Catering Tip #2 of 4: The 3 Things To Consider When Choosing Your Caterer and Menu.

1. Never use a caterer whose work you have not seen (and a tasting does not count)
   
   Try using restaurants whose food you know when choosing a caterer.  Restaurants have consistent recipes, and quality.  The chef at the restaurant proves his ability to prepare for a large group of people every evening, and you can pop up at the restaurant and see what he has to offer.  In addition, restaurants usually feel honored to have their food served at your event; therefore, they put a lot of effort into making sure that your event will be the proper introduction of their food to a group of prospective new patrons. 
   
   Conversely, lots of event caterers use head chefs that do not work in house.  The result can be poor quality control and inconsistent service.  Some event caterers wrongly view their customers in isolation because they know that their reputations are protected by the fact that the majority of the guest won’t be in the market for an event caterer, or won’t even know who catered the event.
   
   
2. Never serve small proportions
   
   Women, I know that some of you eat like birds, and that many of you have been dieting for months to fit into your dresses;   but, on that night – do not serve small proportions.  I don’t care how beautiful, or how fancy, or how award winning the chef says he is, if you don’t satisfy your guest they will leave as quickly as possible so that they can go get something more to eat.  Hunger is a demanding bodily function that can not be ignored.    
   
   If you ensure that people eat a lot of food then they will drink, they will laugh, and they will help you create those embarrassing stories on the dance floor that will make your event memorable.

3. Never choose your favorite dish as the dish you serve at your wedding
   
   While I love Indian food, I know that at a large multicultural gathering some people might find the spices too strong.  Likewise, I could eat Mexican everyday, but I recognize that depending upon the gathering the cheeses, strong spices, and heavy oils might prove overwhelming to certain guest.  Think about your guest first.  Think about who they are, and who they are not.
   
   Are there Muslims or Jews in the group?  Are there vegetarians?  Are they risk takers when it comes to food?  Yes, it’s easy to say it’s not about them, but in reality it really is.  Every one of them is here to honor you because you invited them, and they deserve to enjoy a good meal.  

Please take this advice as wisdom.  Over the years I have attended many events, and seen many catering faux pas.  I know that these rules seem very simple, but if you follow these three simple rules you will find that you can avoid many of the pitfalls that others before you have fallen into.  In the future I will expand upon the importance of following these three golden rules regarding event catering.

LOVE ROBERT