Know Your Vendor
Questions to Ask Your Caterer
1. Are you licensed? Do you have liability
insurance? Liquor liability?
2. Can you provide alcohol? Can I do my own bar?
3. Can the menu be modified? Can you create a
customized menu/dish for my event?
4. Can you accommodate dietary restrictions such as
vegan, diabetic, gluten free, kosher, etc?
5. Do you offer event packages or is everything a la
carte? What exactly does your package include?
6. Do you offer food tastings, is there an extra charge?
7. How much do you charge for children’s meals?
8. What is included in your per person price?
9. What tablesettings, services or staff is included
when purchasing from you?
10. What is the ratio of servers to guests?
11. What does the wait staff wear?
12. How much time do you require for setting up and
take down? Are there additional fees for this?
13. What does your clean up policy include?
14. What happens to leftover food?
15. When must I provide you with a final guest count?
16. Is there a service fee? What does it cover? Is
gratuity included? Does the gratuity cover
delivery?
17. What is your payment policy? When are deposits
and payments due, and how can these be paid?
What is your refund or cancellation policy?
18. How will you handle last minute requests?
19. Can you send me a contract or Banquet Event
Order that includes the date and time of event,
policies, menu, costs, and any other details?
20. Who is my contact person? Will they be