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Checklist will help you find the right grad party caterer

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By Mark Fisher, Staff Writer Updated 12:27 PM Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Hiring a caterer is one way to take some of the pressure off (emphasis on some) of the graduation party planning burden.

We dipped into the newspaper’s archives and also explored the Web site www.graduationparty.com to glean some tips on what questions to ask caterers and how to choose a caterer for your graduation party. If yours is coming up too fast, save this advice for the next grad party, or share with your neighbors or family.

Remember, some restaurants provide catering as part of their services. Options include picking up the food yourself, having the restaurant deliver either hot or cold items, delivery with set-up, and delivery with full-service staffing.

Here’s a “caterer’s checklist”:

Get recommendations from family and friends and schedule interviews. Then ask caterers for references, and call those references.

Ask lots of questions: How long have they been in business? What percentage of their business is graduation parties? Are they licensed and insured? Do they have the proper health permits? What are their specialties? Do they have a printed menu you can review?

What serving equipment do they supply? Do they rent tables, chairs, linens, table skirts, dishes, silverware?

Do they offer set menus only, or will they customize? Can they accommodate special dietary needs for those who have food allergies or are vegetarians? What will happen to any leftover food?

Do a taste test. Caterers should be able to provide you with a plate of what they’ll be serving at the party so there are no surprises.

How do they bill? Insist on a written estimate and breakdown of all costs. Ask to see a sample invoice so you know what to expect.

Sources: Dayton Daily News archives; www.graduationparty.com

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2258 or mfisher@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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