How to choose a caterer: 12 questions to ask before you book
What a caterer should tell you before you pay a deposit: total price, staff, rentals, tasting, allergies and what happens if the date changes.
By the Upper Crust Catering kitchen
When you are comparing catering companies, the headline price per person is the least useful number. Ask for the total with everything on it: food, plates, rentals, staff, delivery, tax and service charge. These 12 questions get you there, and we answer each as Upper Crust Catering in Yorkville so you can compare. Call (630) 553-9533 or ask for a quote and compare it against anyone.
The 12 questions
1. What is the all-in price? Ask for food, settings, chafing dishes, staff, delivery, tax and service charge on one page. Ours: buffets from $18.99 a person, plates and napkins $1.50 a person, chafing dish $17, 9.25% sales tax, delivery quoted by address.
2. What are the minimums? Ours are 20 guests for buffets and 20 boxes for boxed lunches. Trays and platters have no minimum.
3. How much notice do you need? Trays and boxed lunches three days, staffed events two weeks. Busy months (May, June, September, December) book earlier.
4. Can I taste first? We offer tastings at our kitchen showroom, where we also talk through the menu.
5. What does staff cost? Servers are $35 an hour per server with a four-hour minimum, plus a 20% service charge shared with the whole team on staffed events.
6. Who sets up and who cleans up? Drop-off means the driver sets the food out and leaves. Staff set up, keep the buffet going, clear tables and pack leftovers.
7. What happens with allergies? Ask how they separate food. We prepare separate meals for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal or allergy-specific guests. See our gluten-free catering guide.
8. Is the food made in your own kitchen? Ours is cooked from scratch in Yorkville.
9. How do deposits and payments work? Ours: a deposit when you accept the quote and the balance due before the event. Read the details on the policies page.
10. What if the headcount changes? Ask for the final-count deadline and what happens after it.
11. Can you do the style I want? We do cocktail receptions, passed hors d'oeuvres, stations, buffets and plated dinners.
12. Have you catered my kind of event? We have since 2003: weddings, corporate lunches, graduations, funerals and fundraisers.
Start with a price you can compare
Real numbers are on our pages: catering near me with prices and the full menu.
Questions
How far ahead should I book a caterer?
As early as you can, especially May, June, September and December weekends.
Is a small caterer a safe choice?
Check reviews, ask what they have catered, and ask for a tasting. Our reviews are on our reviews page.
Do caterers charge tax?
Our sales tax is 9.25%, shown as one line on the quote.
