When searching for a Toronto event catering company for your big event, don’t just settle on the first one that comes up in your search results. There are a lot more consideration that should go into your decision about who should cater your event, after all, not every caterer will suit your unique event needs. There are as many different caterers as there are events and each one is unique. You want to be able to choose the correct one to help you make your vision a reality.
With so much on the line (guests’ impressions are crucial), it’s important to get this decision right. To ensure you’re hiring the right corporate event caterer, here are 6 tips for choosing the right Toronto event catering company:
1. Check Out Their References and Reviews
If you’re serious about working with a specific catering company, the best place to start is by checking out their references and reviews to make sure they have a track record of happy customers. It is extremely easy to check on the reputation of a specific company. Any reputable company will have a list of references at the ready for new clients who inquire, and you should be able to find reviews online. If they are hesitant to provide these, consider it an automatic red flag and be prepared to take your search elsewhere.
2. Ask About Their Experience with Your Type of Event
Some caterers specialize in wedding catering exclusively, while others might specialize more on the side of corporate events. Similarly, some may be well versed with smaller events and others might have experience handling large parties of hundreds (or even thousands) of guests. For this reason, it’s important to explain your event upfront and find out if the company has experience with events of similar nature. Bring as much information as you can about the event you envision and let the company know from the start what you are looking for in your event caterer. Don’t just take their word for it either, feel free to ask for references in this case as well.
3. Ask to Do a Tasting
The primary reason you’re hiring a catering company is for the food, so it’s only natural that you want to know what you’re paying for before committing. No one wants to be surprised with poor food and execution on their big event day. Most Toronto event catering companies will allow you to do a tasting sessionwhere you can get a first-hand look at their style, presentation, and quality to make sure that it lives up to your expectations for your own event. It’s also a great way to help decide what dishes you want to be served at your party, or figure out if a custom menu is needed. It will also give you a chance to sit with your catering coordinator and discuss many of the details for your event.
4. Consider Their Specialty
Every caterer will have a different body of experience and will likely have a specialty area that they excel in most of all. This goes for both the food as well as the services they offer. If a particular catering company is an expert in cocktail-style receptions, but you’re looking to do an elegant sit-down plated dinner, you may want to look for a catering company whose specialty is more aligned with your needs. Web-based event sites will help you find the best caterer for your specific needs. Try using eventsource.ca or eventective.com/Canada/ and see what is offered in you area.
5. Consider Your Event’s Needs
Speaking of needs, every event will have a different set of needs, and while there are a few that will generally be similar from event to event, it’s important to consider the needs of your event specifically and ensure that you have your plans well thought out before deciding on a caterer. If you find out down the road that your event needs tables and chairs brought in from off-site and your caterer doesn’t offer this service, it could mean hiring another vendor that you hadn’t budgeted or planned for. Some caterers are more than just food suppliers and can help with rentals and vendors.
6. Budget Isn’t Everything
Last, but certainly not least, when selecting the right Toronto event catering company for your party, remember to look beyond budget. Cost is still something to keep in mind of course, but just make sure it’s not the only factor that drives your decision, or you might not end up choosing the bestcaterer for your event. A quality caterer will be able to work with you and your budget and find ways to make them both work together.
