Planning catering for a special event can feel like a huge undertaking, and you don’t even have to prepare the food! Getting the right kind of meal, making sure there are options for everyone, and being sure to order enough food are all considerations swirling around in your head as you try to plan the rest of the event. Catering will stress you out if you let it. Instead of doing that, use this list of 5 catering do’s and don’ts to help you gameplan for your next event.
1. Do Get a Head Count as Early as Possible
This is one of the biggest ways you can relieve stress for yourself during the planning process. The earlier you have a headcount, the earlier you can start dialing in your catering plans. Once you have your final headcount, order a little more than you think you’ll need, just in case. The headcount you have may not match the number of people that show up to the event, but by ordering a little extra, you can be prepared.
2. Do Request Food Allergy Information Ahead of Time
This is an absolute must when planning catering. Food allergies vary widely in their severity, and the last thing you want is for your event’s catering to cause a problem. When you get food allergy information ahead of time, you can let your caterer know, and they can be sure to take appropriate caution when preparing the food.
3. Do Decide on a Tone for Your Event
Often times, the tone of the event you’re catering will dictate what kind of food you should serve. You want to be sure the food matches the nature of the event, and that your accompanying decorations and flatware match as well. That’s not to say that you have to theme your event like a high school prom, but rather, if you’re going to serve chicken cordon bleu, you should probably have something nicer than paper plates to serve it on.
4. Don’t Order Something You Know You Don’t Need
In an effort to make sure you don’t run out of food or find yourself scrambling during the event, it can be tempting to over order — not just in quantity, but in variety as well. There’s a difference between ordering a little more than you need based on your headcount and ordering items that you don’t need. Complicating the catering order leaves more room for something to go wrong!
5. Do Let Dunn Brothers Coffee Help You with Catering for Your Next Event
Okay, so this one is a little biased, but we’re ready to help you with catering for your next special occasion. Dunn Brothers Coffee has a wide variety of sandwiches, wraps, and pastries that you can order to really make your next event pop. Of course, we also have a wide selection of delicious coffees for your guests as well. To learn about all of our catering selections, contact Dunn Brothers Coffee in Coralville, IA at 319-665-2020.