It does not matter if you are using a paid professional to cater your party or taking on the job yourself, the little details are as important as the big ones.

If your choice is a professional service, there are a lot of questions to be answered in making your selection. Is the company licensed? Do they use safe, healthy methods of preparing the food? How will they serve and replenish the foods on the tables? Will they give you the type of service and quality you require to make your party a success? You want to check the company/people out and get them to answer these vital questions. You may even want to visit their establishment to see if it is up to health inspector standards.

Handling the party or event yourself can be more challenging, but more satisfying. Organize yourself, keep notes, make lists and follow through on the details, check things off the list as you accomplish each task. Once your guests are invited, you need to figure out what type of food(s) will be on your menu, and the quantity that will be needed to supply all of the guests. Be sure you have the necessary items to decorate the tables, so as to set up and serve the food. Be sure to have a place for disposable items if you are using paper plates and napkins. Take your lists with you for your shopping trip and buy the best quality available. Prepare as much as you can ahead of time. Keep some items frozen or refrigerated. Even if you have help, leave yourself a little extra time just in case things do not go as planned. If you do not need the extra time, sit down, put your feet up and get prepared to be the perfect host or hostess.