Food is really important when you are hosting an event. Food can bring your event together, giving it a common theme. Having the right food at your event can make a big difference in the overall success of your event.
1. Always Go Big With Your Headcount
First, when you are planning your event, it is always best to err a little on the big side with your headcount. The last thing you want is to not have enough food for your guests. You can give your caterer a general headcount when you first book them. Then, as you get closer to your event, you can provide them with a more accurate headcount. When in doubt, it is best to overestimate rather than underestimate.
If you have extra food, you can always take it home or send it home with guests, or you can donate it to a food center. You don't want the thing that people remember about your event to be that the food ran out.
2. Consider How the Venue Impacts Food Service
Second, you need to consider how the venue will impact food service. Does the venue have a kitchen that your caterer can use? How early can the caterer get there?
Even if they are not preparing all the food on-site, being able to warm and heat things up in a kitchen can significantly impact what can be served at your event. How early the catering service can set up can also impact what and how they serve and prepare the food for your event.
You are also going to want to consider the physical space. Is there enough room for a sit-down dinner? Would cocktail tables and walk-around appetizers be better for the venue? Is there enough space for a buffet? Your venue can impact and change how you serve food at your event.
3. Think About Service
Third, you need to think about food service. Your catering company is cooking and preparing your food. Some catering companies will also provide food service, dishing out the food to the guests, and in other situations, you may need to bring in outside service. You may want to hire wait staff for the event and have them serve the food. Make sure you have enough people on hand to prepare the food and serve the food as well.
When it comes to planning catering for a party, you will want to give your catering service a general headcount when you hire them, then narrow down the headcount closer to the event. When in doubt, go large. Think about how the venue will impact the caterer's ability to prepare food and your ability to serve food. Bring in waitstaff to help with serving and cleaning up the food so that you don't have to be involved in the food prep, serving, or cleanup in any way.
Contact a company like Marians Island Wide Catering to learn more about party catering.
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