Good food and good company always go hand in hand, but in the case of corporate events, there has to be a certain degree of professionalism. From board meetings to client dinners, professional catering services help ease the pressure of a successful dining experience, which is also why choosing the right caterer for your event is crucial. In this article, we’ll let you in on a few tips and tricks on how to choose the perfect corporate catering service for your needs.
Set your needs and budget.
Determine the event type and attendees. There is a lot of corporate catering in Melbourne, but the best way to narrow down your choices is to start with the event type and size: Is the event a casual lunch or a formal dinner? Maybe it’s a breakfast meeting or a cocktail party, but whatever it may be, also be mindful of the number of attendees of the event.
Dietary restrictions and budget. Once you have the above details, be considerate of dietary restrictions; research if any of the guests have any allergies, are vegan, or have religious preferences when it comes to their food. Once you have the kind of event, number of attendees, and their dietary restrictions in mind, you can now set a realistic budget for your catering service needs. Make sure to include beverages and the service staff in your budget, as well as additional costs like decorations or rentals.
Menu preferences and theme. Corporate events usually have various cuisines available, depending on the menu preference of your choosing. If you’re having a hard time choosing which cuisine to go with, you could always go for a buffet style. Along with this, corporate events also usually come with a certain theme, so choose one that goes along with your menu and presentation so you can achieve your desired ambiance.
Research and select.
Check online reviews. Given that there are a lot of catering services available in the city, you can learn more about which services you should go with by reading reviews online. Google My Business and Yelp are great places to start, so comb through the comments to see which services have the highest positive ratings. As a general rule, entities that generally have a lot of positive feedback indicate quality service.
Compare pricing. However, do check their menus and pricing first; remember, you have a budget to stick to. So check the pricing information of the caterers and make a comparison so you can choose one that offers value for your money.
Consider food, presentation, and service quality.
Quality and food presentation are paramount at events like these, so make sure that the caterers use fresh and quality ingredients. In line with that, food presentation should also be appealing and neat. The caterer’s staff should also be professional and attentive toward your guests’ needs, so choose an efficient caterer who can anticipate your guests’ needs.
Once you have a caterer in mind, set a schedule for food tasting so you have an idea if they deliver quality service as depicted in their online reviews. You can also get a better look at their staff and service by setting an appointment with them. Once you’re sure of your chosen caterer, set up a contract and review the terms and agreements carefully before signing the deal.