The concept of catering has expanded over the years. Serving food is obviously still the primary function. However, competition (especially in food towns like Charleston) has forced caterers to broaden their services to satisfy all the senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. Catering events means providing a professional, colorful atmosphere. From your décor to your glassware, to your food and the layout of your dining room, a caterer is expected to get everything just right.  So when you are thinking about hiring a caterer, select someone who gets the idea that it’s not just food, it’s an entire experience!

Find out more about caterers and catering in South Carolina here.

We had a food tasting before our wedding, and it came as a surprise. We had emailed our preliminary menu beforehand. We arrived at the restaurant, met the banquet girl and the chef, and sat down. We thought we were coming to simply discuss the details. Then, one by one, samples of everything on our menu started coming out for us to try. I feel kind of dumb admitting this, but I had no idea this was a tasting! And now, I can’t imagine paying someone $3500 without a tasting! Here’s the skinny (so to speak) on tastings:

·         Tastings let you try dishes prior to the actual event, spend time with the caterer, and discuss your likes and dislikes.

·         Tastings also let you see the presentation style, and discuss the little procedural details.

·         Tastings let you offer feedback—which the caterer values!

·         Tastings also let you judge the chemistry between you and the caterer.

Find out more about caterers and catering in South Carolina here.

Hosting a catered affair? Will you be serving alcohol? Here area few things to think about before you pop the cork.

Is Alcohol Allowed? This is 2 questions. First, it allowed on the site where you’re having your party? Second, does your caterer have a liquor license? If not, you (or the caterer) will have to find someone licensed to do the pouring.

Bartender Ratio: Tell your caterer the number of guests attending, and the caterer will tell you how many bartenders you need, and what that will cost. Usually, it’s one bartender for about 50 guests.

Type of Service: Open bar (expensive and potentially rowdy), Cash bar (much more manageable, but sometimes less fun), or Limited bar (maybe beer and wine are free, but charge for the harder stuff.) Here’s an instance where you need to know your crowd!

The whole alcohol decision process may seem intimidating, but a good caterer will be able to help guide you through it. Bottoms Up!

For more info about catering in SC, click here.

Here are some handy tips to make your next cocktail party. Along with a nice variety of hors d’eourves, you need to cover your bases on the drinks.

Ice: You need it for all kinds of purposes, not just in drinks. Plan on 1lb per guest.

Glass with Class: One glass does not fit all. Wine glasses, martini glasses, highballs—each has its own purpose. Also, plan to have two glasses per guest.

Wine: if it’s a wine-only party, you need a bottle for two guests per 2-hour party. Have a mix of red, white, blush, etc.

Coffee: for the end of the party pick-me-up.

Bartender: for 15 or 20 bucks an hour, it’s worth it to free you up to spend time with your guests!

For more info about catering in SC, click here.

Vegetarian Catering

If you’re a committed vegetarian, you might have a hard time finding anything on the buffet besides salad. Maybe string beans, if you don’t mind picking out the pieces of bacon! If you’re just a vegetarian dabbler, this the time you usually fall off the wagon.

If you’re the host, you may want to think about the special needs of your vegetarian guests.

You can serve Middle Eastern foods like:

Hummus: spread made of chick peas (garbanzo beans) with onion or garlic

Tabouleh: cold salad dish made of chopped bulgur, mint and parsley

Baba ganoush: spread made of eggplant, onions and garlic

Or, you can serve Indian foods like:

Samosas: potato stuffed pastries

Pakora: battered vegetable fritters made of cauliflower, spinach or eggplant

There are plenty of buffet items available top satisfy vegetarian tastes, without scaring away the meat eaters on your guest list!

Tip #1: Plan ahead. The moment you have the date and location of the event confirmed, you should being planning. Organize the information provided above and prepare a list of questions prior to contacting the catering business.

Tip #2: Whenever possible, obtain quotes from a minimum of three catering businesses. Oftentimes, catering businesses post their menu selections and pricing on their website. Take advantage of this option to price shop and determine a fair price.

Tip #3: Choosing a catering business based on the size of their advertisement in a phone directory does not necessarily mean they are the best. Sometimes working with a small catering business will yield the best deal. Oftentimes, the “little guys” provide higher quality food and service because they are striving to expand their business.

Tip #4: Always review each catering business portfolio. If they do not have a website, schedule a time to meet with them in person. Ask to see photographs of their previous catered events. Also request they provide you with food samples. Nothing is worse than having wretched-tasting food at your event, so always obtain food samples before signing a contract.

Tip #5: Obtain referrals and follow through on making phone calls. While it may feel awkward, the majority of people will not be offended if you simply state that XYZ Catering Business provided their name as a reference. If the catering business is hesitant or refuses to provide you with referrals; run away as fast as you can.

Tip #6: Request sample menus that fit your budget. After reviewing the menus, ask how the dishes you are interested in, are prepared. Do they contain trans fats, heavy oils, or large quantities of sugar? Do they offer vegetarian dishes? Do their offer healthy food choices? Can they accommodate special needs if necessary, such as vegan or diabetic dishes?

Tip #7: Caterers generally charge a set fee per person for food. Depending on the event and food served, this fee can range from $10 to $100 or more per person. There may also be additional costs for beverages; particularly if alcohol will be served. Caterers charge a rental fee for furniture, tents, dance floor, decorations, etc. There may be charges incurred for servers, bartenders, and clean-up crew. Before signing the contract, be certain to thoroughly review it and make certain all items are included, and all details are correct.

