So You've Decided to Hire a Caterer

Savoury City Catering Vancouver BC Hiring a Caterer.jpeg

If you’re anything like us, your weekly schedule is packed! Living in the city means daily hustle and bustle and a somewhat topsy-turvy existence. Often exhilarating, sometimes exhausting, never dull! While it all may seem somewhat hectic, we still love to celebrate our friends and family and the important and momentous moments in our lives. This is why hiring a caterer is often the best solution to the “a want to entertain, but who has the time?!” question. We totally get it! Who has time after a long and arduous work week to prepare for an event! However, before you go searching for a caterer, we thought we’d offer some advice that may help you on your search for the perfect caterer for your needs.

Event Budget

We’ll get right to the point here. It’s best to have a budget in mind before you go booking your caterer. You don’t need to have an exact dollar figure, but a rough idea will greatly help you and the caterer. A good catering company will not try to ‘upsell’ you, but rather be honest and upfront with you about what they can produce with the budget you have in mind. Once the budget is established, you and your caterer will have a good idea of what you can expect. A good custom caterer can do anything from an elaborate sit-down dinner to a more informal buffet style affair.

Custom Catering Concepts

It’s a good idea to have a general concept in mind for your party/event. When it comes to caterers, there is a common misconception that they are only used for formal occasions. On the contrary, Savoury City can create custom-made hors-d’oeuvres and drinks to spectacular Groaning Boards, Summer BBQ’s, buffet-style or a formal sit-down dinner. A good custom caterer will consult with you and listen to your ideas and then create something bespoke. Whether it’s a baby shower, retirement party, wedding anniversary or just a night with friends and family, Savoury City can create something that reflects your personality both gastronomically and aesthetically.

Do Your Research

There are many catering companies out there! So, before you book one, be sure to do your research. Check out their websites and their reviews. Think of it like online dating if you will. Don’t just choose the first one that comes up on your Google search! You may have to “swipe left” a few times before you find a caterer that you like!

You want to find a caterer that you connect with. Check out their social media feed to get a good sense of their food concepts and aesthetic. Don’t be afraid to talk to a few caterers before you make your decision. Often you’ll get a sense of the company once you’ve spoken to them on the phone, or interacted with them online.

Taste the Menu

When you buy a pair of Louboutins, you always try them on! Same goes with a new car–you’d ever buy one before a test drive. If you are going to be spending a significant amount of money on your wedding or a big event, you’ll want to sample the food! Any good custom caterer will set up a tasting for you so that you can be sure you know what you’ll be getting on the big day! These tastings can vary in price depending upon the budget and scope of the event. Be sure to ask the caterer about this before booking with them.