catering
Q & A with Tori Jessop , assistant event manager at Cozy Caterers
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COURTESY OF COZY CATERERS / TORI JESSOP
When to book : Fall has been trending as the industry ’ s busiest season for the past few years , so if you dream of a fall wedding , book your caterer right after you say “ Yes !” Trends are also starting to tip their hat to spring once again and in 2018 it ’ s shaping up to be a busy season as well . No matter the date , we highly recommend that you book your caterer at least a year prior .
What are some things couples should keep in mind when exploring their catering options ? First and foremost , you should feel comfortable with whomever you select because you will be working with this person for the next year . When you are trying to decide which catering company to hire , keep the following questions in mind : Are they friendly ?; do they understand my vision ?; are they working for me or just for themselves ?; how long has their coordinator been catering weddings ?; do they have local venue knowledge ?; and will they answer my questions at 3 a . m . to set my mind at ease ? Pricing is also usually a significant deciding factor . What ’ s included ? What ’ s not included ? Are there additional fees ? Food is one thing , but there is so much more to catering like rentals , labor and bar service . The bar part of your wedding can be very expensive , so check into the beverage package options .
What details should couples already have lined up before their consultation ? Aside from choosing a wedding date , your venue is the most important first detail . From there the location usually dictates your theme ( i . e . beachy , rustic , vintage ) and that ’ s an important detail for us because we try to incorporate it throughout your menu and decor .
When it comes to the menu , should couples pick “ crowd pleasers ” or apps and entrees that they know they will personally like ? The menu should reflect the couple . We are huge foodies and we wouldn ’ t want a couple to not love the food from their wedding menu .
We tend to ask : “ When you go out to eat , what type of restaurant do you go to and what do you order ?” and “ What is your family heritage ?” These questions help us develop a menu that includes your favorites with a nod to both of your families . We will never forget one of our recent weddings where the groom only wanted Rhode Island Hot Wieners . We made that happen and even paired them with Rhode Island Yacht Club Soda . He was a very happy man on his wedding day .
What other trends have you noticed ? Couples have been opting for classic comfort food over plated entrees and they are incorporating food trucks and food stations into their menu . We love getting everyone up and mingling together so food stations are a favorite of ours . We recently catered for a couple who wanted to share their world travels with their guests , so they had food stations inspired by Spain , Belgium and Ireland — the guests and the couple loved it . Dessert is also a new trend … Sorry mom , but the wedding cake is just a showpiece nowadays . Yes , you still want the cake cutting photo , but the rest of that cake is fake ! Now , couples usually go for dessert buffets like cupcakes , pies , cannoli ’ s , s ’ mores and assorted cakes as well .
What else do you provide besides food ? We have always been fullservice caterers . We developed a special package , the Midtown , which helps take the stresses of planning away ; it ’ s all-inclusive and offers more than just your food and rentals . You will also receive an ice carving for your cocktail hour , floral centerpieces for your guest tables and a wedding cake ; all for a per person price depending on your entree selection . We also have relationships with a ton of industry service providers such as florists , bakers , DJs , transportation , food trucks and yes , even port-a-johns , and can help ensure that all of your details are covered come wedding day . ◆
34 | RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY ' S ENGAGED 2018