Warning!!!
When hiring a caterer you are responsible for your guests' health and safety.
A catering website is not proof that a caterer is legal
Catering license includes license by State of Florida Department of regulations hotel and restaurant division, city and county occupational license, licensed commissary, manager must have nationally recognized food safety certificate, all employees trained in food service safety, tax number by the State of Florida, National business I.D. number. Wow, that's a lot!
Partypop, Local Caterer, Desideo, Respond and similar catering directories
may not check their advertisers' credentials to see if they are legitimate vendors.
If your caterer is not legal you may be held responsible for their mistakes and their accidents!!!
Also; your deposit may be in jeopardy!
What if the illegal company you hire gets caught right before your event?
A corporate name does not give food service credentials. To check if someone has a catering license log on to http://www.myfloridalicense.com/licensing/wl14.jsp
and check hotels and restaurants in the catering category. Remember licenses are not transferable and if a caterer is working illegally, their insurance, if they have any is invalid.
Call your city and county to check business license. License must say caterer, food service or restaurant. Ask for current certificate of insurance and verify it.
Yes! you will save a few dollars with an illegal garage caterer.
Is it worth it????
Think about this! You hire someone committing an illegal act and possibly cheat the children out of an education because these people may be* committing tax evasion.
*It's possible to have a business with state and federal tax number and still cater illegally.