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No tasting for the caterer?? Is this unusual??

teryan2321teryan2321 member
10 Comments
in Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh

Our venue has an in-house caterer, and we just found out they don't do tastings! Not only was this something we were really looking forward to, but how are we supposed to decide what food we would like? The company said they would have the chef "describe" the food to us, and give us names of other brides who used them, but I don't think that's good enough. Is this typical?

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Re: No tasting for the caterer?? Is this unusual??

  • mookow86mookow86
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I have never heard of that before. That sounds fishy. Ask if they'll let you taste if you pay a fee? What kind of venue is it- could you go there and taste the food as a regular customer?
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  • carcrashheartcarcrashheart member
    Third Anniversary 100 Comments Name Dropper
    edited December 2011

    No, not typical at all. Some places/caterers will choose to do group tastings, but no tasting at all sounds fishy. What does your contract say? And why wasn't this asked about prior to signing the contract? If you can back out, I might consider it.

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  • sarilynnepsarilynnep
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    No there is something definitely wrong with that. Most caterers want you to be happy with the product they provide- food! I would definitely demand a tasting, and I don't think you should pay for it. That should be a part of the service they provide. If they don't provide that then in my opinion, they are not professionals and I would think twice about using them. There is no way to know what the food tastes like by someone simply telling you. That's ridiculous. Does a food critic simply listen to a chef's description of food before he or she writes a critique? Of course not! They taste the food!

    If they won't do a tasting and you have the ability to back out, I would definitely try. Even if you signed a contract I would check and see what happens if you back out of the contract.  
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  • jlbaxter33jlbaxter33
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    That is definitely strange, most places don't have a tasting before you book the venue, but you definitely get one before you pick your food. That is so weird.

    Do you know anyone who has had their food? I'd be concerned.
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  • jessica.andrew2011jessica.andrew2011
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Not sure what venue you are looking at- I do know that the zoo does not do taste testing either. 
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  • teryan2321teryan2321 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011

    It is at the zoo. Well, I've researced and read reviews and it was a concern for other brides, but they were very, very pleased. So... I'm not worried... that much...

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  • heb557heb557 member
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    I've heard of this! A friend had their heart set on a place to have their reception at. They asked when they could do the food tasting, and the venue had said there wouldn't be a tasting unless they were willing to pay $100 per person. They immediately started looking for another venue. If you know first hand the food is good I wouldn't worry about it too much. I don't put too much trust in word of mouth because everyone has different taste! GL!
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  • jessica.andrew2011jessica.andrew2011
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My wedding is at the zoo in July- I too was really concerned about the lack of a taste testing but I did read a lot of reviews and contacted a few brides who had weddings at the zoo and everything seemed positive. So far the wedding coordinator and catering manager have been great to work with, they have made a lot of changes for us created a new menu to fit into our budget and have been pretty open to all of our suggestions.  I can give you more info after our wedding but so far I am really happy that we decided to go with the zoo.
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  • shakinmynerdsshakinmynerds member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My caterer doesnt have a tasting.. The Cooked Goose
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  • teryan2321teryan2321 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks! I'm glad to hear this. I'm not too, too worried, because everything else with them has been really good. It's good to know they work with you in menu changes. How was picking the linens? We are going on Monday.
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  • dls1729dls1729
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I am looking at using the zoo next summer/fall and I am interested in hearing about your time there.  Also, I would also like to work with them on a food menu and I really liked your idea about a bbq/picnic theme...what do you plan on serving?

    I have read a lot of reviews about the zoo and have only heard GOOD things about the food.  The reason that they dont do a tasting is this (quoted from the coordinator) "There is not taste testing, as we do not keep an inventory of food on hand, we buy fresh for each individual menu. However we do provide an e-mail reference list of our most recent clients for you to contact. In addition, we are listed on Weddingwire.com and Theknot.com as a recommend venue from previous clients."  hope that helps!
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  • teryan2321teryan2321 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ah, that makes sense. I actually feel better knowing that.
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