Expert Tips & Questions for Your Caterer
Planning an event, whether it’s an intimate private dinner or a large corporate gathering, involves many moving parts. Here are the key questions and topics you should discuss with any caterer to ensure a seamless and stress-free event.
1. The Menu & Customization
The food should be tailored exactly to your vision and your guests’ needs.
- Customization: Are your menus flexible, or are they set packages? Can you fully customize a menu based on a specific theme, cuisine, or ingredient?
- Dietary Needs: How do you handle severe allergies (e.g., celiac, nuts) and dietary preferences (vegan, vegetarian)? Do you prepare these meals separately?
- Tastings: Do you offer tastings before booking? If so, what is the cost and format?
- Sourcing: What is your philosophy on ingredients? Do you use locally sourced, seasonal, or organic components?
2. Service & Logistics
Service determines the flow and atmosphere of your event. Be sure to clarify what the catering package includes.
- Service Styles: What is the difference in logistics and cost between full-service plated, buffet, family-style, and drop-off service? Which do you recommend for my guest count?
- Staffing: What is your typical server-to-guest ratio? Are the staff your employees, and are they trained in fine dining etiquette?
- Setup/Cleanup: What time will your team arrive and depart? Does the final cost include complete breakdown and cleanup of the dining/serving areas?
- Beverages/Bar: Can you provide non-alcoholic beverages? If we supply the alcohol, do you provide bartenders and ice/mixers?
3. Costs & Contract Clarity
Understanding the final cost is crucial for budgeting. Good caterers are fully transparent about all fees.
- Pricing Structure: Is your quoted price per person all-inclusive (including rentals, staff, tax, and gratuity), or are those items added separately? Ask for a line-item breakdown.
- Gratiuity/Service Fees: Is a service fee or gratuity automatically included? If so, what percentage is it, and what does it cover?
- Rentals: Can you handle rentals (linens, dishware, glassware, tables) directly, or do I need to hire a separate vendor?
- Payment & Cancellation: What is the deposit schedule? What is your policy for changing the guest count and the cancellation terms?
🌟 The Deelicious Park City Difference
At Deelicious, we pride ourselves on full transparency and a truly bespoke event experience. When you reach out for your inquiry, we’ll answer every one of these questions and provide a customized, detailed proposal that guarantees you peace of mind.
Ready to start planning with a local expert?