What To Ask Before Hiring A Catering Company
Choosing a caterer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for any event, and it’s one that ripples through the entire experience. Food shapes the mood, fuels the conversation, and is often the detail guests remember long after the last plate is cleared. Yet many people book a catering company based on a single glance at a menu or a friendly phone call, only to run into surprises about pricing, staffing, or service once it’s too late to change course.
The better approach is to ask the right questions upfront. A short, thoughtful conversation before you sign anything tells you far more than a polished brochure ever could, and it separates the caterers who will deliver from the ones who will leave you scrambling. At Big Boards Catering in Clermont, FL, we welcome these questions from every client, because a well-informed customer is a happy one. Here’s exactly what to ask before you hire a catering company, and why each answer matters.
Are You Available on My Date?
It sounds obvious, but availability is the very first thing to confirm, and it’s where many great matches fall apart before they begin. The best caterers in the Clermont area book out weeks or even months ahead, especially during wedding season and the holidays. Reach out early, confirm your date is open, and ask how far in advance they recommend booking. If a caterer is already reserved, you’ll want to know immediately so you can keep looking rather than losing precious planning time.
Do You Have Experience With Events Like Mine?
Not every caterer is a fit for every occasion. A company that excels at corporate box lunches may not be the right choice for a formal wedding reception, and vice versa. Ask whether they regularly handle events similar to yours in size, style, and format. A caterer who has done dozens of gatherings like the one you’re planning will anticipate the details you haven’t thought of yet, from timing the meal around your program to managing the flow of a buffet line. Experience with your specific type of event is one of the strongest predictors of a smooth day.
What’s Included in Your Pricing?
Price is where surprises hide, so dig into it carefully. Ask for a clear breakdown of what the quoted price actually includes. Does it cover staffing, setup, and cleanup, or are those separate line items? Are serving equipment, linens, plates, and utensils part of the package or an added cost? What about delivery fees, service charges, and gratuity? A trustworthy caterer will give you a transparent, itemized answer rather than a single vague number. Understanding the full picture upfront protects your budget and prevents the uncomfortable experience of a final bill that’s far higher than you expected.
How Do You Handle Menu Customization and Tastings?
A great menu should fit your event, not the other way around. Ask how flexible the caterer is with customizing dishes, adjusting portions, and building a menu around your theme or preferences. Just as important, ask whether they offer a tasting before the event. Sampling the food ahead of time gives you confidence in your choices and a chance to fine-tune the menu while there’s still room to change things. A caterer who welcomes customization and offers tastings is one who takes your experience seriously.
Can You Accommodate Dietary Restrictions and Allergies?
Nearly every guest list today includes people with dietary needs, whether that’s vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or serious allergies. Ask directly how the caterer handles these requests and how they prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen and on the serving line. A professional team will have thoughtful systems in place and won’t treat special diets as an afterthought. Clear labeling, dedicated preparation, and a genuine willingness to accommodate every guest are signs of a caterer who cares about the whole room, not just the majority.
What Does Your Staffing Look Like?
The people serving your event matter as much as the food itself. Ask how many staff members will be on-site, what their roles are, and whether they’re the caterer’s own employees or hired for the day. Well-trained, professional servers keep an event running smoothly, refill dishes before they empty, and handle small problems before you ever notice them. Understanding the staffing ratio for your guest count also tells you whether service will feel attentive or stretched thin. Don’t be shy about asking what the staff will wear, either, since their appearance contributes to the tone of your event.
How Do You Handle Setup, Delivery, and Cleanup?
Logistics are where an event can quietly succeed or fall apart. Ask what time the team arrives, how long setup takes, and what they need from the venue in terms of space, power, and access. Just as important, clarify what happens at the end. Does the caterer break down and clean up their equipment and serving area, and what condition will they leave the space in? Knowing these details ahead of time prevents day-of confusion and ensures a seamless handoff between your caterer, your venue, and your team.
Are You Licensed and Insured?
This question is easy to overlook and genuinely important. A reputable catering company should carry the proper licenses to operate and the liability insurance to protect you in the rare event that something goes wrong. Ask to confirm they’re fully licensed and insured, and don’t hesitate to request documentation. Any professional caterer will answer this without hesitation, and a reluctance to do so is a meaningful red flag worth heeding.
What’s Your Policy on Guest Count Changes?
