Top Questions to Ask Your Event Caterer (Wedding or Corporate)
Top Questions to Ask Your Event Caterer (Wedding or Corporate)
Choosing the right caterer can make or break your event. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate meeting, charity gala, or private celebration, the catering team is responsible for one of the most impactful parts of the day: the food and the service. Guests remember great flavours, warm hospitality, and smooth operations — and they remember the opposite even more clearly.
With over a decade of delivering premium outside catering across Lincolnshire and the East Midlands, Salted Orange has seen behind the curtain of hundreds of events. We know exactly what separates a reliable, professional caterer from one who may not be equipped to deliver your expectations.
This 1,500-word guide outlines the critical questions every client should ask before signing a catering contract, along with what the right answers should look like.
1. “Where do you source your ingredients?”
Food quality starts with the ingredients. A caterer who cannot answer this confidently is unlikely to deliver consistency.
What to look for:
Local suppliers
Seasonal produce
Transparency about farm origins
A clear ethos on sustainability
At Salted Orange, much of our produce comes directly from our own Lincolnshire farm. We pair this with specialist suppliers for cheese, meats, bread, and seafood to ensure full traceability and extremely high quality.
Red flag:
A caterer who “shops around” for the cheapest option on the day.
2. “Can you fully accommodate dietary requirements?”
In today’s events landscape, dietary needs are non-negotiable. Expect a range of requirements such as:
vegan
vegetarian
dairy-free
gluten-free
nut allergies
halal requirements
low-FODMAP or medical diets
A professional caterer should be able to address these confidently without hesitation.
Salted Orange approach:
Every event includes a documented allergen matrix, colour-coded labelling, and a dedicated briefing for service staff to avoid mistakes.
Red flag:
Caterer says “we can adapt on the day” — this shows no structured process.
3. “How do you manage food safety at off-site events?”
Outside catering is not the same as restaurant dining. Food must travel safely, hold temperature, and meet strict UK safety regulations.
What a strong caterer should explain:
refrigerated transport for cold foods
insulated hot boxes for hot dishes
batch temperature checks
allergen segregation
certified hygiene training
documented HACCP systems
Salted Orange follows a full suite of food safety measures outlined in our internal systems, including temperature logging, allergen control, and risk assessment protocols.
Red flag:
“I’ve never had an issue.”
(If they can’t explain their process, the “no issues” claim is meaningless.)
4. “What service styles do you offer?”
Different events require different approaches.
Common catering formats include:
plated dinner
sharing feast
hot fork buffet
grazing stations
canapé service
corporate boxed lunches
BBQ or outdoor service
You need a caterer who can pivot to your style, not force you into what’s easiest for them.
Salted Orange offers all service styles, from Michelin-style plated dinners to relaxed graze tables, film-set buffets, tapas evenings, VIP corporate lunches, and wedding feasts.
Red flag:
Caterer only offers buffets, or “doesn’t recommend” plated service due to lack of staff or training.
5. “Can I see sample menus?”
A caterer’s menu tells you everything about their culinary capability.
What to look for:
balanced dishes
clear flavour combinations
seasonal produce
variety across dietary profiles
Salted Orange provides downloadable menus including:
Corporate Menu
VIP Graze Menu
Tapas Menu
Afternoon Tea Menu
Halal Hot Fork Buffet Menu
BBQ Menu
Hog Roast Menu
Film & TV catering portfolio
These demonstrate range and execution at different price points.
Red flag:
A single generic menu lacking structure or seasonal variety.
6. “What does your pricing include?”
Event catering pricing can vary dramatically depending on what is or isn’t included.
A clear price should cover:
food
staff
crockery & cutlery
kitchen equipment or mobile setups
delivery
waste collection
VAT
Salted Orange pricing is always presented transparently — our proposals include every element required to deliver the event to a professional standard.
Red flag:
Hidden extras appearing later, or a quote that seems too low.
7. “How do you handle large events?”
A wedding for 120 guests or a corporate gala for 300 is not simply “bigger food.” It requires logistics, planning, and operational competence.
Experienced caterers will explain:
plating station setup
staff-to-guest ratios
pass organisation
timing for service windows
how they transport and finish the dishes
Salted Orange delivers events from 20–600 guests regularly, including charity galas, film crews, and high-pressure corporate functions.
Red flag:
Caterer does not have examples of past events of similar scale.
8. “What staffing do you provide?”
High-quality catering relies on well-trained service staff.
Essential roles may include:
event manager
head chef
sous chefs
service team
bar staff
logistics team
runners for allergen and dietary plates
Salted Orange provides staffing appropriate to the style of service and scale of event, all professionally trained in timing, table etiquette, allergen awareness, and venue protocols.
Red flag:
Reliance on inexperienced agency staff without supervision.
9. “What equipment do you bring and what do you need from the venue?”
Great caterers come self-contained.
Salted Orange typically provides:
mobile hot passes
induction hobs
ovens and hot boxes
cold holding solutions
service equipment
crockery, cutlery and glassware if required
We also send venue requirement forms to ensure:
electrical capacity
water access
parking for vans
waste disposal arrangements
Red flag:
Caterer assumes the venue “will sort everything.”
10. “Do you offer tastings?”
A quality caterer will provide tastings for weddings and premium events so clients can sample dishes in advance.
Salted Orange offers tailored tasting sessions for wedding menus or large corporate events requiring bespoke design.
Red flag:
“No tastings available.”
11. “Can we customise the menu?”
A good caterer adapts to your event, not the other way around.
Salted Orange regularly creates bespoke menus including:
themed cuisine
halal or vegan-only events
regional Lincolnshire farm-to-table menus
tapas-style wedding feasts
corporate fine-dining lunches
custom graze boards
Red flag:
“No substitutions allowed.”
12. “What happens if something goes wrong?”
Professional contingency planning is essential.
Salted Orange always has:
spare staff on call
backup equipment
additional ingredients for emergencies
vehicle redundancy
event manager oversight
A caterer’s answer to this question will tell you everything about their professionalism.
Red flag:
“We’ve never had a problem.”
This is not a plan.
13. “Can you walk me through a real event you’ve done similar to mine?”
A good caterer will have several case studies.
Salted Orange frequently caters:
120-guest weddings
300-guest charity galas
corporate canapé receptions
film & TV crew catering for 80–150 daily
all-day conference catering
VIP dining for directors
Red flag:
Caterer cannot give measurable examples.
14. “What is your cancellation policy?”
Every caterer should have a clear written policy.
Salted Orange offers straightforward terms—transparent, fair, and issued in writing with every booking.
Red flag:
No written terms, or vague conditions.
15. “Why should we choose you?”
This is your chance to assess confidence, values, and professionalism.
Salted Orange’s answer is simple:
a decade of expertise
chefs trained in Michelin-star kitchens
local sourcing from our own farm
refined flavours and consistent execution
proven reliability across hundreds of events
the ability to scale without compromising quality
full allergen, safety, and operational systems
a reputation built on trust
Conclusion: The Right Questions Protect Your Event
Catering is one of the most important investments in any event. Asking the right questions ensures that your chosen team is capable, professional, and aligned with your expectations.
Salted Orange is proud to be a trusted partner for weddings, corporate events, galas, film productions, and private dining across Lincolnshire and the East Midlands. Our commitment to quality, transparency, and client care is what sets us apart.
Plan Your Event With Confidence
Visit our website:
/contact-us
or
Email: enquiries@saltedorange.co.uk
Tel: 07792 419730