Caterer – North Carolina

Quick and Easy Guide to Hiring a North Carolina Caterer

No matter how grand your decorations are, how beautiful the gown of the bride is or how elegant your corporate event will be, there’s nothing that can quickly spoil the whole thing than mediocre food and service. But there’s also the very real risk of hitting a proverbial wall called information overload. No matter how badly your wedding or corporate event is going, having good food will almost always salvage the whole thing.

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. We believe that good catering services should address all the needs of the guests. The food prepared by the caterers in North Carolina is scrumptious; and second, the servings are generous and there’s plenty of extra in case the actual number of attendees exceeds the estimated number of guests.

Catering Authority, which is an online directory that compiles a list of caterers in multiple cities in the U.S., is giving some tips to make sure you choose the right caterers so you not only get delicious food but also get the most value for your money. 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. Just try to search for caterers near your location and you will see so many hits. Which among them should you choose?

Catering Authority, an online directory for such services, will do all the heavy lifting for you. Our website also offers some key questions that you should first ask before hiring somebody for corporate events, weddings and birthdays

1. Can the contractor handle the number of guests for your North Carolina event?

Whether you are planning for 60 or 6,000 guests, choosing the right catering company that can help feed them all is important. You don’t hire a caterer who can only feed 50 if you are expecting double that number of guests—that’s a recipe for disaster! Amazingly enough, people still overlook some important points, then they watch the whole wedding event or birthday party spiral out of control because there’s not enough food since the caterer is not equipped to feed a large number of people at a time. Questions should be sorted out during the interview process. Once you set your budget, be prepared to overshoot it. You can ask for input from the caterer on how much budget per head is applicable for your situation.

2. Who serves as the point person for your catering service in North Carolina?

If you are hiring an event planner, they usually have their own partners who can provide the food for your corporate event. If there’s any change in the menu, beverage or of the location itself, it’s easier for the two parties to communicate when someone is leading the team. The quickest way to create miscommunication is when so many people are talking all at once. There’s a huge difference between being on top of the situation and meddling. The former just makes sure that everything goes according to the plan. The second is trying to tell somebody how to do his or her job. It’s also easier for the caterer to be dealing only with one lead person.

All concerns should be addressed with constant communication between the organizer and the catering company. If the food in your corporate convention is buffet style, a good ratio for the catering services should be one server for every 15 guests.

3. Who drinks what, and how much in North Carolina?

One way to put the caterers in a bad spot is if they brought along the wrong beverages. A good chunk of the responsibility will fall on your shoulders as well because you need to find out which type of food or drink the guests prefer. These should be explained clearly to the contractor. Nevertheless, the caterers should know all these details so he or she can make the necessary adjustments and make sure everybody is happy. For large gatherings, it’s not feasible to call each invited guest.

4. The venue could mean logistical challenges for caterers in North Carolina

The location can also pose a challenge for the caterer. Make sure the caterers know beforehand so they know if they are up for the challenge. When that happens, it’s only understandable that caterers will ask for additional costs to cover the extra expenses. For example, caterers may hire additional servers or even a generator when there’s no electric outlet in the location. More often than not, the couple-to-be wants everything to be exceptional, which means they might avoid the usual fare of hotels and ballrooms to hold the ceremony. For instance, what if there’s no clear power outlet? Or what if it’s too far off the beaten track that it makes it difficult for the caterers to bring the food to the event?

5. What are your special requirements in North Carolina?

Almost all catering service companies have their own packages that you will choose from. There are also caterers who specialize in a certain menu from Italian, continental, Asian or Middle Eastern cuisines.

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.

Find the best caterer in North Carolina

There are many elements in choosing the right caterer. A wrong choice can have serious repercussions in your event. It is easy to be swayed by the sweet talk as well as the amazing photos on the website of service providers. If you have to go over your budget for a little bit once you find the perfect caterer for your needs, you should always jump at the opportunity. This is especially true when you have built a rapport with the chef or the company.

Catering Authority provides a list of companies with the experience and tracks record to host an event in North Carolina. It’s just a matter now of reading the recommendations and reviews, and find which one best fits your needs.

To browse through the catalogue of caterers near North Carolina, visit www.catering authority.com.