Guest counts shift, sometimes right up until the last minute, so understand the rules before you commit. Ask how far in advance you need to finalize your numbers, what happens if your count goes up or down after that point, and whether there’s flexibility built in. A caterer who explains their policy clearly helps you plan with confidence and avoid penalties. This is also a good moment to ask about their approach to leftovers, since policies vary on whether extra food goes home with you or not.
What Are Your Payment Terms and Cancellation Policy?
Before you sign anything, understand the financial commitment in full. Ask about the deposit, the payment schedule, and when the final balance is due. Just as important, ask what happens if you need to cancel or reschedule, and whether your deposit is refundable. Life and business are unpredictable, and knowing the cancellation terms upfront protects you if plans change. A clear, written agreement that spells all of this out protects both you and the caterer, and it’s a hallmark of a company that operates professionally.
Can You Share References or Reviews?
Finally, ask for proof beyond the sales pitch. A caterer with a strong track record will happily point you to online reviews, testimonials, or references from past clients. Reading about other people’s experiences, especially at events similar to yours, gives you a realistic sense of what to expect. Pay attention to how the caterer responds to this request. Enthusiasm and transparency are good signs, while vagueness or reluctance suggests you should keep looking.
Andy and his crew absolutely knocked it out of the park catering my cousin’s bridal shower at our home. From start to finish, everything was seamless. The food was exceptional—beautifully presented and even better tasting (guests are still talking about it). Every detail felt thoughtful and elevated the entire event. The service was just as impressive. Andy and his team were professional, attentive, and made everything feel effortless on our end. They truly went above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly so we could actually enjoy the day. I would recommend Andy to anyone without hesitation and will definitely be using him again for future events. Five stars all the way!
I just have to say—Andy absolutely knocked it out of the park. The food was incredible from start to finish, but the shrimp and grits were on another level. Hands down the best shrimp I’ve ever had—perfectly cooked, flavorful, and just melt-in-your-mouth good. You can tell a lot of care and skill went into every bite. I’ll definitely be coming back and recommending this to everyone I know!
Such a great catering company! If you want class paired with absolutely delicious food, this is the one. Everything was beautifully done and tasted even better than it looked!!
Food was delicious, the set up was beautiful, and the staff was incredible!! 🙂
The presentation was incredible, the food was absolutely amazing. But the staff was by far the best part! I highly recommend!
Shrimp and grits were incredible!! The service is amazing. I’ve never been unsatisfied.!! We have hired Andy three times now and every time it’s absolutely perfect!! High quality and definitely recommend them!
We used Big Boards for our wedding shower in Winter Garden this past August, and they were fantastic! The food was delicious, especially the charcuterie board and cannolis 😉, which were a huge hit with our guests. The display was beautifully set up, and everything was handled so professionally. They truly made the day special. Highly recommend!
Big Boards Catering made celebrating my special event an enchanting evening, and my guest are still raving about the food and excellent service.
We highly recommend Andy and his team for any event. We were fortunate enough to have him cater our wedding last October in Howie in The Hills. The food we chose was amazing: Entrees *Pulled pork and Mac and cheese *Chili Glazed Meatballs with Yukon gold mash potatoes Sides *green beans with almonds *Chili Rice and Beans We plan on using him for our other events and can’t recommend Big Boards Catering enough.
Have attended several events where Big Boards Catering provided the food. It's always been excellent food and excellent service! I've been impressed with their attention to detail in how they set up and display the food as well as break down and clean up!
Andy and his team are awesome! I will use Big Boards again in a heartbeat. My guests were so impressed with not only the presentation but the food itself was outstanding! Big Boards Catering is an absolute must use ... again and again!
We have used big boards several times as well as been at events they have catered. Everything is always wonderful. We highly recommend them!
We’ve used Andy and staff for about 3 events and they have been amazing. Food has been delicious and when accompanied with their amazing service, they are perfect for any event!
Shrimp and grits to die for! Highlight recommend! Great service and delicious foods for parties and family gatherings
Amazing! Perfect beautiful amazing services I love them so much! The food is so good!!
Thank you to the Big Boards Catering Team for the community support by sponsoring Windermere Wine & Dine (multiple years and in very cold temperatures outdoors with smiles on their faces), Matthew's Hope catered fundraising evening, and so many local charities. Beyond your Team's generous hearts and great attitudes, the food that you gifted was delicious, creative, and "Pinteresting." Your company has created jobs and opportunities for so many people, including former students of mine that I taught during their high school years. I am honored to recommend Big Boards Catering to my clients and friends without hesitation because I know that consistently they show up and bring the wow-factor as well as caring for their employees. You are ambassadors of the very best in event/wedding catering industry for professional standards - both in food and business practices. Bless you for all that you do here in Central Florida for our community ❤️🧑🍳☕️✅️
The BEST catering company in the Orlando area. Food is amazing and full of flavor. The staff is kind and will take amazing care of you for your event. If you want great service and amazing food you don’t need to look any further. Go ahead and book Big Boards Catering.
