How to Choose the Best Event Catering Service to Make Your Occasion Memorable
It’s Food that Makes or Breaks your Special Event.
My 15 years of experience as a personal chef has taught me one thing: all great and memorable events have one common element—delicious food. No matter how elegantly you welcome your guests or how much VIP protocol you provide, if the food is average, your guests will be disappointed. It’s human nature to talk about the food after any event. We love to share our experiences with friends and relatives.
Your guests are expecting a memorable event with delicious food.
In this blog, I will share the 4 MOST essential considerations anyone thinking about an event MUST consider. I have tried and tested them, and they are enough to make your event elegant, memorable, and DELICIOUS.
Let’s get in.
1.Get Clarity on Your Event Theme and Venue.
Presentation.
This should be the first thing you consider before starting your research to select the caterer, food menu, or other arrangements. What type of event are you planning to celebrate, and what vibes do you want to give to your guests?
To give you some ideas, consider themes like rustic chic, tropical paradise, elegant black-tie, or a cozy winter wonderland. People are already bored with conventional and repetitive event themes, so you need to get creative with your event catering theme.
Start looking for a suitable and budget-friendly venue as early as possible. Select the best location and choose a venue that can easily accommodate your guests.
The perfect venues include a nice, clean, equipped kitchen, an AV (audiovisual) facility, parking, internet access, suitable decorations, and amenities (tables, chairs, and other necessary stuff for the event).
Getting clarity on these aspects sets the stage for a memorable event.
2.Think about your budget and preferred menu.
After deciding your theme and venue, it’s time to focus on your budget and menu.
These elements go hand-in-hand. The menu options depend on the budget but should reflect the theme and venue.
Start by estimating how much you can spend on food. (Here is the blog if you want to have an estimate of the personal chef price)
This includes considering the number of guests and the type of cuisine you want. Think about what your guests usually enjoy. Combine their preferences with what’s seasonal and fresh. Seasonal ingredients taste better and are mostly affordable.
Your menu should be a delightful mix of crowd-pleasers and unique dishes that fit your event’s theme.
For instance, a summer garden party might feature fresh salads, grilled vegetables, and light desserts, while a winter event could offer hearty soups, roasts, and warm, comforting sweets.
The point is…
You must balance your budget with a thoughtful menu to make your event memorable and satisfying for your guests.
3.90% of the Time, Catering Success Depends on the Caterer.
Now is the time to search for a caterer…not any caterer, but THE BEST in the town.
Use the checklist below to find a caterer who can make your catering event absolutely unforgettable.
The Caterer is Willing to Provide/Prepare Sample Food
A great caterer offers sample tastings. This lets you experience their cooking firsthand. You’ll know if their flavors match your expectations. Sampling also helps you finalize your menu with confidence.
Caterer Knows the Best Nutrition Practices and Meets Your Needs
Nutrition is vital. Your caterer should be knowledgeable about healthy cooking practices and able to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences. This shows their ability to provide all guests with diverse, safe, and delicious options.
Caterer Has a Good Reputation and a Track Record
Look for a caterer with a solid reputation. Check reviews and ask for references. A strong track record means the caterer is reliable and experienced. You want someone who has successfully managed events similar to yours.
Caterer is Responsive, Friendly, Flexible (and Cat Lover, Maybe)
Your caterer should be responsive and easy to communicate with. They should accommodate changes and be friendly throughout the process.
A sense of humor and a love for cats? Well, that’s just a bonus that shows they’re personable and easygoing.
Click all these boxes, and I can guarantee your catering event will be successful. Interview (or just talk to) 3-4 chefs and then select one.
4.Get your Selected Caterer Onboard (or invite them to your home).
One of the most repetitive mistakes I see people make is not meeting with their selected caterer for a detailed discussion about the event, process, and expectations.
Each event is unique and new for a chef, even if they have catered thousands of events before.
So, if your chef is near your location, invite them to your home. If they are away, schedule a video call (NOT AUDIO) to discuss the details. Tell them what you are thinking and expecting. Ask them how they could better plan it. Let them share their experiences. Just know each other.
Trust me, this helps a lot.
Great Event at Affordable Price + Little Stress = Success
There are two types of people celebrating events:
- Those who are strategic and mindful when planning their catering. They save a lot of time and money.
- Those who are careless and lazy in planning their catering. They waste a lot of money and get stressed during the event.
If you are more like the first type and have an event coming soon, you will love livegreensPDX event catering services.
If you want to talk or discuss your event directly, contact livegreenspdx.
