Everyone wants to choose the best caterer for their party or wedding reception.  There are many excellent caterers and some who are not so reliable.  The size of the catering company has nothing to do with the taste of their food nor the quality of their service. It's been a few decades since my husband and I married but we still remember the delicious food at our wedding reception.  The catering company was a small family operation but their food was the absolute best.

Here are some tips to help you choose the best caterer for your special occasion.

As you visit different hotels and reception halls to decide where you will have your special occasion, one of the questions that should be asked is whether they insist on using their in-house caterer or if you will be allowed to choose whomever you prefer.  Many places will not allow an outside caterer on the property as much of their profit comes from in-house catering.

If the place you are considering does insist on their own in-house caterer, then review the menu to see if it is what you really want to serve to your guests.  If not, then move on to the next place on your list. 

However, if the menu does seem to be acceptable, then make an appointment for a taste test of the exact foods that will be served to your guests.  Some caterers have a standard group of samples and they may not include what you have chosen to have catered.  This is why you need to insist that the exact menu be tasted.  The food has to be fantastic if you want people to enjoy themselves and talk about your party.

Request a written quote from two or three catering companies that you have taste tested and liked the food.  When examining the quotes make sure that every food item is listed and in the correct quantities, that the caterer is not reserving the right to substitute different foods, that the prices are acceptable, that the date and time of the special event are correct, and that there are no hidden fees.  Read the cancellation policy in case you need to change the date or completely cancel the event.  Remember that the caterer works for you so get a contract that is agreeable to you. 

Get a copy of the caterer's liability insurance or you will be stuck paying for all injuries and illness.  Remember that there will be electrical cords running across the floor to keep the food hot in the warming trays and these are trip hazards.  Also, there is the possibility of someone having an allergic reaction or some other problem with the food and deciding to sue in court for medical expenses. 

The next step is to check with the Better Business Bureau to see how many complaints have been filed against the caterer and whether these complaints were resolved.  A caterer, or any company for that matter, who does not address complaints and make an effort to resolve the issue is not someone to do business with.  Complaints that have been resolved are a sign that management does care about their reputation.

Hopefully these tips will help you with choosing the best caterer for your party.  Here are a few other hubs that relate to entertaining: