Your event is important.  It can leave lasting warm memories for your family, friends and colleagues.  At Zafron, it's important to us, too!  We strive to exceed your expectations.  Our Persian cuisine uses fresh, flavorful ingredients presented with style.  We also provide catering with the same high standards.

When looking for a caterer, there are many decisions to make, so we've put together some tips and tricks to help you create a wonderful event.

Timing is key:

Do start planning early.  The more lead time you can give the caterer, the better.  And great caterers fill up fast. It takes time to refine your event details; keep in mind that the caterer will often be preparing weeks before your actual event.

Preparation:

Think about your budget per person and for the entire event.  What kind of event are you having: a corporate event, a casual party or more upscale? How the food is served is equally as important. The type of service should reflect the mood of the event.  And it directly impacts the cost of catering.  Do you want:

• Wait staff serving to your guests at tables
• A casual self-serve buffet table
• A buffet with wait staff to serve your guests
• Casual family style with platters at the center of each table

This can still be clarified once you start talking with the caterer—they will have ideas based on their experience.  Are there any dietary restrictions, such as vegan or gluten free? Do you require decorations, flowers or table settings?  Or, do you want to do some of that yourself?  The latter can save you money, but can also be slightly time consuming.

Getting an accurate guest count:

Request RSVPs early. Call anyone who doesn’t confirm that they are attending.

Add your confirmed guests to the number of guests who are still "maybes" so you'll have a safe maximum. 

Meet with the caterer:

Do ask what kinds of events they usually serve and what they are comfortable with.  How can their cuisine be tailored to suit your event?  Can they handle the size of your event with ease? Is it possible to schedule a tasting?  Does the caterer provide their own wait staff?  Some caterers provide food and drink only; others provide linens, table settings, etc.

• How much is the required deposit? 
• What is their cancellation policy? 
• If you are not familiar with the company already, then you may want to ask for references.

What about drinks?  Do you want your catering service to pick this up as well? Should there be a bartender? How will the drinks be served?

All of this painstaking planning leads to knowing exactly what is included in your quote.  Taking the time to cover all the bases will lead to a great, memorable event where you can relax and have the details handled.

For more info, see our catering services  page or please give us a call at (404) 255-7402.