Three Tips for Choosing the Right Caterer – Tip #3

#3: Get the price up front before you commit.

Know what you are buying!

For smaller gatherings and drop-off caterings, you’ll find most restaurants and caterers have printed or online menus with prices included.  Don’t forget about sales tax and if you are having the food delivered you will need to confirm the delivery fee and factor in any gratuity you plan to include to find out exactly how much you are spending.  (You’ll find our blog article about suggested gratuity guidelines here – http://blog.caternation.com/2013/08/how-much-should-you-tip-on-catering.html.)

For larger and/or more custom events, the prices may not be clear.  Always get a quote; preferably an itemized one so you will know how much you are paying for the food, beverages, service and equipment separately.  That will make it easier to make adjustments if you find out you are over your budget.

And once you do commit, if a contract is involved – READ IT!  You want to be sure you are aware of the cancellation policy, how they will handle changes in the number of guests and payment terms.

If it’s a large and/or custom event and the caterer doesn’t give you a contract, be sure to define in writing the following:

- Cancellation Policy

- Requirements and timing for head count changes (up or down)

- Payment terms

We hope you have found these tips useful.  Do you have any tips or would you like to share your experiences with us?  Leave us a comment below!

Three Tips for Choosing the Right Caterer – Tip #2

#2: Do your research.

Once you have defined what you want food- and service-wise from your caterer, it becomes easier to narrow down the catering options.  The internet is a great resource, but so are the people you know.

How many options should you consider?  A good rule of thumb for larger events would be to select 3-5 options.  For smaller, more casual events, you may only want to consider 2-3 options.  Consider the following when making your selections:

- Your personal experience

- Word of mouth from friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances

- Reviews and testimonials

Once you’ve selected your options for consideration, don’t hesitate to ask them for references.  Tastings are also a great idea if you are not familiar with their food quality.  Many restaurants and caterers are happy to let you sample their food.

Three Tips for Choosing the Right Caterer – Tip #1

#1: Determine what food and services you need.

Looking for a great caterer for an upcoming meeting or event?  First, ask yourself these questions:

- Is your event a casual business meeting in the office or a formal affair at an offsite venue?

- Is drop-off service with a buffet style catering set-up your preference or do you need catering staff to serve the food and clean up?

-  Do you want a hot meal, deli spread or hors d’oeuvres for your catering?  Do you prefer a particular cuisine (Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Latin, BBQ, Continental, Deli, Asian, etc.)?

- How do you want the food served (buffet style, plated, passed by servers, chef-attended stations or a combination of these)?

- How large is the group?  (When providing hot meals for larger groups, you should consider adding either wire rack or metal chafers to your order to ensure the food stays warm.)

- Are disposable serving dishes, utensils, napkins and plates acceptable or do you require china, flatware and metal chafing dishes?  Do you need linens included (tablecloths, napkins, etc.)?

It's important to have your budget in mind when answering these questions.  Hors d'oeuvres are typically more expensive than a buffet style meal.  Plated meals are more expensive, as well.  Adding chafers, china, flatware and linens will also increase the cost per person.

Keep an eye out for the tip #2 coming next week!

      

How much should you tip on a catering delivery?

Tipping on corporate catering is a little murky compared to the customary 15-20% expected for good service dining in at a restaurant.  Below you will find suggestions, but remember - how much you tip is entirely up to you!

DO Take Into Account the Delivery Fee when determining tip!

The tip that our Cater Nation partners suggest varies and we try to mirror what they would typically see on a direct basis.

• If there is not a separate delivery price or a delivery fee is not included, we would suggest a minimum 10% tip.

• If a restaurant only charges a nominal delivery fee of $10 or less, a tip of around 7 to 12% is likely appropriate.

• If they charge a delivery fee of more than $20, and the distance traveled is not terribly far, then tips of 5% or less (and no more than 10%) are probably more appropriate.  (It is likely that some of that delivery fee is going to the driver.)

