Just as you’ve caught your breath from all of the holiday parties, it’s time to get ready for Gasparilla and for Super Bowl XLV! Are all of you land-lubbers ready for the annual pirate invasion on Jan. 29? 

How about for the year’s biggest football game, which takes place on Feb. 6?  Now is the time to line up your menu or book a caterer.

Nothing can ruin a good party like running out of food or having your caterer not deliver the amount and the quality you were expecting.

Some caterers take shortcuts like using frozen fish instead of fresh, or claiming they’re serving grouper when it’s really catfish. 

Another common trick: mixing instant potatoes with water or chicken broth and calling it a cream sauce. It sounds gross, and tastes gross. Make sure you know what you’re paying for!

Here are some simple tips to ask to ensure you and your caterer are on the same page:

1. Check the license. Confirm your caterer is licensed, and that the license is openly displayed.  This ensures the catering premises have been inspected for cleanliness and meet the required standards for safe food handling.
2. Put it in writing. Ask the caterer to put in writing what she is providing, and what you as the host will provide. That way, you won’t end up with a bar but no ice, or extra tables but no linens.
3. Count the pieces. When placing your order, ask how many pieces of each item each guest will receive. You’d be amazed by how many people skip this step, then end up disappointed with the amount of food each person actually has on his or her plate.
4. What’s your beef? Always ask what kind of beef will be used. Meat comes in several grades starting with utility and going all the way to prime. There is a huge difference in both price and taste, and you want to make sure you’re getting the quality you expect.
5. Whole is better. Also be sure to ask what kind of chicken will be used. Some caterers use chicken parts that are chopped and formed to make it look like chicken breast, with the concoction held together with a seaweed mixture. If you actually want chicken breast meat, ask for whole-muscle chicken instead.

I’ve been in the restaurant and catering business for 25 years and trust me, no respectable caterer minds going over these details with the host. You’re paying for a great time for you and your friends; you deserve the very best service and quality!

Linda Caivano-Baldwin is a Certified Professional Catering Executive (CPCE) whose skills have been honed by 25 years in the catering, restaurant, and event production industry. In 2006, she founded her event production and catering company, Amore – It's A Lifestyle, at 4245 Henderson Blvd. in South Tampa. This fall, she added a line of ultra-healthy, ready-to-heat meals called Amore Now – Healthy Lifestyle To Go.  To view the recipes listed above, visit her website at www.eventsbyamore.com.