Tips for Finding the Best Private Caterer for Your Event

There’s no doubt that hiring a private caterer for your event can elevate the entire experience for everyone involved. After all, a caterer will have the expertise needed to whip up mouth-watering food and drinks—something you might not be equipped to handle on your own. They’ll also be able to make the venue more beautiful through thoughtful table settings and decor.  

And above all, you, as the organiser and host, will be able to rely on their services to handle a good chunk of the work—allowing you to focus your energies on planning the other aspects of the event. 

Now, you might be wondering how exactly to ensure that the caterer you hire will be able to do all these and more. We’re here to offer some guidance. In this article, we’ll provide a few tips that are guaranteed to help you find the perfect caterer for your upcoming gathering. 

Ask for recommendations

Asking other people to chime in on the matter can prove to be one of the most helpful things you can do in finding the best caterer. Approach your friends or family for insight as there’s a good chance that some of them have been to events that had excellent caterers. You could even go online to crowd-source recommendations, as the Internet is full of people just itching to share their opinions. 

Whoever it is you ask, make sure to ask why exactly they think so highly of the caterer in question. Also, remember to ask if they’ve personally dealt with the caterer for their own events and if so, how many times they’ve done so already. Knowing this will help you scout out the caterers that are reliable and easy-to-work with. 

Take a look at their past work

Many caterers advertise their work on the Internet. They may have their own website and social media pages, so check those out and see what their past functions were like. Apart from the tasting menu we discussed previously, there are few things more telling of a caterer’s abilities than photos of their prior work. 

Check with your venue manager

If you are renting a venue for your private event, remember to consult with venue management to determine whether or not the caterer you’re speaking to is one that they’re familiar with. Many venues will have a list of preferred caterers who are already experienced in servicing that particular location, which makes planning and handling the logistics of the event go by much smoother. Special deals and discounts might also be presented to you by the venue manager, so it’s definitely worth the time to ask.

Discuss special considerations

Apart from communicating your needs and expectations clearly to the caterer that you’re considering for the job, ensure that you also voice out any special concerns you might have. For example, if some of your guests have strict dietary requirements or you want table centrepieces to be designed a certain way, tell the caterer about it and gauge their reaction. A good caterer will be able to accommodate most special requests within reason, so don’t be afraid to state your wants. 

Wrapping Up 

While a great caterer can do a terrific job and leave your guests begging for more food, the job of finding the right one is ultimately your responsibility. Keep these tips in mind to ensure that you find the perfect caterer for your function. 

If you’re hosting an upcoming event in Sydney and need a professional food catering service, get in touch with us at Gourmet Tarts Catering!