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Caterer Hire Guide is part of the Marquee Hire Guide group.
Below is some information to help with your decision when choosing a caterer for your event. By using Caterer Hire Guide you can search for local catering companies yourself, using our extensive directory, or make an enquiry to a number of local caterers in one go by filling out one short online form - click here to fill out that form and enquire to a number of caterers local to you
Catering
Whether you are planning a meal with formal silver service for 1000 people or snacks for a breakfast meeting with 10 colleagues, there will be a local catering company out there to fulfill your requirements.
Employing the services of a professional caterer will give you peace of mind and help to ensure that you enjoy your own event without worrying about the cooking or the organisation.
There are many options for what you serve and how it is served. If you consider supplying the food yourself, you should consider the rules and regulations that govern the health, safety and hygiene that is required when dealing with the preparation of food.
Caterers and catering companies will be able to provide the appropriate provisions for whatever kind of event you are planning. Some examples of events that may require catering can be seen below:
Corporate events
Christmas parties
Weddings
Birthday parties
Banquets
Business meetings
Product launches
Anniversary parties
Summer balls
Funerals
Cocktail parties
Business luncheons
Formal dinner parties
Barbeques
Presentation evenings
PR events
Themed nights
Shop openings
Summer balls
Children's parties
Some things to consider
Prices are normally quoted per head. Caterers can supply food, alcohol, waiting staff, cutlery and crockery (but confirm this with them before making your booking).
To help you get an accurate quotation, and avoid hidden extras, it is wise to have a check list of all the things you would like the caterer to supply.
It is usual for caterers to supply the alcohol as part of a package. However if you would rather supply it yourself you will find some caterers that are happy for you to do this. You should bear in mind that there may well be a corkage charge if you decide to take this option.
Your choice of caterers is essential to the success of your event. There are many quality caterers around and you should consider which caterer is going to provide the ideal product, service and care for your specific event. You may want a very different kind of caterer for your wedding, than you would for a product launch. Some caterers will specialise in particular event types and it is always worth getting information from a number of companies before making a decision.
If you have other staff working at your event, you should consider them in the head count if you are planning on feeding them as well.
You should, where possible, arrange a tasting visit, prior to booking your caterer. At this tasting, you should also be able to look at the dinnerware and accessories that the catering company has available for your event. It is also a good idea to check for references – not only for the food, but also for the service provided.
Caterers can provide a range of service options for your event. Some examples include silver service, buffet and food stations. So you should talk to your caterer about this in your initial enquiry. Another thing to discuss is how many servers there will be per guest.
Some catering options that you could consider are:
Traditional food, served by waiters / waitresses
Oriental food
Finger buffets
Pizzas, pastas and other Italian food
Barbeques
Hog roasts
Hot buffets
Meats, cheeses and breads ...…the list is endless
Health and Safety
All catering companies need to adhere to health and safety laws.
