The Top Factors to Consider When Hiring an Event Caterer

The Top Factors to Consider When Hiring an Event Caterer

An experienced, professional event caterer can help you look back on a corporate event, special occasion, wedding reception, or milestone birthday with lasting memories.

We’ve put together a complete guide to hiring an event caterer, so you can ensure your event goes smoothly and leaves you with fond memories. We’ll cover everything you need to know about hiring an event caterer, including answers to your catering questions and essential questions to ask your caterer.

What to Consider When Booking a Caterer for Your Event

When choosing a caterer for your event, there are several key factors to consider:

• Their experience
• Availability
• Their menu
• Reviews and recommendations
• Their pricing and fees
• Services offered
• Sustainability and social impact

Once you narrow down your top choices for event caterers, it is crucial to book both your venue and caterer early.

What Information Should I Have Ready for My Caterer?

Having clear information regarding your event and expectations will make the entire process smoother for you and your caterer.

When you meet or discuss with your caterer, be prepared to provide details on:

• The date and time of your event
• Venue information and location
• Your budget
• The number of guests
• The age range of guests
• Any special dietary considerations or requests
• Any additional services you require
• Desired themes
• A clear idea of your vision and expectations for the event

Important Questions to Ask Your Caterer

If your event is smaller and you are not engaging any additional services except delivery of the food, such as for a company lunch for 10 people, a morning tea for 20 people or sweet treats for a yoga event for 15 people, here are some important questions to cover:

• Are you available on the date of the event?
• Can you guarantee delivery within the specified time frame so we have it ready in time?
• Do you have any other deliveries that day?
• If so, how will you ensure we get our delivery on time?
• What is the delivery fee? Is that in addition to the food quote?
• How is the food going to be packaged and delivered? Is it ready to serve?
• How should we store the food until we serve it?
• Do we need to do anything else with the food to have it ready to serve?
• Do we need to organise or provide anything else at our end to serve the food?
• Is the packaging recyclable or compostable? How do we dispose of the packaging in an environmentally friendly way?
• Do you accommodate allergy or dietary requests such as vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, kosher, etc?
• When do you need the final menu choices by?
• Where do you source your ingredients from?
• Do you have public liability insurance?
• What is the total cost?
• What forms of payment do you accept?
• What is your cancellation policy?

If you are engaging a caterer for a larger event such as a conference lunch for 100 people or a dessert table for 300 people, it is important to be sure both you and your caterer are on the same page. Here are some important questions to cover:

• Are you available on the date of the event?
• Do you have other obligations on the day of the event?
• How do you handle multiple obligations in a day?
• Have you catered at the venue before?
• How much space will you require at the event?
• How much time do you need to set up and clean up the venue?
• Do you do custom menus?
• What are your most popular menu items?
• Do you charge a flat rate or charge per person?
• Can you provide kid-friendly meal options?
• Do you accommodate allergy or dietary requests such as vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, kosher, etc?
• Do you make food on site or bring it?
• When do you need the final menu choices by?
• Do you have an order minimum per item?
• Do you provide staffing at the event?
• What date do you need a final headcount by?
• Where do you source your ingredients from?
• What are the portion sizes?
• Do you accommodate last-minute requests or changes to the headcount?
• How do you handle leftovers?
• Do you handle bartending services?
• How many events have you catered to?
• Do you provide photos or references from past events and clients?
• Do you provide decorations, accessories, table settings, or linens?
• Do you take care of setting place cards?
• Do you have public liability insurance?
• Do we need any special permits for the event? If so, who obtains these?
• Will you provide a copy of your standard contract?
• How is the food going to be packaged and delivered?
• Is the packaging you use recyclable or compostable? How do you dispose of the packaging in an environmentally friendly way?
• What is the total cost?
• What services are included in the catering package, and what services cost extra?
• Who is doing the set-up and clean-up?
• Whose responsibility is it to return the server ware and tableware?
• What is your deposit required to hold the date?
• What forms of payment do you accept?
• What is your cancellation policy?
• How many guests can you accommodate?
• What is your catering style — individual plates, buffet, family style?
• Can you create a themed food menu?
• Can you arrange for a tasting? If so, is there a cost?

Our Catering Service

We understand that every corporate event, from working lunches to semiformal boardroom events to team-building workshops, has unique catering needs.

At Chris’ Kitchen, we aim to provide seamless catering tailored to your company. Our goal is to leave your employees and guests feel cared for and appreciated.

We offer wholesome, fresh food, prompt delivery, and friendly and efficient service. With extensive experience in corporate catering events and many long-term customers throughout the Perth area, we would be honoured to help make your event memorable and special.

Our services include:

• Corporate breakfast and morning/afternoon tea
• Corporate lunch, self-serve or prepackaged lunch boxes
• Office and board meeting catering
• Grazing tables and grazing boxes
• Training seminars catering
• Team building / offsite lunches
• All-day workshop catering
• Fundraiser catering
• General event catering

What you can expect with our professional corporate catering services:

• Superior food quality — Our made-from-scratch menu is based on whole foods with locally sourced ingredients and is entirely plant-based, dairy-free, processed sugar-free, preservative and gluten-free.
• Food that is as delicious as it is nutritious.
• A friendly team that gladly assists you with all your needs and readily answers questions.
• Reliable service and communication.
• HACCP certification – Chris’s Kitchen is HACCP certified (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) and also meets all AUS/ANZ food safety regulation.
• Affordable and professional service.
• Pickup or delivery options available to fit all budgets.

Learn More About Our Corporate Catering Services

Our award-winning cakes, bliss balls, and baked goods are dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and allergy friendly and are the ideal way to make your corporate event unique.

For smaller events, we offer three set catering packages:

• Breakfast Catering Package with pastries, lentil frittata, baked doughnuts, sweet treats and seasonal fruits
• Morning Tea Catering Package with quinoa falafels, pastries, nibbles, baked doughnuts, sweet treats and assorted chocolates
• Lunch Catering Package with your choice of a house-made burger patty, a side of two seasonal salads and a small dessert of your choice

If you would like to organise an event with Chris’s Kitchen or book Chris for private corporate talks, fundraisers, or workshops, we invite you to contact us to learn more.