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Riya
Super November 2018

Anyone do a tasting before booking a venue (All Inclusive place or catering in house)

Riya, on March 7, 2017 at 9:44 AM

Posted in Planning 27

So my FH and I recently started to search for venues and we found a banquet hall that quoted us a great per person price, all inclusive. However, I wasn't sure about the food quality so we requested a small tasting (for free actually). We did it, and decided that the food reflected the low price,...

So my FH and I recently started to search for venues and we found a banquet hall that quoted us a great per person price, all inclusive. However, I wasn't sure about the food quality so we requested a small tasting (for free actually). We did it, and decided that the food reflected the low price, and we ruled that place out.

Now, we are looking at different venues and lowering the guest count so we can provide better food.

Did anyone else try to sample the food before booking at a place like a hotel or banquet hall ? If not, how would you know if the food is good before you book?

I always thought a tasting should be before booking, but most places only do it for when you are selecting the menu after booking!

27 Comments

  • BlueHenBride
    Master March 2017
    BlueHenBride ·
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    We did not do a tasting before we booked. I had attended another event at this same venue a couple years ago and knew the food was fantastic, so I wasn't worried. I think we were invited to an open house at the venue, but since we are planning from across the country, my parents went, though I believe it occurred after we booked our wedding.

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  • KCJV
    Super February 2018
    KCJV ·
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    If the venues you are looking into host any open houses, I highly recommend attending! We found our photographer at one and recently attended an open house for a caterer we are considering. Great way to taste the food, see how they present it for an event, and see their service staff in action.

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  • TAP
    Master September 2018
    TAP ·
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    The caterer I wanted to book had a group tasting with 700+ people a couple months ago. FH and I went because I did not want to book someone without trying it out. It was great and I am now sending them deposit. I think it just depends on the venue. Some offer tastings beforehand and some don't. I'd definitely ask if they can arrange some sort of tasting for you and your FH, even if it costs.

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  • ChicagoJS
    Dedicated April 2017
    ChicagoJS ·
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    For the amount of money you are paying they should so a free tasting. I would not be surprised if they offered to do a tasting if you told them that other venues offered it and that as a result you would not be considering their venue.

    Our venue was not all inclusive but our caterer provided a free tasting, and honestly trying their food and experiencing their service completely won us over, it was the reason we picked them. Once again, it should be worth it to the caterer/venue to provide you a free tasting, or at least a tasting at cost. If they are unwilling I'd wonder why.

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  • LovelyLovely
    Savvy April 2017
    LovelyLovely ·
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    As Celia said, my venue (an upscale restaurant) did an invitation only open house for booked clients and potential clients. This was different from the actual tasting in that the restaurant had their preferred vendors come in like a mini expo, and had butler-passed hordurves, cocktail, cake and snack displays. We were already booked at that time, but we were able to get a feel of the place with everything setup like an actual wedding. We have our food tasting this weekend, where they have us try full portion dishes of everything on their menu, but this is only offered to clients who have already booked with them.

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  • Erin Wood
    Master July 2017
    Erin Wood ·
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    My venue doesn't offer tastings at all. It has great reviews thought and I've eaten at the restaurant on site and it's good. It's just wedding food. Not worried about it. I know it's not going to be the French Laundry. HaHa!

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  • Amanda
    Master October 2018
    Amanda ·
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    I was at a wedding that had rave reviews about food ... and my FMIL wanted us to look there . It's your typical nj wedding ballroom (eww) anyway the food was TERRIBLE . Not one person. At my table ate it... it was like a frozen meal

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