A Thyme to Cook

PrincessLea84

Has anyone used them for a caterer? I'm looking in the Mystic area...any idea what the average cost per person for a wedding reception for food + drink typically costs? I'm sure it's a broad range but wondering if hiring a cater at a private venue is a more economical choice than going to a full-service wedding venue that is typically around $100/person.

SillyLGoose

I don't know anything about them..although I've seen good reviews. In general, it does not usually save you much to do the private venue with catering...so I've found out. There's usually a rental fee for the venue. Then, the caterer needs to bring/rent tables, chairs, linen, china, serving dishes, staff, build a kitchen (if necessary). From what I've heard it can cost the same, if not more.

jenni2349

I concur with Silly about the overall price. That being said, I've never heard anything, good or bad, about Thyme. I have heard good things about Culinary Concerts. CC does a lot at Yale and has done the Bush girls graduation parties. (If he is good enough for Barbara Bush, he'd be good enough for me!) I've been to few weddings at Seamen's Inne in Mystic, and they are pretty reasonable. The cocktail hour is outside with a great view.

LucyD1029

The quote I got from A Thyme to Cook was over $100 per person (I think $120?) and that included food and waitstaff.  It didn't include alcohol.  It wasn't for anything fancy either, just a plated dinner with fish & pork.  You should contact the caterer and have them put together a proposal for you. Depending on what the private venue includes, you might save money, but the rental costs add up.  Once we factored in rentals (tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware, silverware, etc.), we ended up spending over $225 pp, and that didn't include the rental fee at the venue. 

starrbuk13

i dont know anything about that particular caterer, but i can give you an idea as to prices. I used Cuisine with Jill and it cost just under $80pp including practically everything. It did NOT include bottles of alcohol (we bought them from a liquor store at state min) or cake (we didn't have one). Of the $80, $45 was the food and the bar service/liquor license. The other $35 was all the plates/napkins, etc rentals, service, clean up/set up, bar mixers, tip, etc. Alcohol at state min (4 types) cost us about $250 (enough for 52 people) Beer was another $75 or so, and we got wine from our venue by the glass for $4 per glass (it was a vineyard so we got it cheap...). Champagne for the toast was about $70. If it helps...our venue rental was about $12pp. So all in all....we spent about $95pp for the venue rental, caterer, and alcohol. HTH!

CTBride908

We used a Thyme to Cook for our JEW wedding last year. They are fantastic! I think the food was close to $50 PP but then we had all the add ons with the rentals and alcohol etc. They will work with you to make a customized menu and can work with your budget.