What does every successful event have in common?
While beautiful flowers, good music, and a full bar are definitely key, every successful event has GOOD FOOD!
I consider this as a pretty universal belief— which is why when a lot of people start to plan their event, one of the first things they think to do is pick up the phone and call a caterer.
While this is definitely a step in the right direction [ especially if you’re calling us (; ] there are certain details about each event that caterers will probably ask you upfront in order to put together a proposal that will meet all of your needs and exceed your expectations! And we want you to be aware of these upfront!
7 questions that your caterer will ask you:
- When’s the big day?!
This is probably the first question you will be asked so your caterer can check their availability. While we definitely want to cater all your events, we don’t want to book too many events around the same time!
The time of day is important as well because that will determine how much food we need to make, and how we will schedule our staff.
- Who’s the lucky venue?
Every venue is different. There are several things for us to consider in this instance. More than likely we’ve worked at your venue before, so we can make it work!
For example:
- Some venues already have their own catering and a client might not realize that.
- Your venue might not have a kitchen. But no worries! We can practically build one! With this will come additional expenses that we will include in the proposal.
- Your venue may have a food prep area but still not a full kitchen. In this case, we have some options that we can choose from in order to make this work!
P.S. Have you heard Dupree Catering opened their own venue? Check out the website or find us on Social Media!
The Mane on Main www.themaneonmain.com 
3. How many mouths are we feeding?
A lot of catering companies, including us base their pricing per person. This being said it is difficult to give you a relatively accurate quote if we don’t know how many people will be attending your event. We do understand that head counts change as the event date gets closer and we are more than happy to adjust cost based on your final number… but in an initial phone call or email, just an idea will do!
- Let’s talk about the greens… and we don’t mean vegetables!
We ask this not to be nosey but so when start putting a menu together, it meets your wants as well as your budget.
When you call Dupree, we will ask about your overall budget because we are a full service catering company. A proposal from us will show more than just food expense. We can also provide beverage bar cost, staff cost, rental cost, etc.
So it is important that we have an idea of both so we can make the best proposal for you and your event.
- What’s your style?
As much as I love fashion, we aren’t asking about your clothes!
Planning a good menu isn’t just about choosing the food, but choosing how you serve it! Some of the most common meal styles are a plated meal, a buffet, and a cocktail style reception. A trend we’re loving lately is family style service as well! Fill up your bellies with the whole family!
- . What’re we drinking?
Many caterers you contact can also offer bar service. Dupree does have a liquor license which allows us to bring and serve our own alcohol at your event. We offer full bar, beer wine, soft and non alcoholc bevs. Wanting to shake things up? Add a signature drink!
- Who’s on your team?!
While we’ve got you covered on all your food and beverage needs, we’d love to know who else is helping on your day! Don’t know yet?! We work with A TON of amazing vendors that we would be happy to connect you with!
- For all your décor and furniture needs; Refined Social Events and Canvas Event Furniture are amazing!
- Need linens? Bryants Rent All or Mr. Linen always help us out!
- Florals always make for great décor. We work with a ton of florists such as Bonnie over at Stems and Joanna with Natural Endeavors.