Catering is arguably one of the most important and most memorable part of any event. Food plays an important role in most people’s lives, and the same goes for the success of an event, whether it be an extravagant wedding or an outdoor corporate cook out. So it is important to make sure the catering plans you’ve made are the best fit for whatever event is approaching on your calendar.
The greatest full-proof method to making sure your food plan is delicious, sufficient, and within budget, is to hire a professional caterer. But before you hire a caterer, it is wise to consider a few factors first. These factors will set the tone, budget, and plan for the entire catering process, and give you the tools necessary to create a beautiful event everyone will talk about for years!
Continue reading to learn about these factors and where to begin planning the catering for your special event.
❶ Type of Event
The first aspect to consider is the type of event you are catering. This will also help you narrow down the type of caterer you want to call. For example, a wedding will require a fancier menu, alcohol service, wait staff, prep and breakdown services, specific time schedules, and a caterer that specializes in wedding service catering. Whereas a corporate picnic might require a more relaxed food and beverage menu, buffet-style service, a caterer that specializes in large-scale outdoor catering. See our blog, “Types of Occasions Perfect for Professional Catering Service” for help with your party’s leitmotif and more.
❷ Budget
Your budget is one of the most important aspects of the catering planning process. This is the number that will place you in a particular bracket of service that best fits your type of event. One good tip for setting a budget is multiplying the number of people expected to attend the event by a personally-selected number “per head.” So for a nicer, upper-scale event, you might decide that each attendee is $50 a head. Multiply that number by the number of expected guests, and you have a base budget for catering. You may need to inflate this number just a bit to be more realistic with catering costs and needs. This is an area to discuss and customize with your caterer as well. See our blog, “Cost Saving Advice for Catering a Party.”
❸ Wait Staff and Service
Will your event require any type of wait staff? There are a few different types of service a caterer can provide in terms of bartenders, waiters, cocktail waitresses, food carriers, buffet attendants, and more. You can select a certain level of wait staff as well, from basic bartenders and tray carriers, to full-service formal wait staffs, and everything in between. See our blog, “How to Hire the Right Caterers for Your Event” to get started on the right track.
✨ Once you have all three of these factors planned out, you can contact your local catering company and begin bringing your plan to life!
Call Our Georgia Caterers for Exceptional Service!
Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for Georgia catering services that are guaranteed to exceed your expectations for excellence! We are skilled culinary professionals who specialize in full-service catering. You can customize everything down to the very last detail, from menus and service, to themes, décor, and more. Call 678-340-0510 to request a free consultation, today!
