Guest Blogger: CN Catering

We are thrilled to have CN Catering here this week to give us some insight in to how to get the most out of your catering budget!

Every Sunday we will be giving you a glimpse in to the world of weddings with some of DFW’s premiere vendors.  Make sure to check us out every week for tips and advice from the wedding experts.

Champagne taste on a beer budget- we are all guilty of it. We find ourselves fixated on reality TV shows, featuring flashy, over-the-top weddings and as they zoom into the food, our mouths start watering. Or sifting through pictures on Pinterest and the perfectly plated meals grab our attention as our stomachs start growling. In the back of our minds we know that we might not be able to ever afford $300 a head, but there is still a part of us that have these grand expectations.

As a caterer, there is just one detail that we wish clients wouldn’t overlook when considering their catering budget- the costs involved in addition to all of their food. The fact is that your menu doesn’t have to suffer- you just have to be smart about how you spend your money.

Can you have passed hors d’oeuvres or a carving station? Absolutely – but keep in mind that the more “interactive” your food is, the greater the need is for more staff. Staff = $$$ (something of which you may not have allocated in your budgeted.) Even though a plated meal can offer your guests a wonderful experience, so can a buffet full of delectable food – which winds up being a lot more cost-effective.

Every caterer charges differently, but it is all going to affect your overall price. Whether it shows up as a line item on your quote or incorporated into the per-head cost, you’re going to be paying for it either way. Here are some of the charges, in addition to the cost of staff, you should ask your caterer about:

• Plateware & Stemware (your guests have to have something to eat with, right?) -budget for 1 set per person.
• Glassware – budget for 3-6 glasses per person (type and amount will vary depending on bar package and type of service you have chosen)
• Ovens and/or other equipment – Will the food you chose require an oven or fryer? Does your venue have this equipment on-site? If not, the caterer will most likely want to bring one in, which will cost you anywhere from $300-$1000.
• Fees – delivery/set up, gratuity, taxes, etc.

It’s important to find a happy medium between your budget and your dream, making sure that your guests get fed in a timely manner and that they leave with a stomach full of delicious food. When searching for a caterer, remember to select someone who offers a wide variety, is able to give you options that work within your budget and doesn’t waiver when it comes to service. Never compromise on reliability to save a buck and you will be golden!

CN Catering

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More than simply a meal, CN Catering delivers an experience unique to each client. A team of professionals whose top priorities are freshness, quality and taste, CN Catering has quickly become one of Dallas’s premiere catering companies with clients who demand only the best when choosing superior food and service. Using only the highest quality and freshest ingredients, we provide our clients the food they want and the service they deserve. With varied menus and custom event planning, we’re confident we can exceed your expectations and make your event a success.

Executive Chef Pooya Habibi’s sixteen years of culinary experience include working in prestigious kitchens such as, The Mansion on Turtle Creek, Wolf Gang Puck Catering (Los Angeles), and Saffron Room. Simple, Classical, Clean and Fresh are the key elements you will find in Chef Pooya’s cooking and presentation.