10 things you should ask your Caterer - Part 1
Having provided formal wedding breakfasts and corporate dinners for 100’s of guests since 2006 our team knows a lot about the detailed planning which is required to provide a successful catered event. These questions are often asked of us and they are a good way to judge if your chosen caterer is qualified to provide your service.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you did to help us make our wedding day perfect. On the big day the whole team were AMAZING!! Everyone at the wedding complimented the delicious food and the exceptional service. The wedding cake was sensational and the pizza oven in the evening went down a storm. We recommend you unreservedly.
”
Peter and John in their first Coffee Shop on West Street Sheffield, 2006
Questions to Ask Your Caterer - and how we measure up|!
How long have you been in business? PJ taste was formed in 2006. However, all four partners have many years catering and hospitality management experience (over 120 years combined!)
Have you received testimonials from previous clients?
At PJ taste we publish our latest guest feedback on our web site and keep a album of written thank you cards at our venue in Attercliffe. In addition various online sources including Tripadvisor, Google My Business and Facebook carry customer reviews.
Thank you from HARC - we provide locally sourced hot meals for the homeless and rootless over Christmas.
3. What type of food do you specialise in?
At PJ taste we are inspired by seasonally inspired local food. We are excited by the challenges of adapting these local supplies to a wide variety of cuisines as well as good honest British cooking. So over time we have cooked authentic Gujarati food, a Ugandian wedding feast and a Greek style banquet!
Rack of lamb for a Dine at Home Easter feast
4. Which local suppliers do you use?
We use Moss Valley Fine Meats for high welfare pork, Andrews Butchery in Rotherham for local beef and lamb, Whirlowhall Farm, Sheffield Organic Growers, Amos for free range Eggs, Starmore Boss (Wines), Beanies, Shepcote (Organic Driffield Flours), and Cryer and Stott (Yorkshire Cheeses).
Our support of local farmers and producers now extends to our own sustainable growing. We produce all our edible flowers used as garnishes, as well as soft fruit and a variety of heritage apples and pears. In addition we are growing a range of perennial vegetables including kales, ocac, mashua and even Sichuan pepper in a developing Forest Garden.
Cooking with Stephen of Moss Valley Fine meats and Toby Foster
5. Who are some of your regular customers?
They say you are only as good as your last meal and its certainly true in catering as in most businesses. Repeat purchasers tend to be our most valuable often becoming advocates for the business. Many Sheffield families have regularly celebrated birthdays, weddings and anniversaries with our catering over the last 16 years.
PJ taste are nominated suppliers for The University of Sheffield, Hallam University, and Sheffield Museums and Galleries (Kelham Island Museum and The Millennium Galleries) as well as such iconic wedding venues as Woodthorpe Hall, Pedlars at Burton Road and Trafalgar Warehouse.
Regularly returning corporate customers include ITM Power, Gripple, BMW, St Lukes, Zoo Digital, IMECHE, Wake Smith and Bond Bryan.
6. What are your qualifications - Do you have Health and Hygiene certificates?
Our staff all have considerable customer service experience and many have professional College/University qualifications. We have up to date Health & Hygiene certification and the top 'Scores on the Doors' star rating in our area. In addition we carry full employers, employees and product liability insurance.
Students from the PJ taste Academy - Sheffield College. Part of PJ taste’s continuing education strategy.
7. Can we provide our own drinks and is there a charge for serving them?
This depends on the venue so please check. If you are providing your own drinks we will work with you to ensure a smooth service. We provide a Drinks Management Service which we would recommend for a professional service.
Jade and Bradley ready to serve reception drinks
Drinks and Canape Service
8. Do you have pictures or examples of your work?
Social media works brilliantly for catering businesses and it is very useful to cross reference a number of channels to get a feel for the style and standards of your chosen caterers food. PJ taste use facebook, instagram and twitter to feature finished dishes as well as some of the interesting behind the scenes work which goes into delivering an event.
The Sheffield Egg - made by PJ taste since 2016
Lemon Possets
Millennium Gallery reception
9. Can you recommend a venue?
Of course we would love you to visit our meeting, dining and event space in Attercliffe. We are fully licensed for 120 people and guests describe the space as “charming, airy and professionally run. We list many of the venues that we have experience of in the Sheffield, South Yorkshire and Derbyshire area on our web site.
Upstairs@PJtaste - our meeting, dining and event space
10. Can I sample the menus?
For larger events we find its extremely useful to meet the hosts and arrange a tasting session. We can brainstorm details of the dishes, ensure the schedules work and even match wine and drinks. For wedding events there is a small charge which can be added to your final invoice.
