By Tiffany's Catering Company

04/04/2013 1. How long has Tiffany’s Catering been in business?
Tiffany’s Catering Company has been in business since 1983. We are licensed, fully insured, inspected, and established.



2. Where will you travel to?


We do not have a geographical limitation. Although we are in Central New York we have traveled to the Catskills, the Adirondacks, Brooklyn, and Long Island. We frequently go to Watertown, Fort Drum and further north as well as towards Cortland (south).



3. What is your specialty?


Our specialty is our consistently high level of personalized professional service.


4. Do you charge a Cake–Cutting fee?


No, we do not. We will gladly cut and plate your cake after the initial cut.



5. Do you offer a Tasting?


We have a dinner, called the “Chef’s Table” that is held once a month, generally on the third Tuesday of the month. It is held at various venues starting at 6 PM. Our Chef creates a new menu for each dinner. The Chef’s Table starts with an appetizer selection, followed by a buffet dinner and then finished off with a dessert. The cost is $25 per person. To keep these “tastings” to a manageable size we ask that you call or e-mail Tiffany’s Catering and make a reservation to attend. All reservations are required to be guaranteed and pre-paid.



6. What equipment do you supply for a Buffet?


When a Buffet menu is ordered we will provide all catering equipment and staff necessary. There is no additional charge for this.


7. What is the Service Charge?


The Service Charge is to cover the added overhead costs involved in serving or delivering a catered event at a site remote from our central commissary and kitchen. It is a mandatory charge that helps cover staff as well as the Party Coordinator who will give your party the individual and personal attention necessary to help make it an absolute success.



8. Can you do Vegetarian or Organic catering?


Yes, we have been doing Vegetarian or Organic catering for many years.



9. Can you sell Beer and Wine for a catered function?


We are licensed and insured for Beer and Wine. As part of our service we will assist a client with their selection of liquor, in placing their order and arranging for delivery of the order. Billing will be done directly by the liquor store.



10. Do you have Bar-Tenders?


Tiffany’s Catering will schedule bartenders to staff the bar. The standard is one bar tender for seventy five guests. This position will be charged $18 an hour per bartender. The bartenders time includes travel, set up, serving, tear down and clean up. Most events that are serving alcoholic beverages require a trained professional bartender. This policy will lessen the likelihood of irresponsible alcohol service problems.



11. What is the charge for staffing?


This is usually included in the price of the buffet. However, if it is not, then the price for staff is $18 per hour which includes travel, set up, serving and clean up.



12. May I keep the leftovers?


If you inform your Party Coordinator when in the planning stages we will be happy to package up cooked foods for a member of your party to take with them.



13. How will the Staff be dressed?


The standard uniform for a formal function is black pants (or skirt) and white button down shirt finished with a bow tie and vest (if appropriate). The standard uniform for a casual event is black pants, maroon golf shirt, maroon apron and maroon hat. Chefs usually wear chef pants, chef coats and hat.



14. What if unexpected guests arrive?


It is Tiffany’s Catering’s practice to prepare enough food so that any of your guests can go back to the buffet for a second helping. This amount will usually provide for unexpected guests, however, the quantity of food we bring is based upon your firm head count.



15. What is the guaranteed minimum head count?


The “Firm Head Count” is the count we use to base the amount of food and china (or disposables) we need to prepare for a function. It is also the count that will be used to finalize the levels of staffing, rentals and prepare the final invoice. We will require the “Firm Head Count” usually seven days before your function. This will insure that we can arrange staffing and purchase the necessary foods and rentals.



16. Can the “Firm Head Count” be changed?


The firm head count can be increased with the approval of the Party Coordinator. Besides the invoice needing to be changed there may be an administrative charge for this or any other changes.
17. Can you set up the Banquet Hall?


We can set up the reception and ceremony if needed, although we will need extra staff and time to provide this service. The charge for this service is $2 per guest or a minimum of $70.
18. Can you provide table linens and other rentals?


Yes, linens are rented through our linen source and charged directly to the customer. It is either included in the price per person or as a separate charge depending on the type of event. Other rentals include tents, tables, chairs, dance floors, lighting, china, metal ware, glassware, porta potties, etc.
19. Deposit and Terms
We require a “Booking Deposit” which is a small non-refundable fee for the purpose of reserving the event date on our schedule. By paying the booking deposit, you have reserved our services for your event, which restricts us in booking other events. If you cancel the event the booking deposit fee is non-refundable.

The full “Deposit” is one half of the estimated total of the event. It is due one month prior to the event. This one half includes the amount of the “Booking Deposit”. This deposit is considered earned upon receipt because planning and rental reservations have been made, equipment ordered or pulled, food ordered or prepared, staff have been planned, and the fact that there is a low probability of Tiffany's being able to book another function should your event be cancelled to recover the lost revenue.

The “Balance” is due five days prior to the function if paying by check or the day of the function, prior to serving, if paying by cash. You may make other arrangements which need to be in writing, with the Party Coordinator’s approval prior to the date of your party.
20. What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept checks, cash and credit cards. All pricing given is cash pricing. Because we incur additional charges for credit card transactions, there is a 4% surcharge applied to our clients who choose to use a credit card. Credit cards are accepted for "deposits" only.
21. What items are taxed?
According to New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Caterers must charge sales tax on the total selling price of all foods, beverages, rentals, and services.