Goodbye party for ED. Wonderful variety and amount of food for staff party (Feb 2026). Everyone was raving about the food.
Andy and his team put together an amazing menu for my son's Wedding Rehersal dinner at our home. What made it even better was we did it all in under 2 weeks! Andy reassured me it would all be perfect and it absolutely was! The food was delicious and his team did all the work...including the clean up!!
Wow!! Thats really the best way to describe Big Boards!! They have catered many events for one of the non profits I am a part of as well as multiple events around central Florida that we have attended....They knock it out of the park everytime!! They are extremely prompt, professional, and the owners go above and beyond for each client!! Small dinner party at home call them!! Office party for 50 people call them! Big corporate event for 300 people and food allergies CALL them!! I cannot reccomend Andy and his crew enough!!!
Delicious food and amazing elevated experience. Owners are extremely personable and always engaging at events. Definitely next level for catering.
Big Boards has been a go-to for my husband and me from Day 1, and we will continue to have them cater our yearly New Years Day event (wouldn't consider any other caterer....ever!). Andy and his team always go the extra mile and bring our events to another level. We have never been disappointed in the quality of the food and service we receive, and we so appreciate the way Big Boards brings that WOW factor! Highly recommend!!!
Every year my husband and I host a Christmas party for our staff of about 75-100 people. Big Boards has been catering this event for the last 4 years. They are always a joy to work with and food is always consistent and DELICIOUS. You must try their deviled eggs! We plan to continue to use their services for our Christmas party and any other events that come up.
I’ve used Big Boards Catering for several events, and they’ve been exceptional every time. They always arrive with a positive attitude, serve delicious food, and truly go above and beyond to ensure everything aligns perfectly with your event’s theme. Last December, our downtown Orlando office building turned 100 years old. They planned a “100-Year Old Christmas” party for me, and it was outstanding. They exceeded all expectations. If you’re looking for someone to handle your event, Andy and his team are a fantastic choice. They absolutely will not disappoint.
Andy and his team were phenomenal for our wedding this past January at Villa Festa in Deland FL. The food was amazing and the presentation was stunning. Andy’s attention to detail is second to none. Highly recommend for any event!
Big Boards Catering is incredible! Great Service, Incredible Food, Highest Communication Ever! Total knowledge, diverse menu and flexible with all options, All around 5x5 stars! Thank you Andy and Teresa!
Big Boards has the best food catered to your preference and service is excellent. Will be using them at our next event
We have had Andy cater three events and he is a genuinely good person with great food and service! Highly recommend!
I’ve had Big Boards Catering multiple times through our BNI group, and it’s something I genuinely look forward to. You can tell he really cares because everything is always fresh, creative, and put together with intention. It’s never your typical boring spread. Highly recommend.
The absolute best food and service I have ever experienced. I will use Andy’s catering company for all my personal and business events in the future.
I’ve have several great experiences working with Big Boards Catering. The professionalism, creativity, and fun they bring to every function is unmatched! Looking forward to next time!
Andy and the Big Boards team have hosted several events in our home. Each time the attention to details, their flexibility with the menu, and treatment of our guests have been top notch! Andy is easy to work with and really wants to make each event special in its own way. We highly recommend this catering team!!! Pro tip: get the shrimp and grits, and the pesto tortellini!
Big Boards fed my wife’s Birthday Event. The food was themed and on point. Andy and his Crew were Exceptional. I have watched him grow since the beginning. I Highly Highly recommend Big Boards for any event. Thank you Andy for your expertise and quality Much future Success Tom & Marianne Cook
In the spring of 2021 we decided to celebrate our 50th Anniversary with an open house. We contacted Andy at Big Boards Catering. WOW! What a pleasure that turned out to be. He handled everything. We could relax and enjoy our friends. It was a spectacular party and so worry free. They made sure everything was fresh and beautifully presented. Would recommend Andy and his crew for any catering need.
I had been to a few events that Andy had catered, so we used him for our large, Anniversary open house in 2021. It was huge success, and we are still getting positive comments from friends who say it was the best they have seen. I have since been to several events that Andy catered, and every one was first rate. Totally recommend him for his work and his integrity.
