Chef Roscoe Coleman

There are lots of reasons to hire a caterer. If you’re looking to have a get-together, fundraiser, celebration, promotion, etc then you’re going to need food for your guests. You’re wondering if you should do all the cooking. Well, unless you cook for a living, this could be a major commitment. Before you decide to take on that mission check out a few reasons why a caterer can make this STRESS-FREE for you.

# 1 – Convenience: Hosting a party is hard work! You search for the location, decorations, invitations etc. Then you have to get the word out to friends and family, answer all the questions (what to wear, can I bring someone, etc…). You clean the house and now you have to go shopping and cook! Not only that, you have to make sure the food is replenished and you haven’t sat down to talk to your guests or had a bite to eat! It is exhausting!!! Caterers allow you to spend time with your guests. A full service caterer will come to your event site, provide all the food, all the necessary equipment and servers for your event.

#2 – Lets Dine: Your guests can eat on time. No more waiting for the food because you didn’t have time to prepare and you’re still cooking or you’re still waiting on the family to bring the rest. When you hire a caterer, you set the time when your guests are to eat and the caterer is there on time ready to serve.

#3 – Organized: You don’t need the stress of running around looking for serving utensils and dishes. You don’t worry about any of that when you have a caterer! They bring everything and the best part; they CLEAN before they leave the location. You don’t have to worry about cleaning up. You simple can go to bed when the last guest leaves your home or you can LEAVE with your guests because you are DONE.

#4 –Food Portion Control: There is nothing worse than running out of food at a party. When you hire a caterer, and you give them the CORRECT guest count, you can be assured that you will have enough food to serve your guests. Servers are always suggested to control portion sizes. Aunt Dottie loves baked ziti and normally takes too much and wastes the rest; caterers can help you avoid waste.

#5 – Professional/Licensed/Insured: Let’s face it anyone can cook but when you hire a caterer you are hiring a professional that is not only passionate but understands the food business. Catering staff must be trained in the proper food handling and sanitation procedures and maintain professionalism during any event. A caterer’s most successful form of marketing is by word of mouth. Their reputation means everything to their business. Providing great service at every event leads to more events.

There are lots of reasons to hire a caterer. If you’re looking to have a get-together, fundraiser, celebration, promotion, etc then you’re going to need food for your guests. You’re wondering if you should do all the cooking. Well, unless you cook for a living, this could be a major commitment. Before you decide to take on that mission check out a few reasons why a caterer can make this STRESS-FREE for you.

# 1 – Convenience: Hosting a party is hard work! You search for the location, decorations, invitations etc. Then you have to get the word out to friends and family, answer all the questions (what to wear, can I bring someone, etc…). You clean the house and now you have to go shopping and cook! Not only that, you have to make sure the food is replenished and you haven’t sat down to talk to your guests or had a bite to eat! It is exhausting!!! Caterers allow you to spend time with your guests. A full service caterer will come to your event site, provide all the food, all the necessary equipment and servers for your event.

#2 – Lets Dine: Your guests can eat on time. No more waiting for the food because you didn’t have time to prepare and you’re still cooking or you’re still waiting on the family to bring the rest. When you hire a caterer, you set the time when your guests are to eat and the caterer is there on time ready to serve.

#3 – Organized: You don’t need the stress of running around looking for serving utensils and dishes. You don’t worry about any of that when you have a caterer! They bring everything and the best part; they CLEAN before they leave the location. You don’t have to worry about cleaning up. You simple can go to bed when the last guest leaves your home or you can LEAVE with your guests because you are DONE.

#4 –Food Portion Control: There is nothing worse than running out of food at a party. When you hire a caterer, and you give them the CORRECT guest count, you can be assured that you will have enough food to serve your guests. Servers are always suggested to control portion sizes. Aunt Dottie loves baked ziti and normally takes too much and wastes the rest; caterers can help you avoid waste.

#5 – Professional/Licensed/Insured: Let’s face it anyone can cook but when you hire a caterer you are hiring a professional that is not only passionate but understands the food business. Catering staff must be trained in the proper food handling and sanitation procedures and maintain professionalism during any event. A caterer’s most successful form of marketing is by word of mouth. Their reputation means everything to their business. Providing great service at every event leads to more events.

1) Have an idea of the type of event you want to host. The more you know about the type of food, level of service and location the easier it is for the caterer to provide his/her professional expertise and advice.

2) Referrals: When searching for a caterer get referrals. Ask your friends and social media contacts for referrals. This is usually a sound way to get contacts of reliable caterers family and friends have previously used. Contact at least 3 before you decide.

3) Credentials: Ensure your caterer has the license, certification, and insurance which is usually required at most off-site catering venues. Also, check online reviews and if any complaints are listed with the BBB.

4) Be Realistic: If you have a beer budget don’t ask for champagne. Most caterers can meet your budget but they can not provide filet mignon for $10 per person. Make sure you give the caterer an accurate guest count to ensure their is enough food. Neither guests or your caterer will be happy if the food runs out. The guests don’t look at the host but they point empty plates at the caterer.

5) Plan Ahead: The earlier you contact the caterer the better. Often caterers are booked especially during the holidays such as July 4th, Valentines Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc..For example, in the northeast, most caterers are booked at least 1 year in advance for the summer months (July, August and September).

6) Tasting: Once you have decided on a menu, budget and caterer you should request a tasting. Any caterer will want you to taste their food as this is their calling card.

7) Finalize Contract: Establish a detailed contract with the caterer that outlines the specifics for the event. A contract ensures both you and the caterer are aligned on the details.

