If you’ve got a company party coming up and you’re in charge of booking the office catering, you’ve got a very important job!

Of course, decorations and music are important parts of creating a fun atmosphere. But, everyone knows that food is the most important part of any company event!

But what should you look for when you’re in need of a catering for your next office party or get-together? And how will you know a good catering company when you find one?

Take the following tips into consideration when you’re looking for office catering for your next company party.

Consider Your Budget

Before you even begin the process of choosing an office catering company, you have to have a solid budget in mind.

The first step is knowing ahead of time how much money your company is able to spend on everything. This includes the event venue, the decor, the music or DJ, and the catering service combined.

This will save you time and hassle by avoiding meeting with catering companies that are too expensive.

Choose an Office Catering Company That Can Accommodate Your Headcount

Keep in mind that not every catering company can accommodate a large gathering. If you have hundreds of people to feed, you’ll want to search for office catering that has experience feeding bigger groups.

You don’t need an exact number of attendees before approaching a catering company, but you do need to give them an approximate headcount. This way you’ll know which catering companies you should seek out and which are more suited for smaller events.

Look for a Catering Company with a Variety of Food Options

The best catering companies offer lots of choices when it comes to their entrees, hors-d’oeuvres, and desserts. The office catering company you want to hire can create a variety of options that suit the dietary needs and desires of all your guests.

Make your event special by looking for a catering company that can take on any event and can match the food accordingly, whether it’s for a holiday party, conference event, or fancy gala.

Before you book a caterer, meet with them to discuss their menu options to see if it coincides with what you have in mind for your gathering.

Find a Flexible Company

To help your event go over smoothly, find a catering company that’s flexible both with menu options and timing.

Look for a caterer who listens well to your unique needs and is willing to work with your specifications. Some catering companies specialize in a certain type of cuisine, but others are more flexible in what they can cook for your event.

Though nearly every catering company has a standard menu that they use, there are some that are willing to customize their choices to fit client requirements. These are the companies you most want to consider.

Even if your budget constraints require you to go for a less expensive caterer, just be sure to look for a catering company that is experienced and comes with positive recommendations from past clients.

Pick a Place That Offers Samples

A good catering company should be more than willing to offering you samples of the food that you’re considering. After all, how will you know which company to go with and if the food fits the bill unless you’re able to try out the goods?

A catering company that’s hesitant to offer a sampling of their dishes is probably not worth the bother. In fact, you should be able to try out all the food that you plan on serving at your event before you sign an agreement with a caterer.

Once you’ve tried the food and determined if it’s good or not, you can move forward planning how much to order for each item you sampled.

Decide If You Want a Bar as Well

Many corporate parties and events have an open bar so guests can enjoy drinks throughout the course of the evening. Having a bar will depend on the type of gathering you’re planning.

If you’re having employees meet together during the day to discuss future goals, a bar might not be appropriate. But if you’re hosting a fundraiser or a holiday party, you might want to include a bar.

Deciding which catering company to choose will depend on your desire to have a bar. Some catering companies don’t even offer one as part of their packages so be sure to ask ahead of time.

If you want to have an open bar at your company party, make sure you know the cost and what kind of drinks are included.

Opt for an All-Inclusive Contract

Before you agree to do business with an office catering company, ask for an all-inclusive contract that makes all the terms and conditions very clear. This should include any additional pricing that you need to be aware of or any cancellation fees.

You might want to even take things a step further and hire an attorney to look over the contract before you sign it.

Be aware of any extra details included on the contract such as a statement as to who receives the leftovers after the event has ended. You don’t want to end up being responsible for unexpected costs because of an unclear contract.

Look No Further

Make your search for the perfect office catering easy by turning to Soho Taco to cater your next small company gathering.

For one thing, tacos are always a fan favorite across the board and we make some of the most delicious tacos you can find! We also have a variety of delicious sides and drinks to complete your party and make it memorable.

Contact us to learn more about our catering services and prices. Or, feel free to use our online booking feature.

We want your next office party to be a hit and we’re confident you’ll be happy if you chose Soho Taco for your catering needs!

Request a Free Quote!