Events, Etc - Catering and Design Blog

How do you know which event catering company is right for you? By asking questions! Here are some critical ones to start off with:

1. "What credentials do you have?" How long has the event planning company served Bay Area clients? Can they show you verifiable testimonials and references? Have they established solid relationships with reputable vendors?

2. "What all do you do -- and what don't you do?" If you're hiring "just a caterer," don't be surprised if you don't get lighting, music and all the other design elements that make an event an immersive experience, as we mention in "Elements of Event Design." Also, be aware that certain necessary details may not come with the service. For instance, does your event planner handle invitations, or will you be left holding that particular bag?

3. "What can I realistically expect on my budget?" Unless money is no object, you need to ask your event planner how much bang you'll get for your buck. How stringent is the company at following the maximum numbers you set? Do you need to include some wiggle room based on your event planner's recommendations? Will your event planner fight to get you the best deals from vendors?

4. "How much involvement can I expect to have?" If you want to be involved in the planning and execution of your event, ask whether there's room for you in the mix. If you'd rather hand the entire process over the event planner, then make sure the company is ready, willing and able to handle that load.

The more questions you ask, the more likely you are to get exactly what you want. We welcome your inquiries, because we want your event to exceed all expectations. So ask our San Francisco event catering company -- we have the answers!

Here at Events, Etc. we have always placed top priority of the quality of the food we serve our clients and their guests. From intimate partycatering to large-scale event catering, we always use organic ingredients in our delicious recipes. But why does going organic makes such a difference, really?

• A healthier you. Organically grown food not avoids harmful pesticides or herbicides, but it also helps you steer clear of other chemicals that typically contaminate non-organic soil, such as nitrates and heavy metals. Instead of simply piling the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, organic farmers use a wide range of natural fertilizers that break down well and add nutritional value to fruits and vegetables. Organic growers are also prohibited from using GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, as an aid to growth. Most crops grown in the U.S. today contain at least some of this form of genetic tinkering, even though we currently have no way of knowing what the long-term effects on humans and the environment might be.

• A healthier world. Robust plants thrive on naturally rich, well-kept soil -- the kind of soil organic farmers always use. Properly cultivated organic soil not only contains more nutrients, but it also retains water more efficiently. And instead of using toxic pesticides, organic farmers use companion planting and beneficial pests to control pest populations naturally. By contrast, chemical-based farming tends to pour chemical fertilizers onto depleted soil to force growth until the soil becomes completely dependent on these chemicals for any kind of yield at all. Meanwhile, the heavy use of chemical pesticides just makes local pests grow into increasingly resistant super-pests!

Let's not forget the main advantage your event-goers notice when they sample our catering company's organic food -- it just tastes better! Hire us for your next catered event and see for yourself.