When you think "reception", what springs to mind? If you're like most of us, one of the top three thoughts will be "food." Here are eight tips, provided by Heather Maclachlan of Epicurea. Heather has been a chef since 1971, and co-owner of Epicurea since 1990. I think that makes her qualified to dole out some pointers!1. Check out caterers' menus to find one that best matches your ideas. Food preparation for the masses is a detailed and complex art. Each caterer has designed menus that reflect what they do best. If what you want is not evident in their menu, keep hunting till you find one that has what you're after. There is nothing to be gained by trying to force someone to perform outside their areas of strength.
2. Tell the caterer your budget up front, so they can give you an accurate description of possible menu and services.
3. If you are getting a number of quotes -- as you should! -- it is only courtesy to inform the caterer. As long as you're not using the information to try to force a concession from them, they will not resent the fact that you're researching your options.
4. If you ask for several proposals, do let the unsuccessful candidates know they're out of the running. Proposals can take hours to put together; it is only polite to let them know the outcome of this work.
5. Don't ask the impossible. Weddings are a time of great sentiment and many traditions, BUT you are asking the impossible to try to get a caterer to replicate something gramma made for you when you were ten years old. Taste buds change; tastes mature. Even if gramma were here to whip up a batch of whatever it was, it wouldn't taste the same to your adult palate.
6. Remember that a caterer is just that: a caterer. Talented as they undoubtedly are, they are not wedding planners. They don't create the agenda, they fit into yours.
7. It's your agenda: Stick to it! When you give the caterer a start time for the meal, that's when it will be ready. If you and your guests linger for an hour before sitting to eat, the food will not be as fresh as it was an hour before.
8. Caterers are not keen on DIY food production. What if the home-made confection flops? Caterers get referrals when people like what they see and taste. They lose possible business if they present something less than polished. They are not being petty to refuse to accommodate Aunt Melinda's famous truffle trifle, they are concerned for their professional reputation.
Treat your caterer with respect, give them the facilities and the space to create something wonderful -- and they will!
4. If you ask for several proposals, do let the unsuccessful candidates know they're out of the running. Proposals can take hours to put together; it is only polite to let them know the outcome of this work.
5. Don't ask the impossible. Weddings are a time of great sentiment and many traditions, BUT you are asking the impossible to try to get a caterer to replicate something gramma made for you when you were ten years old. Taste buds change; tastes mature. Even if gramma were here to whip up a batch of whatever it was, it wouldn't taste the same to your adult palate.
6. Remember that a caterer is just that: a caterer. Talented as they undoubtedly are, they are not wedding planners. They don't create the agenda, they fit into yours.
7. It's your agenda: Stick to it! When you give the caterer a start time for the meal, that's when it will be ready. If you and your guests linger for an hour before sitting to eat, the food will not be as fresh as it was an hour before.
8. Caterers are not keen on DIY food production. What if the home-made confection flops? Caterers get referrals when people like what they see and taste. They lose possible business if they present something less than polished. They are not being petty to refuse to accommodate Aunt Melinda's famous truffle trifle, they are concerned for their professional reputation.
Treat your caterer with respect, give them the facilities and the space to create something wonderful -- and they will!
What's in a name?
Dress of the day: Anastasia by Maggie Sottero
Unusual wedding cakes from Dragons and Daffodils
