It can be overwhelming when choosing a caterer for a special event. There are many to choose from, but

the truth is all caterers are not created equal. Here are a few things you should consider before choosing

a caterer for your special day!

 

1. Menu design does not involve picking meals from a column. It is important that many things

are considered when choosing your menu. Choosing two meats, two vegetables and a starch

from a list does not begin to address the things that matter. Is your guests list mostly young

adults, or are they older? What time of year is it? What food choices will make this event

uniquely yours? Consider the venue, would stations be best? A buffet? A seated dinner?

2. Fresh does not always mean fresh. Your chef should prepare your menu for YOU! Hors

d’oeuvres should be made by hand, individually, not pressed from a machine or opened frozen

from a box. Fish should be purchased fresh, not received frozen, and your desserts should be

made by pastry chefs not ordered from a list.

3. Service matters. Expert staff is important. Staff should be courteous, attentive to your guests,

well trained and service oriented. Is the staff for your event hired from a temp agency or are

they part of the caterer’s permanent staff?

4. Style counts! How will your food be served? How will it presented? Are the serving pieces

beautiful and unique? Are the stations designed to be visually appealing? Guests eat with their

eyes first…presentation counts!

5. Word of mouth is the best advertising. What is your caterer’s reputation? Speak to others who

have used them for their event. Check them out on the web, wedding wire, yelp—these

resources are there for you to use. Ask other vendors, like the photographers or the dj’s. They

have been to events by many of the caterers. They have tasted the food and know what the

service is like.

6. Does your caterer get you? Meet with your caterer face to face. Do they understand what you

want? Will the person that assisted you in planning your menu be present at your party or will

another person receive a list of instructions and expect to carry it out?

The level of service and price points of caterers varies significantly, so hopefully, the above cheat sheet

can help you choose the caterer for you. Find out where the caterer you are considering falls on the list.

As for Nancy’s Haute Affairs, we design each menu specifically for your event. There are no cookie cutter

menus or one-size-fits-all event. We receive our fish daily, caught in local Gulf waters and break it down

to order. Hors d’oeuvres are handmade, and our pastries and breads are made daily. Our staff are

trained professionals and take pride in each and every event. Our food is served in unique pieces from

copper chafers to antique and hand chosen pieces. Stations are designed to feature creative displays

that work with the venue and compliment each event.

We have been in business for many years. Our owner/chef has been in the Pensacola restaurant and

catering business for more than 40 years. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. Our

planners will sit down with you and plan your menu with you, and the planner that knows you will be at

your event.

We would love to be your caterer of choice!