Catering tips - Tips and tricks to planning your event

Food is one of the most integral parts of any party, so your choice of catering service will affect the outcome of your event.

What to do?

Get a pen and paper and write a list of your catering needs.

This allows a caterer to provide an accurate estimate for your party or event. Make sure to communicate your needs clearly:

-  Do you have a location for your party/event reserved and is there a kitchen on site?
- How many guests are coming to your event?
- Find out if the potential caterer has a minimum guest requirement.
- Take into consideration that some of your guests may have special dietary needs and be certain to communicate this with your caterer.

An excellent caterer will be ready for any surprise that may surface on the day, but at what cost to you? Make sure to ask!

Your catering budget?

You can always discuss your budget with your caterer to find what options are available. You need to cover several important points:
- Do you prefer a silver-service sit down dinner for your guests, or a buffet style?
- Do you have a special theme or style in mind for the event that could be reflected in the cuisine?
- Depending on how flexible your caterer is to meet your needs, your budget may or may not be enough to meet your demands. It is the type of food served that will determine most of the cost of the catering job.
-  Always request the caterer to provide the payment terms.

Who are the suppliers, where does the caterer shop?

Here are some of the most important catering tips for you to ask when choosing:

- Does the caterer use fresh or frozen food?
- Is the produce, or are the ingredients locally grown?
- Are the ingredients organic?
- Will the dishes be pre-made and then frozen until the party/event?
- Does anything come from a can? (Yes, it does happen!)

Staff and waiters?

Important points to cover:

- Will the catering company provide staff and waiters for your event?
- What is their required dress code?
- What is the ratio of servers to guests?

The Decor?

If the caterer provides decor, very often there will be a brochure containing examples of past event and table decorations.

- Be very clear in what your event needs and what the caterer will be supplying.
- Will you require a menu board which provides the guests a description of the ingredients in the dishes being served?

How may we serve you?

Onset catering can provide fine dining catering for weddings, wedding receptions, corporate functions, corporate caterers and corporate lunches, functions, dinner functions, cocktail party or party food.

We will custom design your menu for your special occasion with delicate canapés, flamboyant degustation menu, a tasty corporate lunch, or intimate home dining.

We can accommodate to your budget and needs and our professional staff will deliver to ensure that you are 100% completely satisfied.

'You guys did such an amazing job. My friend who came from London said it was the best food she had ever tasted, in fact everyone has been raving about it.'

'You create delicious compositions of food that are beautifully plated!'

'All the food was heavenly and there was nothing that could be improved upon.'

'Thanks very much for the 'fine dining' on Sunday. It was a wonderful day!'

'We really enjoyed your menu!Just wanted to thankyou and your exceptional staff for providing us with such a wonderful night.'

'I have started planning my next function already.'

'The Clients were very satisfied so you did a fantastic job!