FAQS About Catering a Party

With any important party or special occasion, professional catering can enhance the theme and experience for your guests. Whether it is a birthday, graduation, Bat Mitzvah, or other type of celebration, hiring a skilled catering company can be tremendously beneficial for the host. If you are still unsure whether or not catering is right for your event, continue reading to review some frequently asked questions and answers about party catering to help you make an informed decision.

Georgia Catering Services 678-340-0510
Georgia Catering Services 678-340-0510

Do I Need a Caterer?

Professional catering companies offer infinite menu ideas, themes, services, food, and more. You can customize your catering at a professional company because they retain the ample resources and training to provide the ultimate catering experience. Whether you are looking for something intimate and small, or plan to cater for an entire football team, professional catering services can make it happen at a price that pleases. See our blog, “Top 3 Reasons to Hire Professional Caterers for Your Special Occasion” to learn why you should trust a professional catering company for smooth, hassle-free service.

How Much Does Catering Cost Per Person?

The total cost of catering services are unique to every client. It all depends on several factors, including guest count, menu selections, bar and alcohol service, and more. It also largely depends on your chosen amenities, such as décor, tables and chairs, linens, cutlery, plate ware, wait staff, tray service, delivery, cleanup, and more. On average, you can expect a small to medium-sized party to cost anywhere from $20 to $70 a head, depending on the type of catering style you choose.

For example, cocktail parties with minimal food service may cost less than a large family reunion. And a buffet style service may be cheaper than a 5 course plated dinner and wait service. The total cost really all depends on you and want you want for your party. See our blog, “Cost-Saving Advice for Catering a Party” for more tips on how to better budget your catered event!

What is “On-Premise” and “Off-Premise” Catering?

When you are having your party at a venue that will also be preparing and serving the party’s food, you are paying for “on-premise” catering. On-premise catering is food preparation and service facilitated on the premises of the venue location. The opposite applies to “off-premises” catering.

Off-premise catering occurs when a professional food service company (your caterers), prepare the food at their own commercial kitchen headquarters, and then transfers the food to the location of your party. See our blog, “Tips for Planning an Off-Site Catered Event” to get a better understanding.

Where Can I Find a Quality Catering Company in Georgia?

Food for Thought Catering 678-340-0510

Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for Georgia event catering you can trust! We are skilled culinary professionals who specialize in full-service party catering. You can customize everything down to the very last detail, from menus and service, to themes, décor, venues, and more. Request a free consultation, today!

Tips for Planning an Off-Site Catered Event

To plan a successful off-site catered event, it is important to start early on and give yourself plenty of time to hammer out all the details. Although this will take some patience and a bit of finesse on your part, proper party planning is the key to a smooth and successful outcome.

Continue reading to learn where to start, what to do, and how to get the best results for your catered event.

Georgia Catering Services 678-340-0510
Georgia Catering Services 678-340-0510

Setting a Date

Setting a date is the first thing that should be on your to-do list. Once you have a date set, you can move forward with the remaining party-planning tasks. Be sure to set your date within a reasonable time; not too soon but not too far out. Give yourself a realistic amount of time to pull off a great event, while also making sure to not set it so far in advance that people become forgetful or unenthusiastic about it.

It is also important to consider seasonal factors like weather and climate. If you have your heart set on an outdoor event in Indiana, you don’t want to set the date in late November. Likewise, avoid rainy or humid seasons for outdoor events. Not only does rain and humidity affect food and beverages, it affects a long list of other things, like clothing, hair, windows, and more.

Planning a Budget

Discuss what your total budget will be before planning anything else so that you and your team are on the same page in terms of finances. Knowing your budget up front helps you stick by it, and makes the selection process much easier. Let your services know what your budget is, and they can provide the options that fit best.

Choosing a Venue

As soon as the date is set, the very first thing you need to do is find and reserve a venue. Be sure to due ample research, and see what all the local indoor and outdoor venues have to offer in terms of location, aesthetics, packages and amenities. Choose a place that makes sense for the size and type of the group attending.

A space too small will create a cramped and hot event, and a space too large will feel empty, which can cause a disconnection among guests and make your event appear like it had a poor turn out. For a group that is elderly or handicapped, you don’t want to book your event at a place with lots of stairs, or without safety ramps, elevators, and other necessary conveniences.

Deciding on Entertainment

If you were to ask the guests, the catered food and beverages are the best part of any event. In fact, it is often the focal point of a party! For this reason, an exceptionally catered event doesn’t need much more entertaining. But if you do want to spice things up a bit, noting makes a party more memorable than music.

Hire a live band, or provide a platform for guest karaoke. You can also choose to hire a professional DJ, violinist, cellist, harp player, piano player, dueling pianos, and more, depending on the theme of your event. For events with children, bouncing houses, clowns, face painters, magicians, and exotic animals are a fun way to go.

Professional Event Catering in Georgia

Food for Thought Catering 678-340-0510
Food for Thought Catering 678-340-0510

Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for professional event catering in Newnan, Georgia and its surrounding areas, including Peach Tree City, Raymond, Sharpsburg, Woodsmoke, Wood Valley Estates, Arnco Mills, Fayetteville, Whitesburg, Chattahoochee Hills, Palmetto, and more. We offer a wide range of catering services for all industries, occasions, and events. Choose from our popular catering menu, or work with our catering coordinators to customize a menu according to your particular needs and interests. We can also provide assistance with décor, themes, vendors, and more! Request a free estimate, today!