Being put in charge of the food for any event is a tough job, let alone a corporate event. After all, there might be potential clients and colleagues present, and the standard of food can either leave them happy and satisfied or disappointed. With the plethora of food catering services available in Singapore, the selection process can be long and gruelling.
To help you simplify the process here are 5 tips on choosing the right catering service for your corporate event.
1: Is the caterer suitable?
Every catering company is capable of handling a wide range of different events. With that said, certain catering companies specialise in catering for certain types of events.
To ensure that you pick the right catering service, it is important to consider the type of event you are holding, the estimated size of the guest list and the overall demographic. From there, you can then select a catering service that can serve sufficient and appropriate food at your corporate event.
2: The people’s choice
The best reviews are those that are by fellow customers. If you ever doubt whether or not you are making the right catering choice, all you have to do is a simple google search to look at the company’s track record.
There is no harm in finding out the opinions of the catering service’s past clients as it will give you an accurate view of how the catering service handles similar corporate events. You could even try reaching out to their previous clients for direct feedback. This will provide you with a clearer idea on whether to hire the catering company in mind or not.
3: Flexibility
Corporate events are important and the food which you serve can either leave a good or bad impression on clients and colleagues alike. Hence why it is important to have the freedom to customise the menu. Often, corporate events will consist of different people with different taste preferences and dietary requirements, both of which are hard to satisfy with the provided menu. Having the ability to swap out dishes and modify your menu will ensure that everyone who attends your corporate event will leave it full and happy.
4: Responsiveness
The best catering service is the one who is keen on helping you to give the best suggestions. Therefore, one of the considerations which you will need to take into account is their responsiveness.
How quickly do they respond to your emails? How long do they take to return calls? These are questions that can often signify on whether or not the caterer is interested in serving at your event. More often than not, if the catering company responds quickly, it means that they are keen on helping you out and can be counted on to do a good job.
5: Taste test
What’s the worst thing that could happen at any event? It is when you realise the food’s taste is not up to par.
The food you serve at your event can either make it or break it. Even if the event turns out to be boring, having good food will at least leave attendees with a good impression, which is why we encourage you to request a food sampling session. During the session, ensure that the caterer prepares the same dishes that will be served at the event, and this includes their presentation. This way, you will have a good representation of whether the food will be presentable and tasty on the day itself.
Overall, being in charge of hiring the catering service for your company’s corporate event might not be as daunting as you might first imagine. If you keep these 5 tips in mind, you can rest assured that the caterer that you have chosen will do a decent job. If you happen to be looking for a catering service that can provide great customer service and delicious food for your corporate event, why not consider Chilli Manis?
At Chilli Manis, we are a team of highly dedicated professionals who strive to provide delightful Peranakan cuisine at affordable rates for any occasion. From intimate wedding receptions to corporate functions and milestone celebrations, we will customise the perfect package tailored to your budget and requirements. Order with us today for an unforgettable catering experience.
We start with the theme of your event. The theme can be dependant on several factors, of which the main one being the purpose of your event. Determining the purpose of why you need to engage a catering service provider will allow you to choose the right company, making your subsequent decisions easier.
The key to any successful buffet catering is to have happy bellies by the end of the event. Everyone loves a buffet because of the seemingly endless mountains of delicacies, so it is doubly disappointing when a guest turns up only to discover that the food is not to their liking. Take into account what your guests taste buds are like and choose the dishes accordingly. For instance, if you are planning to order catering services for your reunion dinner, then it would probably be better if you don’t order dishes like turkey or roasted chicken, especially if you know that your parents or grandparents have a traditional taste and prefer Asian cuisines.
During an event it is unlikely that everyone will be of the same religion with the same dietary habits, so you should be careful in what your order. In general, it will be safer for you to look for 
When ordering a buffet, it is beyond easy to over-order or under-order. Knowing the headcount of your guest list is an important part of making sure you are neither wasting money or causing your guests to leave the event hungry. When enquiring with a caterer, make sure to clarify their food portions, certain catering services will give a 1:1 ratio while others might differ. One tip when ordering food for a huge event is to cater to a 10-15% non-attendance, meaning that not all of your guests might turn up. However, it is also a good habit for you to consult the caterer on the amount of food you should order in case of a full turn out.