Cost of Tasting with Wedding Caterer?

yellowcrocus

I just wanted to get your opinions on something....

We are planning our 2014 Italian wedding and we are shortly off to view and hopefully book our venue. We are planning a 7 course Italian menu so will have a pretty big catering cost per head.

I have been in contact with 2 caterers, one of whom was recommended to me by the owner of the venue when I first contacted him a year ago. I get a very good vibe from this caterer, we have discussed the menu in depth and agreed a price, and we have booked in a tasting for free for when we visit Italy.

The second caterer was recommended to me by the venue owner more recently as his current preferred supplier. I have attempted to book a tasting for me and H2b and have been told that it will cost me the per head cost of the menu, each, plus an extra 100 euros 'for the chef', refundable if we book.

My gut reaction is that this is outrageous..surely a menu tasting should be free or at least at a reduced price. The per head cost of the menu includes furniture rental and rental of crockery, cutlery, glasswear; table decoration, prossecco, a bottle of wine each, coffee, liquors and juices and service over a six hour afternoon...we'll not be using any of these over a lunchtime tasting at their premises! And 100 euros 'for the chef'?! What on earth is the per head charge for if not to pay the chef? :mad:

I can't afford to lose 300 plus euros if we decide not to book with them, and I am expecting to prefer the other one. My instinct is not to bother with the second caterer, but I wonder if it is short sighted relying on one provider, especially as I can hardly nip over and check out another one if something isn't right. But I think I am being taken for a ride! What do you think?

floss2

Why not ask the venue owner if he can arrange for you to have a tasting at a more reasonable price and without the 100 euro bung for chef.

But don't forget it is not just an opportunity to choose your menu (so 2 choices for each course) it is a chance to try your wine options too.

Mojisola

If you are in business, you have to be paid for your time. You will spend time doing tastings with people who then don't book you.

One caterer is being upfront with you about the costs. The other will build in the costs of doing the tastings into the overall price.

You could try haggling with the second caterer to bring the tasting price down a bit.