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Caterer giving me a hard time about taste testing

[Deleted User][Deleted User]
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in Wedding Cakes & Food Forum

We rented a venue that has its own caterer. We have to pay $50 to taste test three entres. We have been trying to schedule a testing and they seem to be totally unwilling to work with our schedules. We have asked about taste testing on the weekend because we do not live in the state our wedding/reception is going to be in. Is it not normal for people to taste test on weekends? I didn't think I was asking for a huge favor, but that is what she is making me feel like.

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Re: Caterer giving me a hard time about taste testing

  • LauraT25LauraT25
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Our venue doesn't do tastings on weekends, because they're usually having events.  It's their policy - I don't know if they might make an exception for someone OOT, but they can't really plan far in advance because if someone suddently wants to book an event that weekend, they would rather have the income from that and cancel your tasting.  I understand that it's inconvenient for you but it makes sense from a business perpective.
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    Our venue only asked us to schedule a testing on a day that the chef was already going to be there (the day of the event). The woman in charge of catering just seems to not want to work on the weekend.

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  • BlueBoxBrideBlueBoxBride member
    100 Comments 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    Our venue would only schedule us during regular business hours. We're also planning from OOT. We're flying in for a tasting on a Monday (so we can fly out that night).
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  • cai0311cai0311
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We had to schedule our tasting Monday - Friday also.  It was a pain because we both work full time Monday - Friday, but that was the policy.
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  • kgrunowkgrunow
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our tasting had to be the day of an event because they want you to taste real event food, not just something made for the tasting.
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  • lizzi97lizzi97 member
    Tenth Anniversary 10 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Our venue prefers to do tasting on the day that the chef will already be there, which is usually on the weekend. However, had we only been able to come by during the week, they would have tried to accomodate us. Clearly, each venue has its own set of operations, but you are not out of line to make a special request.
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  • cassandrae913cassandrae913 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our venue told us the tasting would be from 2-4 on a Tuesday, end of discussion. I am an attorney and now have to trials starting the morning of the day we picked and have to ask the judge for permission to leave for my tasting. :(
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  • StephieBowStephieBow member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our tasting has to take place on a Monday through Thursday.  Mainly because members of the golf club are using it more Thursday to Sunday.

    They might be able to make an exception since your are OOT and you're paying for your tasting (most places throw in the tasting for free so, you're at their mercy)
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    I understand that some staff members at the reception site only work monday-friday 9am-5pm...I was hoping that there could be some compromise or exception in order to accomodate out of town renters and hectic schedules. Not only do we not live in the state but I work and go to school and my fiance is in the middle of busy season. With all of the money we are spending there I am sure the site can pay a little over time!!!!! A staff member sent me a rude email basically just very unwilling to accomodate...so I just had my dad handle the catering from then on. My dad made a phone call and that day I got my appointment on a Saturday....maybe I should have him help me with other negotiations or appoint him to "wedding planner"?!?!?

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  • ThornwsThornws member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    yay for awesome dads!
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  • Milsey32Milsey32
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    That's not fun! Our caterer does free taste testing.. our first one was on a Saturday because they were having an event that evening and that was just to decide if we wanted to go with them or not, which we do, and so now when we finalize the buffet menu we'll be able to taste test that menu.. 

    Don't let them own you, missy!! YOU are the one giving THEM business. They should be helpful and kind!  ;-)

    Best regards, honey! xo
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  • makumba25makumba25 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    We are actually having our tasting tomorrow ( saturday). My venue was pretty good with helping us out. We could only do tasting on the weekends due to FI and I's hectic work schedules during the week. They just asked us to give them a week in advance so they can have everything ordered and prepared for us when we come. 

    As for your venue not being reasonable to help you out, is BS! Sorry hun...in my opinion your venue should help you out in a small little favor ( for instance out of town bride and groom tasting on the weekend) because they are getting thousands and thousands of dollars from you!!! GL!

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  • kaeshakaesha
    Eighth Anniversary 2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_caterer-giving-hard-time-taste-testing?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:de72681c-978c-4c01-9748-a15d86dba2c7Post:dfaf3816-52a6-4ecb-97fa-9bf9f5b65530">Re: Caterer giving me a hard time about taste testing</a>:
    [QUOTE]I understand that some staff members at the reception site only work monday-friday 9am-5pm...I was hoping that there could be some compromise or exception in order to accomodate out of town renters and hectic schedules. Not only do we not live in the state but I work and go to school and my fiance is in the middle of busy season. With all of the money we are spending there I am sure the site can pay a little over time!!!!! A staff member sent me a rude email basically just very unwilling to accomodate...so I just had my dad handle the catering from then on. My dad made a phone call and that day I got my appointment on a Saturday....maybe I should have him help me with other negotiations or appoint him to "wedding planner"?!?!?
    Posted by Tarin5506[/QUOTE]

    Or, you could learn some negotiation tactics from him and step up and do it yourself! I'm all about the empowered bride.
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  • pinkhorsepinkhorse
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ours had us come in on a week day.
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  • kimberlygokimberlygo member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    It seems ridiculous that they won't let you taste on the weekend when you're paying for the event. Is there someone above your contact at the venue you can speak to?
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  • FutureJilliannDFutureJilliannD member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I feel like it is also weird that you have to pay to taste the food. I have never heard of that before.
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