01 · Planning with myCHEF
Compare the complete proposal
Read the price together with the menu and service scope. Two proposals can have different totals because one includes equipment, staffing or a longer service period that the other does not. Compare them against the same guest count and requirements before deciding which is the better fit.
Check the minimum order, included hours, delivery or transport arrangements and how applicable VAT is shown. If the menu uses a starting price, ask which choices could change it. Premium ingredients, additional stations, extended service and extra hospitality support may need separate pricing.
The written proposal should also explain the payment schedule and the terms for changes or cancellation. Use the terms attached to your booking, as a private occasion and a corporate contract may have different arrangements. A clear comparison gives you confidence in the decision and helps avoid assumptions about what a headline price includes.
02 · Planning with myCHEF
A clear brief gives the menu a better starting point
Start with the date, venue and number of guests, then describe how you want the occasion to feel. A working lunch, an evening reception and a family celebration need different menus and service rhythms. Tell us when people will eat, whether they will be seated or standing and which parts of the event you would like myCHEF to handle.
Include essential dietary requirements and the facilities available at the venue. A brief does not need to be long, but it should distinguish what is essential from what would simply be nice to have. If you have a spending range, share it alongside the scope so the proposal can prioritise the right elements.
We can then discuss a suitable format, food selection and staffing plan. Your written proposal brings those decisions together, giving you a clear reference for what is included before you confirm the booking.
03 · Planning with myCHEF
Plan quantities around the format, not just the headcount
A guest count becomes useful when it is connected to the way people will eat. A short reception with light bites needs a different food plan from an evening where passed dishes are the main meal. Children, late arrivals and guests attending only part of an event may also affect the quantities required.
Tell us whether other food will be available and whether the service follows a meal earlier in the day. The chef can then recommend a sensible balance of dishes and portions. Generosity should mean guests can enjoy the occasion comfortably, rather than simply ordering more of every item.
Confirm the final numbers by the deadline in your proposal. A late increase may affect ingredients, equipment and staff as well as food quantity. Clear updates allow the team to assess the change properly and confirm any effect on the price or service plan.
04 · Planning with myCHEF
Choose the support that makes hosting easier
Decide who will do the work after the food arrives. If your own team will lay out platters, replenish drinks and clear the space, a delivery arrangement may be suitable. If you want to stay with your guests, discuss setup, service staff, equipment and clear-down as part of the proposal.
Different formats create different demands. A buffet needs attention to presentation and replenishment; a plated meal requires coordination between the kitchen and table; passed food needs staff who can circulate comfortably through the room. The number of guests matters, but so do the layout and pace of service.
Ask for included roles and hours to be clearly identified. Additional items such as table linen, crockery, glassware, bar support or styling should be confirmed explicitly. A well-defined scope lets you understand the service you are buying and helps the team prepare for the work you expect.
05 · Planning with myCHEF
Finish with a clear handover and collection plan
Good catering continues through the end of service. Confirm which areas the team will clear, what happens to hired equipment and who will receive any final handover. A venue may need the space returned by a particular time, while a private home may have specific instructions for access after guests leave.
Discuss leftover food with the team rather than assuming everything can be packed and kept in the same way. Any handover should follow the instructions appropriate to the food and conditions involved. If you want containers or another arrangement, raise that before the event so it can be assessed.
For repeat bookings, note what worked well and what you would change. Useful feedback on portions, menu choices and service timing gives the next proposal a stronger starting point. A clear finish leaves you with fewer loose ends and helps make the next occasion easier to organise.
06 · Planning with myCHEF
Make the venue part of the catering conversation
Share the preparation space, power supply, water access and storage available at the venue. If the site has restrictions on outside caterers, cooking methods or deliveries, raise them before choosing a detailed menu. These details influence the equipment and service plan just as much as the number of guests.
Access can be particularly important in office towers, residential buildings and waterfront locations. Confirm loading arrangements, parking, lift access and the person who will receive the team. A clear arrival plan protects setup time and reduces disruption for your hosts, neighbours or colleagues.
For outdoor service, discuss shade, lighting and a workable alternative if conditions affect the plan. The final proposal should identify which facilities the venue provides and which items need to be arranged separately. Good preparation allows the service itself to feel relaxed, even when the logistics behind it are detailed.
Your occasion, thoughtfully planned
Tell us what you have in mind.
Share your date, venue, guest count and menu preferences. We’ll discuss the service your occasion needs and confirm the details in a written proposal.
Start your catering enquiry
