This article intro cannot be understated… catering is a service that can make or break an event. It’s a year-round service that “caters” to a wide variety of gatherings – from sports banquets and company parties to family reunions and weddings. Woody’s Bar-B-Q has been honored to cater countless events for over 40 years, so we suppose you could say we’re experts on the subject. If you’ve got an event coming up and you’re considering hiring a caterer to enhance the experience for your guests, we’ve cooked up a list of five “ingredients” you should look for during your search.
MENU
How Broad are Their Menu Offerings?
Sometimes, when planning the food for any gathering, you’ll want to consider your guest list first. Will you have folks who prefer a vegetarian meal, or does anyone have dietary restrictions? Once you get past any special requirements, you can consider what the most “crowd-pleasing” options will be. While it’s nearly impossible to please all your guests all the time by exploring caterers who offer a variety of options, it’s often easier to narrow it down to the ideal menu that will fit your event. Don’t be afraid to ask what their most popular packages are. And don’t feel like you have to go with the budget-friendly but often bland “airplane chicken.”
While Woody’s Bar-B-Q is a Classic Southern BBQ concept, our catering options run the gamut from something as casual as a Wing Feast or Hot Dogs and Hamburgers on the grill to our classic favorites like Spare Ribs, Pulled Pork and our famous Sloppy Woody or more elevated dishes like our Southern Roast Beef and Grilled Prime Rib. Don’t forget our broad range of sides that include French Fries, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Corn on the Cob, Okra and Tomatoes, Black-Eyed Peas, Cole Slaw, Pasta Salad, Potato Salad, Broccoli Salad, Collard Greens, Turnip Greens, Garlic Toast, Cornbread, and Boiled Squash. And what’s a party without DESSERT? Choose from our Sky High Pies, Bread Pudding, and original recipe Banana Pudding.
THEME
Is Their Food a Good Fit for Your Event’s Theme?
This is another area where the breadth of their menu offerings will come in handy. It will make finding something delicious that fits your event theme easier. If you’re throwing a fun family reunion picnic, a choice of several BBQ meats or pre-made sandwiches with fixins like Cole Slaw, Potato Salad, Pasta Salad, and Broccoli Salad might all be great buffet options. For a casual southern-themed wedding, Pulled Pork paired with Fried or BBQ Chicken served alongside Macaroni-And-Cheese, Corn on The Cob, Green Beans, and Cornbread will give your guests a real taste of the South. For a corporate awards gala, you might opt for a Smoked Turkey and Roast Beef carving station, served with Baked Potatoes, Caesar Salad, and Garlic Toast, which will be a fitting tribute to your honorees. And for sports banquets, you really can’t go wrong with Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, and French Fries. (By the way… Woody’s Bar-B-Q can fulfill every one of those options!)
When interviewing caterers, tell them your vision for your upcoming gatherings, and have them suggest ideas. If you get them excited about their role in your theme, they might be willing to throw in a tailor-made element or two. Be sure to sample what you plan to serve so you know what your guests will be tasting!
BUDGET
Is Their Service a Good Fit for Your Event Budget?
Having a good idea of what the food portion of your event budget will be BEFORE you start sitting down with caterers is essential. You may opt to let the catering provider you’re interviewing know your budget ahead of time and have them design a menu to fit. Or you can have them design the menu you believe best fits your vision and provide an estimate – then go from there. Should you opt to get several estimates, don’t necessarily choose the most affordable—hopefully, your budget will allow you to go with the tastiest option without breaking the bank. Woody’s Bar-B-Q has always prided ourselves on providing a catering experience that is as flavorful as it is affordable.
SERVICE
Do They Offer a Choice of Drop-Off or Full-Service Catering?
Depending on your needs, you might want a caterer who simply sets up and leaves so you don’t have a few extra folks hanging around your event. OR you might envision a more full-service experience where your caterer mans the buffet and makes sure your guests’ plates are full of great food. Woody’s Bar-B-Q happily provides both services outlined above. Whatever your vision is for your event, we strive to “Make It Easy. Make It Memorable.” for all our catering clients.
EXPERIENCE
How Long Have They Been Catering?
Catering can be a relatively expensive option when planning any event. For that reason, you’ll want to invest in a highly experienced caterer. They know what works… and what doesn’t. While you might find a less expensive option in a rookie catering operation, you don’t want them to learn the pitfalls while working your event. For more than 40 years, Woody’s Bar-B-Q has catered events of all sizes and a broad range of themes for a wide variety of clients. We have been honored to call many of them “repeat customers.” Nothing says that you’re good at what you do better than a customer who keeps coming back for more!
To view our catering packages and find the Woody’s Bar-B-Q near you, visit https://woodys.com/catering/.
KB 2/27/24
