Top 5 Party Tips for Hiring A Caterer

Hiring a caterer for your party need not be a total food drama! There are some key questions that you can ask and ways to experience their work before putting down a deposit that will make you feel comfortable about your decision during the party planning process and help you have a stress-free event.

Getting Started...

You don't need the seal of approval from your BFF to hire a caterer, but you should have a word of mouth reference from someone you know or a trusted source.

First off, call around and ask your friends if they have a caterer they'd recommend.
Then, think about the catered food and service you've enjoyed at a friend's party, work function, even a wedding.  Consider events at private residences as well as venues, which often times will have a catering department that works on location too.

Don't forget about restaurants! Many restaurants have catering services and chances are you've eaten there and know the quality of their food.

Call the potential caterers and get a feel for them on the phone. One of the fist questions they'll ask you is the date of your party to see if they are available. Then, they may inquire about your guest count and budget. If you feel comfortable with the caterer after the phone call, set up an appointment to meet them in person.

Here are some more great tips for how to find the perfect caterer: