Choosing the Right Caterer for Your Corporate Event

A lot is at stake when planning your corporate event. In most cases, there is so much to do that you forget the most critical aspect of the event—catering. Your guests are going to remember the foods and drinks served at your event, so it is your responsibility to leave a good taste in their mouths. 

So, how do you choose the right caterer for your corporate event? Below are some things to consider when deciding whether a caterer is right for you or if you should move on and choose a different caterer.

Examine the Caterer's Reputation 

There are two reasons to work with a reputable caterer. First, an excellent reputation guarantees the caterer's expertise in corporate catering. Don’t shy from reading reviews or interviewing some of the caterer's clients to determine what they enjoyed most when working with the caterer. For instance, it could be courteous staff, high-quality food, punctuality or professionalism. 

Second, your choice of caterer speaks volumes about your organisation’s values. For example, you risk damaging your business reputation if your caterer has previously engaged in employee mistreatment. You should conduct due diligence to ensure the caterer's business practices align with your organisation’s belief systems. This is a sure way to safeguard your reputation.

Assess the Menu and Ask for a Tasting 

What foods will the caterer prepare for your event? As a rule, you must be open-minded about the event menu. A reputable caterer examines your business operations, event theme and demographics of your guests when preparing a menu. 

For instance, they could opt for environmentally-friendly foods if you run a green organisation. The caterer might also incorporate international cuisines to impress high-profile guests or international delegations. Vegetarian meals are a must-have since many people today enjoy vegetarian meals. The caterer could also include soft and age-friendly foods if senior citizens will attend the event. 

To assist you in making a decision, you can ask for a tasting a few days before the event. A menu tasting helps you evaluate the quality of foods to be served at your event. At your request, the caterer should make adjustments such as reducing spices or sugar content. You could also ask the caterer how they will ensure the foods remain fresh and warm.

Choose a Suitable Method of Service

The caterer must acquaint you with the various method of services. For instance, in a buffet service, your guests line up at a buffet station and serve themselves. You could also incorporate action stations where chefs prepare and serve meals as guests wait in line. This way, guests have more time to interact as the chefs prepare meals.

In a sit-down plated service, guests remain seated as waiters serve the meals directly to them. As a rule, the caterer must deploy experienced waiters who can memorise each guest's order. With family-style catering, guests serve meals from their tables. It helps prevent a lot of movement since waiters do not have to deliver individual orders to the tables. 

Consider factors such as time, efficiency, budget, available space and the event program when choosing a suitable service. For instance, a buffet might not be appropriate if the dining room does not have adequate space. Conversely, while family-style catering could be expensive, guests remain seated, allowing you to proceed with the event program. 

Check the Caterer's Conditions and Pricing 

Examine the caterer's conditions before hiring their services. Ask them to draw a catering plan detailing how they intend to cater to your guests. This plan should detail when the caterer will arrive at the venue, how long it will take to prepare the food, the location of the catering station and the number of waiters at the event. The caterer must give guarantees on the services they offer. 

Ask the caterer to draw a catering quote. If it exceeds your budget, ask them to recommend cost-saving alternatives. For example, they could reduce the number of meals or bring prepared meals to the venue. Don’t forget to ask for a discount. 



Using these guidelines, you should not struggle to find a great caterer for your next corporate event. At Temptations Catering, we are your one-stop shop for all your corporate event catering needs. Contact us today for high-quality catering services at reasonable prices.