With any important party or special occasion, professional catering can impressively boost the theme and ambience for your guests and guest of honor. Whether it is a birthday, graduation, Bat Mitzvah, or other type of celebration, hiring a skilled catering company can be extremely beneficial for the host. But with all the ambiguous scheduling conflicts and CDC guidelines that are continuing to influence our Georgia event and party planning, how can you really know if professional catering is the right choice for your upcoming and anticipated affair next year?
If you are still unsure whether or not catering is right for your 2021 event, continue reading to review some frequently asked questions that have recently arisen over the past few months to help you make a more informed decision.
Will I Need a Caterer in 2021?
First, you must ask yourself if your particular type of event or occasion is a good fit for professional catering service. Most often, the answer is always a YES, since professional caterers can customize any type of plan or menu, whether for 8 people at a private house dinner party, or for an entire grouping of wedding guests. Furthermore, 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 fits your planned budget.
How Much Will Catering Cost Per Head?
The total cost of catering services is unique to every client. It all depends on several factors, including guest count, menu choices, alcohol selections, bar service, and more. It also largely depends on your chosen amenities, such as your venue, décor, tables, chairs, linens, cutlery, plate ware, wait staff, tray service, delivery, cleanup, and more. Caterers often offer these services along with their food and beverage services.
On average, you can expect a small to medium-sized party to cost anywhere from $25 to $75 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. Similarly, a buffet style service may be cheaper than a 5 course plated dinner and wait staff. The total cost really all depends on you and want you want for your party.
Should I Choose On-Site or Off-Site 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-site catering, also referred to as on-premise catering. On-site catering is food preparation and service facilitated on the premises of the venue location. The opposite applies to “off-premises” catering. Off-site 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. With the current pandemic, most catering clients in Georgia are opting for off-site catering to appease CDC guidelines for social distancing and safety.
Can I Test the Food Before I Hire a Caterer?
If a catering company tells you that you cannot test the food before hiring them as your event cater, do not consider them as an option. This is not a good sign. Any reputable and professional catering company provides food testing services for any potential clients, especially for weddings. After all, how else can you be sure the food will taste great? Just keep in mind that it is common for companies to charge a fee for this service, especially during the busy season. However, keep in mind that changing conditions due to COVID-19 might impact pre-service tastings to a certain degree.
Which Georgia Catering Company Should I Hire to Cater My Event in 2021?
Food for Thought Catering, Of Course!
Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for professional special occasion catering services in Georgia and its surrounding areas, including Peachtree City, Raymond, Sharpsburg, Woodsmoke, Wood Valley Estates, Arnco Mills, Fayetteville, Whitesburg, Chattahoochee Hills, Palmetto, and more. We offer full-service catering, along with a wide selection of authentic, custom-made menus and packages, for all corporate and private events. Request a free estimate, today.
