A catering proposal puts your menu, event details and price in one place. It should help you understand what you are booking and give you a clear way to ask for changes.
For a Desert Dine event in Palm Springs or the Coachella Valley, choosing a menu is a useful first step. Once you have picked a menu and we have the event details we need, a proposal can be ready in minutes. Timing depends on the details and any changes that need to be worked through.
Send the essentials
You do not need every detail settled to begin the conversation. Share what you know and identify anything that is still being decided.
- Your event date and venue or location
- Your expected guest count
- The menu you are interested in
- Your preferred service style and meal time
- Dietary requests that may affect the menu
- Your budget and any practical venue details
If the event is at a private home or rental property, mention access times and the kitchen or preparation space. If you are working with a venue or planner, share any catering requirements they have given you.
Check the menu and service details
Read the proposal against the meal you want to serve. Confirm the selections, guest count and service style. Ask what is included in setup, food service and cleanup, and check that the timing fits your event.
Describe any dietary request clearly and ask what can be accommodated before confirming the menu. If something changes, request an updated proposal so everyone is working from the same version.
Separate serving equipment from guest place settings
For Desert Dine family style and buffet service, serving platters and serving utensils are included. Guest plates and cutlery are separate items to confirm. Rentals are separate.
Compare the proposal with what your venue already provides. That helps you identify any plates, glasses, linens or other items that still need to be arranged.
Review the full amount and booking terms
Look at the total for the event and ask about any line you do not understand. Check how requested changes could affect the price.
Use the payment schedule, cancellation terms and change deadlines in your actual proposal and agreement. General figures in a planning article should not replace the terms for your event.
Confirm the current version
Before moving forward, check the date, location, guest count, menu and service details one more time. Ask what steps are needed to confirm the booking. Receiving a proposal by itself does not confirm that your event is booked.
Choose a menu, then send us your event details. We can work through any open questions from there.
