Booking without foodtasting

We, finally, have a caterer. *Clap, clap.* And no, we haven't done any foodtasting with them (yet). (*BTW, Ate Chay, thank you for recommending your friends' catering business/es.)

Here's just a quick recap of our journey in finding our caterer:

Foodtasting in Sucat, Paranaque (R, M, Mommy & Mami).

Foodtasting in Makati (R & Ate Joyce).

Foodtasting in Roces Avenue, Quezon City (R & Mommy).

Foodtasting in Malanday, Marikina (R).

Foodtasting in Malabon (Mommy).

Caterer X, which I mentioned in my last post, is the same caterer that R had his last foodtasting with. And yes, we were already supposed to book them (& pay downpayment) if only they replied to our last email which contained some more queries regarding the package that we were to avail. And no, even up to now, we still haven't received a reply.

The last foodtasting was actually my nephew's 7th birthday party - the caterer being one of Ate Chay's friend. We asked Mommy to rate the food, and it passed her standards. However, we haven't received any reply from them yet even to acknowledge that they received our email. Getting them though meant having to pay more for an event stylist to achieve the look that we (errrr, M) wanted.

So, as we went back to square one, and as M had been, so far, close to hyperventilating, we decided (well, M decided) that we book a caterer sans foodtasting. K by Cunanan (see their Facebook page) came to the rescue.

Reviews in W@W from former KbyC brides are 90% positive. Their foods are different compared to what other caterers offer. And their set-up: elegant, clean. In fact, if M was to choose between caterers based on reviews + set-up alone, KbyC and PC would be on top of the list, a tie at #1.

In the end, we still decided to get KbyC than PC even though we've already tried PC's foods, and the taste was nothing short of amazing. It all boils down to two factors: value for money + saving face. Everyone at W@W would agree that both of these caterers have been recommended over and over again by satisfied couples. So what do we mean by more value for money + saving face?

-Value for money- KbyC's package is a bit cheaper than PC's. BUT, as most PC brides know, Ms Maja could very well work within your reasonable budget. We could've gone back to PC and tell them to match KbyC's offer and we might have gotten a similar package. However, as we have dealt with PC for the past 3-4 months, we have already received numerous customized packages from them, all were turned down only because we have already decided to book Caterer X then. Going back to PC might convey the idea that we were only after them bringing down the cost of their package. Because all in all, we have received 5 customized packages from them. R even offered to email PC himself to tell them we wanted them back, but M prevented him on doing so. We cannot go back. Period. -Saving face-

With KbyC, we are confident that even without a foodtasting, our palates will be pleased by the foods they will serve. Mommy rang them earlier today to ask for a foodtasting schedule, only to be told foodtastings will resume on the 1st week of February.

So until then, we won't be able to rate their food. But then again, with a caterer like KbyC, who needs a foodtasting when their set-up already speaks volumes of what they are capable of doing.