Why Tastings Matter in the Event Planning Process
A tasting is a crucial step in the wedding planning process. A tasting will help you select your caterer and help you pick the perfect menu that best represents your event’s vision and budget. During the tasting, you’ll be able to ask questions and discuss possible layout designs and the flow of your event.
Ideal Timing for Scheduling Your Tasting
The perfect time to schedule a tasting is either when you’re still in the selection process of choosing a catering service OR a few months before your event to finalize details. Most wedding caterers only offer tastings on weekdays as the weekends are filled with events. Check with your potential caterer to find out what dates and times they have available and how long a typical tasting lasts.
If you’re coming from out of town into Charleston, you can schedule your tasting around the same time you do a venue walkthrough or other vendor meetings and consultations.
How to Prepare for a Productive Tasting
If you haven’t decided on a caterer for your wedding and you’re hoping that a tasting will help guide your selection, it’s important that you’re prepared. Comparing catering quotes isn’t just about looking at the cost – taste, portion sizes, presentation, and overall service are all important factors that come into play. At a wedding tasting, you’ll not only be able to try your selected menu, but you can also gather additional information that can help you make an informed decision.
Make sure to set aside some time before your tasting to read over your quote or contract so you know what to expect and can prepare questions ahead of time.
Come with an Appetite
During your wedding tasting experience, you’ll want to taste most of the items on your current menu. This means that you can be tasting anywhere from 6 – 12 items, depending on your menu and service type. At Crazy Dutchman Catering, we strive to make sure that the food at your tasting has the same presentation and portion size that your guests will experience at your wedding. Don’t be afraid to ask for a to-go box!
Bring Questions About Service, Setup, and Customization
Don’t worry if you’re not sure what to ask at your tasting. There’s a lot of steps in the event planning process and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the details. Below is a helpful list of common questions we encounter from clients:
Can we make changes to the menu after the tasting?
What is the typical catering setup at our chosen venue?
What does the catering service include?
Does the catering team handle clearing the tables or haul away trash?
Have you worked at the venue before?
How do you determine portion sizes to ensure guests have plenty to eat?
Can we make changes to our bar menu?
Do you provide desserts?
What happens to leftover food?
What do the plates and cutlery included on my quote or contract look like?
Can you cut our wedding cake?
Do you provide vendor meals?
When is the final headcount due?
How much should I budget for gratuity?
If you haven’t booked a caterer yet and you are using the tasting to help you make a decision regarding your caterer selection, you can also ask about how much of a deposit is due in order to book and what the typical payment schedule would be like for your type of event.
Who Should Come with You to a Tasting?
Once you’re ready for a tasting, another decision you need to make is who to bring with you. First and foremost, you should bring your significant other. If by chance they can’t make it to the tasting, you could also bring a parent or someone you trust to give honest feedback. Some people like to have their coordinators at the tasting to help iron out the timeline and layout, but it’s just as common to leave those details until closer to the event. If you are not responsible for purchasing the event catering, you should include the person who is planning on paying the bill to make sure that everything is within budget.
Make sure to check with your caterer regarding how many people they can accommodate at your tasting.
What Happens During a Catering Tasting?
During your tasting, you’ll try items from the menu on your quote or contract. Afterwards, you can discuss if you’d like to make any substitutions or switch out that menu item for something different. Don’t be afraid to speak up about any items you don’t like. You’ll also be able to discuss customizing your bar service by switching out beer selections or adding on signature cocktails.
This is also the perfect opportunity to consult with your caterer regarding if you’d like to add on extra services to your contract. These optional services may include additional bar time, cake cutting, water goblet service, champagne, coffee, or late night snacks.
At Crazy Dutchman Catering, one of our most popular add-ons are our tables and linens fees. For a flat fee, we will provide all of the tables and black, floor-length linens we’ll need for food or bar setups.
Another important factor to discuss at your wedding tasting is presentation and serving style. You’ll be able to see how the food will be served and get detailed explanations of what you can expect to see from your caterer on your wedding day.
A tasting also gives you a chance to discuss your rental order and how that impacts your catering services. Your caterer can help you determine quantities, table and linen sizes, and make sure you have everything you need.
If your caterer has experience at your selected venue, they can give you tips on possible layout options. They can also advise you on the timing and flow of the event. Don’t feel pressured if you’re still early in the event planning process – your timeline and layout can both be finalized closer to the actual event date.
How Crazy Dutchman Catering Approaches Tastings
At Crazy Dutchman Catering, we offer complimentary tastings Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Our tasting room can accommodate up to 4 people and tastings typically last 45 minutes to an hour. Our kitchen staff will prepare the tasting food based on your specific menu since we are solely a catering company and not a restaurant with multiple ingredients or dishes already on hand.
After your tasting, we will send you a follow-up email summarizing the tasting and detailing any revisions made to your catering quote or contract.
Taste, Talk, and Take the Next Step
Whether you schedule your tasting at the beginning of your wedding planning process or after you’ve already booked a caterer, a tasting should leave you feeling confident and excited about your choice of catering service and your selection of menu items for your event. Knowing what to expect at a tasting and coming prepared with questions will help make your tasting feel like a productive experience, not a stressful one.
