Choose your caterer wisely

Before booking a caterer, you should demand proof of licensure. If they can’t produce a license with their business name and address on it, a call to the local health district can verify this information.  See list of licensed caterers in Clermont County.

People catering out of their homes can usually undercut the price and deliver a meal cheaper than a duly licensed catering operation.  It can be tempting  to event organizers to choose a cheaper, unlicensed cater in these economic times but it is important to consider why they are able to offer a reduced price:

The Health District regulates caterers to prevent foodborne illness. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, there are 76 million cases of foodborne illness, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths each year in the U.S.  Advance preparation of mass quantities of food in a home is risky business. Home-style refrigerators are heavily taxed and seldom perform adequately under such loads. Hot holding equipment, if available, is typically primitive and inadequate to properly perform. The kitchen is not inspected to ensure it is compliant with Ohio’s food safety regulations – in fact, most home-style kitchens are not capable of being compliant. The workers are typically not credentialed and trained to perform the function safely.  Furthermore, they are breaking the law.

Properly licensed catering operations carry a Risk Class 4 Food License. These licenses are issued to operations that carry out the riskiest of food preparation, such as advanced preparation of mass quantities of food requiring cooking, cooling, and reheating, or that require cooking and hot/cold holding. These licenses costs hundreds of dollars, and fund the Health District’s performance of at least four inspections annually to help ensure they are properly maintaining facilities, equipment, processes, and training. They have expensive, commercial grade, certified equipment capable of rapid temperature recovery and holding quantities of food at proper temperatures during transport.  They must finance stand alone facilities capable of complying with all applicable codes. Unlike illegal in-home caterers, licensed caterers pay federal, state, and local income tax on the money they make. They pay real estate taxes on their business that comes back to the local community to support schools, libraries, fire, police, EMS, and other public services that enrich and protect the citizens. In addition, your typical licensed caterer is insured against liability, should something go wrong.  They have much higher operating costs, and must charge accordingly for their services.

Clermont County Licensed Catering Operations

Updated: 11/19/2010