TOP-10 questions for your caterer

• Do you have a business license, liability insurance and a health certificate? Are you licensed to serve alcohol?
• What is your ratio of servers to guests? How experienced are your servers?
• Do you have references?
• Can i see another event you're catering? Caterers will often arrange for you to take a look at an event they're setting up.
• How do you handle gratuities? Some caterers add a gratuity on top of other charges and that can add an additional 20 percent to your bill.
• What are your billing policies? Caterers usually ask for full payment before the event, according to Anderson. "A reliable caterer will rebate you for the money unused, but that's part of the contract", she says.
• How do you handle intoxicated guests? "Know how a caterer will handle Uncle Joe if he gets drunk", says Anderson. You don't want to have to deal with drunken guests or accidents.
• What is your overtime policy? How much do you charge for each 30 minutes or hour we ask you to stay beyond quitting time?
• Who takes home any leftover food or liquor?
• What is your cancellation policy?