Frequently Asked Questions
What
does being a custom, full-service, caterer
mean?
As a custom caterer
we create seasonal menus appropriate to our
client's taste preferences, budget demands
and theme considerations. Our "sample
menus" are only an initial indication
of our repertoire. As a full-service caterer,
we can plan and coordinate all aspects of
your affair. Our event proposal will encompass
all other aspects beyond food and beverage,
including all rentals, decorations, site
selection and layout, lighting, tenting,
valet parking and more.
What
is the process for planning an event?
After your initial
contact with our office, you will be sent
general catering information and sample menus
appropriate for your type of event. After
reviewing this information, call to arrange
an appointment with your event planner. Your
event planner will then guide you through
the planning process, culminating in a custom
proposal for your event.
How
far do you travel to cater an event?
We cater state-wide,
as well as in surrounding states. In this
period of rising gasoline prices, a fuel
surcharge applies to all events and will
be included in your proposal. Please note
too that labor costs will increase with increased
travel time. More distant events may also
involve special truck or van rental fees.
What
size of events do you cater?
When
do I need to reserve a date on your calendar?
As soon as you have
a specific date in mind, contact us to reserve
that date on our calendar. Some events are
booked a year in advance! Normally, we need
10 days advance notice to plan an event,
although some can be arranged in less time.
A $100.00 "save the date" deposit
will hold a date in advance of our custom
proposal. This deposit is non-refundable
if you chose not to proceed with your event.
Otherwise, it will be deducted from your
final bill.
How
do I make a reservation?
Can
you recommend a site for my party? How much
extra will it cost me?
We are an approved
caterer at virtually all off-premise catering
sites in the area. Different sites are unequally
suited for any given affair and, understandably,
have different rates or fees for use. Reservations
for any site must be made well in advance
of your event. We are happy to recommend
an appropriate site for your event. Site
reservation must be made directly by the
client.
I
may need a tent. Can you provide one?
We can arrange a tent
rental for your every need. When a tent is
used, we plan and diagram its orientation
at your site, table placements within, etc.
Typically, rental companies for tents bill
the client directly and require a 50% deposit
before installation.
I
would like to have an event with a specific
theme. Do you supply decorations and other
items to suit the theme I have in mind?
Your event planner
can coordinate all aspects of your party
to suit a particular theme you have in mind.
Our approach is all-inclusive. From a custom
menu to style of food presentations, from
table settings (chairs, linen, china, serving
pieces, flowers, etc.) to site development
(enclosures, props, walkways, lighting, plants,
etc.), our award-winning custom catering
and décor services can surpass your
wildest dreams! From the smallest aspect
of your vision to large-scale prop construction
and dramatic visual effects, we direct all
our efforts to your wishes in creating and
staging a truly unforgettable affair.
Some
of my guests are vegetarian. How will you
accommodate them?
We are happy to provide
vegetarian or other dietetic menu choices
as needed to please your guests. Special
meals are normally billed at the regular
menu rates.
I'm
not too confident when it comes to selecting
the best wines for my party. How can you
help me?
Our wine director is
exceptionally talented in matching wine to
food and can recommend or select for you
the best wine in your price range. Our wine
prices (per bottle) are highly competitive
and we offer the added advantage of charging
you only for bottles opened, with no left-over,
unused inventory.
Can
you recommend a baker for a wedding cake?
Yes. Our Pastry Chef
will be happy to make a custom-designed cake
for your wedding. A sampling of some of her
creations is shown under “Catering
Services”. We can schedule a consultation
with her at your convenience to discuss your
preferences, etc. We also have several contacts
in the area we recommend highly. In addition,
whether provided by us or someone else, no
special labor charges apply for cutting and
serving the wedding cake..
Do
you provide flowers?
We can order appropriate
floral arrangements within your budget or
can assist you in coordinating all floral
decisions. We work with many prominent florists
in the area. Most florists bill directly
to the client.
Do
you provide entertainment services?
No. But we can suggest
a wide range of musicians and other entertainment
resource references available in the area
What
beverage services do you provide?
