What your Caterer can do for you!
HOW MUCH SERVICE ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

Generally, caterers provide food. This is the simplified version. Actually, most caterers provide food and the immediate services and equipment required to serve this food. But increasingly, caterers are becoming more "event-savvy", and are providing a wider array of services. How can you maximize your caterer's services? What can a caterer do for me?

Venue Search:
The most overlooked service that your caterer can provide is the one that can launch your event: The search for a venue. If you are looking for that "perfect place", your caterer will be able to find the ideal venue for you. Most caterers are intimately familiar with Toronto's best venues, and they can quickly suggest the one that will match your taste, requirements and budget. This translates to huge time savings, and best of all--It's free!

Rentals and Décor:
On top of the standard table, chair and glassware rental, most caterers are also knowledgeable about other decorative rental items. Although the rental industry has matured over the past ten years, offering both great selection and huge inventories, a growing number of specialized companies have surfaced (i.e. linens, specialty bars, china, candles, etc.) The skills and strengths of a good caterer is to know about everything available and to suggest the best available selection from the many diverse suppliers. Caterers know where to go to source specialty items, and can, with a little finesse, turn a reception into a Special Event! Also, ordering rental equipment is an art in itself, as the right number of each item can ensure a seamless event. On site, the caterer will also take responsibility, so you are not running around at the last minute worrying about details! Specialty décor items such as lighting, flowers, props and furniture are also a no-brainer, as your caterer will know what needs highlighting and how much space you have to work with. You can leave all the worries to them and enjoy your event!

Staffing:
Your caterer will hire professional staff for your event. The quality and caliber of service provided today has greatly improved over the past few years, and the sign of a good caterer is their ability to match the best staff with the intricacies of the event, and to book sufficient staff for the event. By allowing your caterer to provide this service, they will take responsibility if there is an unforeseen issue (i.e. staff does not show up due to illness). They are acutely aware of the strengths of the people they employ, and, as the service staff works frequently with the caterer, they are mindful of the caterer's food, set-up, service and take-down expectations. Help from well-meaning volunteers and/or children is also an issue that often arises, and while the idea is admirable, it does not often work out in the best interests of your event (although it does look cute when little Mary wants to serve the hors d'oeuvres!). Caterers are understandably reluctant to become involved with such assistance due to a lack of experience and also increasingly strict liability issues.

Event Co-Ordination:
Anyone who has ever planned an event knows: It is a LOT of work! One of the most common pitfalls at events is how the control of the event is managed. As the client, you have done an amazing job at selecting the very best suppliers and sharing your visions with them. However, on the day of the event, many questions arise as the many unfamiliar (with each other) suppliers arrive to set up their work, and their creations. Event set-up can be likened to an orchestra where the conductor is the client and the musicians are the suppliers. When the client is unavailable to answer questions or is socializing with their guests, the chaos begins and the orchestra loses its direction. The result is a less-than-perfect symphony! All the good will and research at gathering the best suppliers is wasted as there is no supervision at this critical time during set-up, and often the outcome is a less-than-perfect event. There are two ways in which to avoid potential disaster: The easiest way is to allow the caterer to subcontract the "players" in your event from the outset. This way, there is a clear line of control, eliminating the opportunity for chaos, or; If you choose to hire your own suppliers, consider hiring an Event Planner who will supervise and coordinate the details on your behalf. The result will be a smooth-running event that mirrors your original vision.

In closing, the goal of hiring a caterer is to "Be a Guest at your own Party" so allowing them to do what they do best, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the event, your guests and the whole experience. Let the caterer handle all the details, while you accept the compliments of your happy guests!