Why should I hire Kitchen Door Catering Company
as a full-service caterer?
We will plan and organize all aspects of your event including; menu design,
hire the waiters, bartenders and chefs, sourcing the entertainment, organizing
the drinks, selecting the appropriate rental equipment, organizing the
flowers, the invitations, the place cards, the tables and chairs, the
canapés trays, the taxis home... and the clearing up! Of course, Kitchen
Door Catering Company, like many catering companies, can offer as much
or as little service as you like – speak with us about the services you
want us to provide. Our full-service event coordination fees vary so please
inquire about specific packages.
When should I meet/book with Kitchen Door
Catering Company?
Six to nine months prior to your event is ideal. You will need to be assured
to having plenty of time to get references, design a menu, and sign a
contract. Also, you will want to book a tasting (Kitchen Door Catering
Co. provides no-charge tastings to all confirmed bookings for special
events). You should have a ballpark idea of what your per person budget
is so that you can discuss your options.
What information does Kitchen Door require in order to present a proposal?
We customize each and every proposal based on what you the client wants.
We will need to know the date, venue location, event time line for the
event (if a wedding – ceremony, cocktail, dinner, dance, etc…) whether
you require bartender service, estimate of rentals you foresee (chairs,
linen, tables, cutlery, etc…) and a general per person budget.
Forming a budget for your event is a crucial aspect in planning an event.
In order for us to give you an estimate you will need to decide on a budget.
This will give us an indication as to whether you will be serving caviar
or finger sandwiches. There are a lot of things to consider, food selection,
number of hours your event will run, staffing, equipment rentals and any
other services that you might require. We will need to know the venue
location and any commissionary fees that are applicable to that venue;
we will need to know the number of guests, type or theme of the event.
Is there special pricing for children?
Usually there is special pricing on meals for children. Rental prices are the same but children under five eat for free and children 6 to 11 are charged 60% the menu price. We can also provide a child’s menu option if you would prefer.
How far in advance do I need to book an event?
Most events need to be booked a minimum of two weeks in advance to guarantee our availability however this can vary greatly depending on the time of the year (weddings and Christmas parties are often booked nine months to a year and a half in advance). We can become extremely busy at certain times of the year, so as not to be disappointed it is best to book as soon as you know the date of your event.
How many pieces of hors d’oeuvres do I need for each guest?
Timing is critical in calculating the number of hors d’oeuvres you need to serve. For a mid-afternoon cocktail reception lasting three hours plan on 6-8 pieces per person, plus some to which they can help themselves. One hour before dinner guests will probably nibble on 4 pieces. For a two-hour cocktail over the dinner hour it would be safer to serve 10 – 14 pieces per guest or consider a food station or tasting plates to satisfy larger appetites and to add another focal point to the reception. At parties starting after 8 pm, guests will consume 6-8 pieces each over four hours, bolstered by the late night sweets to get them home.
Can you accommodate allergies or other special dietary needs?
Yes, we are well versed in special dietary needs however we will need to know ahead of time so that we can plan properly.
Why should you hire staff?
Staff should be attentive, charming and quietly efficient. They never forget they are there to serve you and your guests in a professional, courteous and friendly manner.
How many service staff will I require for my party?
A ratio of one waiter to every 15-20 guests plus the kitchen brigade suffices for most events. If the menu is more elaborate or includes many courses and a variety of wine pairings, we will suggest additional staff.
What type of stemware do I need for a typical cocktail reception?
You will require red and white wine glasses rock glasses, beverage glasses and in some cases, champagne flutes. We can help you budget the number of glasses per person as you will need more than one set per guest to ensure that you have an adequate supply on hand for the duration of your party.
Rental Equipment, should I rent or use my own?
The expense of your equipment rentals can vary depending on what your event requires. The advantages of renting equipment rather than using your own are, in the case of breakage, we will not take responsibility as rental contracts provide us with damage insurance. We can arrange everything from tables to chairs, china to crystal, flatware to silver, plain linen to elegant designer cloths and napkins to match. Costs for rentals can run from $12.00 per person to $50.00 per person depending on the intricacy of the meal.
What are the procedures of purchasing your own beverages?
We strongly believe at Kitchen Door Catering Company that the client should be able to cut significant costs by purchasing the beverages of their choice at the best possible price. We can assist you with figuring out quantities to order and the logistics involved with this.
NSLC requires you to obtain a “Special Occasion Permit” if you are hosting a party in a public venue. If you are hosting a private home party or within your own condo party room you are not required to obtain a special occasion permit.
Visit http://www.gov.ns.ca/lwd/agd/docs/LiquorSpecialOccasion.pdf for a copy of the form and further information.
Does Kitchen Door Catering Company provide beverage service?
We often can take care of bar service for our clients. There are many options for bar service from: host, cash bar, to a soft bar. We provide you with a professionally trained staff who can provide an array of professionally prepared drinks to accommodate your guests requests.
How do you keep the food hot on the way to our function?
The food leaves the caterers kitchen usually with just enough time to get to the function and set up for the event. It is placed in stainless steel dishes, wrapped in foil and then shipped in thermal containers which are air-tight and will keep food hot/cold for hours.
Can I take the leftover food home?
This is a question that is asked often. Taking food home is a health issue. Kitchen Door Catering Company can not control the safe handling of the food after it leaves a controlled environment and does not encourage this practice.
