FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (as at 18th November, 2011)
Please take the time to read through our list of FAQ’s as they may provide important answers that can help you plan your special function.
When should I book? Is it too late?
It is never too late! You can book from 18 months to virtually last minute. We have been catering for over 20 years and we have learnt to expect the unexpected! However, bookings can be limited especially during peak periods, so once you have decided that the function is definitely going ahead and we are your chosen caterers, we strongly recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment. With the high demand for our services we are no longer able to hold a date. We do require a deposit to secure your date.
Do you charge more for Weddings?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! The menus you receive when you make your initial enquiry with us are the same ones we provide for everything – 50th Wedding Anniversaries, 21st Birthdays, Engagements. You build your menu to suit your theme and style.
How do I decide which menu best suits me?
Spit roast, canapés, buffet, sit-down dinner? Lolly buffet, mini tart buffet, croque em bouche, tiered Wedding cake? Lots of space or fairly limited? Want to capture the freedom of an outdoor setting or the decadence of an indoor setting? Mostly younger guests who’d like to stand and mingle or older guests who need to sit down? More time for dancing or more time for talking? Your menu should reflect you and the style of function you are hoping for.
Do you provide quotes?
Our standard menus with detailed prices as well as special packages are available on our website. You are welcome to mix and match from these menus. We are happy to discuss these menus and other details of our services over the ‘phone. However, due to the large number of enquiries that we respond to, we are no longer able to give detailed written quotes until you have paid your deposit and your booking is secure with us.
We also organise information days 6 times a year at various locations and are happy to meet (obligation free) and discuss options at that time. Bookings are essential.
If you have already paid your deposit and secured your booking, we are happy to meet on-site at your venue, or at other times to discuss details of your function.
Where do you cater?
Almost anywhere! We find ourselves in all sorts of environments. We can cater on boats, islands, parks and gardens, beaches, homes and community halls, backyards, under marquees, garages, churches, offices and sporting grounds to name a few!
We travel up to an hour from our base free of charge. After that, some travel charges MAY be applied.
Do you have a minimum charge?
We base our prices on a minimum of 30 people. We are happy to cater for functions less than that, however extra costs may be incurred. Please ask us to advise you based on your menu choices. There may also be delivery charges.
Do you cater for special dietary requirements?
We certainly do. We have a variety of tasty and delicious vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options that can be built into your catering package on request.
How will I know how much food to order? Will there be enough?
We will advise you on how much food you will need to cater your specific event.
How many staff will I need?
Our prices include kitchen staff required to service your particular function (minimum guest numbers apply). If you would like to hire floor staff, you will need a minimum of 1 Staff Member between 30 guests (cocktail parties) and per 15- 20 guests (sit down dinners) to service the food. The higher the number of staff, the higher the level of service. Weddings and formal occasions do require more staff than a standard Birthday party.
We are able to provide staffing solutions to meet your requirements. Ask us to advise you on your particular function. Staff costs also incur travel time.
Wait/Bar staff M-F $25.00 per hour (min 3 hours not including travel and set-up time)
Wait/Bar staff Sat $30.00 per hour (min 3 hours not including travel and set-up time)
Wait/Bar staff Sun $40.00 per hour (min 3 hours not including travel and set-up time)
Chef (POA) Minimum $40.00 per hour (min 3 hours not including travel and set-up time)
(Please note that bar staff required to make cocktails are more expensive. Travel charges are negotiable based on distance and function)
Can we change menu items? Can you help us hire tables and chairs? Can you help us with beverages? Do you provide a Wedding Consultation service?
Yes to all of the above. With experience in catering for over 500 functions, we are happy to discuss anything you might require for your special occasion.
What is included in your prices? What extra costs do we have to pay for?
Platters, serving cutlery and chefs (minimum guest numbers apply). You are responsible for your cutlery, crockery, linen, tables and chairs and any cooking facilities required. We have contacts with party hire companies or are happy to take care of the hiring for you (Administration charges apply in addition to hire costs). We will need to be in contact with your chosen Hirer to provide details of our requirements to your booking sheet.
Do you do tastings of your menu?
With the enormous interest in our service, we now organise tasting evenings two or three times a year for interested couples and their families. These evenings are $25.00 per head and will feature a range of dishes that can be found on our menu. We are unable to do every dish but you will get an indication of the quality of food that we serve. Please contact us on 0439 937 449 for details of our next tasting evening.
How much for children?
We can build special menus for children at your function and these are charged accordingly. Children under 5 sharing existing food are free of charge. Children aged 5-10 eating from a Buffet menu pay half price.
When do I confirm function details?
In order to secure your date, you will need to place a deposit.
Following that, we will have a meeting with you to discuss the initial details of your special occasion. We offer free site visits to venues that we have not catered at before, in order to advise you on what kitchen facilities you will require to service your chosen menu.
Final numbers will need to be confirmed 14 days prior to the function. At this time, the invoice is fully payable. Following that, numbers can increase but not decrease. We do like to have another meeting with you around 2-4 weeks prior to the function to discuss the final details. However, from the time you pay your deposit until the day of the function, we are always available by ‘phone or email (and in person!) to discuss aspects of your Catering.
What happens if the function is cancelled?
70% of your deposit is refundable up to 6 months prior to your function provided we can rebook your date.
If your function is cancelled up to 2 months (and more than 21 days) before the date, you will be required to pay ½ the estimated amount of your total function, unless we can rebook that date.
Once we have confirmed the final details of your function with us, the invoice is fully payable. Numbers can go up at any time after confirmation but cannot go down once the invoice has been created.
If for any reason the function is cancelled inside that 21 day period, the invoice is fully payable. (We can deliver the food to any place of your choice within 30km of your original venue)
How do I pay?
Most methods accepted including cheque, cash, internet transfer, credit card (2% fee).
I’m still trying to find the right venue? What are some of venues you cater at?
(If you are a reception venue and would like us to add you to our list, please contact us)
Attunga Park Country Retreat
Midginbil Hill
Cabarita Surf Club
Byron Bay Surf Club
Murwillumbah Racecourse
Murwillumbah Civic Centre
The Summerhouse at Byron
