Catering vs. Personal chef

kicou

akbride09 gave me an idea as far as food for the reception (Persona Chef=PC). I realized that many brides on the board are using or used a catering company (CC). I'm just assuming that for a large group, catering is the way to do. I'm just curious to know: -Who prepared or will prepare the food on your WD? If a PC why did you choose them over a CC? If you went with the catering, did you look at PC before making your decision?

pbkmom

I guess it depends on how many you are having. We have about 50 guests and are using celebrations catering. They will arrange the rental of tables, linens, lighting and tableware and set it up at Olowalu. They have figured in one supervisor, two kitchen, two servers and one bartender, so a staff of five. I chose them based on their reputation and quality of food. I'm sure there are wonderful personal chefs, but as I am coordinating the rest, I didn't want to chance it and went with the tried and true.  If you are having a dinner at your own rental villa,  I would think a personal chef would be just fine.

kaesha

I went with caterers because they're used to dealing with larger groups. A personal chef would be fine for 15 or less, but I can't see one person handling all the serving, cooking & clearning for more than that.

[Deleted User]

I am having a caterer who is bringing a small staff to serve all our guests (maybe 150-200 total). I think it will be great because we picked a menu and they are going to prepare and take care of serving it. I have NO worries about the food on our wedding day, which is so nice!

destiny1108

Personal chef would be for smaller parties and caterer for large.   Even with buffet, needed staff to pour water, clear glassware from bar, clear our plates, etc.

akbride09

Hi again! Thought I'd chime in on my reasons for hiring a personal chef vs caterers. Also, I'm not sure when your wedding is, but mine is in a little over 6 weeks, so I can definitely let you know how it turns out if there's time. I got quotes from 3 or 4 caterers. I requested fairly simple menus, buffet style, no bartender (my mom makes awesome cocktails), and the lowest quote I received was around $3000! There's only 22 of us, 8 of which are kids, so it was ridiculously expensive for our needs. And, even though I requested buffet style, they all still gave me quotes for servers, and vans to transport those servers, etc. I personally am having only family at my wedding, so I want it nice but I'm not worried about impressing anyone, so I just couldn't see spending that much on one meal. Actually, I just looked at that quote and it was for $3900. I can see if you have a group bigger than 25 or 30, having a caterer would probably be more convenient. I had to rent my own tables, chairs, etc., though that wasn't a big deal for me.All told, I'm spending about $600 for the food, add some $ for a tip, and about $600 for rentals (tables, chiavari chairs, plates, glassware, silverware, linens, beverage dispensers, serving trays).Besides the cost, the biggest pro I saw was that a personal chef definitely fit us and our style of wedding better - it's just family and very intimate, so we loved the idea of this lady coming in to cook for us in the kitchen of the house we're renting.

kicou

Thanks for your input guys. My wedding is towards the end of 2011, I still have time to figure things out. I like to plan ahead so that i wont have much to do by 2011. One of the reasons why i would like to do it in HI and in October is because less people will show up (I have a HUGE family). Having said that, it will be a family affair (no one to impress). I'm thinking that 30 people to the MAAAAXXXX will show up. I really like the idea of a DIY, simple, personal and not expensive wedding. I feel that a chef is more personal, and looking at your number very reasonable. I've always expected my grandma to be the chef for my wedding, but she died 2 yrs ago. I want to have other people views and reasons on the subject, for me to have a better idea on what to do. Any other inputs are welcome