March 5, 2026
Event Catering Planning Guide: From RFP to Post-Event
Great event catering starts with a clear RFP and ends with a post-event debrief. Here's the full workflow.
Writing the RFP
Include guest count, date, venue, service style, dietary breakdown, budget range, and desired cuisine. Ambiguous RFPs get vague quotes.
Evaluating proposals
Compare price per person like-for-like. Confirm what's included: staff, rentals, service style, cleanup.
Signing the contract
Confirm cancellation terms, force majeure language, final-count deadlines, and payment schedule.
Post-event
Debrief with the caterer within a week. Note what worked, what didn't, and lock in dates for the next event.