• And then you have the case of a "restaurant delivery service" that uses independent contractors. These companies usually will charge a nominal delivery fee and suggest tips of 15% or more. These independent contractors are using their own vehicles and may not get a chunk of the nominal delivery fee.  Nor are they compensated on an hourly basis. If they provide good service in setting up your meal in a courteous fashion versus dropping it off at the receptionist desk, 15% will be greatly appreciated by these drivers.

Keep in mind: If a company vehicle is being used, it is likely the majority of any delivery fee is NOT going to the driver and is being used to cover the vehicle maintenance expenses by the restaurant or caterer.

Cater Nation Feature: Your company can set a standard tipping policy with Cater Nation, such as adding a 10% tip to all orders with the ability to edit that amount prior to checking out. Give us a call to get this setup for your company. 

Please note:  If you are not happy with the service you received on an order or if they exceeded your expectations, remember you can contact us to have the tip adjusted after the delivery, as we do not charge credit cards till later in the day.

Three Tips for Worry-Free Catering Deliveries

Now and then, we like to share tips on how you can make your catering delivery experience easier and minimize any potential issues.  Here are 3 tips that we hope you find useful!

1.  Schedule your delivery time appropriately
Did you know that just about everyone wants their food delivered between 11:15 & 11:45?  This is probably not news to you if you order catering frequently.  Restaurants and caterers do their best to accommodate as many orders as possible, so drivers likely will have multiple orders to deliver. Traffic, getting lost, delivery delays can all impact what time they show up for your delivery.

Please make sure you add in a time cushion for delivery and set-up.  15-30 minutes is recommended.  Also, if your meal isn't hot or you will be using chafers to keep the food warm, consider having it delivered a little bit earlier than you might otherwise request.  (Then if they are running a little late, you'll have an even bigger cushion so your meeting or event isn't negatively impacted!)

2a.  Include delivery instructions
Make sure the restaurant or caterer has all information they need for a successful delivery.  Are there any specific requirements to access your building or floor?  Are you going to be in the meeting or out of the office and not available to answer the phone if there is a delivery question or issue?

Please do your caterer a favor and make sure they know how to access your office if it's not straightforward and who to contact if there is a delivery issue.   If you may not be available during the scheduled delivery time, just include an alternate number and/or contact with your order.

(That's why Cater Nation has that nifty Driver Instructions box on the check out page!)

2b.  Include restaurant instructions
Be sure that the restaurant or caterer knows about your special needs!!  One of your colleagues is allergic to nuts?  They need to know!  Another HATES onions?  Tell them about that, too.  Someone has a gluten allergy or is vegetarian?  Request a special meal for them.

(And Cater Nation makes it really easy by giving you that handy Restaurant Instructions box on your check out page right below the Delivery Instructions box.  Of course, you can always list your special instructions per menu item, too!)

3.   Order in advance
Do you have a meeting coming up and want to use one particular vendor or have a certain type of cuisine?  Place the order as soon as you know about it, so you are on the restaurant's / caterer's schedule.  That way, there are no last minute surprises.  Finding out at the last minute that the restaurant has a private party that day and won't be accepting catering orders would leave you scrambling for an alternative.  (And likely very stressed!)

Also, be sure to re-confirm with the restaurant or caterer closer to your meeting / event date.  (Of course, if you choose Cater Nation, we will do the re-confirming for you!)

Do you have a another tip for worry-free catering?  If so, please share with us!

Planning a Staffed Event?

Are you planning a staffed event or one that will require rentals or have other custom requirements?  Cater Nation can help you with that, too!

You may not realize it, but some of our partners do a LOT more than just drop-off catering. We have full-service caterers that can set-up, serve, breakdown, provide you with linens, metal chafers, tables, chairs, china and other items to make your event a resounding success!

Why call multiple caterers soliciting bids?  Just email our Customer Care team (info@caternation.com) and they'll put you in touch with the market team that can gather all the necessary information, then work with our catering partners to generate those quotes for you.  One company to contact.  How easy is that?