5 Steps to Choosing the Perfect Catered Menu – Our Guide

Are you in charge of choosing the menu for your next catered event? If so, then you need to approach the task diligently so that the guests are assured of a good experience. Your food choices, after all, will play a huge role in the success of the event, and you need to make the right decisions in that regard. 

To help you, we’ve outlined an easy five-step guide to simplify the entire process. This will apply to any type of event, 

Step 1: Find out how many people are coming 

To make sure that you order enough food, you need to know how many people are expected to come. This should be done as early as possible, and you can rely on an RSVP system to make things easier for you. 

For added assurance, you can follow up with everyone invited a couple of weeks before the event. Ask those who sent in their RSVPs about any changes in their plans. For the ones that have yet to respond, try to reach out so you can receive confirmation. 

Step 2: Know what budget you’re working with 

Your budget may be something that’s outside of your responsibilities. In which case, ask the person who is overseeing this aspect of the event how much money should be allocated to the menu. 

This information will help you decide on what type of food you can realistically serve, as well as whether additional services such as dining attendants can be an option. 

Step 3: Ask about any dietary restrictions 

There’s a good chance that some of your guests will have special dietary needs. These can be due to food allergies and intolerances, religious restrictions, health constraints, and personal ethical standards. 

You need to know about these important details so that all of your guests have food that they can enjoy. While many people with special needs will let you know about them beforehand, it’s a good idea for you to actively seek out this information. 

Step 4: Relay all the above information to your caterer 

Not that you’re armed with all the information you need, it’s time to work with your chosen caterer so that they can help you make the right decisions. Provide the caterer with your expected headcount, your target budget, and your food requirements so that they can help design the perfect menu. 

Additionally, make sure you choose a menu that’s appropriate for the schedule of your event. You also want to be certain that there’s enough variety so that all of your guests’ tastes are satisfied. 

Step 5: Try the food yourself 

Before you finalise your menu, take the time to try it out yourself. This is the only way for you to know for certain what to expect, and it’s your last chance to make any further changes before the event takes place. 

Conclusion 

There you have it! As you can see, choosing the perfect catered menu is very straightforward. You just need to gather all the necessary information and work with the right caterer who can provide for your needs. 

Looking for a catering company in Chatswood and surrounding areas in New South Wales? We specialise in gourmet finger food and we’d be happy to help you make your catered event a success!