Planning a birthday party may be thrilling, but it has its own amount of stress, more so when it comes to food. One misstep and what should have been a celebratory day turns out to be a series of last-minute repairs.
Selecting the best birthday party catering services may ease some of the burden on your shoulders, but even then, there are certain mistakes people commit while ordering catering for birthday parties. The best part is that with a little planning and organisation, these errors can be avoided easily.
Let’s take a step-by-step look at the important things you should remember before you finalise your catering for birthday parties.
Not Finalising the Guest List in Advance
It may be obvious, but most people begin calling caterers without knowing how many guests to expect. Whether it’s a birthday for a child or a milestone event, a rough estimate of guests assists in determining the amount, type and even form of catering. Over-ordering results in wastage, and under-ordering may leave your guests starving.
Selecting the Incorrect Type of Menu
The menu also has to be in the same vein as the event and the age group of your guests. Children usually have a penchant for finger foods, desserts and other things they are used to, whereas adults may anticipate something more substantial. When choosing birthday party catering, make sure to take note of dietary restrictions, age range likes and cultural preferences. Don’t forget to enquire whether they can customise the food.
Not Discussing Setup and Cleanup
Most assume that the caterer will do everything, only to learn later that table setting or after-party cleanup is not part of the package. When ordering birthday party catering services, it is always best to enquire if their staff will take care of the whole service: setup, serving and cleaning. This prevents last-minute confusion on the party day.
Not Tasting the Food Beforehand
Menus and photographs may mislead. Another underrated step is booking a food-tasting session. This is particularly imperative when testing a new catering company. A tasting provides you with insight into flavour, size and appearance, which could be totally different from what’s described in the brochure.
Booking Too Late or Too Early
Others book in advance without having a venue finalised or an idea of guest numbers. Others wait until the last minute to make a caterer booking, discovering their first choice has already been taken. The ideal time to make birthday party catering bookings is when your date, venue and guest list are fairly set up, usually 3 to 4 weeks in advance for small parties and 6 to 8 weeks in advance for big ones.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re opting for a simple home setup or a grand gathering, choosing the right catering for birthday parties with clear communication and thoughtful planning can go a long way. After all, the birthday occurs once a year, so it should be one that is fear-free and packed with flavour.
