Whether it’s a retirement party, a promotion, a birthday or the annual end-of-year celebration, a lot of planning goes into getting everything at your company event right.

Good food is crucial to the success of any event, and if you want your corporate event to be a big hit, you’ll want a caterer who can deliver. Naturally, you’ll want only the best.

There’s just one question: just how do you go about finding the best caterer for your company event?

If you need help finding the perfect caterer for your company event, there’s no need to worry anymore! Based on our experience catering for corporate functions, Your Private Chef has put together this list of questions to help you find food that’ll taste great, won’t break the bank and leave a great impression on your bosses and co-workers, and all other important guests!

Searching for a corporate caterer? Start with the basics

Before you sign anything with your caterer, you need to get all the basics out of the way.

And when we say basics, we really mean basic!

Start by asking about availability and notice. Trust us when we say that many caterers have very tight schedules. This is especially true around periods such as Christmas (which is only weeks away now), where we often find ourselves juggling dozens of parties and events.

You’d also be surprised how many people come to us for last-minute, emergency catering! We can certainly do it… but not all caterers can.

It’ll save you so much trouble if you can find out whether the caterers you’re talking to will be able to help you before building the rest of your plan around them.

It sounds like a no-brainer, and it is. But it’s the place to begin!

Establish their credibility

Anyone can say they’re a great caterer. But can your caterer back their words up?

The second thing you should ask for when talking to a caterer is for their success stories. A good corporate caterer will be able to list their biggest clients should also boast incredible online reviews.

Ask for help when it comes to your budget

At a company party, the one thing that’s on your mind even more than choosing the best food is money.

When planning an event, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of it all… and in the process, break the bank.

Before you sign the dotted line, tell your caterer what you’re willing to spend and ask them to help create memorable menus around that price. A good caterer will offer cheaper packages or mix-and-match different options while keeping your spending power in mind for delicious and affordable food.

Other questions you should ask include:

• Whether they require an upfront deposit (and if so, how much)
• When the balance is due
• Any cancellation fees

Find out about flexibility and extras

You should ask about their ability to work on short-notice, add extra options or scale up the food and service, just in case your guest list ends up adding a couple of extra names to it.

And if upper management might be among those extra names, ask about extras such as cutlery, wait staff and bar staff. After all, you’ll want to make a good impression!

These types of things can often be unexpected, so it’s important to know whether your caterer can respond to these before you’ve committed.

Can they accommodate dietary requirements?

The last thing you want on your hands is a royally mad co-worker… or worse, a severe allergic reaction! Find out if there are any special requirements among your co-workers, and then talk to your caterer about accommodating them.

Ask your caterer about vegetarian and vegan options, as well as gluten-free options for celiacs. You should also ask what options they have to common allergies nuts, dairy and soy, and whether they can make food that excludes these common allergens.

More questions to ask your corporate caterer

We hope the above has given you the knowledge you need to choose a fantastic corporate caterer dedicated to turning your celebration into an event to remember! More questions you may like to keep up your sleeve include:

• Can you help me find a suitable venue?
• What do your wait staff wear?
• Can you also help me with styling?
• Can I hire an event planner?

Need fantastic corporate catering for your next work event?

Talk to Your Private Chef now!

If you’re in the market for corporate catering services and don’t know where to start, why not talk to us at Your Private Chef?

Do you want to make a lasting impression on your coworkers and bosses? Call Ana for a chat on 0497 333 100, or submit your details here and we will be in touch!