Tip #8: Arrange a time to visit the event venue with your caterer. Make certain the caterer has sufficient space to prepare and serve the food and beverages to your guests. Meet with the caterer on the day of the event to ensure the set-up is appropriately arranged and does not interfere with dining, serving, or entertainment areas.

Find the right catering company in South Carolina. 

Event ranges from box-lunch drop-off to full-service catering. Caterers and their staff are part of the food service industry. When most people refer to a “caterer”, they are referring to an event caterer who serves food with waiting staff at dining tables or sets up a self-serve buffet. The food may be prepared on site, i.e., made completely at the event, or the caterer may choose to bring prepared food and put the finishing touches on once it arrives. The event caterer staff are not responsible for preparing the food but often help set up the dining area. This service is typically provided at banquets, conventions, and weddings. Any event where all who attend are provided with food and drinks or sometimes only hors d’oeuvres is often called a catered event.

Many events require working with an entire theme or color scheme. A catering company or specialist is expected to know how to prepare food and to make it attractive. As such, certain catering companies have moved toward a full-service business model commonly associated with event planners. They take charge of not only food preparation but also decorations, such as table settings and lighting. The trend is towards satisfying all the clients senses with food as a focal point. With the correct atmosphere, professional event caterers with experience can make an event special and memorable. Beautifully prepared food alone can appeal to the senses of taste, smell, and sight - perhaps even touch, but the decorations and ambiance can play a significant part in a successfully catered event.

Catering is often sold on a per-person basis, meaning that there is a flat price for each additional person. However, things like lighting and fire permits are not scaled with the guest count, so per-person pricing is not always appropriate. It is necessary to keep the cost of the food and supplies below a price margin in order to make a profit on the catering. As many others in the food service industry, caterers and their staff work long hours. It is not uncommon for them to work on holidays or 7 days a week during holiday event seasons.

Find a Caterer in South Carolina 

Menu Options and Reception Styles - There is so much variety and choice when it comes to menu selection. It’s no longer “chicken” or “beef”. You can have a traditional sit down dinner, buffet, food stations or cocktail reception. It all depends on your personal preference and budget.

Budget - Let your caterer know your budget up front. Don’t assume that a buffet or food stations is less expensive than a sit down dinner. Remember, it depends more on what type of food you serve that determines the price.

Food Preparation - Does the caterer use all fresh food and produce? Will any of the food for the reception be previously frozen? Most of the “top notch” caterers do not use any frozen foods or anything that comes from a can!

Taste Testing - Ask if your caterer will do a “tasting”. This is where the bride and groom can go sample and taste some of the caterer’s dishes. Yum Yum…

Leftovers - Ask what is done with the leftover food. Particularly, if you are having a buffet or food stations there can be food leftover. Some brides choose to have the leftover food given to a homeless shelter or similar charity organization.

A banquet is defined by the Standard College Dictionary as: 1. A sumptuous feast. 2. A formal or ceremonial dinner, often followed by speeches. Indeed, banquet catering is among a league of its own in the catering industry. Generally, banquet-style functions entertain a large quantity of guests and consist of large round tables that seat eight to ten persons. Banquets are popular, but not limited to, wedding receptions and corporate events or parties.

Food service styles vary from informal buffets in which guests prepare their own plates from a large selection of food to pre-determined meals served to each guest individually by a hired wait staff. A catering company should be able to provide a consultation to help any event or party planner figure out what kind of service would be most appropriate for the occasion.

There are considerations to ponder before approaching a potential caterer for your banquet style event, namely the kitchen of your event or party location.

Examine the kitchen of your event location. The kitchen will need to provide the space and equipment to meet banquet service requirements. In banquet catering, the prep, cooking, and serving happens all at once. Depending on the size and nature of the banquet, a small 100-to 200-square-foot station for catering with the right equipment can make a huge difference and ensure that the kitchen staff remains happy, productive and efficient.

Find a Banquet Catering Service in your area! 

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
-J.R.R. Tolkien I went into a McDonald’s yesterday and said, ‘I’d like some fries.’ The girl at the counter said, ‘Would you like some fries with that?’
- Jay Leno

There are people who strictly deprive themselves of each and every eatable, drinkable, and smokable which has in any way acquired a shady reputation. They pay this price for health. And health is all they get for it. How strange it is. It is like paying out your whole fortune for a cow that has gone dry.
-Mark Twain

Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for lunch.
-Orson Wells

Thou shouldst eat to live; not live to eat.
-Socrates

I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol.
-Steven Wright

I’m at the age when food has taken the place of sex in my life. In fact I’ve just had a mirror put over my kitchen table.
-Rodney Dangerfield

The perfect lover is one who turns into pizza at 4 A.M.
- Charles Pierce

Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
-Alex Levine

I often take exercise. Why only yesterday I had my breakfast in bed.
-Oscar Wilde

The belly rules the mind.
-Spanish Proverb

I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food.
-W.C. Fields

Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.
-Harriet Van Horne

A man may be a pessimistic determinist before lunch and an optimistic believer in the will’s freedom after it.
-Aldous Huxley

Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.
-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

Click here to learn about catering in South Carolina.