2 caterers & I've been cheated before

smerceon

I have had experienced with caterers and other vendors who has not produced what they were contracted for- so now I diversify and want to  hiring two caterers.

One is french (food snobs) that handles all entrees, drinks  etc.  The other only the delivery of ethnic food- I would not trust them with anything else.  I was hoping they would also work w/ an appetizer distributor and just warm up the appetizers.  I called the place and by asking the above questions, the woman never called me back.  What should I do?  They are highly reccomended &  the woman is a consultant and wants to do every thing.  I already have a wedding planner, the venue has it's own Wedding day consultant, and she is not the chef just the only who handles the catering department.  Any suggestions?

J&K10910

I think you're going to have a hell of a time getting two caterers to work together.

smerceon

The Ethic food preparer will not be staying or working the event! He only delivers the food and leaves. I can't trust them.

J&K10910

Why don't you check your local board for vendors that are reputable, instead of acting all paranoid and stressing yourself out?

daria24

2 caterers I can understand, if one if a "traditional" caterer and the other is, say providing Indian food. But three sounds like hell to me. Why can't the French caterer do the apps? If you can trust them to do a fancy entree, surely they can handle some meat skewers, crudites, a cheese display, etc?

J&K10910

And either way, I didn't mean working together in the same room at the same time. Meant working the same event. Around here, it's not uncommon for there to be a clause in the contract preventingyou from using another food service.

lyndausvi

Find a different caterer who will work with others?   Hire some culinary students to act as liaisons between the different caterers?

smerceon

There will not be 3 caterers.  I have my own wedding planner and the venue gives a wedding planner to attend to set up only of reception site.

The problem is that I don't understand the french caterer's appetizers- it is way to fancy for me and I'm french. I prefer simple.

The ethnic food is just delivering his food.  I doubt the french could handle the ethnic food in california where that paticular nationality is scarce and some what popular in the east coast only.

We

smerceon

You make are making some sense- I like your constructive critism. Thank you, but not sure how to do the liason part  you are suggesting.

lyndausvi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_2-caterers-ive-been-cheated-before?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:440c41ef-9c35-4dd6-8d40-1baeda201e88Post:4c2104ca-230d-4a8a-8455-76c97747e94d">Re: 2 caterers & I've been cheated before</a>:
[QUOTE]You make are making some sense- I like your constructive critism. Thank you, but not sure how to do the liason part  you are suggesting.
Posted by smerceon[/QUOTE]

<div>Find a someone with culinary experience who can take the food from the different places and plate/display/whatever them.   Basically a coordinator for the kitchen.   It's not completely unheard of for 2 caterers to work together.  But at the same time there might be a little Alpha things going on.  Having a third party be in charge means the caterers can't point fingers at each other.  They are responsible for certain things and that's it.  The coordinator is responsible for getting the foods to it's final place.   If neither are responsible for the apps then make the liaison do them.</div><div>
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smerceon

Thank you.  You've been a great help.

Sierra524

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_2-caterers-ive-been-cheated-before?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:440c41ef-9c35-4dd6-8d40-1baeda201e88Post:34e0c579-3f91-4a33-b05d-41be5f3a77a2">Re: 2 caterers & I've been cheated before</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: 2 caterers & I've been cheated before : Find a someone with culinary experience who can take the food from the different places and plate/display/whatever them.   Basically a coordinator for the kitchen.   It's not completely unheard of for 2 caterers to work together.  But at the same time there might be a little Alpha things going on. <strong> Having a third party be in charge means the caterers can't point fingers at each other.  They are responsible for certain things and that's it.  The coordinator is responsible for getting the foods to it's final place.   If neither are responsible for the apps then make the liaison do them.</strong>
Posted by lyndausvi[/QUOTE]

This is a great idea. Make sure that if you do decide to go this way, the person you hire has experience in catering & such.

Viczaesar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_2-caterers-ive-been-cheated-before?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:440c41ef-9c35-4dd6-8d40-1baeda201e88Post:6cd4eebb-1c23-44b2-9b91-9f92b19bb453">Re: 2 caterers & I've been cheated before</a>:
[QUOTE]There will not be 3 caterers.  I have my own wedding planner and the venue gives a wedding planner to attend to set up only of reception site. The problem is that I don't understand the french caterer's appetizers- it is way to fancy for me and I'm french. I prefer simple. The ethnic food is just delivering his food.  I doubt the french could handle the ethnic food in california where that paticular nationality is scarce and some what popular in the east coast only. We
Posted by smerceon[/QUOTE]
What ethnic food are you talking about?