bad tasting with venue-required caterer

Re: bad tasting with venue-required caterer

• MuppetOverlord member

  

  March 2013 edited March 2013

  I would ask them to let you work with another caterer. Keep calling!
  
  I do not like situations where I have no options. Hopefully the venue works with you. I would start to put this into writing for them so that you have a trail defining the problems early on.
  
  If you have no options for other caterers, try to work with the caterer perhaps. If you're stuck with this one, do you still want to get married there?

  
  
  You'll never be subject to a cash bar, gap, potluck wedding, or b-list if you marry a Muppet Overlord.

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• canolive613

  

  March 2013

  Well the contract has been signed and the invitations are being printed, so yes, I very much want to be there!
  
  I've let the coordinator know, so we'll see what develops. I'm just wanting to get a sense how much back and forth you can have with a caterer!
  
  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_bad-tasting-with-venue-required-caterer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:342dcbf6-efea-45a3-b1bd-625c9ce1147cPost:403c68ae-44d5-4d80-bbf0-b27e77ac357e">Re: bad tasting with venue-required caterer</a>:
  [QUOTE]I would ask them to let you work with another caterer. Keep calling! I do not like situations where I have no options. Hopefully the venue works with you. I would start to put this into writing for them so that you have a trail defining the problems early on. If you have no options for other caterers, try to work with the caterer perhaps. If you're stuck with this one, do you still want to get married there?
  Posted by BritniLeigh[/QUOTE]

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• Maggie0829 member

  

  March 2013

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_bad-tasting-with-venue-required-caterer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:342dcbf6-efea-45a3-b1bd-625c9ce1147cPost:23c8be14-7301-4969-8cfb-9555c4c95cff">Re: bad tasting with venue-required caterer</a>:
  [QUOTE]Well the contract has been signed and the invitations are being printed, so yes, I very much want to be there! I've let the coordinator know, so we'll see what develops. I'm just wanting to get a sense how much back and forth you can have with a caterer! In Response to Re: bad tasting with venue-required caterer :
  Posted by canolive613[/QUOTE]
  
  Since you are paying them to provide a service then you should have as much back and forth that you want.
  
  When you had your tasting did you express your feelings about the food?  If not you really need to let them know that you did not like it.  I know sometimes people don't want to be outwardly rude but when it comes to the food you are serving your guests you shouldn't feel bad about telling them that it isn't good.  The caterer should want to present the best product that they can to give themselves a good name as well as provide you with some great food.
  
  Maybe you should provide some suggestions of what you may like in regards to taste and seasoning.

  
  

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• canolive613

  

  March 2013

  Thanks for your response. The venue coordinator and I were so wrapped up in talking about other details that I didn't get to it. I was picking linen colors and getting other detail questions asked that I didn't even think about it until after. I did email her about it after, and still haven't heard back.
  
  But it's a good point, while I don't want to be difficult, I do want to do what I can to make the food better. I'll see if I can work with the caterer on a simpler menu.
  
  

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• MuppetOverlord member

  

  March 2013

  how's this coming? im curious

  
  
  You'll never be subject to a cash bar, gap, potluck wedding, or b-list if you marry a Muppet Overlord.

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• MrsGandthebeag member

  

  March 2013

  The one thing people never forget about a wedding is the food.  Get your point across.  

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• Ella and Pedro member

  

  April 2013

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_bad-tasting-with-venue-required-caterer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:342dcbf6-efea-45a3-b1bd-625c9ce1147cPost:05f43f45-ce9d-4ec9-9d23-38c99560a259">Re: bad tasting with venue-required caterer</a>:
  [QUOTE]We had a bad tasting. It was brought up while we were still there, but we did <strong>e-mail</strong>.  <strong>We simply said that we were very worried about the food</strong>, as it was a major selling point to a reception venue, and at that point we needed to <strong>talk about the food or consider a new venue</strong>. Our reception came back offering a whole new tasting, and did not want to settle until they had proven themselves. In the end, the food was amazing. Bar none the best I've ever had a any wedding. Be gentle yet firm and specific. 
  Posted by Harry87[/QUOTE]
  
  This:
  
  In writing, state without any backtracking, firmly but politely, that they need to either deal with X Y and Z (be specific) or you will consider a new venue.
  
  This is a bit like playing "Chicken" but be prepared for them to say "ok."  You will have to do new invitations and pay a new deposit.  I think it is worth it to have a good meal for your guests. I do not think it will come to that.  They want your money, and the higher-ups may frankly not realize the specific problems, and without you stating clearly what they are, may just think you are being a bridezilla.  If you have a chance and feel comfortable, I'd ask for a second tasting and to retaste the recipes after changes you have requested have been seen to.  To make sure.  And, you know, if the food is still really sub-par, you should be prepared to really leave or have everyone eat bad food. 

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