Ordering catering is simple - let us show you how!
So You Need Catering? Relax, We’ve Got This!
Hello there, future party host, wedding planner, office hero, or person who just realized they need food for a lot of people! Welcome to the wild, wonderful world of catering—where your biggest job is to decide what sounds delicious, and our job at Everyone Eats Catering (based in beautiful Manassas, Virginia) is to make it all happen seamlessly.
If you’ve never booked catering before, you might be picturing a stressful, complicated process full of contracts, negotiations, and secret handshakes. Let’s clear that up right now: It’s not. It’s actually pretty simple, and we’re here to make sure it stays that way. Consider this your step-by-step guide to stress-free catering.
Step 1: Figuring Out What You Need
Before you even pick up the phone (or send that email—hello, modern technology), let’s think about a few basic details:
- How many people are you feeding?
- What kind of event is this? (Casual? Fancy? Somewhere in between?)
- Any dietary restrictions or special requests? (Gluten-Free? Vegetarian?)
- What’s your budget? (Don’t worry, we can work with a range!)
- Where’s this shindig happening? (We travel, but logistics are important!)
Don’t stress if you don’t have all the answers yet—our team is basically made up of catering detectives, and we can help you figure out the missing pieces.
Step 2: Reaching Out
Once you have a general idea, get in touch with us! You can call, email, or even fill out an inquiry form on our website. (We check those, we promise.) Tell us a little bit about what you need, and we’ll take it from there. We might ask a few follow-up questions, but this isn’t an interrogation—it’s just us making sure we create the perfect plan for you.
Step 3: Picking Your Menu (The Fun Part)
Now, let’s talk FOOD. This is the best part of the process because, well, who doesn’t love food? At Everyone Eats Catering, we have a range of options, from crowd-pleasing classics to gourmet dishes that will make your guests think you have Michelin-star connections.
Not sure what to pick? We’ve got you. We can suggest options based on your event type, guest count, and budget. Want a buffet? Great. Need individual plated meals? No problem. Looking for something totally customized, like a taco bar, BBQ spread, or an entire menu based on your favorite childhood snacks? We love a challenge.
Step 4: The Logistics (We Handle the Hard Part)
Once the menu is set, we work out the logistics. That means:
- Delivery or pickup?
- Staffing needs (Do you need servers? A bartender? A buffet attendant who can also tell dad jokes?)
- Set-up and clean-up preferences
- Any special equipment needed (Chafing dishes, plates, utensils—yes, we can provide all of that.)
And the best part? You don’t have to stress about any of this because it’s literally our job to make sure it all runs smoothly.
Step 5: The Big Day (Your Moment to Shine)
When event day rolls around, you might be nervous. “What if something goes wrong? What if the food is late? What if my Uncle Dave eats all the appetizers before anyone else arrives?”
Take a deep breath. We got this. Our team will show up exactly when we said we would, set everything up just right, and make sure the food is hot, fresh, and ready to impress. If you opted for our staff to stay on-site, they’ll keep everything running smoothly, from refilling trays to making sure the dessert table doesn’t get raided too early.
Step 6: The Aftermath (The Part Where You Get to Relax)
The event is over. The guests are full and happy. You, dear host, are basking in the glow of a successful event without having lifted a finger in the kitchen. If we’re handling cleanup, we’ll pack everything up, clear the tables, and leave no trace behind. If it’s a drop-off order, we make sure everything is easy to clean up on your end.
And that’s it. You did it. You officially booked catering like a pro.
A Few Final Words of Wisdom
- Book early if you can. We love a last-minute hero request, but the sooner you lock things in, the less stress for everyone.
- Trust us. We’ve been doing this for a while, and we know what works (and what doesn’t).
- Communicate any changes ASAP. Guest count adjustments, dietary needs, or a last-minute venue switch? Just let us know!
- Enjoy yourself. Seriously, that’s the whole point of catering—to make your life easier so you can focus on having a great time.
So, if you’re ready to cross “figure out food” off your event planning to-do list, let’s talk. Everyone Eats Catering is here to make it simple, delicious, and—dare we say—kind of fun. Give us a call, send us an email, or just wave us down if you see us out in Manassas. We can’t wait to feed you!