Baltimore Wedding Caterer Tips: What to Ask Before You Book
Baltimore wedding caterer Jerry Edwards, CPCE of Chef’s Expressions, shares expert tips to help couples prepare for their first catering consultation. With decades of experience creating unforgettable culinary experiences, Chef’s Expressions knows that the best events start with well-informed clients. Their team has helped countless couples and hosts relax and enjoy their celebration, knowing their guests are in the hands of professionals delivering exceptional cuisine and service.
Photo credit: Chef’s Expressions/Rachel Smith Photography
Baltimore Wedding Caterer Checklist for Your Initial Consult
Hiring a Baltimore wedding caterer can feel overwhelming, especially with so much information online and so many options to choose from. While internet sites may offer tips, we find that a little extra guidance goes a long way when planning. Here are seven essential questions to keep in mind when interviewing catering companies.
Ask These 7 Questions Before You Book Your Caterer
1. How many other weddings or events is your caterer involved with on your event date?
Unlike many caterers, we limit our calendar to ensure that each event receives the full attention of our staff. We don’t believe that a smaller event should suffer when a date or weekend is crowded with other events. Therefore, we do our best to only schedule three to four events on the same day depending on the size of the event and needs of each client.
2. Who from your caterer’s team and culinary staff will be on hand to manage your event?
It’s Chef’s Expressions policy to have a strong team at each event. It is the hands on approach from our Event Design Consultants, Event Specialists, Supervisors, and Culinary team who oversee the event preparation and execution and allow for a flawless event for you and your guests.
3. What is the service staff to guest ratio and bartender to guest ratio?
Chef’s Expressions assigns staff based on the size and complexity of each event. Couples typically determine this after choosing their venue and finalizing the flow of the event. Typically, we assign one server per every two tables, and one bartender and chef per every 50 guests. This allows all guests to receive service within a comfortable time frame. Additionally, this ratio ensures a tidier event and helps keep setup. Finally, it keeps clean up costs to a minimum.
4. Is the food prepared on-site, or is it cooked elsewhere and brought to the venue to be reheated and served?
Chef’s Expressions prepares every dish from scratch and cooks it to order, à la minute, to ensure each guest enjoys an exceptional experience. Because food only peaks once, we make sure it’s at its most flavorful the moment it’s served. If your venue does not have a kitchen, we bring all the appropriate equipment to make the food preparation and service seamless.
5. Does your caterer utilize strictly seasonal and farm fresh menu items, or do they use frozen and pre-prepared products?
First, Chef’s Expressions uses the freshest, highest quality and sustainable food. We take every opportunity to utilize locally grown produce and proteins and never use any frozen or canned products. In addition, our Pastry Chef, David Brooks, makes all of our breads, pastries, and cakes from scratch. Additionally, we source organic herbs and edible flowers to accent each plate.. This ensures that your preparations are the best and most flavorful to create a memorable culinary experience for you and your guests.
6. Does the caterer employ their own staff or do they outsource from an agency?
Chef’s Expressions carefully recruits, hires and trains our own staff to ensure friendly, graceful and discreet service. We believe that service is essential to the success of your event. In fact, it is just as important as the food. Certainly, we would not trust your happiness to a temporary staff from an agency.
7. Above and beyond menu and planning logistics, how will your caterer provide a unique experience for your family and your guests?
Finally, Chef’s Expressions custom designs each of our events. In addition, our Event Design Consultants work intimately with you to make certain that your special day is flawlessly memorable. Our talented culinary staff combined with our organized operational team ensures a safe, healthy and memorable experience. Our clients consistently tell us that our comprehensive approach to their planning exceeds their highest expectations.
Helpful Hint: Be certain that your caterer is fully licensed and insured.
Chef’s Expressions carries full licensing and insurance to meet the maximum liability requirements for serving food and alcohol at off-premise events. The enjoyment, comfort and safety of you and your guests is paramount.
