This is a thread that was started in our old BlissWeddings.com forums by e-star on 7/03/05. Feel free to add your comments by pressing Post Reply.
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posted by e-star
I've just heard from my caterer that my FH and I won't be getting the full tasting they promised us when we initially interviewed them. They say their policy is to do group tastings where 2-4 other couples get together and eveyrone does a tasting in one go.
Is this the norm? I'm a bit upset as I specifically asked them about this 2 months ago when I signed them and they assured me a full tasting for my FH and I. Now it seems like we're just being cattle herded through the process. Has anyone else ever heard of a group tasting?
I haven't even had a chance to speak to them about the menu and I feel in a group situation, I won't be able to get the individual attention and help in picking the food. I've tried to talk to them about my food choices and they keep fobbing me off by saying we have plenty of time - my wedding is basically 3 months away - shouldn't we at least be discussing potential menu choices by now?
A part of me wants to back out and pick another caterer, but I've already given them a deposit and would only get 50% back if I cancel on them. Is the reason "I don't think you're providing me with the indidivual service you promised" a valid reason for canceling the contract? Could I expect the full deposit back?
I'm definitely waiting to see what happens at this group tasting in terms oflevel of service they provide. Any tips on what I should be demanding/receiving at this group tasting in terms of service? They said I would be able to pick my linens so they should help me choose colors, glassware etc. and not go constantly running off to another couple, right?
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posted by NovemberGal
Does your contract specify a full tasting with just you & FH? That's one place to start.
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posted by wynelle
Why can't it be a full tasting with other people there? It seems much more cost effective for the caterers to go through the full preparations for 6-8 people than to do it for 2. And they may have you tasting everything, getting some thoughts in your head, then making personal selections at a later time with an individual meeting.
Unless you want something really unusual and out of season that would require special ordering from a distributer, in many cases the menu can be finalized a week out.
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posted by syringa
As a coordinator, I agree with Wynelle. It would be very unusual for you to have a meal prepared just for the two of you for a tasting unless you are working with a hotel or restaurant. They will often comp you lunch so that you get a feel for their style, but you eat on your own and then meet with their staff later to discuss your choices. The tasting that you are attending is simply a way for you to get a feel for the quality and presentation of the caterers. Bring a notebook and write down any questions or observations that you may have so that you can discuss them at a later meeting when you give them your specific menu selections. Though this may not be what you expected, it can actually be fun to be with other couples who are also planning their weddings. You have the opportunity to discuss what you are doing for your wedding with other, very interested, people.
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posted by e-star
It's just that the caterers didn't even tell me about the group tasting - first they tried to make it seem like my FH and I had already had our tasting. What we had was a meeting with them before I signed with them and they just did a few hors d'ouevres for us to try so we could get a feel for their presentation.
Then, when I pressed them about the verbal agreement for the full tasting, they finally admitted to a group tasting taking place which they then invited me and my FH to. But the other couples at this group tasting haven't signed a contract with my caterer, whereas my FH and I. I don't want to be at a tasting where they are trying to win new business. I don't feel it's appropriate to mix clients who have put down a deposit, with clients who are there just on a potential look-see. Am I wrong to feel this way?
The only other option they gave me and my FH was to drop by an event they would be catering and to let us taste some of the hors d'oeuvres which would be "similar" to our menu. I want to taste the menu I had picked out! Is that so hard?
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posted by NovemberGal
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I want to taste the menu I had picked out! Is that so hard?
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Well, actually, if this isn't something they've contracted to do in writing, I don't think it's common. It's a lot of effort to make small amounts of food for just two people.
Have you already picked the menu, and just want to see what you're getting, or do you have a few things you're interested in and want to make a final decision? Could you maybe request a couple of items to be in this group tasting that you're particularly interested in? If you've already chosen your menu though, they have very little incentive to make up samples for you.
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posted by feb-bride
I've never heard of a caterer doing a full tasting with just one couple at a time unless your wedding is being catered by a restaurant, and then you would just be going to the restaurant during a meal time.
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posted by wedbyjean
Some do tastings for just the couple (2-4 people) others do in groups. Although you won't get 100% of their attention with a group, (speaking from my past experience in this type of situation) you are taken care of, and don't feel like your needs aren't met.
You can't rely on verbal agreements, particularly with venues & caterers. (I say this because of the high turn around of these positions. It's not uncommon to start dealing with one person, then sometime later find out they're no longer with the company & someone else has taken their place).
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drop by an event they would be catering and to let us taste some of the hors d'oeuvres which would be "similar" to our menu
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Is this person actually suggesting that you sample food from someone else's event, or that they will set some aside for you to taste from someone elses event? This sounds wrong on their part. Would you want some stranger tasting the food from your event?
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first they tried to make it seem like my FH and I had already had our tasting . . . they just did a few hors d'ouevres for us to try so we could get a feel for their presentation.
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A few hors d'oeuvres does not make a tasting. Keep your eyes open, not necessarily because they're trying to pull a fast one. It's possible that "the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing," or they aren't paying attention to what they've told you. Get things in writing, even though you already have a contract with them, you CAN still get things in writing from them. It would be considered either an addendum or merely clarification to your current contract. Take notes, keep track of conversations (note date & time as well).
Jean Neuhart
Weddings From The Heart
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posted by CupieJen
We had a private taste testing--it was us and our moms. They had set up one table for us in the reception hall to show us how they normally set the tables for weddings. We had our menu narrowed down and the cook (who would be cooking the food for our reception) made up samples of all of the things we had it narrowed down to. The cook waited on us hand and foot!
Until now I thought this was the norm, but I guess we just got lucky!
group tastings?
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