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Tastings with Your Caterer
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Enjoying ‘Food Tastings’ with Your Wedding Reception Caterer


Once you’ve narrowed your catering search, the next thing on your food list will be a “tasting.” This service, which is almost identical to a cake-tasting, should take place after you’ve picked your reception site so that catering companies can figure out the semantics of food prep.

“We need to know the layout of the kitchen, to coordinate set-up,” says L.A. chef David Brian Sanders. “Working at the site lets us know how we are going to expedite the food so it’s fresh. If you’re having your ceremony at home, we need to setup in your kitchen.”

The food-tasting is offered by the catering company, usually after the first or second meeting. It’s a free service, and you are not expected to tip. At this point in the search, no contracts need to be signed, and you can still be narrowing down your search to 1 or 2 companies.  If a catering company does not offer pre-tasting, move on. Says Sanders, “Would you want to go to a wedding in which the food was not sampled beforehand?”

Table of contents.
Generally, the catering company invites you and your fiancé, as well as the parents.  The company will have already discussed your menu choices with the two of you, and offer suggestions. A meat and chicken and/or fish dish is suggested, and most caterers will also prepare a sample vegetarian dish. While the variety of meals depends on your budget, vegetarian meals are highly recommended to cover all your guests’ food requirements. The food-tasting will also include a sample of hors d’oeuvres for the cocktail hour.

Do arrive hungry! Although you won’t get full meals at a food-tasting, you’re going to sample each main dish, as well as side courses. Some couples include a wine-tasting, which is a question of choice and budget. Hiring a sommelier (a trained wine professional) is another wedding expense that you need to discuss beforehand. The food-tasting generally lasts about an hour and a half.

After you’ve finished your food-tasting, you should make your final decision within two weeks. Remember, there is no pressure to hire one particular catering company after a tasting, even if they lavished you with filet mignon so spectacular it melted in your mouth. Be honest and upfront with the caterer, go over your budget and food desires, and then make your decision.  The rest is gravy.
 
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