That big day is fast approaching. Of course you’ll have questions. Don’t hesitate to ask! At Robert J. – Events & Catering, we’re here to help. Your questions help build a dialogue to make each event just perfect for you. Some of our most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) follow.

Q: How long has Robert J. – Events & Catering been in business?
A: Robert J. is a Bob Pacanovsky Company. Bob has been working in the event industry since 1997, when he first started The Caterers by Paparazzi’s, which then became The Bravo! Event Group and is now Robert J. – Events & Catering. The name has changed, but the commitment to quality and service has only grown with the business.

Q: What do your menus include?
A: Menus for lunch and dinner are based on a package price. We’ve figured out everything that most people would want for their catering and we’ve rolled it into one price per guest to keep it simple. For instance, buffet dinners include coffee, salad, rolls and butter, entrées, sides, linens, china, silverware, salt & pepper, condiments, etc. While some caterers price items out “per piece,” we anticipate the pieces you need and provide them to you at a price that makes sense. If you’re working within a budget, our pricing structure helps you stay on track!

Q: What all can you do? What services do you provide?
A: Robert J. – Events & Catering is a one-stop shop for event design. Whatever your needs, we take care of it for you personally, or we bring in other specialty vendors and coordinate their services for your event. For a complete list of our services, click here.

Q: How far ahead do you need to book your event?
A: The sooner, the better. As soon as you have your date and time in mind, it’s a good idea to call us to reserve our services. Typically, smaller events can be planned at least a month in advance. Large events, like weddings and galas, should be planned at least six months in advance. But we understand that last-minute planning may be necessary. We’ll do our best to work with you, but more time gives you more options.

Q: What venues do you serve?
A: We are one of the largest “off-site” catering businesses in the area. This means that we bring the party to you! We can serve you and your guests from any one of our wonderful venues or from your home or office, transforming the space into your vision for the event.

Q: Do you have minimums, and what are they?
A: When you review our menus, our minimum number of guests are listed by each type of event. For instance, we have a minimum of 50 guests for dinners. If your guest list falls below that minimum number, don’t worry. Just call us for custom pricing.
Served Lunches (Buffet or Sit-Down): 25 guests minimum
Served Dinners (Buffet or Sit-Down): 50 guests minimum
Hors d’Oeuvres Parties: $200 order minimum

Q: What is the “service charge” and what is the “labor charge”?
A: The “service charge” is an additional 18% fee that is added to the food costs and billed in addition to your package pricing. Think of it as a gratuity charge if you were dining at a restaurant.
Our menu prices are based on certain minimum numbers of guests served, and the cost of our servers and wait staff is included in that package price. But if your count falls below our minimums or if your event requires special attention, we may break out the cost of our staffing your event separately. If that’s the case, it’s referred to as a “labor charge.”

Q: What should I consider in selecting a caterer?
A: Quality, Service and Value are three of the main items that you should consider. Your caterer should provide personalized service to make your event a success. Of course, the price should fit within your budget. Call us. If we don’t feel we’re the right fit to handle your event, we’re happy to recommend another company to handle it for you.

Q: How much time do you need to set up an event?
A: Our staff is extremely efficient at setting up for events quickly and professionally. Most catered events require about two hours for set-up. Special events such as press conferences and fund-raisers may require more or less time, depending on the specific needs of the client.

Q: When do you need your final count?
A: For weddings, we need our final count two weeks before the event. Since two weeks typically falls on a Saturday, getting us the final count on Monday is fine (12 days out). For other events, we need your count a week in advance, then your absolute final count three days before the event. If your count goes up in the last 72 hours, expect to pay extra for those added meals (typically charged at 1.5 times your contracted price).

Q: What about my RSVP date on the invitations?
A: Be sure to add an extra week to your response date deadline before you need to give us your final count. If we need your count on the 20th, have your RSVP date be the 10th or 12th to allow enough time for procrastinators, delayed mail and forgetfulness. It also gives you time to reach those you haven’t heard from without throwing you into panic mode!

Q: Can you provide theme menus for special occasions?
A: Of course! Our chef is fantastic and he loves to come up with original dishes to highlight themed events. Our staff can even dress the part in full or partial costume, available at an additional cost.

Q: Where do you cook your food?
A: Much of our food is prepared in our kitchens and delivered fresh and hot to the venue. Some events require cooking at the event location, where we bring the kitchen to you.

Q: Do you have a list of previous customers I can contact as a reference?
A: Yes we do. You can go to our references online or call us. We’ll put you in touch with someone who hosted an event similar to yours.

Q: What distinguishes Robert J. – Events & Catering from other caterers?
A: Our food, service and devotion to your every need. You'll find our culinary presentations to be outstanding and the flavor of our food to be fantastic. Our executive chef prepares each dish to order, using only the freshest ingredients coupled with perfect seasonings.