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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2002-02-13, Page 22Helpful suggestions indmg caterer For the rMe Everything you need for a Perfect Day 4. makeup application 4. natural nail manicures 4. pedicures. + full & part body waxing + European facials + paraffin wax treatments est4et‘s gCeetrtreys'is y „FonnIe 56 King St., Brussels 519-887-6661 tae For the oPoject, cddirjg let Zehrs Food Plus add the finishing touches Whether you want a traditional or contemporary look we will create elegant yet affordable bouquets, centerpieces, bouton- nieres, and corsages that suit your style. Book an appointment with our floral decorating team for your free consultation At Zehrs we also offer a large selection of wedding rentals including baskets, arches, candelabras, etc. (Deposit required). Plus our in-store bakery offers fresh baked buns, cakes and a fine selection of deli and party trays great for Buck & Does or receptions. Fine markets...of fine foods Huron Rd., Goderich 524-1072 600 Mitchell Rd. S., Listowel 291-5210 r43 FOOD PLUS \I It K ,r1 Yq 4; '0.-A,n'eil-5‘.:7 '4* " PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002. Summer is a time of weddings and social events and many of the people holding these events will look to caterers to provide food, beverages and service. Here are some tips from the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations to help you find the right catering company to suit the occasion at an affordable price. The first step to choosing the right catering company for your event is to make notes on your expectations and thJ tastes of your guests. As well, ask friends for recommendations, then do some research for yourself. Local hotel managers, restauranteurs and specialty-food shop managers can all offer suggestions on menus that will give you a firmer fix on price ranges. Try calling your local community college or vocational training school too. Many of these schools — and some high schools with advanced culinary-arts programs — provide catering services at very competitive rates, because the food is -prepared by students as part of their course requirements. Some people say they're afraid to hire a caterer for fear they won't like the dishes prepared for them. If this is a problem for you, look for some of the many catering companies that It's time to plan a wedding. You know yours will be perfect — after all, it's supposed to -be, right? Wrong! Some believe that the wedding must be perfect to ensure a happy life together. This illusion causes stress and, in some cases, could even lead to a break-up before the wedding ever happens! One mistake many couples make is having the expectation that everything will go right. It won't. (Unless they're extremely lucky, or have guardian angels following them around!) Not everything will go smoothly. When you have to plan, arrange, decide, schedule, reschedule, come to agreements (which is a whole story in itself), rehearse, try on, get fitted and so on, while dealing with a photographer, a caterer, a limousine driver, a priest or rabbi (or both), a set of bridesmaids and ushers, a seamstress, a band leader or disc jockey, a florist, two sets of in-laws, and the many other personalities you must deal with when planning a wedding, chances are there will be at least one problem. So if there's only A wedding cake will make some of your "sweetest" wedding memories, so choose a gorgeous cake made expressly for you and your groom! Charming customs have surrounded the tradition of wedding cakes for centuries. Bridesmaids once believed they would dream of the man they would marry if a morsel of cake was tucked in a stocking under their pillow. And, today, for good luck, brides and grooms freeze the top layer for sharing on their first anniversary. This popular ritual can be made even more special when your cake is made to order. The top layer — saved to savour after your first year of marriage — is especially fun to will provide the opportunity for you to sample their foods. By the time your research is complete, you should have spoken with about a dozen potential suppliers and gained a rough impression of their competence, specialties and flexibility. You should also have a clear idea of the type of menu you want. The next step is to reduce your potential suppliers to a short list of three candidates. Before you interview them, resolve not to hire any firm on the -spot. Each caterer should be told you'll want to discuss four topics. 1. References. A competent caterer should be proud of previous work and happy to provide letters of recommendation. Ask for the names of a couple of recent clients and call them to ask for details on the quality of food and service. 2. Written outlines of previous functions. Generally, a caterer will show you several outlines of the responsibilities they've assumed for various functions. These will often include the menu, photos taken just before the event — if they've provided the service as well as the fare — and a floor plan with notes about the service, food and beverage stations. What you're looking for here is an indication the firm has- dealt with events similar to yours one, consider yourself lucky! The variety of mishaps that could happen range from the bridesmaids' dresses getting dyed fluorescent green instead of lavender, to a hurricane hitting the day of your outdoor wedding. For the most part, wedding blunders are part of the whole wedding experience; some even add spice to the day. And since in most cases they can't be avoided, it's best to laugh them off instead of letting them get the best of you. The only thing you can do to avoid these mishaps is to plan early and communicate clearly. Confirm, reconfirm, and confirm again! Even if you do everything right and something goes wrong, don't fret. Although the wedding day is significant, the most important part is what happens afterwards. Happy newlyweds will discover that the confusion over seating guests at the reception, or the disappointment of bad weather, will soon fade. The most important thing is to make the best of the mishaps, and enjoy the start of your life together! select as a couple. For example, you might choose a favorite flavour — like carrot or chocolate — or it might be filled with raspberry jam. To ensure that your cake stays moist and delicious, package the top layer carefully to store in the freezer. Wrap it airtight — first in plastic wrap, then in heavy-duty aluminum foil — and place the cake in a rigid box to protect delicate decorations. Another way to individualize your cake is with beautiful ornaments and accessories. These cherished keepsakes are beautifully made, often with laces and trims, and most of them can be mixed and matched with fresh flowers, greenery or any other accessories. and that their planning appears to be thorough. 3. Sample menus. Now you're getting down to the fun part! The caterer should ask you for as many details as possible about your tastes and desires and then start to make suggestions. Often they'll use a few sample menus to get things started, before asking you for ideas on specific details. If you don't start to sense that the company is a reliable firm you can trust at this point, look elsewhere. Whether buffet-style or sit-down, menu prices are usually quoted on a per plate basis. Ask up front if you're not sure whether the price includes appetizers, coffee or dessert. 4. List of responsibilities. What exactly do you expect from a caterer? If you're renting a hall, will it come equipped with dishes, serving trays, or a bar? Many caterers are familiar with local -reception halls, but you should know what will be needed before you meet with them. If their food looks wonderful but you think their taste was all in their mouths when they picked their china, ask if you can provide your own. Many caterers will have no objections to you bringing in your own props, such as extra tables, trays, glasses and silver. Party- supply rental shops can provide an amazing array of goods from fine chinas to table linens. However, it's sometimes a condition of a caterer's contract that their services be used. Everything the caterer will provide should be clearly spelled out on the list of responsibilities, with a price list attached. Coping when things go wrong Dream up a fantasy cake