Food is a major contributor to the success of an event. Whether it’s a company celebration or an executive-level meeting, catering services make it easy to take productivity and morale to the next level. Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do when working with your caterer to ensure all your guests are pleased and everything goes smoothly. 

Do:

Provide choices.

Everyone has unique preferences and dietary restrictions, so provide some options without overcomplicating the catering menu. You can do this by offering a few universally liked main dishes alongside two or three dessert options. Whenever possible, offer vegetarian and gluten-free options to include those with dietary needs. 

Order enough food.

Nothing will deflate an event like running out of food. Tell your catering team how many guests you expect to have, and keep that number on the high end when in doubt. They can recommend how much food you’ll need depending on the type of meal you’re providing and your headcount. 

Don’t:

Sign without reading.

Your catering services will prepare a contract for you, so read it over carefully before signing. The contract should outline all costs, dates, timelines, and detail exactly what they’ll provide. Ask any questions you have up front so you know precisely what to expect from them. This careful discussion at the beginning of your relationship will avoid any complications or confusion in the future. 

Make last-minute changes.

Once you’ve finalized everything with your catering services, it becomes difficult for them to make changes. They will have made preparations for your food and allotted staff accordingly. Prevent the need for last-minute curveballs by having your guests RSVP early and provide details about dietary restrictions or preferences. Plan your venue and event timeline early on so the caterers will know when and where you need them. 

You have a lot of options when selecting catering services, so choose a team with experience and a good reputation. Corporate Caterers - Tampa has been providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner food catering for more than 20 years throughout the Hillsborough County, FL, area. With menus available for events of all sizes, they’ll handle delivery, setup, and cleanup for you. They have vegetarian and gluten-free dishes available. Get more information on their website and call (844) 204-0174 for more information.