Hosting an event can be a lot of fun. It can also be very stressful if you try to do everything yourself.
That’s why it’s a great idea to consider hiring a caterer to handle all of the food aspects of your event. Doing so will take a lot off your shoulders and ensure that all of your guests are happy with what you’re serving.
The next time you host an event, consider going with a BBQ theme. No matter what time of year it is, and no matter where you’re located, BBQ is a style of food that offers tremendous flavors and a lot of comfort as well.
Below, we’ll discuss some of the things you need to consider when hiring a BBQ catered event for your next gathering.
Before you can get to the catering aspect of your event, you first need to do some pre-planning. Determining the number of guests you’re going to invite will ensure you get an accurate estimate that you can provide to your caterer.
It’s important to include in your headcount any other vendors or staff who will be attending the event. They deserve a delicious meal as well.
When planning your menu, consider any dietary restrictions or preferences of those on your guest list. You want to make sure that you’re offering something for everyone, and particularly taking into consideration any allergies or other restrictions such as whether someone follows a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Of course, selecting a date and time that works best for you, your guests and your caterer is extremely important. Unless the event itself is a celebration of a particular holiday, you want to select a date and time that doesn’t conflict with other people’s celebrations, or isn’t being held at the same time as another major event that your guests might want to attend.
Don’t forget to consider potential weather conditions, including the time of year, if your event is going to be held outdoors.
Now that those basics are out of the way, it’s time to start searching for local BBQ caterers.
The first thing you should analyze is whether the caterer has experience in BBQ and has a good reputation in the community. Make sure to check online reviews, and ask for referrals from friends, family members and colleagues who you trust.
You should create a list of potential caterers that might work for you, and gather their contact information so you can begin to gain more information.
Catering isn’t a one-size-fits-all service. Each individual caterer may offer different catering options for the food itself, and how they handle delivery.
There are two main types of catering.
Full-service catering includes setup of the food and drinks, service to your guests and cleanup when everything is done. Drop-off catering includes the delivery of all food, drinks and utensils, but not service of cleanup.
BBQ catering specialists offer customized BBQ menus and services, which can add a nice touch and change-of-pace for your event.
When talking with potential caterers, you want to ask about what package deals they offer, if any, and if they have any discounts for large events. To get a full picture of your catering expenses, you want to consider the cost of food, labor and equipment. Also make sure to ask whether the caterer charges any additional fees that aren’t on the menu.
The menu is one of the most important aspects of a catered event. If the food isn’t good and isn’t diverse, then it’s likely to result in an event that guests won’t remember rather than won’t forget.
When speaking to prospective caterers, ask whether you are able to customize the menu to fit the theme or style of your event, or whether you have to choose from a pre-selected menu.
When making choices, consider offering a variety of traditional BBQ favorites such as beef brisket, pulled pork and collard greens. While a lot of the focus will be on the BBQ meats and main dishes, don’t forget to also ask about the options for sides, desserts and beverages.
Two major aspects of catering are logistics and timing. If the delivery isn’t done on time, and if everything isn’t set up and ready for the delivery, things can go south quickly.
Ask about what options your caterer has for delivery and setup, including specific timing and logistical aspects. Ensure that your caterer has all the necessary equipment and utensils.
If it’s within your budget, hiring a catering team to handle all the setup, serving and cleanup can make your event run smoothly from start to finish.
While the food is a main aspect of any event, it’s not the only thing you should focus on. Consider adding special touches that fit in with the theme of the food, such as southern hospitality touches or offering Texas toast.
Check to see whether your caterer can add any other special touches to customize the event to fit your theme and/or style. It’s also great to add other personal touches such as live music and a photo booth, both of which can take your event to the next level.
When hiring a caterer, you want to make sure that they are on top of communication. You want to ensure that you have a clear understanding of the order you are placing and all the details of it.
Question prospective caterers about their communication protocols and timelines for different aspects of what they’re responsible for. Also never be afraid to ask any questions that you might have, or express any concerns you might have.
Events can get costly, and expenses can add up quickly if you aren’t on top of them from the beginning. That’s why it’s so important to understand the total all-in cost of the catering service.
In addition to factoring in the cost of food and labor, you also want to figure out whether there will be any costs to you related to equipment. Ask whether there will be additional fees or charges, such as delivery and/or setup fees.
Find out if the caterer offers different payment options, as well as what the specific timeliness related to that are.
When evaluating the reputation of caterers, there are a number of things you should check. It’s a good idea to start with referrals from friends, family members or colleagues you trust.
You can then supplement those suggestions with online reviews and ratings, which will provide you a glimpse of what the caterer’s reputation might be from people you don’t even know.
You might want to even check with local business organizations or the Better Business Bureau to see what the feedback is. Of course, it’s important to get a good feel for the business yourself by having conversations with them and then sampling their food before making your choice.
When you’re planning an event, it’s also vital that you consider food safety and handling. When you’re vetting prospective caterers, ask them what their protocols are for these things.
Ensure that the caterer you choose has the proper food handling and storage procedures in place so no one gets sick. You can even ask whether the business has any food safety certifications or provides food safety training for their employees.
Once you’ve settled on a caterer, you want to do some final checks to ensure everything is in order. This starts by reviewing and confirming all details of your order, including the menu, timing, logistics and who’s responsible for what.
It’s important to have a clear understanding of the catering service you are paying for and what you can expect. Before the event begins, don’t hesitate to ask any questions or express any concerns you may have.
This will ensure that your event goes off smoothly, and all of your guests are happy.
For your next event, consider working with Abbey’s Real Texas BBQ. We provide authentic Texas BBQ that is unmatched, as we use traditional methods and equipment to cook delicious food.We also have years of experience providing BBQ catering to all different types of events, from corporate events, to family get-togethers to weddings. For more information, please contact us today.