Full bar services can
be provided for parties large and small.
By State Law we can only serve mixed drinks
when the client supplies the liquor. We can
recommend how much liquor to purchase for
any given event. With the exception of liquor,
we provide all other beverage needs. Beverage
costs themselves are billed by number of
bottles opened. We do charge a corking fee
when we serve wine or beer supplied by the
client. There are no other special surcharges
for bartending when we serve mixed drinks
or other specialty beverages supplied by
the client.
Can
I provide my own beverages?
Yes you can provide
your own beverages. We charge a corking fee
for alcoholic beverages: $3.00 per 750 ml
bottle of wine, $ .50 per bottle of beer.
Most clients find that unless they are getting
a very good discount on the wine they are
providing it is more reasonable and less
work to get their beverages from us.
Do
you provide shuttle service or valet parking?
Yes. These services
are contracted through independent service
agencies. We are happy to coordinate these
services for your event.
What
can I expect to see in your proposal?
Our event proposals
itemize cost estimates per person for food
and beverage in addition to cost estimates
for labor, rentals, linens, etc. Changes
in the final guest count as calculated on
our proposal may affect stated cost estimates.
How
are labor costs determined?
All service labor is
billed by the hour, excluding deliveries.
Wait staff labor is billed at a minimum of
5 hours per wait, per event. Kitchen labor,
including lead chef and dish staff, are billed
only for service hours provided. Labor cost
estimates in our proposals normally include
travel time between our facility and the
event site.
Are
any gratuities included in either my proposal
or final bill?
Gratuities are wholly
at the discretion of the client and are never
included in our proposal or on our invoice.
When
do I need to decide on a final guest count?
What happens if that number goes up or down
shortly before or the day of the event?
We require your final
minimum guest count five (5) business days
in advance of your event. This number will
be used to establish ordering quantities
for food, rentals, numbers of staff, etc.
After this final guaranteed minimum number
is given, we will make every effort to accommodate
increases to your final count made within
three (3) business days of your event, but
we cannot lower your final count for billing
purposes after the first deadline.
Do
you have a contract? What does it include?
Our catering contract
is as follows:
TERMS & CONDITIONS: Signatures
below acknowledge that
The Catering Company will
provide catering services
as specifically detailed
in the proposal above.
Food and Equipment Rental
costs listed in this proposal
are estimates only and
may vary as the details
of the event change, Beverage
and Labor estimates may
also vary (see above notes).
Changes to the above information
are possible and will be
agreed upon by the client
and a representative of
The Catering Company no
later than five (5) business
days prior to your event.
Your final guest count is due five (5) business days
prior to your event and will not be decreased after
this date for final billing purposes by The Catering
Company. The final guest count may be raised no later
than three (3) business days prior to your event. In
the event of a necessary increase within three days
of your event, our staff will make all possible arrangements
to accomodate additional guests, however additional
service fees may apply in the form of vendor delivery
fees and food procurement and preparation fees. The
client will be financially responsible for any increased
cost for rush orders required to acquire products or
services necessary to accommodate increases in the
final count made less than three (3) business days
prior to your event.
A fifty percent (50%) deposit is required upon signature
of this contract to secure our services for this event,
with the balance due upon receipt of final invoice.
All credit card payments (MC, VISA, AMEX) will incur
an appropriate service fee.
In the event of cancellation or re-scheduling, the
client agrees to remit for any irretrievable material
and production costs incurred for the event.
Do
you carry liability insurance?
Yes. A Certificate
of Liability Insurance can be provided to
you if necessary.
Do
you require a deposit?
We typically request
a deposit of 50% of the total cost estimate
presented in our proposal when a contract
is finalized. Corporate and University clients
may qualify for a deposit waiver. Credit
card deposits incur an additional service
fee.
Do
you accept credit cards?
We accept VISA, MasterCard
and American Express credit cards as well
as payment by check. Credit card payments
incur a service fee (please ask your event
planner). An itemized invoice with a balance
due (minus any deposits and including any
credit card service fees) will be sent to
you within a short period of time after your
event.
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