Q & A – Tipping the Caterer

QUESTION:

For tipping the wait staff, you say 15-20% of the food bill–Do you include the total pricing from the caterer that includes, plates, tablecloths, etc… Or is it just the cost of the food portion? I appreciate your response.

-Theresa

ANSWER:

Good question, Theresa~

Check out this great article from Hudson Valley Weddings (http://www.hudsonvalleyweddings.com/guide/tipping.htm):

The catering manager for New World Catering, in Saugerties, emphasized the need for customers to thoroughly read the contract and to ask questions. Most caterers add the gratuity of 18% to 20% right onto the bill. That gratuity is sometimes called a service fee or service charge. It is an extra line on the bill in addition to food and bar. Wording differs from caterer to caterer, so customers need to be sure that they understand the bill in general and, in particular, they need to know much of the service charge the wait persons and other staff are actually getting paid.

Most caterers say that customers are not expected to tip “on top,” but point out that many people choose to do so. It is the caterer’s responsibility to make it clear to customers, up front, in what way the staff is taken care of and if anything additional is required.

It is really important for you to be open and forthcoming with your caterer, catering manager or restaurant owner. Ask if they have a policy and, if so, what it is. Gratuities relating to food services are often automatically included in the bill, so make sure to read your contract carefully. The gratuity may be calculated based on the number of guests or on the total amount of the bill and usually is paid for prior to the reception. The customary amount is between 15% and 20%. If, at the reception, the food services person goes out of his or her way for you and your guests, you might add a tip of $1-$2 per guest, after the reception. Tipping a hostess, maitre D’ or captain would fall between 1% and 2%.

So, before you even consider adding a gratuity yourself, check to see if your caterer has already added it for you. If they haven’t, you need to tip on the total amount of the bill. And, although the Hudson Valley Weddings article suggests that the average tip for a caterer is 15-20%, you should customarily tip your caterer closer to 18-20%.

I hope this helps! Please let me know if I can provide any further information.

Happy planning!
Eve-Maridy