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Help!

anastasialoanastasialo
First Comment
in Washington-Seattle
Do most catering companies require the couple to sign the contract first before you sample their food?
Our dream reception place requires us to use their catering company, but the food looks horrible online! When asked the catering manager, she said that we would have to sign with them first before we can sample the food. We're really worried!! Should we start looking at other reception places? Or is this usually how it is for catering companies?
Thanks!
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Re: Help!

  • jamers22jamers22
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I dont think that's very common. Most places I spoke to either had open houses where we could sample, or we could schedule a meeting. I definitely wouldn't feel comfortable signing with them until you've tried their food, if you're concerned that it doesnt look good. Have you told them your fears? If they still insist that you sign first, I would look elsewhere.
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  • TygirljojoTygirljojo
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ummm...that's rather worrisome to me.  FI and I sampled food from 3-4 catering companies, one of which was for a venue in which they had their in-house catering and had an open house for people to come try the food.  That just seems sketchy to me.  If you really want the place but are (rightfully) worried about the food, maybe offer to pay them $20-25 for each of you to do a tasting?  I wouldn't sign a contract with a catering company before tasting the food - that's the most important part of a reception IMO and usually the catergory/vendor in a wedding that costs the most.
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  • karebear219karebear219
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree with PP. It seems really wrong to me. If they won't let you try the food first move on to someone else.
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  • angstocker22angstocker22
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I've been to about 5 tastings and have a couple more coming up. I have never been asked that.
    If you REALLY have your heart set out for this place you could ask for references before you sign... Call some of their past brides and see what they say!
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  • braveangel2braveangel2
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    No, not common at all, and a red flag for me. I would see if I could get some reviews. Maybe they have tasting events scheduled through out the year - I know some places do that.
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  • anastasialoanastasialo
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    The place is at Woodland Park Zoo and I'm really surprised that they wouldn't let us sample until we sign! :(
    Does anyone know if their catering company is good?
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  • whatchamahuwhatchamahu
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree with PP, this scares me. I woould try talking to them again and see if you can work anything out.
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  • saracksarack
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    edited December 2011
    That is crazy! I had a friend who got married there.. let me ask her!
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  • TygirljojoTygirljojo
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Look up the catering company's info on sites like Yelp, Projectwedding, Citysearch, WeddingWire, and BBB.
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  • jennyann28jennyann28
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Danger!!!  That seems like a huge red flag.  Why would you hire someone without knowing what their product is?  Get them to let you have a tasting, or move on.  You're lucky though, because there are so many awesome venues here!
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  • darby0422darby0422
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Maybe it's because if you are selecting a unique venue like the zoo, the food is not necessarily as important as the experience/vibe you're going for.  But I agree with PP, you don't want the food to suck.  Can you search revues like others have mentioned?

    That being said, we did not do our tasting until way after we booked our venue.   They had mandatory onsite catering and their menu changes seasonally, so there was no guarantee anything we tasted would be available once our wedding date arrived.  We had heard wonderful things about the food (and it was spectacular), but it wasn't our biggest concern when selecting our dream venue.

    Good luck!
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  • kristend72kristend72
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Smells fishy to me. First, I would ask them why they require you to sign a contract prior to a tasting. If they say they don't want to go to the expense and then have you not book, offer to pay them something like $40 that would be applied to your final bill if you do book. If they give you more BS and trouble, I would go back to the zoo people and talk to them about it. Something isn't right if they don't want you to try their food until they get a contract. If the catering company doesn't shape up, it's not good for the zoo's wedding business, either.
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  • Koolkay83Koolkay83 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I would find somewhere else to have a reception. That is weird to me if you can't sample their food first before signing.
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