1. Taste the food early...

  Try before you buy and do it early on, before you have too much time invested. Guests will remember the food, at your wedding or company picnic, long after other details have faded. Professional caterers will happily set up a private tasting.

2. Ask to see the kitchen...

  Whether you plan to take a tour or not, the answer to this perfectly reasonable question quickly separates the pros from the amateurs. Professionals don't need advance notice.

3. Get business references...

  Beyond the food, you also want a caterer that plays well with others. Ask your wedding planner or the facility manager at your event location for feedback on your top two or three choices. They can offer key insight on the caterer's reliability, reputation, and cleanliness.

4. Look for the certificates!

  It's also common sense to make sure you lay your eyes on a valid health certificate at least once. You'd be surprised by how many folks don't!

►  Does the company hold a valid health certificate? By law, the certificate should be posted & visible. You may be able to check with the local health department to confirm no history of violations or complaints.

►  Is the kitchen licensed? A current, valid commercial food preparation facility license should be visible. Simply put, food made in an unlicensed kitchen is more likely to cause trouble for you or your guests than meals prepared in a licensed kitchen.

►   Are there food-handling permits? The Certified Food Handler Permit indicates the holder is qualified to oversee proper handling of raw and cooked foods. You want to know best health practices are being observed while your meal is being prepared, transported, and served. Every caterer should have at least one permit holder on staff.