Whether you’re hosting a corporate awards gala or a birthday party, you want everything to go smoothly. You want the perfect venue, the right decorations, and of course, the very best catering Toronto has to offer.
How can you be sure you’re getting the best possible catering in Toronto? Just follow these simple tips.
Do Your Research
There are a lot of catering companies in Toronto. Some will probably jump out at you before others. Some catering companies will serve certain venues or areas, and others will specialize in serving particular kinds of events. The “best” caterer might depend on what you want and need. Start your research with defining your event, theme, and budget.
Compare services across different catering companies, and don’t shy away from checking reviews on Yelp or other user-generated review sites. You’ll get open and honest information. Any caterer worth their salt should be able to provide you with reviews from past clients as well.
Check in with Your Venue
If you’ve already booked a venue, be sure to check that they allow outside caterers before you go through the process of selecting someone. Some venues have a list of preferred vendors; check to see if your preferred caterer made the cut. There may be additional charges added to your final bill if you don’t use caterers on their list. This could make or break your budget.
If you haven’t booked the venue yet, you should still check in with your potential choices. If you’re not allowed to bring in the caterer of your choice, you might rethink your venue. Also ask any potential caterer which venues in the GTA they serve—and which ones they recommend.
Look for Experience
What kind of event are you hosting? You’ll want to find a caterer with experience serving that kind of event. A caterer who has only ever served big banquets might not be so adept at catering a small, intimate gathering, and vice versa.
Experience is also important in other ways. A catering company with experience will be able to guide your menu choices and offer you advice on other aspects of your event planning, including venue selection. An experienced staff will ensure your guests are served a memorable meal in an efficient and professional manner.
Going Above and Beyond
The best catering in Toronto goes beyond catering. While you might think your caterer’s only job is to work with the food, a catering company can help you do so much more. The best catering companies Toronto has to offer will do everything from rentals to full-on event planning services. After all, who knows best what is needed to make your vision come to life like your caterers.
Why get help with just the menu when you can rely on your caterer to provide so much more? If you’ve truly found the best catering in Toronto, you’ll trust them with more than the food.
Fresh Ideas
Any catering company you consider for your next event should have some fresh ideas to bring to the table. Many caterers keep a curated collection of photos on their websites or Instagram feeds; be sure to check them out. Does what you see amaze you? It’s likely that your guests will be similarly wowed! Also make sure they are willing to incorporate some of your unique ideas.
They’re Licensed
You might not think having a licensed caterer is a big deal, especially if you’re planning a dry event. But it is something to keep in mind, since a licensed caterer can serve alcohol. There might be a last-minute change, or someone on your planning committee might suggest that having a mocktail bar is a fun idea. An unlicensed caterer likely won’t be able to help you with either situation, since they won’t employ professional bar tenders.
Professionalism
While you’re on the hunt for the best catering in Toronto, you’ll likely contact a few potential caterers. Carefully consider how they communicate with you. Do their emails reflect a professional attitude? Do they return your emails and calls within a timely manner?
If the caterer can’t communicate with you professionally about the job, they probably can’t serve your event professionally either. Always look for a catering company that prides itself on professionalism.
