Finding a caterer

Part of Rita’s job involves sourcing caterers for various situations and functions which require same.

Today was no different. I received details from another venue where Rita will hold a cocktail party next month. The various pricings and services offered by different places is quite astounding. I feel I’m lucky in that I am thoroughly acquainted with so many aspects of the hospitality industry in Hobart so that what I want or need the function to achieve, and what I am prepared to pay, are quite easy to find.

But if I were a normal punter, I think the whole concept of planning a function would be SO daunting. If you are not familiar with ‘how things are done’, you could easily be overwhelmed, and agree to anything that anyone suggests to you, with the end result of your function possibly turning into nothing remotely resembling the function you originally envisioned having.

For function catering of the highest order, my strongest and highest recommendation is for Karen Goodwin-Roberts. Karen, until the beginning of this year, has been Team Leader of Cookery, then Hospitality at Drysdale. She catered after hours whilst teaching at Drysdale, with brilliant results. I have attended quite a few functions over the years where Karen was the caterer, and even had I been blindfolded, I would have known Karen had catered for it, as her food has that certain point of difference which always points to Karen. She is now concentrating full time on developing her catering business, so will cater for any function any time.

I believe she’s in the phone book (under Goodwin-Roberts Catering, I think), but if you want contact details, just email me and I’ll pass them on.

Meanwhile, there are so many options, and directions you can go in, to make whatever celebration you have in mind into your own version. Rita has a close friend in Queensland who plans to get married here in Hobart this time next year. She has wisely (or foolishly!) left all the wedding organization to Rita. So, yet again, we are going along that path, putting all plans firmly into place now to achieve what I know with certainty will be the most perfect wedding.

The catering will be done by Kimbra Townend, ably assisted by her wonder-professionals, Chris and Genia, and maybe also by Karen (from above).

These people are top at what they do. They know how to capture the essence of exactly what it is that their client wants. Once again, I know, even as I sit here today, that all will be perfect on the evening of the wedding in June 2009 (or my name’s not Rita!).

Life has been a series of trial and errors' on Rita’s behalf while she found out all these pitfalls in the land of caterers, but it now is being repaid in spades, as she hosts or organises all manner of functions, all of which are outstanding in their gastronomic content.

Cornelian Bay Boathouse is another venue which Rita highly recommends. If I want to impress any of my interstate guests, that’s one of the great places I can take them. For my functions last year, the reflected glory Rita received from attendees at functions there was huge. It’s easy to park there. It’s close to the city. It’s a fabulously scenic venue, with the added bonus of fabulous food. What else could you ask for?

I could write a book on my forays into the catering world, but will leave it for today. Catering in Hobart is, I believe, well and truly flourishing splendidly.