Tasting charge for catering

Re: Tasting charge for catering

• amanda489 member

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  wow! I think that is insane. I feel like the point of tasting is for them to prove themselves to you and get your business so I agree I think it should be free at least for the bride and groom

  

  Report0 Reply
• mariegra member

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  Our venue had a tasting in May and invited all of the couples for their upcomming weddings.  I think they do this once or twice a year.  There was no separate charge, it is included with the cost of the venue.
  
  If it is a private caterer, I could see them charging a fee to cover their food costs and preparation time, but $250 sounds a bit much.

  September 2011 Board-April Siggy Challenge-Honeymoon Pics
  
  Planning Bio-updated August 16, 2011 NH Knotties Site
  
  

  Report0 Reply
• cg-pm52111

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  We didn't do a tasting, but I believe the option was that we could taste at the cost per plate (i.e. if the meal was going to be $40 at the wedding, it would be $40 to taste).  $250 seems like a lot at first glance, but if the meal is going to cost $60+ per plate, then it would make more sense.

  
  

  Report0 Reply
• RockyNFrankie

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  Mine is free for us and up to 4 additional guests. We can choose 4 apps and 3 entrees. 250 sounds like a lot to me!

  

  Report0 Reply
• dhdaydream

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  Like mariegra, my tasting was included with my venue.  They do one twice a year.  for DH and I it was free and then it was $20 per person for anyone else we wanted to bring with us.  We brought my mom and dad, so it was $40 for them.
  
  $250 does seem like a lot to me.I understand that there might be a fee for preparing the food to taste, but that price seems overly excessive.

  

  Report0 Reply
• [Deleted User] member

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  As most of the previous posts said, it's not too typical for venues to charge, but they have the advantage of getting a bunch of clients together at once (literally, a full wedding's worth of people sometimes) and serve selections in bulk for a lot less and charging for additional guests outside of the bride and groom. 
  
  If an independant caterer is just dealing with you and one or two other people, and you're wanting to try a sample of the many things they have to offer, it adds up quickly for them to buy and create a variety of quality dishes on a smaller scale.  $250 does sound like a lot though...

  Report0 Reply
• Lilac++ member

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  Our venue told us there was a $20 charge for the two of us to taste 4 main dishes, a few apps, salad, etc. We showed up, they gave us a ton of food and then never asked for the $20 and we forgot about it... so it ended up being free.

  
  My two favorite cats!
  

  Report0 Reply