There are lots of reasons to hire a caterer. If you’re looking to have a get-together, fundraiser, celebration, promotion, etc then you’re going to need food for your guests. You’re wondering if you should do all the cooking. Well, unless you cook for a living, this could be a major commitment. Before you decide to take on that mission check out a few reasons why a caterer can make this STRESS-FREE for you.

# 1 – Convenience: Hosting a party is hard work! You search for the location, decorations, invitations etc. Then you have to get the word out to friends and family, answer all the questions (what to wear, can I bring someone, etc…). You clean the house and now you have to go shopping and cook! Not only that, you have to make sure the food is replenished and you haven’t sat down to talk to your guests or had a bite to eat! It is exhausting!!! Caterers allow you to spend time with your guests. A full service caterer will come to your event site, provide all the food, all the necessary equipment and servers for your event.

#2 – Lets Dine: Your guests can eat on time. No more waiting for the food because you didn’t have time to prepare and you’re still cooking or you’re still waiting on the family to bring the rest. When you hire a caterer, you set the time when your guests are to eat and the caterer is there on time ready to serve.

#3 – Organized: You don’t need the stress of running around looking for serving utensils and dishes. You don’t worry about any of that when you have a caterer! They bring everything and the best part; they CLEAN before they leave the location. You don’t have to worry about cleaning up. You simple can go to bed when the last guest leaves your home or you can LEAVE with your guests because you are DONE.

#4 –Food Portion Control: There is nothing worse than running out of food at a party. When you hire a caterer, and you give them the CORRECT guest count, you can be assured that you will have enough food to serve your guests. Servers are always suggested to control portion sizes. Aunt Dottie loves baked ziti and normally takes too much and wastes the rest; caterers can help you avoid waste.

#5 – Professional/Licensed/Insured: Let’s face it anyone can cook but when you hire a caterer you are hiring a professional that is not only passionate but understands the food business. Catering staff must be trained in the proper food handling and sanitation procedures and maintain professionalism during any event. A caterer’s most successful form of marketing is by word of mouth. Their reputation means everything to their business. Providing great service at every event leads to more events.

There are lots of reasons to hire a caterer. If you’re looking to have a get-together, fundraiser, celebration, promotion, etc then you’re going to need food for your guests. You’re wondering if you should do all the cooking. Well, unless you cook for a living, this could be a major commitment. Before you decide to take on that mission check out a few reasons why a caterer can make this STRESS-FREE for you.

# 1 – Convenience: Hosting a party is hard work! You search for the location, decorations, invitations etc. Then you have to get the word out to friends and family, answer all the questions (what to wear, can I bring someone, etc…). You clean the house and now you have to go shopping and cook! Not only that, you have to make sure the food is replenished and you haven’t sat down to talk to your guests or had a bite to eat! It is exhausting!!! Caterers allow you to spend time with your guests. A full service caterer will come to your event site, provide all the food, all the necessary equipment and servers for your event.

#2 – Lets Dine: Your guests can eat on time. No more waiting for the food because you didn’t have time to prepare and you’re still cooking or you’re still waiting on the family to bring the rest. When you hire a caterer, you set the time when your guests are to eat and the caterer is there on time ready to serve.

#3 – Organized: You don’t need the stress of running around looking for serving utensils and dishes. You don’t worry about any of that when you have a caterer! They bring everything and the best part; they CLEAN before they leave the location. You don’t have to worry about cleaning up. You simple can go to bed when the last guest leaves your home or you can LEAVE with your guests because you are DONE.

#4 –Food Portion Control: There is nothing worse than running out of food at a party. When you hire a caterer, and you give them the CORRECT guest count, you can be assured that you will have enough food to serve your guests. Servers are always suggested to control portion sizes. Aunt Dottie loves baked ziti and normally takes too much and wastes the rest; caterers can help you avoid waste.

#5 – Professional/Licensed/Insured: Let’s face it anyone can cook but when you hire a caterer you are hiring a professional that is not only passionate but understands the food business. Catering staff must be trained in the proper food handling and sanitation procedures and maintain professionalism during any event. A caterer’s most successful form of marketing is by word of mouth. Their reputation means everything to their business. Providing great service at every event leads to more events.

1) Have an idea of the type of event you want to host. The more you know about the type of food, level of service and location the easier it is for the caterer to provide his/her professional expertise and advice.

2) Referrals: When searching for a caterer get referrals. Ask your friends and social media contacts for referrals. This is usually a sound way to get contacts of reliable caterers family and friends have previously used. Contact at least 3 before you decide.

3) Credentials: Ensure your caterer has the license, certification, and insurance which is usually required at most off-site catering venues. Also, check online reviews and if any complaints are listed with the BBB.

4) Be Realistic: If you have a beer budget don’t ask for champagne. Most caterers can meet your budget but they can not provide filet mignon for $10 per person. Make sure you give the caterer an accurate guest count to ensure their is enough food. Neither guests or your caterer will be happy if the food runs out. The guests don’t look at the host but they point empty plates at the caterer.

5) Plan Ahead: The earlier you contact the caterer the better. Often caterers are booked especially during the holidays such as July 4th, Valentines Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc..For example, in the northeast, most caterers are booked at least 1 year in advance for the summer months (July, August and September).

6) Tasting: Once you have decided on a menu, budget and caterer you should request a tasting. Any caterer will want you to taste their food as this is their calling card.

7) Finalize Contract: Establish a detailed contract with the caterer that outlines the specifics for the event. A contract ensures both you and the caterer are aligned on the details.