If you’re in charge of planning a large party or corporate event, hiring a local catering company is the best way to make sure your guests have plenty to eat and drink. But before you choose the caterers and bring them on-site, there are several steps you should take to ensure everything goes smoothly.

How to Work With a Local Catering Service

1. Ask If They Can Accommodate Dietary Restrictions

It’s important to have food options suitable for everyone at your event, including vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-intolerant guests. Ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions (you can include the question in the RSVP card or form), then make sure the caterers you hire can accommodate these special requests.

Have the alternative options you decide on written out clearly in the contract along with other details and requirements of the job.

2. Set Staff Arrival & Departure Times

Your contract should also include arrival and departure times for all members of the catering team, including cooks, bartenders, and wait staff.

Make sure time is included before the party starts to account for food and bar prep. If food is being prepared off-site, it should be delivered with enough time for you and/or your workers to lay it out and add any finishing touches.

3. Confirm Payment Method & Gratuities

It’s wise to confirm the total sum for services and your planned payment method when you hire a local catering company. You should also confirm if you need to leave a tip, as some caterers include gratuity fees in their service contracts.

If this is not the case, it’s wise to figure out how you plan to calculate tips ahead of time. You can tip at a rate of 15 to 20 percent based on the total bill, for example, or provide individual tips to each member of the catering team.

If you’re looking for a local catering company for your next party or corporate event, get in touch with Lother’s Catering. Serving the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas for more than four decades, they provide a wide range on-site and off-site catering services, as well as a broad selection of menu items suitable for any meal and occasion. Visit their website to learn more or call (859) 689-4030 to speak with a caterer today.