Over the past couple of years we have had the honor of working with Andy and his incredible team at Big Boards many times! Whether it's a Wine and Charcuterie night, catering for an event or team meeting, the level of professionalism cant be beat! Andy has such a passion for this and truly cares about each and every client and staff member he interacts with. We will be using Big Boards Catering again!
We have used Andy and his company a few times. Last was Nov 2026 for a 60th Bday party. They did an exemplary job in providing a beautiful menu and even accommodated special diets for a few relatives. They took care of everything. We enjoyed our own party. Highly recommend. Winter Garden, Florida.
We have used Big Boards Catering for my 60th Birthday in August of 2023 and they blew the event out of the park. Everyone raved about the appetizers, the main courses, and the incredible desserts. The set up and attention to detail are top notch. Andy and his team We have used for at least 3 other events and they never disappoint. Cannot wait to use them for our next event.
We have used Big Boards Catering for our annual holiday party in our home in Winter Garden and will continue to do so. Andy and his team create an incredible visual presentation onsite rounded out with food that is equally great. Andy is always responsive and worked with us on any modifications to our menu and always accommodated last minute requests and changes prior to our event. Highly recommend Big Board for any event - personal or business, large or small. You won’t be disappointed!
We used Big Boards Catering for our son‘s wedding on November 1 at Tanner Hall in Winter Garden. From beginning to end, Andy and his team did a magnificent job. The food was absolutely amazing!
I can’t say enough about the service that you will receive with BBC. Andy and his team are so professional and personable all at the same time. They feel like family. They have done Christmas parties and our 50th birthday celebration . Andy is the best!
Outstanding!! Big Boards did our housewarming and everything was perfect. Everyone raved about the food and the presentation! I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Staff was lovely and my kitchen was spotless when they left. Big Boards is the way to go for catering casual or formal affairs.
Big Boards catered my son’s wedding on 11/1/2025. Andy and his team did an amazing job! The quality and attention to detail are second to none. I would absolutely recommend them for any special event.
Big Boards Catering made my daughter’s wedding reception at The Sterling Event Center in Minneola, FL absolutely unforgettable. From the very first consultation through the months leading up to the event, Andy and his staff were professional, organized, and truly attentive. On the wedding day they went above and beyond—seamlessly handling every detail and keeping everything running smoothly. The food was outstanding and delivered the “wow” factor we wanted. Thank you, Andy and team, for making the day spectacular!
Not only is the food absolutely delicious, but the presentation is also gorgeous🤩 Big Boards can make something as simple as a tray of deviled eggs look like a masterpiece. Whether you’re looking for something casual, fun, unique, or elevated, Big Boards Catering Company is the way to go. Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The high level of thought and consideration put into the planning and execution of their events is truly incredible. Everything, from the quality of the food, to the harmony of the items on the menu, to the presentation and its appeal, reflect the care and work ethic these folks pour into their work. My family has been attending functions and parties put on by the purveyors of this business since they were located in Coral Springs, and if anything they have only gotten better. The high reviews speak for themselves, and they only want customer satisfaction as their main goal. They will go out of their way to make your party/event the way you want it: a memorable one that you and your guests will talk about for a long time after it's done.
Exceptional catering experience for a baby shower! From my very first email inquiry until the end of the event Andy and his team were on top of everything! I was planning the event out of state & Andy coordinated and made the menu planning easy for me! We hosted a brunch menu and the food was amazingly presented and very delicious!
A Few Signs You’ve Found the Right Caterer
Beyond the answers themselves, pay attention to how a caterer communicates. The best ones respond promptly, listen carefully to what you want, and offer helpful suggestions rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all package. They’re transparent about pricing, comfortable answering every question, and genuinely interested in making your event a success. If a conversation leaves you feeling heard and reassured rather than pressured or confused, that’s often the clearest sign of all that you’ve found the right partner.
Asking the right questions before you hire turns a stressful decision into a confident one. When you understand a caterer’s pricing, experience, staffing, and policies upfront, you can compare your options clearly and choose the partner who’s the best fit for your event.
At Big Boards Catering in Clermont, FL, we’re always happy to answer every one of these questions and more. We’ve served weddings, corporate events, and private gatherings across Lake County and Central Florida, and we believe transparency and communication are just as important as the food on the plate. We’ll walk you through our menus, pricing, and process so you know exactly what to expect from the first conversation to the final cleanup.
If you’re planning an event in Clermont or the surrounding area, contact Big Boards Catering today for a custom quote, and let’s start the conversation with all the answers you need.