Think Twice before Hiring a Catering Service

Who Knew?

A catering service can certainly take the guesswork out of planning and preparing for a large party, but their service comes at a steep price. Considering that in many cases the food they serve isn’t freshly made, the high price seems even more unreasonable.

I worked in a catering facility during high school. The scrumptious “chocolate mousse” we served was nothing more than chocolate pudding blended with whipped topping. Same thing for the rice pudding, it was straight from a can. Of course, I politely nodded when a guest I was serving speculated that it was definitely homemade pudding.

The fact is that many people simply can’t tell the difference between frozen foods and homemade foods. Many catering services are simply charging you a high price for frozen cream puffs and other miniature appetizers and desserts. With a bit of planning, you can have a successful house party without hiring a catering service.

Do It For Less

Scour your local supermarket for frozen appetizers and desserts. A tub of chocolate éclairs might cost around $7.

Another place to look for good deals is at warehouse clubs. If you or someone you know has a membership to a warehouse club, go there and browse the aisles for frozen foods that are ready to go. Many catering services are simply going to be charging you for the same frozen food, so go to the store and buy it yourself.

Focus on buying expensive versions of the most consumed items. Coffee, soda, and other beverages are items that you shouldn’t scrimp on. Make a few freshly prepared gourmet dishes to serve as “anchor” items.

If you serve some tasty fresh foods, everyone will assume all of the food is fresh. With the above tips, you can have a successful party without hiring a catering service.