Catering Services

If you are planning a company party, family gathering or other social event, you might want to consider using a catering service. These professional caterers can help you arrange every detail and eliminate the stress that comes along with planning a large event.

Most catering services are adept in a wide range of areas. They can help you plan your child's birthday party or a Fortune 500 event. They offer a variety of food choices and will help guide you in food selections. Best of all, catering services will prepare the food, deliver it, set it up and tear it down. All you have to do is select the food choices and pay the bill!

Catering services are not just for food. Oftentimes they can help you arrange every detail of your event. Most catering services are connected with other people who offer every type of service imaginable. Before you start conducting research for the other areas of your event, ask the catering service if they can provide you with referrals.

Typically, catering services will provide you with a variety of menus for your event. You will be able to select two or three meat entrees, a variety of vegetables and breads, one starch such as potatoes or rice, and a selection of hot and cold beverages.

If you are hosting an intimate party and don't need servers, some catering services will allow you to pick-up food from their location. This is a good option for people on a budget or those serving cold platters of food such as sandwiches, salads, and fruit or vegetable trays.

Occasionally, some catering services will allow you to pick-up hot foods. They will charge you a deposit for the chafer dishes required to keep the food hot. When you are finished using the equipment, you will need to clean the equipment prior to returning it. As long as you return clean chafer dishes in a timely fashion, you will receive a refund on the deposit.

It's important to use the services of a reputable catering company. When it comes to food, you don't want to mess around because food poisoning is a very real possibility. Before you hire any catering service, be certain to check them out through the Better Business Bureau. The BBB offers a website that allows you to easily access information about the catering service you are considering. Their website is located at www.BBBonline.org.

Once you locate a catering service for your event, be certain to ask them for a copy of their business license and Board of Health certification. You also want to make sure they have the proper insurance and have a minimum $1 million liability policy.

You have every right to request this information. If the catering service balks when you ask for this documentation, you would be wise to locate another catering service.