Reliability
The timeliness of the caterer is key to the smooth flow of the event. Caterer tardiness adds undue stress to host. Guests become anxious and can cause havoc to other party attendees. Look for a cater that will arrive in plenty of time to set their tables up and prepare to serve your guests.

Quality
The taste of the food is the top criteria when selecting a caterer. The caterer’s food must taste good to you. Certainly, some foods may be more exotic than other, but nonetheless the food should meet your threshold of tasting good.

Quantity
The portion of food per guest is a consideration. Some caterers save on costs by reducing portion guest sizes or offer an exquisite dish for a low price. Nothing is more embarrassing to a host when the entrée takes on the appearance of an hors d’oeuvre.

Professionalism
The behavior of the caterer and their interaction with your guests sets the tone of the party. The lack of professionalism leads to a disappointment in the event outcome.

Business
The caterer should be a legitimate business with tax identification and Department of Health recognition. A business is more likely to be there to serve you than one operating out of their home. Home caterers are at continued risk of closed for business by a regulatory agency. Zoning officers are on the look out for these types of businesses as they undermine the value of the neighborhood and pose a safety hazard to the community. A host will find themselves in a bind if a week before their event they learn that the zoning commission has closed the home caterer. Always seek a legitimate caterer.

Longevity
The length of time a caterer has been in business can provide peace of mind that they will around come the date of your event. Home caterers should be avoided as noted in the Business section of this selection guide. Newly established caterers may not be financially stable and could fold prior to your event. A caterer that has been in business for over five years has a higher probability of business continuity than a newer caterer.

Operations
The caterer should have established business hours for the host to gain access to discuss event needs. A caterer that is not available to discuss your event needs increase the chance of a event failure.

Staffing
The staffing should be trained in event serving and make a professional appearance. The serving staff should be coordinated in serving the guests in the manner that the host requests. The attire of the staff adds to the quality of your event. Unprofessional attire downgrades the significance of the event.

Experience
The experience that the caterer has in performing your event needs is most assuring that the event will proceed without incident. Lack of experience can be disastrous at an event. The caterer’s failure in being prepared can ruin an event. An experienced caterer will come prepared.

Food Transport
The caterer is often times miles away from the event location. Hot foods get cold and cold food get warm. Foods loosing or gaining temperature during transportation can make them unsafe for consumption. Some caterers just place the food in an insulated box, but this is not enough. The insulated boxes slow the temperature loss or gain, not preventing it. Caterers should transport hot foods in holding ovens and cold foods in insulated boxes with freezer block inserts. Caterers that allow food temperatures top migrate out of their consumption safety zone are placing your guests at risk for illness.

Cooperation
The event is the host’s special day. The caterer should be willing to accommodate the desires of the host. The caterer should be willing to plan the event together.

Availability
The host should have access to the caterer at the host’s leisure. The caterer should have hours that are considerate to host’s times of availability.

Food Safety
The caterer should be in good standing with the Department of Health. Additionally, the food preparation personnel should be certified in food safety. Good caterers will proudly display their certifications in food safety and provide them to hosts upon request.