| You'd love for your office catering to be easy, | | | | expect a tip. This can be a hassle for your budget |
| economical and tasty. By asking the right | | | | as you may have to record it as a separate fee |
| questions at the beginning you can wade through | | | | from the meal itself. Be prepared ahead of time |
| the many options out there and find a caterer | | | | and you'll avoid a surprise on the day of your |
| that will fit your needs like a glove. Keep these | | | | event. |
| important questions in mind when shopping for | | | | Do you offer a variety of options at one price? |
| someone to handle the food for your next | | | | When feeding an office crowd you'll always want |
| corporate event. | | | | to be sure to get enough variety to please |
| Do you specialize in catering for offices? | | | | everyone. Many caterers offer packages that |
| There are a lot of caterers that specialize in | | | | come with a selection of different meal options. |
| weddings, parties, receptions and such. Your office | | | | Take the box lunch for example, which some |
| will probably have very different needs than | | | | caterers offer in 20 or more varieties. It lets you |
| these caterers are used to. Look for a caterer | | | | be sure that even the pickiest of eaters will find |
| that specializes in servicing offices like yours. | | | | something they enjoy. |
| Can you provide local references? | | | | Can you put together a good selection to please |
| Perhaps most importantly, you need reliability. | | | | everyone? |
| Your event is on a schedule and you'll need a | | | | To make the catering experience easier for |
| caterer who can make your food happen on time | | | | everyone you can let your caterer pick out the |
| and taste great. Don't be afraid to ask for | | | | selection. Remember, they're professionals. A |
| references. A good caterer should have no | | | | good caterer will have plenty of experience to |
| trouble with this. | | | | decide the best possible choices to make sure |
| Where else has your chef worked? | | | | there's plenty of what each person wants. How |
| These days many great chefs are setting out as | | | | many times have you prepared food for 10, 20, |
| restaurateurs and caterers to get away from the | | | | or 50 people? Let your catering pro handle it and |
| shrinking pay and harsh atmospheres of fine dining | | | | benefit from their experience. Though, be sure to |
| restaurants. If your caterer has lots of | | | | tell them if you need vegetarian options and how |
| experience at Four Diamond restaurants and | | | | many. |
| they've been working in your area for a number | | | | Will I need to return any equipment after our |
| of years, you can rest assured that they'll be able | | | | event? |
| to handle your office's needs to the tee. | | | | Of course, the actual catering is just half of it, |
| How much will delivery to my location cost? | | | | don't forget about clean up. You'll want to be sure |
| You'll want to be sure that the pricing of your | | | | that no one will have to lug any equipment back |
| catering is made very clear. Most caterers will | | | | after your event. |
| offer a simple per person price, but beware of | | | | Ask your caterer the right questions and you'll be |
| add-on fees. Be sure to talk to your prospective | | | | sure to get the best catering possible. It isn't too |
| caterers and ask if there are fees for delivery. If | | | | hard. Just be sure your caterer is experienced, is |
| your event is in one town and your caterer is in | | | | used to working with offices, and the pricing is |
| the next town over, be sure there isn't an | | | | clear. Some caterers even offer guarantees, so |
| additional fee for delivering further down the road. | | | | you can be sure your event catering goes off |
| Will the delivery person expect a tip? | | | | right, or get your money back. |
| Often the person delivering your catering will | | | | |