One more catering/party question

7 years ago

Maybe this will be the last....

I need to decide what time to have the food delivered. Party starts at 5:00 with pianist, cocktails, snacky things like nuts and photo slideshow in our lower level family room. I'm sure some people will come right about 5:00 and quite a few will straggle in between 5-6. I would like to make the food available to eat around 6pm for people who are hungry but it will be sitting out until probably 9:00. Nothing will be served hot and I don't think there's anything that would go toxic in this amount of time especially since it's not going to be outside on a hot, sunny day.

It seems like I need to get it delivered and setup before people arrive - true? I can put some things in the fridge but not everything will fit. It seems odd to me to have a caterer here hauling things in as the guests are arriving though they could bring food in through the garage to the kitchen though it's all pretty much by the front door.

How should I do this?

Featured Answer

User

7 years ago

I use caterers all the time (multiple times a week, different caterers.) They are rarely late as they are in the business of keeping customers happy. The latest I've seen is about 10 minutes. Personally, I would have them set up just prior to eating.... unless there isn't enough room for setup and guests at the same time. If the food is sitting there, but "off limits" until you say so, I think that doesn't present well. (What will you do? Put a sign up saying to not touch or rope off the area until 6...?)

If there isn't enough room for set up and guests at the same time, I would ask for food to be setup for "eating at 5 pm." That would ensure they are gone before then, or close. They know what they are doing for set up and don't require supervision -- except showing them what table to set up at.

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Comments (9)

Fun2BHere
7 years ago
Your caterer should be able to answer this question best as they know the ingredients they've used and food safety rules.
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sushipup1
7 years ago
And yes, have it delivered at least an hour before you expect guests to arrive. You don't want to take anything away from greeting your guests.
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3katz4me
Original Author
7 years ago
I'll ask the caterer too but would like other opinions. It's more of a logistics question for me vs food spoilage. Hmmmm....an hour before. I was thinking 15 minutes. Glad I asked.
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Olychick
7 years ago
I think 15 mins is sufficient. Not sure why you'd need an hour if you don't plan on putting the food out until later. Perhaps the caterer can loan you the coolers s/he uses to deliver the food, so you can keep it fresh as long as possible before serving?
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miniscule
7 years ago
If you don't want to be distracted with the food arrival, you might want food delivered at least an hour ahead of the arrival of the guests. Another consideration is setting up of the food. This may take a bit of time too, and it makes a difference if you want the caterers to set it up, or if you and helpers are going to do it - which takes time and you away from your guests. When I have had full-service caterers, they usually arrived at 1 to 1. 5 hours ahead. It's a good idea to check timing with them, and to get some assurance from them that they will be able to deliver in the agreed timeframe (road conditions, etc).
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sheesh
7 years ago
I've never used caterers, but if I did I'd have the food arrive an hour early. Set up and presentation are important, and I hate feeling rushed at the last minute. Definitely ask the caterers.
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sushipup1
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
15 minutes? And suppose they are late? Also consider just the time they will take to park and then bring in things. Just because you ask for a certain time, don't expect it. Yes, ask.
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3katz4me
Original Author
7 years ago
I'm liking the idea of having everything setup by 5:00 so no distractions with that after people arrive. And if people do wander around upstairs before heading down for drinks/entertainment it will look nice. I'll just tell the caterer ready to go by 5:00.

I have thee cats who will be confined during the party. I think I subconsciously keep thinking about not leaving a poached salmon unattended lest I find it has been hauled off by the cats.
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One more catering/party question

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One more catering/party question

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Comments (9)

Fun2BHere

sushipup1

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miniscule

sheesh

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