5 Questions to Ask Redwood City Caterers

June 3, 2016 - Organizing a catering meal

When you are looking for Redwood City catering for your event, there are many questions that you should ask prospective caterers to ensure that they are the right fit for your special occasion. Hiring the right caterer can make your event a breeze, but trusting the wrong company can turn it into a nightmare. Do not let your wedding or birthday party be ruined by hiring the wrong catering company. In this article we will provide you with 5 questions that you can use to find the best Redwood City caterers for your upcoming event.

1. Do they have liquor liability insurance?

This is very important if you want your caterer to serve alcohol at your event because anyone who serves alcohol needs this insurance. If a guest is over-served and causes injury or damage after leaving your event, you could be held personally liable. The insurance that the caterer possesses will minimize your exposure in these instances. It is very important to make sure they have this insurance if alcohol is involved.

2. Are they able to prepare vegetarian or gluten free options for guests? If so, is there an additional fee?

Most events have guests who have special dietary restrictions. Many Redwood City caterers now have options for these guests, but they can come at an additional cost. You need to make sure that the caterer does offer these options, and that the price that they charge for them is not excessive. If it is too much, you may need to look somewhere else.

3. Does the caterer offer tastings in advance?

Reviews and references are one thing, but nothing can replace your first-hand experience with the food. You want to have a tasting before choosing the caterer and well before the day of the event. This is one of the best ways to make an informed decision about hiring Redwood City caterers.

4. Will they provide tables, chairs, napkins, plates, and silverware? If so, what is the cost?

If the caterer does not provide these essentials, and they are not included at the location, providing them will fall on you. You may need to rent them or go out and buy them yourself. This can be a lot of extra work and very expensive. If the caterer does provide these you will want to inspect them in advance to check on the quality.

5. Are there any additional charges, deposits, service fees, or sales tax? Are there expected gratuities?

You want to know what all of the anticipated costs are upfront. When you receive the bill is not the time for surprises. A good caterer should be able to provide you with all of this information. This will help you budget and plan for the event.

If you get the answers to these 5 questions you will be better informed to ensure you make the right decision in selecting a caterer. We have extensive experience catering Redwood City, and we would be happy to answer these, and any other questions that you may have. Consider contacting us today for all of your Redwood City catering needs.