From Kitchen to Table: Essential Characteristics of an Exceptional Caterer

Written by: Dianna Candido

Julia Mina Photography & Kara Tiller Photography 

Here’s How Top Bay Area Caterers Create Memorable Dining Experiences

On this side of the table, catering seems straightforward. You speak with a caterer a few times to nail down details. Then, on the day of your event, food magically appears, satisfying your guests and leaving everyone oohing and ahhing over the unexpectedly savory appetizer.

But there’s so much more to the story.

The right catering company should leave a good taste in your mouth — literally and figuratively. And while a masterfully crafted menu is one of the highlights you should experience from your caterer, a truly memorable experience comes just as much from the service and the expertise they provide.

So how do they create memorable experiences? First…

They Hire Great People

Not just good people. The right people. Hiring great people is one of the most effective ways to ensure your service is exemplary, the food is phenomenal, and your experience (and that of your guests) is memorable.

“The success of every event relies on the team that plans and executes it all with a steady and joyful presence,” says Cleodia Martinez, Event Producer and Co-Owner of Midsummer Kitchen. “Not very many clients think of company culture when they’re looking for a caterer, but the energy of the people working on their event, though 'unseen,’ plays such a key role in how smooth an event goes.” 

She clearly knows what she’s talking about, with more than 14 years of experience under her apron, and as industry professionals ourselves, we’ve experienced this firsthand. Making the right hires is a no-brainer for any company, but it’s especially important in the event industry.

So choose your caterer carefully. When you hire your caterer, you’re not just taking on a company that’s responsible for feeding your guests. You’re also hiring their team.

They Have a Proven Process

Julia Mina Photography &  Kara Tiller Photography

Most caterers will have this, but it’s worth noting that your caterer should already have a process for planning, understanding, and executing your event. (On the catering side of things, of course.)

Cleodia tells us they “have a proven planning process that starts from the client’s inquiry. We gather details about how they want their day to unfold, record this, and incorporate it in our team’s timeline. This includes preparing for guests and vendors with special diets, the timing of their toasts, where they may spend cocktail hour and if they want private refreshments, etc. The little things matter to us, and it’s embedded in our service.”

Go with a catering company that checks all the boxes from day one. If you feel that there’s a hiccup in the early stages before things are official, do yourself a favor and rethink signing on. There are caterers (like Midsummer Kitchen) that will give you a seamless process because they have the experience and industry knowledge.

They Adapt: The Truth About Plan A, B, and C

Speaking of industry knowledge, exceptional caterers like Midsummer Kitchen are all-in on being prepared — but they don’t waste time doing too much contingency planning.

“Backup plans are important and we do our best to prepare for possible changes,” says Cleodia. “However, we do recognize these can take a lot of energy and resources that might not even be used.” Experience has shown Cleodia and her team that contingency is important, but so is being discerning about how and to what extent they prepare.

Weather can be a major factor in catering plans, so this is something that should always be considered as a caterer.

“Weather is the most variable element for an event, especially since we cater a lot of garden venues,” Cleodia says. “The Spring of 2024 was particularly rainy, and we had a client who was dead set on having their wedding outside and waited until the very last possible minute to make their rain plan decisions. We worked closely with their event planner and our rental company to ensure we were equipped with tenting and prepared an alternate timeline. This way, we were prepared to adjust, and our clients were pleased without pressure.”

Outside of that, Plan B and C are usually done as needed. The key is having the right people in place to make the best decisions in that space. When things go sideways, the right catering team won’t blink. 

“For us, it still goes back to hiring folks who remain calm under pressure and that we trust will make good choices in favor of a positive and safe guest experience,” Cleodia explains. “We empower our team, especially the Catering Captain, to make decisions on the spot with support from ownership and management.”

Shifting into Plan B or C mode can happen, but as long as the right team is in place it will still feel like Plan A.

What to Consider Before You Hire a Caterer

Julia Mina Photography &  Kara Tiller Photography

Spoiler Alert: It’s not just about the food. Go for experience and team. 

Not only does Midsummer Kitchen have an exceptional team, but they largely focus on experience — and not just a well-balanced menu that tastes good.

At Midsummer Kitchen, they’ve recently launched their new menu, “Roots and Routes.” It’s about more than just putting beautiful food on a plate. Instead, this menu is all about bringing people together for a family-style dining experience. And that’s just the start. 

“It’s a celebration of the cultural diversity of the Bay Area, and how we can enjoy different plant-forward flavors while sharing one table,” Cleodia says. “We’re passionate about multicultural appreciation and would love to work with more folks who value this.”

This is the kind of thing that is a big green flag for anyone hiring a caterer. Great food, exemplary customer service, a solid team, and a focus on experience.

Find Out More About Midsummer Kitchen

Having a subpar event because of catering flops should not be a thing for anyone hosting an event. We know great catering when we see it, and now that you understand exactly what caterers should bring to your table, you should have high expectations.

That’s why we partner with caterers like Midsummer Kitchen, who bring the best flavor and the most exceptional experience to their clients. Find out more about Midsummer Kitchen, and enjoy truly remarkable catering at your next event.

Want more insight into the events industry? Check out our blog for vendor tips and event inspiration.