First tasting

I met with a caterer today to talk about menu, prices, what to expect and services.

Aaron wasn't ready to go when I had to leave to make the appointment, so I left without him. I tried my mom because she was supposed to go, and she didn't answer (or show up). I ended up just taking the leftovers to Maya's house after to have them try it because i wanted a second opinion and i didn't want to take the huge amount of food home because if Aaron couldn't be ready to go, then he didn't deserve such a large portion. Maya and her family liked everything. Then her mom made us lunch called pauf? I dont know, it was a dish she would make back home in Uzbekistan. It was just delicious. Rice, carrots, pot roast and some other spices. Yum Yum. I took some home with me.

Anyways back to the caterer..

This was the original sample menu we were given:

Genova French Bread & Butter
Tossed Green Vinaigrette Salad
A mix of spring mix, head lettuce, and red leaf with our home made vinaigrette dressing
Tomato & Green Bean Trays
A large tray consisting of sliced tomatoes, with a row of poached green beans topped with Feta cheese and lightly Drizzled Vinaigrette
Mushroom Tray-
Seasoned button mushrooms tossed in olive oil and then grilled and served on a bed of red Leaf lettuce.
Baby Red Potatoes
Pee-Wee potatoes boiled and then drizzled with a rosemary garlic butter.
Marinated Chicken Breast
Six ounce chicken breast tenderized and marinated in a Italian vinaigrette then grilled on site.
Marinated Beef
Our Famous Marinated Fillet Mignon Grilled Thinly sliced into small medallions

The appetizers that they do is: Bruschetta and Cajun Prawns

I did ask about a vegetarian option and the owner did say they could do a vegetarian pasta and its $100 more minimum. If we have more than a hundred people, then it goes up a $1 for every person over a hundred.
He did state that he could switch the potatoes with the pasta - but really I think my fiance - who is a meat and potatoes guy - would about have a heart attack.

So anyways, that will probably be the revised menu.

The prices also include all the linens, silverware, china, glasses,Table condiments- Glass salt and pepper shakers, water pitchers, cake cutting fees, passing of all the wines, served meals for all the elderly/disabled guests plus the head table, Coffee Station- Mocha style glass mugs Includes creamers & sugars,Regular & decaf –vienna roast,complete table set up - centerpieces,table numbers, name tags..etc.,serving the wine/champagne,packaging of leftovers, clean-up, They will also help set up any favors, or seating charts etc.

The only thing that bugs me is he doesn't do a contract... so whats to stop him from not showing up. He runs a pretty reputable restaurant in town and he's been on all the preferred vendors lists at all the places I've looked at in the area. So I don't think that anyone has ever had a problem with him. He only does 1 wedding a day (unless he gets an offer he cant pass up... like today, he had two weddings - he had one 80 person wedding, which I went out and photographed, because
1. its at my venue and
2. its around my size. -

and one 350 person wedding. I can understand that he can't pass up a 350 person wedding, and he sent his son out to do the wedding at my venue. His son was perfectly nice and I won't mind if either one of them is there. However, Is there anything I can do to make sure that our confirmation will stand?

What if I went down and asked him just to sign my planner that he's booked to do the wedding next year.

It is next year, so I'm kind of concerned that something will happen and he wont show up. I dont want to wait too long to book him because as I was sitting there one person called him about a month after my wedding at the same venue (I'm getting married Sept 20, 2008 and the person who called was getting married Oct.25,2008). So I know he's getting calls for about the time I'm looking for...