Tips to hire the right caterers in London

The arrangements of caterer in London are not limited to the quality of the food only. There are numerous other things they need to excel in. They should be able to work under pressure, manage waitstaff efficiently, flexible enough and anticipate any kind of instant issue. Apart from all, they should be able to communicate efficiently.

That is why; it becomes necessary to ask difficult questions while hiring them. You need to ensure their capabilities, experience and flexibility to meet out your requirements.

We have compiled a list of questions that will help you narrow down your options.

Follow these steps to hire the right caterer

1.     Check if the London catering company can manage the event size and number of guests.

The caterer you are going to hire must be able to handle the number of guests you have invited for the event and the complexities of the service as well.

Sometimes, they will need to serve appetizers during the cocktail hour, a three-course meal with wait service or just a dessert spread. Other times, you might need a simple buffet or simply light appetizers. They should be able to handle it all effectively.

Also, they should be able to handle the different event types including:

·     Corporate catering: meetings and conferences

·        Office events: parties and award ceremonies

·        Personal events catering: birthday parties, social gatherings

·        Formal events or Weddings

Then, they should be able to handle different catering styles including:

              ·        A Plated dinner service

              ·        Buffet Tables

              ·        Food Stations

              ·        Cocktail Style

              ·        Action Stations

              ·        Family Style

              ·        Food Truck catering

              ·        Finger food bars

2.     Check how far they are located from your event’s location

The distance between the location of your event and the catering company is crucial. The London catering company may have issues with if it is too far. Obviously, you will not like the truck of the catering company stuck in the narrow driveways of the city.

Ask the caterer if they have worked in this field before or not. It can be a great bonus for you if they are already familiar with the layout, venue or preparation area of the location.

Ask them the following questions to clear your doubts.

·        Have they catered at the given location ever before?

·        How early they will need to access the venue?

·        How long will they take to set up and break down?

·        Will they charge anything extra for the logistics?

3.     Can they fulfill your needs and expectations?

Catering companies need to be prepared for any sudden demands so it is necessary for them to be flexible. There can be food allergies, dietary restrictions and preferences that can complicate things. That’s why it becomes essential to have a chef that can foresee the issues and be prepared for the solution.

They should be able to handle last-minute changes and adapt to specific menu options as well.

Let them answer the following questions to check the readiness and adaptability of the caterer.

·     Do they provide sample menus?

·     Do they have any cuisine penalty?

·     Do they allow you to customise the menu or they offer pre-set menu only?

·     Is there any additional fee for the customization of the menu?

An efficient London catering company can make or break your event. Plan the event with all the research and thoughtful questions to make it a success.