Finding the best catering in Orlando for your event can be an overwhelming process. Food is central to the guest experience at any event and we know that you only want to hire the best. At the beginning of your search, you’re probably wondering where exactly to start or what are the right questions to ask an Orlando caterer. You may be asking yourself questions like:
How do you uncover the best catering in Orlando out of the thousands of Google search results?
How do you know who is reliable and trustworthy enough to deliver an excellent experience for your guests?
What questions should I ask potential caterers before hiring them?
We’ll answer all of these questions in this post and more. With a few handy tips, we’ll help guide you to the perfect catering in Orlando that is just right for you and your guests.
Step 1: Establish an Event Vision
Before you can start searching for the best catering in Orlando, you need to have a clear idea of the type of event you are hosting and the type of food you would like to serve. Good questions to ask yourself in this stage are:
- What is the event’s purpose or goal?
- What type of environment do you want to create (i.e. formal, elegant, casual, laidback etc.)?
- What types of festivities, activities or formalities will take place at the event?
- What cuisine is preferable for your guests?
- Which catering service style best fits the event type and environment?
By answering these questions, you’ll determine the type of food your Orlando caterer will need to provide and what type of service they need to be well-versed in. This is an essential starting point to finding the best catering in Orlando for your event.
Step 2: Set Your Budget
The next step is to set your budget. Start by establishing an overall event budget and then breaking that total down by vendor category. For example, a typical wedding catering budget is 40-50% of the overall budget.
You may consider researching the average catering prices in Orlando to best judge what a realistic budget for your type of event should be.
Step 3: Research & Review
Now it’s time to search, search, search! If you know anyone in the Orlando area, you can start by asking them for tried and true recommendations. We recommend still conducting online research to ensure you have all the best possibilities for catering in Orlando.
Do a quick Google search for “catering in Orlando” and see which caterers pop up. Check out online reviews from sites like Wedding Wire or The Knot. You can also search social media, like Instagram, for top Orlando caterers and review their recent activity and body of work.
Make sure to keep track of your searches with a detailed spreadsheet that includes the caterers’ names, contact info, price range and cuisine, to name a few.
For any Orlando caterers that you have interest in, it’s always a good idea to read past customers’ reviews on Google, Facebook, Instagram, and/or websites like The Knot.
We’ve made it easy for you to check us out! Read John Michael Events’ reviews and see our recent work here. Don’t forget to like and follow us!
Step 4: Connect with Orlando Caterers
Once you have compiled a list of 3-5 Orlando caterers that you are interested in, connect with each of them! Submit an inquiry form on their website or shoot them an email with all the pertinent details of your event. You’ll want to include information for them, such as:
-Event Name
-Event Date
-Venue Name
-Guest Count
-Catering Budget
-Style of Service
-Type of Food (i.e. appetizers, 3 course meal, dessert etc.)
Get a conversation going with each caterer to evaluate their information and guest service. A key indicator of how the caterer will take care of your guests is how they take care of you first. Luckily for you, John Michael Events’ team is focused on not just the quality of our food, but also on delivering the best guest experience for you and your attendees.
Reach out to our friendly and attentive team of catering experts to find out more about how we can serve you: Contact John Michael Events
Key Questions to Ask a Potential Orlando Caterer
Now that you’re in contact with a short list of the best catering in Orlando for you, you’ll want to make sure to ask the right questions to ensure they can meet all your event needs. Key questions you may consider asking include:
- Do you offer an all-inclusive catering package?
- Are we able to customize our catering menu?
- Do you provide rental items, like linens and chargers?
- Do you offer catering tastings?
- Can you accommodate different dietary restrictions?
For John Michael Events, the answer is “yes!” to all of the above. It’s our mission to make the wedding and event catering process as simple and seamless for you as possible while delivering the same excellence to your guests on the day-of.
Step 5: Taste Test
The final step in finding the best catering in Orlando is perhaps the most fun one: a taste test! Many Orlando caterers offer a catering tasting for you to sample the food and experience their staff’s service. This is an excellent opportunity for you to meet their catering team face-to-face and ask all the remaining planning questions you have. Plus, you get to try different dishes to narrow down your final event menu!
Here at John Michael Events, we offer a truly unique group tasting experience for our potential and existing clients. We host a group tasting event twice a quarter. At these events, we serve a unique tasting menu that showcases the quality and variety of food we offer. For more information on our signature tastings, check out our other blog post HERE.
Our next tasting event will be on Sunday, March 26th from 11:30am – 1pm. Mark your calendars!
To RSVP for this event, email our team and reserve your spot today.
Final Thoughts on Discovering the Best Catering in Orlando:
Congrats! You’re well on your way to finding the best catering in Orlando for your event. After reading this, you may have actually already found the right caterer in John Michael Events! We have been serving Orlando events since 1995 and are true experts in our craft.
Connect with our team below. We can’t wait to show you how we can best serve your event!
About John Michael Events | Best Catering in Orlando
John Michael Events is an experienced Orlando wedding and event caterer, specializing in serving all types of events, from weddings to social events to corporate events. We offer all-inclusive wedding packages that not only include event catering, but also the additional vendors you’ll need to throw the perfect wedding or event! Twice a quarter, we are proud to host “A Taste of John Michael,” a one-of-a-kind group tasting experience, where clients are invited to sample a variety of our delicacies.
Ready to book the best catering in Orlando? Contact our team by hitting the button below. We would love to chat with you!
