- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee boards
This is pretty much how tastings are done. At our tasting we got to taste 3 apps, 2 entrees, and cake. $100 per person is really not unreasonable for that quantity of food if you're going with an upscale caterer. Are the people who are coming all going to be eating the same thing, or do they each get to choose their own meals? It's pretty frustrating, but you have to look at it from the vendor's point of view. They can't make 30 different dishes in individual portions, but they aren't going to waste the time and money and resources to prepare full amounts of each recipe only to have it go to waste.
Well, my venue told us the only way we got to taste the food was if we called early and they "saved us a plate" from a wedding (which means we ate THEIR options) or came to an "open house" where they offered all the food to all the brides every few months or so.
We did the latter and i took a BM since my FI was out of town. Good thing, the chicken marsala sucked so bad i'd have been embarassed to serve it. Their "preferred" cake vendor was also SO BAD i decided I would go with Costco.
I found a few ok items on there. My BM assured me it'd be better fresh, on the day OF the wedding, and if not, it certainly was about average for catering food and it wasn't awful. Just not fabulously delicious. Then she told me, "but you're having an open bar so it all evens out" LoL. Good luck
I think that's a ridiculous price though. You're already paying how much to feed all your people there? They should work this out like my location did and set aside a few group tastings.
While I understand Amandopolis's points and they seem valid, my first (albeit emotional) response to your predicament was to rage against that machine. What utter nonsense! I am so sick of the word "wedding" adding additional 0's to all costs. I mean, there are a lot of places you can go order something off a menu (where they haven't made big batches of it, either) and get four different dishes for four people that includes four different salads and desserts and (going extravagant) even get an app. to split and pay 100-120 bucks! And we are talking relatively nice, upscale places around boston!
Good luck. We don't even get tastings, we have to pay for our dinner when we go try something. Its so depressing.
Give them a call and see what they are willing to do for you. Tastings for four people was complimentary with my caterer, but basically we were given a limited tasting choice, just as you were. Upon further inquiry, the caterer said we could taste more dishes at $5 per person per dish- which we used to taste all the entrees we were considering. This was a good thing because we got to taste both beef, both fish, and the chicken, and even though I thought I'd serve chicken the fish was so much better (well one of them was. The other made me gag a little... but good to know now before serving my guests).
Also, the way my caterer served us tastings we did not get a full entree size plate, which is maybe what you are getting and why the higher cost - sort of like ordering two dinners for each of you in one sitting. Instead, my caterer divided up one full size plate into four small pieces so we could all taste.
Even though I was also surprised that I wasn't able to taste more since I am putting in such a huge contract with them, I do understand it costs ingredients and labor, so I didn't ultimate begrudge them the $80 I paid to taste the major things I wanted. Depending on how much they might charge you for additional entrees and if they are willing to let you share them, you have to make your own decision.
But definitely talk to them ASAP rather than be frustrated and aggravated. Butter them up by noting how multiple things sounded good, and how could you work something out to taste more options and make a better decision. rather than starting in a combative conversation.
i'm not sure what the norm is, but i can tell you about my experience. my tasting didn't cost anything (must be built into the price).
my FI and i were seated at a fully set table (with linens and everything) and were served our entire meal...and more. we started with our cocktail hour hors d'oeuvres - they included our options and other examples of what they could do. then we were served a full size portion of beef tenderloin with grilled asparagus and roasted potatoes, and grilled salmon with a lemon leek sauce. with every 'course' a chef came out and explained what it was and how it was made.
then... the pastry chef came out and we tried 7 different cakes. she talked with us about the ingredients and our options and our ideas.
needless to say, we left quite full, but very happy with our experience.
chiffon_silk_tulle_pearl_button_flower.jpg (44.7 KB, 32 downloads) 1 year old chiffon_silk_tulle_pearl_button_flower.jpg (49.5 KB, 22 downloads) 1 year old chiffon_silk_tulle_pearl_button_flower.jpg (55.9 KB, 20 downloads) 1 year old chiffon_silk_tulle_pearl_button_flower.jpg (63.5 KB, 20 downloads) 1 year old chiffon_silk_tulle_pearl_button_flower.jpg (47.5 KB, 25 downloads) 1 year old chiffon_silk_tulle_pearl_button_flower.jpg (47.4 KB, 26 downloads) 1 year old 
When I've gone to tastings {to plan charity events, birthdays, etc.} it's always been a free tasting. Coming to WeddingBee was the first time I'd ever heard of places charging for a tasting. I do think $100 is ridiculous, especially since you weren't able to taste all that you wanted. Now, I'm not planning to have a tasting with the venue we're using for our vow renewal, because it's a restaurant that we go to all the time. I just paid for a "tasting" there last week you could say. I trust their chef to come up with an amazing menu. But if I didn't, you bet your a$$ that I would want a detailed tasting and I wouldn't be paying $100 for it. I'm spending enough!
