If you are planning an event and would like to hire a barbecue catering service to add some delicious meat to your list of dishes, the tips below will help you find the right caterer with ease.
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How to find the right BBQ catering service
Finding a good BBQ catering service starts with a little research and asking the right questions. You can start your search by asking friends, family or colleagues for advice. Make sure you get at least three restaurant names. Go online, check their websites, read past customer reviews and compare their quotes.
Contact each of the listed restaurants and talk to them on the phone. Notice how they interact with you. It is important to hire restaurants that are easy to communicate with. Make sure you ask them the right questions before selecting anything.
The key questions you should consider before hiring any barbecue restaurant are:
How many guests will be at your event?
You have to make a decision about how many guests you want to see at your event. You can decide to accept guests strictly by invitation or open the event to friends and family. Consider the size of your intended guest before hiring any cooks.
How long have you been in the barbecue restaurant business?
Not all events are the same. It is important to hire a barbecue caterer who has the experience of looking after your guests. Ask your potential restaurant how long they’ve been in business.
While the number of years in the barbecue restaurateur business does not indicate the quality of the services they offer, it does give you an idea of who you are dealing with and what to expect. Also, ask for quotes and phone numbers from at least three previous customers so you can talk to them.
What is the maximum number of guests you have hosted before?
Ask the restaurant for the maximum number of guests they’ve ever hosted. Ask them without revealing the number of guests you expect at your event. The feedback provided by restaurants helps you assess their experience level, regardless of past statements.
Some restaurants may respond with very high false statistics. Ask them how they were able to serve such a large audience, and if they can’t convince you, they’re probably not an experienced restaurant.
Request samples or presentation photos of previous works
It is important to have an idea of what to expect when hiring a barbecue caterer. Before hiring anything, ask for samples or presentation photos of past jobs. You can judge the quality of service you expect when you rent a restaurant from models or presentation photos.
How many waiting servers is provided to each guest?
It is important not to wait for your guests before serving. Before hiring any cook, find out how many servers they serve per guest. Depending on the number of guests you expect at your event, you may need to make a decision on behalf of your guests that includes more servers than you actually need.
Make sure that any caterer you hire can provide the appropriate waiting servers for each guest. Do not starve your guests at your event.
Ask about extra time
Many things happen during events and one of them is an extension of an event beyond the expected time. Therefore, it is important to inquire about overtime costs before hiring any restaurateur. Get ready for the unexpected and plan ahead. If you know what to expect as an overtime cost, it’s easier to plan your event in your budget.
What are the terms and conditions of payment?
Some barbecue catering services require a full percentage before event catering. Before hiring a cook, ask for payment terms and conditions. Some require full payment. If you need to make a deposit, be sure to receive a receipt after that payment.
And if you decide to hire, make sure all the contracts are written down and keep a copy for proof. Some restaurants may ask you to pay in cash, while others require you to pay by credit card.
What if you had more guests than you expected?
Sometimes the guests you invite may decide to come with one or more of their friends. Therefore, you may have more guests than you expected at your event. It is important to consider this situation before contracting with your restaurant.
If some of your guests’ friends are hungry at your event and others are too hot
