The Caterer and Client Relationship
For many people, organising a function is an undertaking full of stress and worry. Naturally, as a food business owner/caterer, you want to eliminate as much as possible any cause for anxiety on the part of your client. The more relaxed, competent and experienced you appear the more a nervous host/hostess will be reassured.
Your first contact with a client maybe by phone so it’s important to collect some basic details such as:
- The client’s name
- Billing name and address
- Address of the party
- Phone numbers – both home and business (mobile and landline) (make a note of the best time to call).
- The date of the party and today’s date
- What is the occasion? (eg a wedding? A 21st party?)
- Number of guests?
- What time are the guests expected to arrive?
- What is the estimated time the party will end?
- What is the general age group?
- Will they be all male, all female, or mixed?
- What sort of food and service does the client have in mind?
- Does the client have in mind an approximate price per head he/she would like to spend?
After getting these basic facts, I ask if I can phone back, or, better still, I arrange to meet the client in person to discuss menu suggestions.
I’ve always found it easier to have printed copies of the above questions kept next to the phone so I can quickly collect all the basic facts as I don’t want to miss any points.
Also, it’s a good idea to have a selection of proven menus to choose from low cost, medium-priced and more elaborate. Have menus to cover cocktail parties, intimate dinners, buffets, etc.
Stress-Free Functions
Want to know more? For a very low investment, why not download a copy of
‘How to Organise Stress-Free Functions’ eGuide
and discover how to co-ordinate memorable functions.
