Caterers
Interview Transcript
What makes a professional Caterers ?
Keane's Wood Fired Catering
So a professional caterer really needs to have a full knowledge of everything that’s going on at the event. The caterer really is making sure that everything happens in a cohesive manner and that you can enjoy your event without having to think about all of those details on the day.
Where does a professional caterer make/get the food from?
Keane's Wood Fired Catering
A professional caterer should in my opinion make all of the food that they serve. All the food is brought in from licensed distributors who are also trained in food safety, and that the food can be prepared and stored properly, so heated up cooled down in a proper period of time.
Why should couples hire a professional caterer over a family friend?
Keane's Wood Fired Catering
So if you’re considering having a family friend cater the event because they’re a great chef or they have dabbled a bit in the food service industry, they know how to cook; it could work, but there are a lot of other things that the caterer needs to take care of besides, just cooking meal.
How do you prepare for the event?
Keane's Wood Fired Catering
Generally event planning will start with understanding how many guests there are and what services are required. So are there appetizers? What is the service style? Getting the menu down, understanding, are there allergies and dietary restrictions, recommending menu items that makes sense for that time of year, making sure that if there are kids, they can eat well. Generally you know 90 days out or 30 days out there’s more questions that a caterer can help with or coordinate depending on how big they are and what services they offer.
What kinds of meal choices does a caterer provide?
Keane's Wood Fired Catering
There’s lots of different options when it comes to catering. Just like there are in a restaurant you can go to a chain restaurant where there’s lots of them you know all over the country or you can go to a boutique caterer where they might only take 30 to 40 events a year. Research your caterer look at their reviews, look at their menus online and see whether or not they specialize in the items that you’re looking for.
What is typical server-to-guest ratio at a wedding?
Keane's Wood Fired Catering
I would say one server for every 20 people plus you know 2 to 3 people in back of house in the kitchen. What I think a lot of caterers do is look at the full event, what the services are and then we will put together a proposal with a staffing charge based on all of those factors. Typically, a caterer won’t just be serving the food, they’ll also be setting all of the tables, possibly setting up furniture and other rentals, and then also clearing all that stuff away so you have to have lots of people around who are able to do all that stuff who know how to do it and can keep to the timeline of your venue. Because venues often will tell the guest it’s time to go but at some point they also tell the caterers it’s time to go so you can’t be there all night you’ve got to breakdown things efficiently and all those things take a number of people accomplish.
