MASTERCLASS: Everything You Need to Know About Hiring a Caterer For Your Wedding - with Richard Van Der Plas of Edenopolis Events

Hello and welcome back to the show! This is show number 33 and today is all about FOOD, glorious food! This is one of those episodes that I consider to be a Masterclass because my guest discusses EVERYTHING you need to know about hiring a caterer for your wedding.

He is the chef and owner at Edenopolis Events and has over 16 years in the NYC hospitality industry traveling all over the world living, eating and studying food in over 25 countries. He's catered everything from small intimate celebrity dinner parties, to fantasy weddings to 500 plus people corporate events and has done events everywhere from yachts, to European castles, to beaches, mountain retreats, vineyards, farms and more.

In addition to being the chef and owner at Edenopolis Events, he is also the head chef of Hugh Jackman's Laughing Man Cafe opening this Fall.

Today, Richard shares so much about wedding catering. He discusses:

The most important things to look for in a caterer

The difference between hiring a restaurant to cater events and hiring a professional caterer

The most important questions to ask a caterer

The questions couples don't ask but should

What 99% of catering actually is...it's not food related

The licenses and liabilities a caterer needs

How your caterer handles bartending

The certifications bartenders need

day-of liquor licenses

the importance of a good bartender and where they should have certification from

Why tastings are so important and what they tell you of your caterer

The different types of catering and staffing

the red flags to look out for

Where to hire your catering staff from

Why catering staff is the most important part of your event

Why a wedding day is not the time to try new foods

To learn more about Richard and Edenopolis Events, click on any of the links below:

Website

Instagram

We'd love to know how you found your caterer. Do you have any catering advice you'd like to share with others?

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If you are a Hudson Valley Bride or Groom, please make sure you check out Wedding Connections of the Hudson Valley, a blog specific to your Hudson Valley needs with local insights,real Hudson Valley wedding photo inspiration, and more.

Music by Chris Orazi, Mixing by Nate Terry at C.A.S. Music Production