Saving Money on Catering
There
are several ways that you can save money when looking for services for your
special event.
Service Level
Self Service Catering - Consider picking the food up directly from the
catering company. This will help reduce costs by eliminating the need
to pay staffing and delivery charges.
Drop Off Catering - Another option is to have the catering company
just drop off the food. There will be a delivery charge for this.
You then have your own staff or volunteers do the set up, service and clean
up. Simply, return any equipment that you rented to the catering
company the next day.
Full Service Catering - This by far can be the most expensive.
The catering company takes care of everything. For certain events,
this is the best way to go. Especially, if the event is complex and
large. Professional catering companies just make it happen. They
do this all the time. Get a good one!
Type of Menu
Not all
menus are created equal. Selecting an Hors D 'Oeuvre menu can be
almost expensive or more that a buffet dinner. It depends upon the
menu items and quantities. Catering companies have basic menus. You
can always as for fancier or to add other components into the mix to give a
little more variety.
Build Your
Own Sandwich - This sounds like a great idea, but can drive costs up
quickly. Premade sandwiches or box lunches most often will help to
contain costs.
Meatballs
- Probably one of the most economical and best values if it is priced
correctly. They can be eaten with a tooth pick in one bite or two.
Chicken
Wings - Sounds great and they are popular for some events. Stay
away from these for weddings.
Baked Beans
- These are on almost every company picnic menu. Quite frankly
depending upon the part of the country (and the recipe) these are not always
so popular. If they are on a menu and not your favorite, ask to have
something else as a substitute, such as Dixie cups for desert.
Portions
Seafood - No matter how many prawns on ice you order, they will all get
eaten. Same goes for the rest of the ocean. Save on food cost by
having these as a passed item for a short while instead of help yourself on
the buffet.
Contact a local catering company and inquire about the types of events they
have done. Be sure to ask what their specialty is and request a
tasting. Also, find out what size of events the catering company has
done. Make sure they can handle your business.
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