Barcelona is famous for it’s food and rightly so! The catering world is a jungle and it’s essential for any event to get it right. There are many points to think about when choosing and going to tastings.
Food Type
First and foremost you should think about what type of food you would like and your budget per person. Were you thinking aperitif followed by sit down banquet and open bar whilst dancing? A less formal buffet station events, maybe with added sweets Caravan, show cooking, cocktail bartenders? Seafood bonanza or bbq? Tapas at a beach bar? You can look to spend from 25 at a beach bar up to 150 plus if you chose one of the crème de la crème caterers.
There are many questions to ask. If an open bar is included in the quote how long does it last for? Normally it’s 2 hours. Can it be extended, what brands are served, if I want a caipirinha or mojito option as well, how much would that be extra or is it included? Extending the bar can vary between 8 to 15 Euros or more per hour per guest.
Menu Price
What is included in the menu price when it comes to furniture, table ware and decoration? Flowers are not always included and companies normally offer some standard tableware in the price and you have the option to add an extra touch. We recommend that you always ask for pictures and examples. Another item is printed matter. If the printing of menus, place cards with names, big seating plan is included this, it can save you a lot of money and hours of work.
Something to establish early in the negotiation process are the prices of childrens’ menus and staff menus. Kids menus can be charged to as much as half price of the adult menus or cheaply with lovely finger food offered.
Staff
There should be different options for the staff. What will your photographer, band members, planners and artists eat and drink. We all do better jobs if we are properly fed and watered but you need to know what is included and the varitey that suits your function best. Maybe a small buffet with salads and cold cuts is better if staff are eating at different times. Sandwiches for the staff staying shorter might suffice like for the likes of the flamenco dancers, guitarists etc.
Apart from top food you want the service that accompanies it to be of the same quality. How many waiters per guest will the caterers bring? We recommend one per every 10 guests minimum.
Handling Waste
We all need to think about limiting waste and the footprint we leave behind us and here the leftovers come into question. Can it be given to charity, or be wrapped up for brunch the day after if you are staying at a villa? Served during disco as small buffet? These are some things that you should also consider.
PearlSandals is a Barcelona wedding and events planning company dedicated to creating special moments in Catalonia for Swedish, Russian, German, French, Spanish, Catalan and English speaking couples.