Ok, my rant is over now. Let us know how it went!
EmilyBenSSMixDB.jpg (1586.5 KB, 22 downloads) 1 year old BrookeAlex_SSMix.jpg (725.9 KB, 23 downloads) 1 year old Carrie-Hank_Preview-web.jpg (559.5 KB, 25 downloads) 1 year old 
Wow, I thought our tasting was pricey at $25/person! I definitely understand your frustration at paying so much but being given such limited tasting options. Our tasting was set up a little differently, in a buffet style with many different choices of each item. However, the venue only hosts two tastings per YEAR, so we had to book our choices very quickly when the tasting was only 2 months before our wedding.
How did things go when you went last night? Maybe you can speak to the vendor if you aren't happy with your choices when you actually taste the food and they can accomodate you for another tasting?
I did just want to point out re: the comment that you can eat for $100 in a nice restaurant, that this is not a restaurant, this is a catering company. Their business model is completely different from a restaurant. All of their recipes are probably large scale. It's not like a restaurant where the cooks have all the ingredients on hand to make one portion of anything on the menu. Also, "I'm paying so much already, this should be free," is not really a good response to the situation. Restaurants and caterers alike operate on an extraordinarily narrow profit margin, and in order to offer free tastings to every customer, they would have to raise prices for everyone. By charging for the tasting, they're probably keeping prices lower for customers who choose for whatever reason not to do a tasting.
Also, generally, if the food you try is very good, you can assume it's probably good across the board, just avoid selecting any items with ingredients that will potentially turn off your guests (avoid the chicken in anchovy-mushroom sauce, for example). If it's very bad, you can assume it's bad across the board, and choose a new caterer.
Sorry, I worked in food service for a long time and just wanted to offer some insight.
af-1LMG.jpg (525 KB, 27 downloads) 1 year old darkpurple1LMGsm.jpg (542.2 KB, 29 downloads) 1 year old 
Hmmm. Our tasting was free, and we brought both sets of parents with us! WE got to taste 10 different apps (and were able to pick 5 for the wedding), we tasted 3 different entrees (and picked 2 to serve), and 3 different dessrts (and picked 1).
I would ask about options - you want to make sure you are abe to taste a variety of things before being forced to pick one!
We chose to not consider any venue that will not allow us to do tastings prior to booking them. I don't care how good their reputation is it's important that WE like their food.That being said of the three venues we will be visiting all three are caterers. #1 has a exclusive caterer that we are doing a free tasting with this weekend with items of our choosing from our current menu selection. #2 would've done a free tasting except this saturday they are catering a wedding but we can go in for lunch if we have time. #3 gives us the option to choose whichever caterer we want, which you can bet we won't book any that won't let us taste prior to booking.
I think that if you are spending thousands on the meal portion of your wedding you have the right to expect more at your tasting. If they prefer not to do the set tastings for tons of wedding couple at once (which is a great way to eliminiate waste) and want to charge you that's their choice. But paying $100/tastings ... that is a really nice meal at a fancy restaurant! I think a good business person would be able to accomodate you whether it's buying some extra ingredients during a weekend they are catering another wedding and give you some options from their menu or whatnot.
Preventing unncessary waste as a caterer should be part of their business decisions, as a paying customer we shouldn't have to worry about that for them.
$100 per person?!?! That is crazy!!! Especially if you are paying $70 per plate for the reception dinner. It's not like you are going to be boozing it up.
Have you talked to your venue/caterer about the tasting limitations, and what happens if you strongly dislike one of the few option you taste?
Best of luck and let us know how it goes!
Picture_002.jpg (666.8 KB, 46 downloads) 1 year old Picture_001.jpg (678.4 KB, 28 downloads) 1 year old
wow! I would like to thank you all for your insight and opinions - especially amandaopolis who defineity shed some light on the matter.
