Essential tips for hiring BBQ catering services

If you are planning an event and you intend to hire a BBQ caterer to add some tasty meat to your cooking list, the following tips will help you easily find the right supplier.

How to find the right barbecue catering service

Finding a great barbecue caterer starts with a little research and asking the right questions. You can start your research by asking friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations. Make sure you get the names of at least three caterers. Get connected, check out their websites, read reviews from past clients, and compare their quotes.

Contact each of the listed caterers and speak with them by phone. See how they communicate with you. It is important to hire catering service providers that are easy to communicate with. Make sure you ask them the right questions before finally opting for one.

The following are the key questions to consider before hiring any barbecue caterer:

How many guests will attend your event?

You must decide how many guests you want to see at your event. You can decide to admit guests strictly by invitation or to open the event for friends and family. Consider the size of your expected guests before hiring any vendor.

How long have you been in the BBQ catering business?

Not all events are exactly the same. It is important to hire a barbecue caterer that has the experience of taking care of your guests’ appetites. Ask your potential caterer how long they have been in business.

While the number of years that a barbecue catering service provider has been in business may not indicate the quality of the services they provide, it does give you an idea of ​​who you are dealing with and what to expect. Also, ask for references and phone numbers of at least three previous clients so you can speak with them.

What is the maximum number of guests you have attended before?

Ask the provider about the maximum number of guests they have served. Ask them without revealing the number of guests you expect at your event. The answers that caterer service providers provide will help you make an inference about their level of expertise, regardless of the statements above.

Some catering companies may respond with extremely high false numbers. Just ask them how they were able to cater to such a large audience, if they can’t convince you they are probably not an expert provider after all.

Request samples or presentation photos of previous work.

It is important to have an idea of ​​what to expect when hiring any barbecue caterer. Before hiring one, ask for samples or photos of presentation of previous work. From the presentation samples or photos, you can deduce the quality of service you can expect when you hire the supplier.

How many standby servers are provided per guest?

It is important not to keep your guests waiting before being served. Before hiring a caterer, find out how many standby servers they offer per guest. Depending on how many guests you expect at your event, you may need to make a decision that will include more servers than you actually need, all in favor of your guests.

Make sure any caterer you hire can provide the proper number of standby servers per guest. Don’t starve your guests at your event.

Ask about overtime charges

Several things happen during events, and one of them is prolonging the ongoing event beyond the expected time. As such, it is important to inquire about overtime charges before hiring any provider. Prepare for the unexpected and plan ahead. Knowing what to expect from overtime charges will make it easier to plan your event based on your budget.

What are the terms and conditions of payment?

Some barbecue catering services require a percentage of total charges before event catering. Before hiring a caterer, ask about their terms and conditions of payment. If you have a deposit to make, make sure you get a receipt after you pay.

And if you decide to hire, make sure all agreements are in writing and keep a copy for evidence. While some caterers may ask you to pay in cash, others may require payment by credit cards.

What if you have more guests than expected?

Sometimes the guests you invite may decide to come with one or more of their friends. As such, you may have more guests than you expected at your event. It is important to consider this situation before reaching an agreement with your provider.

You may not be satisfied if some of your event guests’ friends are starving while others are overfed. Make an agreement with your barbecue caterer on how to cater for unexpected guests.

After asking all the aforementioned questions and carefully considering the answers you receive, it will be absolutely easier for you to hire the right barbecue catering service provider for any event.