If you are planning an event and intend to hire a barbecue caterer to add some tasty meat to your list of dishes, the following tips will help you find the right caterer easily.
How to find the right barbecue caterer
Finding a great barbecue caterer starts with a little research and asking the right questions. You can start your research by asking friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations. Make sure you get the names of at least three catering companies. Go online, check out their websites, read reviews from previous customers, and compare their quotes.
Contact each of the caterers listed and speak to them on the phone. See how they communicate with you. It is important to hire suppliers that are easy to communicate with. Make sure you ask them the right questions before you opt for one.
The following are the key questions to consider before hiring any barbecue provider:
How many guests will there be at your event?
You need to decide how many guests you want to see at your event. You can decide to admit guests strictly by invitation or make the event open to friends and family. Consider the size of your expected guests before hiring any caterer.
How long have you been in the barbecue catering business?
All events are not exactly the same. It is important to hire a barbecue caterer that has the experience of taking care of the appetite of your guests. Ask your potential supplier about how long they have been in business.
While the number of years a barbecue caterer has been in business may not indicate the quality of services they provide, it does give you an idea of who you’re dealing with and what to expect. Also, ask for references and phone numbers from at least three previous clients so you can talk to them.
What is the maximum number of guests you have served before?
Ask the supplier about the maximum number of guests they have ever served. Ask them without revealing the number of guests you expect at your event. The answers that caterers provide will help you make an inference about their level of experience, regardless of the above statements.
Some caterers may respond with falsely high figures. Just ask them how they were able to cater to such a large audience, if they can’t convince you, they probably aren’t catering experts after all.
Request samples or presentation photos of previous work.
It’s important to have an idea of what to expect when hiring any barbecue vendor. Before hiring one, request samples or presentation photos of previous work. From the samples or presentation photos, you can deduce the quality of service you expect when you hire the provider.
How many standby servers are provided per guest?
It is important not to make guests wait before serving them. Before hiring any caterer, find out how many standby servers they provide per guest. Depending on the number of guests you expect at your event, you may have to make a decision that will include more servers than you really need, all in favor of your guests.
Make sure any caterer you hire can provide the right number of standby servers per guest. Don’t let your guests go hungry at your event.
Ask about overtime charges
Various things happen during events, and one of them is prolonging the ongoing event beyond the expected time. As such, it is important to find out about overtime charges before hiring any caterer. Prepare for the unexpected and plan ahead. Knowing what to expect for overtime charges will make it easier to plan your event within your budget.
What are the terms and conditions of payment?
Some barbecue caterers ask for a percentage of the total charges before catering events. Before hiring a catering service, ask about their payment terms and conditions. If you have to make a deposit, be sure to get a receipt after the payment.
And if you do decide to contract, make sure all agreements are in writing and keep a copy for proof. While some vendors may require you to pay in cash, others may require payment by credit card.
What if you have more guests than expected?
Sometimes the guests you invite may decide to come with one or more of their friends. As such, you may have more guests than you expected at your event. It is important to consider such a situation before reaching an agreement with your provider.
You may not be thrilled if some of your guests’ friends at your event are starving while others are overfed. He comes to terms with his barbecue caterer on how to cater for unexpected guests.
After asking all the above questions and carefully considering the answers you receive, you will find it absolutely easier to hire the right barbecue caterer for any event.