1. Figure out your menu and number of people.
Make sure that the catering company can handle the food preparation and provide staff to accommodate all of your guests. Compose a list of all of the services you will need from the catering company. Will you need a bartender, servers, hosts? Take into consideration what food options you will be providing and also any dietary restrictions or food allergies, light appetizers, a full sit down service, or buffet options are a few to consider. Make sure that the catering company can handle, without hesitation, the number of guests you will be hosting. Feel free to ask the catering company how they plan to schedule the staff serving the party and why they chose to have that many staff members.
2. Where is the location of the event?
Location in the Chicagoland area can vary drastically from every corner of Cook County and into the suburban areas as well. Take into account where the catering company will be coming from, are they 20 minutes away or 20 miles from the venue? Strive to find a caterer who is familiar with your venue or will go the extra step to make sure you feel comfortable with the services they will be providing.
3. Be prepared for last minute changes
Typically the most stress falls onto the host of the event so make sure to take as much stress off of them as possible and allow them to delegate and put the burden onto the catering company. Make sure that the chef has been made aware of any food allergies or restrictions that certain guests may have. By making sure the chef is aware of any restrictions this prevents any curve balls being thrown their way and having to improvise last minute can be additional unwanted stress.
4. Pricing
Cost obviously will be a large variable to consider how much you want to be spending for the event and also what has been approved. Be sure to research at least 3 different companies and weigh your options before you make a decision. Take into consideration all of the expectations you have for the event, including services being requested, number of people, food preparation and staffing services, all of these factors play into cost and if the number isn’t within budget still then reevaluate what services you may be able to cut down. Sometimes it is as easy as cutting down the service staff or doing a buffet instead of a sit down service.
5. Reviews
Be sure to do your due diligence and research all catering companies you might be doing business with in the future. Check on-line reviews through sites such as yelp.com and also read personal reviews submitted on their websites and social media platforms. Reach out to friends and family to see if anyone you know has hired them to cater an event for them and make sure to ask several questions about the event and overall range of services they provided.
6. Licensing and Certifications
The Illinois Health Department and also Insurance companies have very strict protocol when it comes to food preparation and services standards. Every single reputable company should be able to provide, with ease, their credentials and licenses they have been certified to hold. Simply asking to see and or display their food handling license and proof of insurance are not out of line to ask to see and make sure they are up to date and valid.
7. Food Preparation
Make sure to ask what aspects of food service will be prepared off site, and which will be prepared on site. This will give you more comfort when establishing a sense of how everything will come together in preparation for service. Sometimes, but not always, it is more cost effective to have your food cooked offsite. Most chefs will bend over backwards to accommodate whatever requests and will give you a very clear understanding of how everything will come together to make for a flawless service.
8. Staffing
You will need to make sure that your event is staffed properly to make sure very guests feels taken care of and acknowledged.
The basics and rules of thumb for bar staff are: 1 barback and 1 bartender for every 40 guests.
Plated dinners: 2 servers for every 1 table of 8 guests. One server to handle the initial seating and taking drink orders, while the second can focus more on food service and they both team up to ensure clearing of plates and dishes in a timely fashion. One rule of thumb would be to clear all plates at the same time, clearing plates from the table when other guests are still eating makes those guests feel rushed to finish and is considered by many to be rude.
Buffet service: 2 servers for every 25 guests, 3 runners to help clear plates (1 per table)
9. Offer Food Tastings
It is important to schedule a tasting prior to the big event. It is very uncommon for catering companies to not offer a food tasting prior to booking any event, so make sure to ask. Typically catering companies will prepare some of their signature or most popular dishes for people to try. Again, make sure the chef is aware of any food allergies or restrictions prior to the sit down tasting.
10. Success is in the details
Caterers are held to a higher standard by many and for many reasons. The fine attention to detail and service standards set one company apart from another. The presentation and delivery of the food makes for a memorable or unmemorable occasion. Ask the catering company how they plan to execute a flawless service and ensure that every guest feels attended to and welcome. Finalize all questions and concerns with the contract 1 week prior to service. Is there a deposit required and also how is the final bill to paid? Ask about gratuity and also if there is a discount for referral business? Remember to keep your expectations clear and focused, the success of a catering company stems from how well they provide and execute the requests you have asked of them.
11. ENJOY and Have Fun!!!!
Make sure to take time and enjoy your event! All of the hard work and planning comes to a head on the day of your big event. Make sure to thank all the service staff and manager that handled your account and big day! If all goes well make sure to provide feedback and also refer business to them, tell all of your friends and family who they need to hire in the Chicagoland area for their next big event!
gotocatering.com has a catering menu for any occasion and cover several cuisines including: Breakfast, Greek, Italian, Mexican, Hot Dogs/Burgers and BBQ.
We offer quality catering with a variety of menus to choose from, all at affordable prices.
Our catering service levels offer:
- Pickup
- Delivery
- Catering with set-up
- Catering with service staff
We cater all types of events and special occasions with party sizes from 8 to 400 people in the Chicagoland area. Contact our catering specialist at (847) 979-7894, email us info@gotocatering.com or visit our website to request a quote or set up a tasting.
gotocatering.comPosted in Catering Services in ChicagoTagged Best Catering Companies in Chicago, catering, catering services, Catering Services in Chicago, chicago catering services, chicagoland catering, great cateringEditTop 5 tips for catering your corporate event.
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