catering FAQ

RENTAL EQUIPMENT

Billingsgate provides all the necessary service ware and catering equipment for catered events like chafing dishes, silver platters, serving bowls, coffee urns, grills, heat lamps, etc. Tents, tables, chairs,  linens, glassware, silverware, lighting, decorations, etc. are rental items.  Billingsgate has a longstanding working relationship with all the area party and tent rental companies, and we are happy to provide you with a suggested rental list of catering supplies tailored to their event.  We can also act as your agent and assist in making all the necessary arrangements with your chosen rental company.

BEVERAGE SERVICE

 Billingsgate maintains a commercial liquor liability insurance policy and can provide TIPPS certified professional bartenders for alcohol service.  Billingsgate does not purchase and resell alcohol, but we can serve the host's liquor and provide the necessary equipment and bar set up.  The cost of providing a bar set up includes all soft drinks, mixers, garnishes, ice, and equipment.  The hourly charges for the bartenders are in addition to the bar set up costs. 

EVENT SET UP AND BREAKDOWN

We typically arrive at the event 1.5 to 3 hours before the scheduled start of the event.   We will set up all the food service tables, bars and prep areas so we are ready to serve before the first guest arrives.  If you would like us to set up the guest tables, arrange chairs or perform other duties like pre-ceremony refreshments, we are more than happy to accommodate your needs and will adjust our arrival time accordingly.  At the end of the catering event we rinse and re- rack all the rental china, glassware, and flatware.  and will will pull linen table clothes if the guests have departed.   If you would like us to breakdown and stack the tables and chairs, again we are more than happy to, but labor charges will be adjusted to reflect the added time.  Unless otherwise arranged, Billingsgate will remove all event related trash.

GRATUITIES

 The staff at Billingsgate is paid a reasonable hourly wage for their services.  If you as the client feel that the staff's  performance has exceeded your expectations and would like to show your appreciation, gratuities are graciously accepted. catering

LEFTOVERS

All foods that have been finished and displayed and that are still safe for consumption (foods that haven't been out at room temperature too long) will be neatly packaged , labeled and left in the host's refrigerator.  Because we always bring more food than we expect to go through, (never want to run out)  all food inventories for wedding catering that haven't been finished and displayed will remain with us. 

SECURING YOUR EVENT DATE

 We lock in event dates with clients based on a signed contract that specifically outlines the parameters of the event. A non refundable deposit of 35% of the anticipated  cost of the event is due with the signed contract.  The menu can be adjusted after a contract is signed, but pricing and staffing are based on the minimum guest count stated in the contract, and would be adjusted based on any changes to the menu or guest count.  The locking in of an catering event date with a client allows us to allocate the appropriate amount of resources for the event and avoid overbooking a given date.