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goji berry nutritionChoose the Right Catering Service

Food is an integral part of any party so one must choose a catering service wisely. But how does one choose the right caterer for an event? It is important to do a lot of research, check references, and often request a sampling to make your final decision.

List your catering needs In order for a caterer to provide an accurate estimate for your party or event, you must communicate your needs clearly. Do you have a location for your party/event reserved and is there a kitchen on site? How many guests are coming to your event? Find out if the potential caterer has a minimum guest requirement. Take into consideration that some of your guests may have special dietary needs and be certain to communicate this with your caterer. A great caterer will be ready for any surprise that may surface, but at what cost to you? Ask.

What is your catering budget?

Discuss your budget with your caterer and what options are available. Ask yourself, do you prefer a buffet style or a silver-service sit down dinner for your guests? Be clear about your proposed menu, do you have a theme or style at the event that will be reflected in the cuisine? Your budget may or may not determine how flexible your caterer is to meet your needs. Keep in mind; it is the type of food that often determines the bulk price of the catering job. Find out, and possibly request, if the caterer will provide a detailed contract of service and outline what the payment terms will be.

Where does the caterer shop?

Does the caterer use fresh or frozen food for recipes? Is the produce grown locally? Is it organic? Will any of the dishes be pre-made and then frozen until the party/event? Does anything come from a can? It happens! (Gasp).

Decorations

Does the potential caterer supply decorations, linens, tables & chairs? Very often there will be a brochure catering services supply with examples of past event and table decorations. It is important to be very clear in what your event needs and what the caterer will be supplying. Is a menu board provided for the guests that describes the ingredients of the dishes being served?

Wait-staff

Will the catering company provide a wait-staff? What is their required dress code? What is the ratio of servers to guests? A rule of thumb is one server for every 10 guests. Be certain to ask your potential caterer if taxes and gratuities are included in the final bid.

What happens to the leftovers? Often, upon request, a catering service will compile a food basket at no additional charge for the host or hostess of the event.

Remember, it is critical that you communicate with your potential caterer exactly you want; the result, you get what you want and the caterer can provide an accurate bid for the job as well as the exceptional service your event deserves.

Betty Durden is a staff writer for The National Directory of Catering Services located at http://www.catering-services-directory.com

Who Makes the Best Pizza in the World?

Pizza is a universal food. Most of us grew up with it. All of us have an opinion about it.

If you are from New York, it's New York pizza. If you are from Chicago, it's Chicago Deep Dish. The West Coast fans have their own traditional Italian pizza as well as New Wave.

Of course if you are from New Haven, Connecticut, you spend hours debating who makes the best apizza: is it Sally's or Pepe's? Then there are those who favor Modern Apizza. New Haven fans are fanatics.

Woven across the U.S. are small pockets of regional favorites. For example, on Long Island, New York, it's a type called Grandmother's. If you are from a certain area in Pennsylvania, you favor Old Forge.

There are types of pizza for every different taste: there is thin crust Neapolitan, and there is thick crust Scilian. Chicago deep dish, is a unlike an other. California pizza can be thin with unusual ingredients for unique tastes.

People don't argue about steakhouses or hamburgers or Chinese food, but this food hits a chord. It's a magical little disk that makes things happen. It doesn't matter if you're in Pennsylvania or Wisconsin, your own region makes the best pizza in the world. You tend to favor what you grew up with.

There are also, the master pizzaiolo, who defy any region and make the best possible putting their heart and soul into each one produced.

Here is a short list of pizzaiolo, who do it their way. Not for fame or glory but because they are dedicated to the craft of creating incredible pizza.

Pizzaiolo Chris Bianco, (Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix, Arizona), is regarded by some, the finast pizzaiolo in the U.S. Ed LaDou, is another highly acclaimed pizza master. He created Wolfgang Pucks as well as California Pizza Kitchen's menu. He now makes his own at Caiote Pizza Cafe. Tony Gemignani (8 time World Champion and co-owner of Pyzano's) and Brian Spangler (Apizza Scholls, Portland, Oregon), each carry on the tradition of passion and strive for perfection. Gary Bimonte, grandson of Frank Pepe continues his grandfather's legacy at Pepe's in New Haven, Connecticut.

Another Legend is Peter Reinhart, author, baker and pizzaiolo. Peter told me once, there are only two types of pizza: good pizza and great pizza.

Peter went on a quest to find the best in the United States. His book, American Pie, chronicles his pizza adventures.

Who makes the best pizza?

You decide who makes the best . What kind do you like? The best pizza is entirely a personal choice. Your choice.

You can find an extensive listing of The Best Pizza in the World at this link:

http://pizzatherapy.com/bestpizz.htm

Discover the Legends of pizza: http://legendsof pizza.com Get free copy of Albert Grande's e-book about "Big Ideas" at this link: http://grandepublishing.com/sq.htm