How To Choose The “Perfect Caterer” For Your Event
When all is said and done, the only thing people remember about a party is the food. So, having the best food and the perfect menu should be top priority for anyone planning an event. But picking a caterer isn’t as easy as picking a restaurant for lunch. There are a lot of interrelated factors at play in catering, which need to fit in seamlessly with your party. So here is a list that will give you the lowdown on all you need to know while selecting a catering service in Kolkata:
1.Popularity
Food is the hero of your event. While people often say they value quality over brand popularity, but reputation is called the backbone of any business for a reason. Unlike the social media buzz that can be created around an eatery, caterers cannot depend on the ‘cool factor’ and base their popularity entirely around the quality of food and services they provide. A popular caterer is worth splurging on subject to your budget.
2. Responsiveness
Whether you’re looking for birthday catering or wedding caterers in Kolkata, you need your team to be on their feet and ready for anything. The responsiveness of caterers is not just important for the planning phase of your party, but also indicative of how well they’ll be able to handle any hurdles that might crop up. A responsive staff will make sure that your menu is planned properly and your guests are well looked after.
3. Diversity in Cuisine
While every pub, eatery or caterer in Kolkata will have their own specialty cuisines, a competent caterer will always be equipped to accommodate the needs of any kind of party. Whether it’s a business party or wedding, authentic Indian or Pan-European, the best caterers have menu options spanning cuisines across the world. After all, if you want a wedding that serves niche choices like vegan sushi or a royal Indian feast, you should have your pick of the best.
4. Ability to Handle Specific Types of Events
Event management demands diversity and flexibility at work, food and catering being no exception to this rule. The best caterers not only deliver the best quality of food, range of options and standard of service, but can do so in a way that fits the tone and theme of the event. Whether you are throwing an elegant wedding reception or a superhero themed birthday party, the caterers should be equipped to match their menu to the tone of your party as well as be ready with appropriate uniforms for the staff, where applicable.
5. Favorable Reviews
Although popularity can be a good indication of the quality of caterers in Kolkata, fact remains that people can still be victim to the lure of a brand name without the substance to back it up. But the benefit with a popular place is that, you have plenty of resources to help you decide in the form of reviews. The best caterers are transparent and proud of the work they’ve done before. So, they will be happy to provide access to all kinds of reviews that will let you discern if they are the right fit for your event.
6. Online Enquiry System
Accessibility is everything in the digital age. And the first and easiest form of access to any service is through their website. A caterer with a good online enquiry system doesn’t just have a contact form and sample menus; they’ll have menu customization systems and a system that produces sample quotes based on your particular needs. A great example of this is 6 Ballygunge Place’s catering website, which has three of its entirely customizable menus set up in the system so you can organize your menu online and get an idea of the menu and expenses you will be arranging.
7. Sample Quotations
Budgeting is a crucial part of arranging any event and getting well thought out sample quotations for the catering at every phase of planning is a must. Not only will the initial quote for the catering play a huge role in budget allocation for the rest of the planning process but it should also be comprehensive in its own right, accounting for cuisine, number of heads, presentations and every other aspect involved.
8. Hospitality
While the catering business is all about food, that’s not the only thing that top caterers have in mind. After all, there’s so much more to a dining experience and hospitality takes a front seat in that area. The catering staff should be well-trained and receptive to the guests’ needs and wants, being able to accommodate different requirements and making the guests feel at ease.
9. Flexible Options
Set menus are part of the deal when it comes to hiring a caterer. But what sets a caterer apart is their flexibility to customize. Even with a set menu, the organizer should be able to curate the ideal menu tailored specifically for the event.
6 Ballygunge Place, the best Bengali restaurant in Kolkata has a catering service which is the perfect example of a caterer that pulls this off with élan. They have three set menus, which are customizable down to each course and its diverse dishes. After all, be it a wedding, anniversary or birthday, your event is one of a kind and its food should reflect just that.
