How to Avoid the Wrong Catering Company

Written by Christian Franco

You can’t have a party without good food! If you’re organizing a special event, chances are you will need to hire a catering company to provide good food and drinks for your guests. But finding the right catering company is easier said than done. With so many event and wedding caterers in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, it’s hard to know which one will provide you with the best-quality food at the right price. While many catering companies might be known for gourmet meals, the price points might be way out of your budget.

However, going with a cheap catering company might end up costing you more down the line. What if the food turns out bad and your guests are disappointed? To avoid ending up with low-quality food and service, follow these tips on how to avoid the wrong catering company.

Taste the Food

It seems obvious, but many party planners forget to taste the food before they book a catering company. Just because a menu has everything you want on paper doesn’t mean the food will taste good or will be made with high-quality ingredients. Before you book a catering company, make an appointment to taste the different foods. Tasting the food beforehand will give you confidence on the day of the party. Avoid catering companies that don’t offer tasting appointments.

Experience Matters

While on the hunt for a good catering company, narrow your search to the ones with the most experience. A new catering company might not have the same quality or experience as a seasoned company in the industry. They also might not be well equipped to handle last minute issues and challenges that often arise during events. Find out how long the company has been in business and how many events they have actually catered.

Watch out for Set Menus

Part of planning a wedding or special event is getting to choose the types of food at the party. A catering company should be flexible with meal choices and menus for special events. However, there are many catering companies that do not offer customized menus. Going with a company that has set menus with no room for variety is a bad idea because you can’t personalize your special event. Adding a personal touch to the menu and décor is what allows you to reflect your personal taste and style.