Looking for a cheap caterer? Read this first!
So you’re looking for cheap food caterers in Melbourne. While a cheaper service can save you money, is it really worth it? For an event like a wedding or milestone birthday, the food and beverage spread plays a big role in keeping your guests fed during the celebration.
If your cheap caterer doesn’t prepare and serve food to a certain standard, the end result can be unsavoury. You’ll often find that cheap catering businesses cut corners in order to save on production costs. Below we have prepared some information to help you when selecting your catering company for that special occasion!
What to look our for when selecting a catering company:
Fresh vs packaged
Some catering Melbourne businesses simply don’t have the facilities or the desire to prepare food fresh. You’ll often find smaller businesses will cut corners with their food preparation. A common practice is to prepare food the day before your event in order to meet production deadlines.
It’s also not uncommon for cheap catering businesses to partially prepare food, days in advance. While this practice can help the business package and deliver large quantities of food, it doesn’t improve the quality of it. The end result is packaged food that’s already several days old before it’s even served.
Food caterers like Devour It understand the importance of providing fresh food. When food is fresh, it not only tastes better but it’s also safer and healthier to eat. It’s why caterers like Devour It prepare their food on the same day it’s delivered and consumed.
Certified vs uncertified
There are many ways a business can cut corners when it comes to food preparation. Unfortunately, one such practice is avoiding HACCP (Hazard Analysis, and Critical Control Points) certification. HACCP is a legal requirement for any food catering business.
To get HACCP certification, a caterer must adhere to strict food safety regulations to ensure a safe and hygienic environment for food preparation. Regular assessments are carried out by HACCP staff on a yearly basis.
With strict dietary requirements such as gluten intolerance and nut allergies, it’s never been more important for caterers to follow food safety procedures. Some Melbourne kitchens may not have the resources to prevent cross contamination from occurring.
Caterers that are prepared to deal with dietary requirements will have procedures in place to avoid contamination. A common practice is to assign a workstation for preparing specific dishes. With one set of equipment to handle certain ingredients, there’s far less chance of ingredients such as nuts contaminating other dishes.
An easier practice for businesses is to completely avoid stocking certain ingredient to avoid cross contamination. If a caterer wants to avoid gluten, they will incorporate alternative ingredients such as maize, tapioca, and rice flour into their recipes.
Event type
When you’re deciding on which food caterer to go with, consider the type of event you need catering for. Sometimes a cheaper catering option is a better for smaller events like a kid’s party or 21st birthday celebration at home.
Choosing a smaller catering company can help you save on the cost of your party. For a low-key event like a house-warming party, you don’t need to go all out with a full catering service. Sometimes all you need is a basic selection of party foods such as pies, sausage rolls, and quiches.
With larger events like a wedding, the food plays a more important role in your celebration. So it makes sense to choose a caterer with more of an emphasis on food quality, presentation, and service.
Larger catering companies are well-equipped for events such as engagement parties and weddings. With more resources and staff, you’ll find that bigger caterers can also provide more end-to-end solutions from food delivery to a fully-staffed catering service at your event.
Hidden costs
Budget expectations can strongly influence anyone’s decision to choose a catering company. When you start looking for catering businesses, it’s important not to take their prices at face value. Some caterers may advertise low prices on their website, but that doesn’t mean their prices are final.
After you’ve chosen a caterer, make sure all charges are included in their quote. Some caterers may include additional charges that you’re not aware of until it’s too late. This can make their service seem like an affordable alternative to more expensive caterers, but in reality, they’re the same.
Additional costs may be charged for service add ons like equipment, delivery or catering staff. So if your caterer doesn’t include add ons in their initial quote, it could be a sign that their services will cost more than what they originally advertised.
Leaving it to the catering experts
Going with a cheap food caterer can help you cut costs but it can detract from the overall experience of your event. Caterers like Devour It are well-equipped to prepare, deliver, and serve catering packages without jeopardising food quality.
Here at Devour It, we understand the importance of providing fresh food. Our kitchen has HACCP certification. So you can rest assured that all food from our kitchen is prepared in a safe and hygienic environment.
Ask one of our catering specialists, and you’ll see that we’re more than happy to work within your budget. Flexible catering packages and options are available. We understand that not every event is the same. If your event has unique catering requirements, we’ll strive to meet them.
So don’t be fooled by the cheaper catering [rices and short cuts some comapnies take to win your business. With a commitment to providing fresh food and an unbeatable catering service, Devour It will provide a stunning food spread for your next celebration, on budget!
Experience a food catering service that prepares, delivers, and serves fresh canapés. Contact Devour It today.
