Expert Advice from wedding guru, Sharon Naylor

Answer:

Some wedding sites require you to work with their own in-house caterer, and others allow you to bring in your own professionals. Either way, these important questions can guide you toward booking the perfect food master who will create the perfect menu and preparation that elevates your wedding into a big success and a dream come true. Don’t be like those lazy wedding couples out there who like the looks of a ballroom, print out a standard menu from the website and make their decisions from there. Those couples have no idea that they can have more their way, and that today’s caterers want to partner with you for a custom-designed menu that will make your day.

1. Are you trained for a wedding like ours? Would you go to a doctor without knowing where he or she studied? How many years of experience he or she has? If he or she has a specialty in what you require? It’s the same with caterers! Chefs don’t get offended when you ask for a rundown of where they’ve studied, where they’ve worked, any awards they’ve won, with whom they’ve worked. Culinary artists, as we all know from Top Chef, train for years before someone puts them in charge of a kitchen, and they appreciate working with a bridal couple who knows to ask. You’ll see the bio and be able to judge if this caterer has the goods for your day, as well as enough experience preparing menus and foods to suit your cultural theme and style.

2. Who is working under you? No chef works alone, so ask for the pedigrees of their support chefs, catering staff and servers. Are these people who have achieved years of experience, are they apprentices, or are they summer hires from the local college? Ask to see some bios, especially from the caterer’s pastry chef who may be making your wedding cake. Ask if you can speak with the pastry chef when you meet with the caterer.

3. Where do you get your food? The best chefs shop at top-quality markets such as fresh-catch fish markets, big-name butchers, even reputable sources such as Whole Foods and other organic suppliers. Let the chef explain what’s purchased locally and organically, what is shipped in, how the seasonal markets for seafood and meats will affect your menu, and more in-depth questions about where your food will be coming from. The fresher, the better.

4. Can you perform comfortably at our reception site? Your chef may need to tour the kitchens and prep areas of your chosen reception site, if he or she isn’t already a regular of that establishment. Caterers’ trays may be too wide for non-chef-quality ovens and refrigerators, which is a big dilemma for chefs hired to work at-home and park weddings. Some chefs require that you rent two extra tents in which they’ll prepare and plate the food for the wedding. Some chefs won’t work in so-called unique sites like museums, since they don’t want to risk their reputations with potential power and oven problems. Some chefs don’t do outdoor or beach weddings. Every pro has his or her preferences, so be very aware of them before you sign a contract.

5. Can we arrange for a tasting? Very important! You need to know what this expert’s foods taste like, what their strengths are, if the dishes please you both, and this sit-down meeting allows you to fine-tune your requests such as “Please, no walnuts on the salads.” You get to share info about food allergies, cultural dishes, and customized combination platters. And, of course, ask to see certificates of insurance and inspection, which reputable, top-tier caterers are only too happy to show you. A true pro knows that a savvy shopper is going to ask for these documents.

As a bonus idea, ask your caterer to describe what he or she has been doing a little too often at local weddings, such as a chocolate fountain, pigs in a blanket, mashed potato bars. Then tell your chef you’d like to avoid the cliché. Which ideas does he or she have to bring your menu on the cutting edge, going trendy without breaking the bank, and which creative menu magic can be worked to turn budget-friendly entrees and side dishes into gourmet masterpieces with just an extra bit of garnishing and creative pairings.

Your caterer is going to be responsible for one of the most important parts of your wedding day. The more time, and the more intensely, you research this pro, the better your chances of having the perfect wedding of your dreams. The questions you ask now help you discover the gem in that field of caterers, so take your time and interview well.