the vendor will just show up and everything will be alright, but remember Murphy’s Law? If something is bound to go wrong, it will. If there are so many hands dipped into the corporate event pie, this only serves to confuse the catering team more.  

3. Who drinks what, and how much in Sarasota, FL?

One way to put the caterers in a bad spot is if they brought along the wrong beverages. You may think of the catering service provider as somebody who will only bring in food. But there are caterers that handle a whole range of services as well. One way around this is to create a special page on your website where attendees can fill out a form, selecting their desired cuisine or menu choices. There are those who don’t partake of alcohol and only drink juice. This is to ensure that the catering companies will serve the right food for the diverse tastes of the guests.  

4. Just like real estate, location also matters in Sarasota, FL

Convention and banquet halls are easier to serve because they have running water and the electrical source. But there are times when the event is held outdoors, which can pose a challenge to the caterer. The caterer should have all the needed information early in order to make the necessary arrangements. In most cases, the service provider already has contacts with well-known hotels in Sarasota, FL so they already know what to expect. Typically, the caterers will talk to the director of the hotel or convention center for an inspection and also discuss their particular requirements. This happens behind the scene so you don’t really have to know the details. But whatever you do, don’t forget to read the fine print so you have some legal fallback if in case some unforeseen circumstances occur. If the bride, for instance, wants to order something from overseas—a particular food for instance—can the caterers make this happen for the location you chose? Yes, but it can impact on the final price.  

5. Can’t serve two masters at the same time in Sarasota, FL

Almost all catering service companies have their own packages that you will choose from. Don’t hesitate to ask for references just because you think the service provider will be insulted. You are talking about your event here that is close to your heart. Think of the process as similar to interviewing somebody for a job. You do require some referrals, don’t you? And you call the names in the job application to get a feel of how the applicant works. Consult with your groom-to-be or family so their food of choice also gets included in the final wedding menu. That experience, however, will come at a cost. But don’t you think that perfection is worth paying extra for?  

Choosing your caterer in Sarasota, FL the most efficient way

You will encounter words like “best service,” “cheapest price,” or “premier caterer in town.” The photos of the food are absolutely delectable, but this does not serve as a guarantee of the quality of their services. Working with us means you are actually choosing from among the better providers near you. The best thing about Catering Authority is that it already short-listed the companies in the Sarasota, FL area, separating the wheat from the chaff. All the names that made it to the short list have already been screened and vetted by the site.