SofiaCateringMost useful answer
The community suggested asking for an included/excluded version of the catering quote, with time limits and the unclear point on drinks and late clearing are written in a separate paragraph. The goal was to close the vague parts before signing.
41 useful ? 3 not useful
Marco B.Event planner
To compare properly, split food, staff, rentals, drinks, transport and late-night service. For private dinner, a cheap menu can stop being cheap if glassware, staff after midnight or setup are outside the line items. In this thread, "Catering quote in Rome: food is clear, but late clearing is hiding in the notes" is the line I would use so the supplier understands the problem quickly.
34 useful ? 4 not useful
Claire M.Author update
Quick update: I am asking for menu, drinks, staff, transport and cleaning as separate lines. In Rome, Lazio, the question is less "is it expensive?" and more "what can still be added later?". In this thread, "Catering quote in Rome: food is clear, but late clearing is hiding in the notes" is the line I would use so the supplier understands the problem quickly.
11 useful ? 2 not useful
HughCatering
Ask who will physically be there on the event day in Rome, Lazio. The person selling the service is not always the person solving problems on site. I would keep this question open until the supplier replies in writing, because the small unclear line is usually the expensive one. This is my check 1 for "Catering quote in Rome: food is clear, but late clearing is hiding in the notes", so the replies stay on the real case rather than a generic Italy event.
6 useful ? 1 not useful
NoraClient
For catering, check staff, drinks, rentals, transport, cake service and clearing time. A menu can look cheap while service makes the final bill move. For this specific thread, I would write "Catering quote in Rome: food is clear, but late clearing is hiding in the notes" at the top of the supplier recap so everyone answers the same case. This is my check 2 for "Catering quote in Rome: food is clear, but late clearing is hiding in the notes", so the replies stay on the real case rather than a generic Italy event.
16 useful ? 4 not useful
italy_plannerCatering
Ask for quantities per guest, not just attractive dish names. A buffet without pieces, service points and refill timing is hard to compare. Because the event is in Rome, Lazio, I would also ask who is reachable on the day, not only who sends the quote. This is my check 3 for "Catering quote in Rome: food is clear, but late clearing is hiding in the notes", so the replies stay on the real case rather than a generic Italy event.
14 useful ? 0 not useful
HughClient
For open bar, I want duration, included brands, ice, glasses, bartenders and what happens when the package ends. With EUR 4,800, the useful comparison is the calm one: same hours, same guests, same responsibilities. This is my check 4 for "Catering quote in Rome: food is clear, but late clearing is hiding in the notes", so the replies stay on the real case rather than a generic Italy event.
19 useful ? 4 not useful
NoraCatering
I would ask for a simple included/excluded table with VAT, time limits and cancellation terms. With EUR 4,800, the quote should be readable without chasing calls. I would keep this question open until the supplier replies in writing, because the small unclear line is usually the expensive one. This is my check 5 for "Catering quote in Rome: food is clear, but late clearing is hiding in the notes", so the replies stay on the real case rather than a generic Italy event.
9 useful ? 2 not useful