Building a Strong Relationship With Your San Diego Caterer

How to work with a catering company

When planning your San Diego event, it is likely you will spend a large portion of your time working with and making arrangements with your caterer. Developing a strong relationship with your catering company will ensure that everything goes as planned and you and your guests will be satisfied.

When it comes time to interview potential San Diego caterers, you'll want to be sure and have a general outline of your budget laid out. Take into account potential costs and all the additional fees and extras that your particular event may require. Be sure to ask the caterer about set-up and clean-up fees as well as the venue hours your San Diego caterer will need to make certain that everything goes smoothly. You will want to be sure and taste test the caterer's food before signing them on, and always make sure that the foods you are interested in will actually be in season at the time of your event.

Once you have decided on a San Diego catering service for your event, it is a good idea to check in with the caterer a month before your event to ensure that everything is going as planned. Go over your menu again with the caterer to be sure there are no mistakes and make any last minute changes you need at this time. A week before your event, look over your current guest list to get a final head count, get in contact with anyone who has yet to accept or decline so you can be more exact.

During the event, feel free to check in with your caterer to see how things are going, or if you are directly involved in the festivities and too busy, assign someone you know and trust to keep a running check on the progress. It is good to be involved, however, try not to be too nitpicky. Your San Diego catering company has likely worked hundreds of these events so is very skilled at getting back on track if something goes wrong or is running behind schedule.

When the event has ended, consider giving the catering staff a tip as a thank you for their hard work. If you are pleased with the work of your San Diego caterer, then show your gratitude by writing up a recommendation for the company to use with future clients. If for any reason you are not satisfied with the service you received from your San Diego catering service then arrange a meeting with your caterer a few weeks after the event to discuss what went wrong. Most caterers get their business through word of mouth so are more than willing to make any necessary changes to improve their services for the customer.