Caterer From Hell - Wedding Guest Dies!

I read, to my horror, recently about a wedding that got destroyed when half of the guests suffered from food poisoning and one of them later died. The couple and their family were absolutely devastated and the bride refused for a very long time to look at her wedding pictures. She could not bear to rehash the trauma that became her dream wedding - the one day she had planned to be perfect for probably 2 years or so. Poor thing!

Now I don’t mean to scare you in any way (too late now, I guess) but I believe something as important as your wedding food has to be dealt with very delicately. You must be very careful when contracting out a caterer to provide the food for your guests and you must make sure that you ask the right questions to decipher which caterer knows what they are doing and which one is a few eggs short of a soufflé.

In my role as a bridal wear designer for Estilo Moda, I have come across hundreds of wedding suppliers and have worked with many of the reputable Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire based ones. I have come across good caterers and really bad caterers and I’ll be honest with you, doing your homework before you all sit down to that meal is the best thing you can do for your guests and ultimately yourself. Aside from the typical questions about availability and the type of food they specialise in, ask your caterers these 10 questions regarding health and safety and gauge their response. This should help you in your decision on whether or not you should contract out the job to them for your wedding day. These questions should also be posed to your venue if you are using an all-inclusive wedding venue.

1. Are you fully licensed?
2. Can I see your health and safety policy?
3. Are your employees fully trained to observe health and safety procedures?
4. Do you use fresh or frozen food?
5. How do you manage food preservation?
6. Can you source organic or sustainably farmed ingredients?
7. Can you accommodate dietary preferences, such as kosher, vegan?
8. How do you ensure that any food allergy information I supply to you is handled efficiently?
9. What is your on-the-job cleaning procedure?
10. Can you provide references?


Lee Roberts of Lisa Roberts Catering says he believes all caterers should adhere to the type of code of conduct that they devote to - “All of the food we prepare is made to high standards with high-quality ingredients that are made the same day it will be served. All of our menu items are prepared using only the finest ingredients from trusted local suppliers. Every member of staff is fully trained in food service techniques and holds their Food Safety Hygiene in Catering' certificate” 

I agree wholeheartedly with Lee and I am sure you do as well.

I hope this article helps you in choosing a caterer that not only provides you with a fantastic menu for your wedding guests but also provides you with the safest food and best service possible.

Have you had or heard of a horror wedding caterer story? Please let us know. Also feel free to leave tips and advice that you have for other brides.

In all, happy wedding,

Lisa xxx