So we had the tasting last night - and although I am still not too happy about it being $100 per person (we cut back on alot of the people we wanted coming with us, and it was only myself and Fiance) but the food was ABSOLUTLY FANTASTIC!
We started off with 2 plate full of 2 options of salad, then 3 plates came out with all the different hors d'oeuvres, then full family styled entrees of beef, chicken veggies and potatoes.
THEN dessert - which was to die for! we tried cheesecake (the fiances favorite) and creme brulee (which is my favorite!) they both were just mouth watering, the chef had made them that day, so they were perfect!
needless to say the meal was great, we left full and forgot about how frustrated we were with paying so much. I am now very excited for my guests to enjoy these wonderful meals too! - it was worth tasting it!
DSC04359.JPG (209.1 KB, 85 downloads) 1 year old
I'm so glad that it worked out! Great to hear that you were happy with the food! So what did you choose?
For the plated dinner (taken from their menu to make your mouth water!);
Salad Option:
Classic Ceaser Salad
Hearts of romaine leaves, garlic croutons, shaved parmesan, and smocked bacon bits with Ceaser dressing
Beef Option:
Slow Roasted Alberta AAA Sirloin of Beef with merlot jus
Chicken Option:
Backed stuffed free range chicken breast with ricotta cheese, spinich and saffron creme sauce
Starch Option:
New potatoes Gruyere, creamy potatoes layred, baked and topped with gruyere cheese
Veggie Options:
Ginger and honey glazed fresh carrots and barrel wrapped beans with double smoked bacon
Dessert Option:
Creme Brulee with candied ginger and fresh fruit garnish and baked new york cheesecake with fresh stawberries and chocolate sauce (only for my fiance)
Vegetarian Option:
Risotto Milanese with grilled portobello mushrooms and fresh roasted tomato sauce
Kids Meal:
Chicken fingers & roasted potatoes with plum sauce, carrot and celery sticks with ranch dipping sauce and a gourmet chocolate cookie for dessert
as well as Hors D'oeuvres with cocktails and then a late night snack around 10
Sounds wonderful, so glad everything worked out!
IMG_3644.jpg (3311.9 KB, 35 downloads) 1 year old
I'm so glad that it all worked out. And that menu sounds delish! I don't know what I'd choose--every choice sounds amazing!
I'm glad things worked out - it would have been terribly disappointing if you paid lots of money and the food wasn't great. YOur menu sounds very tasty!
You must log in to post.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| LammChop | 17 |
| fivemonthsnotice | 17 |
| Lyndzo | 15 |
| Mrs. Chai | 14 |
| ticatica | 14 |
| beargoose | 12 |
| MissPumpkinPie | 12 |
| BellaDee | 12 |
| Ms. Salamander | 12 |
| MrsOliveBird | 11 |
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
 CassidyR |
3 |
| KristenGotMarried | 1 |
| Hippos | 1 |
| csperry2 | 1 |
| les105 | 1 |
| bythebook | 1 |
| Ms. Salamander | 1 |
So I really need to get this off my chest...
So our food tatsting is tonight, we were told when we booked our reception venue (which goes through a local caterer) that to have our tasting it would be $100 per person to come along. We wanted quite a few people to come with us to taste the food but we couldnt think about spending a couple hundred on them, and didnt want them to spend that either. but whatever, not the big issue here...
We ended up thinking that with the $100 per person dinner we would be sampling the majority or all of the plated dinner menu (as to us it didn't seem like there was THAT much on it)
Then yesterday we get an email from the events manager at our reception venue telling us the things we needed to pick off the menu, it goes like this;
2 salads
2 Entrees
1 Starch
2 Veggies
1 Dessert
seriously....? we only get 1-2 options for each course? how are we to decide what we like more? with our entrees we have to try ONE beef meal and ONE chicken (because those are the options we have ALREADY given our guests) what if we dont like them? we only get to try ONE starch, once again - what if we dont like it? and that goes the same for veggies and dessert, WHAT IF WE DONT LIKE THEM because of the limited options we got to choose....
Does that then mean if we dont like the things we have chosen tonight that we have to arrange another $100 per person tasting to GET IT RIGHT?
I don't understand! we are paying almost $70 per plate at our wedding and we only get THOSE options?
Is this normal? Is this how tastings are? I just dont know, am I ranting for no good reason? because I really am frustrated about this!!!