The Way We Work
Whilst Cherry Tarts is essentially a catering company producing outstanding food for all manner of parties, our professional expertise extends beyond this and into all aspects of outside catering and party planning.
We work at the following venues.....Glemham Hall, Bawdsey Manor, Wood Hall, Butley Priory, Sutton Hoo, The Old Neptune Inn, Otley Hall, Gosbeck Rectory, Mockbeggars Hall, The Barn at Milden to name a few plus many private houses, barns and castles.
Food is probably one of the most important aspects, yet the overall planning is essential for a memorable party.
Getting to the most fabulous menu
We spend time listening to your needs and talking you through choices before reaching a final decision. Most of the time this process goes quickly and without any major changes: spending constructive and creative time with a client is our pleasure.
We source the very best raw ingredients from our outstanding Suffolk producers to create the menu of your choice. Our food is what gives us many standing ovations.
We can arrange tastings of the menu or dishes chosen once the booking is confirmed and deposit received. A small charge may be made for this if more than two dishes are tasted.
Our Quotation, which is sent to you firstly as a Provisional Costing, is based on the menu chosen and on the numbers of guests given at the first meeting and may change if numbers of guests or menu selections change. The quotation will include the cost of the first consultation and our reasonable administrative charges for preparing your event or party but we reserve the right to make further charges where the booking entails more work. All quotations and costings given to our clients are on a per head basis, not on the amount of food supplied. If on the day of the event the numbers of guests and/or people served or eating exceeds the numbers set out in the Quotation/Provisional Costing extra charges will be incurred. No reduction in the numbers actually served or eating on the day can be taken into account unless notified to us at least 14 days prior to the event.
We require final numbers and menu 14 days before your party.
Hire of china, table and place settings
At Cherry Tarts we pride ourselves on our sense of style and presentation. As part of our service we will manage and arrange hire for all table ware, ovens, water boilers, fridges and any other equipment your menu requires. We help you with this along the way. This will then become a separate contract between you and the hire company. You pay them direct. When required, we can find specialized glass and linen ware.
It is important to order enough glasses and china.
And Afterwards …
Unlike many other caterers we do not strip your marquee or hall of all linen and glassware while your party is still going, but wait until guests have left, or, return the following day to clear.
Marquee layout and space planning
Over the years we have built up a wealth of knowledge on crowd bottlenecks and how to avoid them. We understand how and when people like to group and move.
The layout of a marquee, positioning of tables, with space to move and sufficient space round the bar and dance floor, are a few of the considerations necessary to ensure a flowing successful party.
We urge our clients to consult us about marquee requirements: we do not charge for this service.
Our Essentials
We will require as standard a supply of running water, power and sufficient lighting, and close access for our refrigerated vans. In extreme cold weather some form of heating in the catering tent.
Staff
Cherry Tarts has a core of delightful experienced waitresses, bar staff, and kitchen porters. They are smartly dressed in our uniform and make sure your guests have drinks and food on time and are served with a smile. The same staff also set up the tables with great attention to detail and according to your requirements.
The costs of staff will vary depending on the length of your reception or party and also whether you choose self or table service.
We set up the kitchen, the bar area and the dining tables, check over the delivery of hire equipment, and chill as much wine and soft drink as possible before the start.
The total charge for staff will usually remain static if numbers change by up to 15 either way. Any additional service of washing up or the event overrunning the time agreed with the Client and as set out in the Provisional Costing will incur an additional charge.
Terms of engagement and financials
To save disappointments a deposit must be paid to secure your date in our books.
We strongly recommend our clients to make a deposit payment as soon as possible. Your booking will be confirmed once an acceptable deposit payment has been credited to our account. We then secure your date for you and your booking is accepted subject to the terms set out in The Way We Work, and consequently this deposit is non-returnable. Should you postpone to a later available date your deposit will hold good.
If a confirmed booking is cancelled within 60 days of the event, 50% of the amount set out in the Quotation/Provisional Costing (less deposit paid) shall be immediately payable. For cancellation less than 14 days before the date of the event, 100% of the Quotation/Provisional Costing amount shall be immediately payable.
Prices are valid for three months from the date of the Quotation/Provisional Costing. If your event is to take place more than three months after the date of our Quotation/Provisional Costing, we may revise the cost of the food you have selected. On receipt of your written acceptance of our Quotation/Provisional Costing, we agree to provide and you agree to accept our services as set out in the Quotation/Provisional Costing, subject to price variations, last minute unavailability of food items beyond our control, or force majeure.
Where menus or numbers are changed later than 14 days prior to the event we reserve the right to charge for each changed dietary request or additional guest at 20% above the price per head quoted previously. We require 75% of the total Quotation/Provisional Costing amount (in cleared funds) three weeks before the event and the balance in full (in cleared funds) seven days before the event. Our minimum charge for any one booking is £500.00.
We do not provide special meals for band members, DJ’s or any other help that you contract separately. We will however cater at the same price as your guests and give them the same main course and pudding. We require advance notification for this.
Insurance
- Cherry Tarts is not responsible for any injury, damage, breakages or loss of equipment at the venue.
- Damaged or lost equipment will be paid by the client.
- Cherry Tarts carries public liability insurance for staff and food.
- Cherry Tarts is not responsible or liable for any food allergies of our clients or their guests. Clients should be responsible for establishing any allergies and providing their own medication and insurance.
Other
All invoices/requests for payment s are due for immediate payment. We reserve the right to charge interest at 5% on all payments more than 7 days overdue.
Cherry Tarts shall not be liable for any loss, theft or damage to any of the client’s or the client’s guests’ property unless such loss or damage is caused by the gross negligence or willful conduct of Cherry Tarts or its employees.
The Client will indemnify and hold harmless Cherry Tarts, its officers, employees and agents from and against any and all demands, claims, injury, damage to property or loss, including legal fees, arising out of or caused by the negligence or willful act of the client or any servant agent guest or licensee of the client.
The Way we Work and any document referred to herein constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes any previous documents. If any provision in these terms shall be held unenforceable for any reason the validity of any other provision shall not be affected in any way. The provisions of The Way We Work may only be amended with the written consent of Cherry Tarts. The terms and conditions and the agreement between Cherry Tarts and the client and may only be assigned by the client with the consent of and upon such terms as Cherry Tarts may agree.
Wherever the services of Cherry Tarts are to be performed, the contract which includes these terms is made subject to the laws of England and the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court of England and Wales for the resolution of any disputes.
Recommendations
We would like to recommend a couple of people who we have worked with many times, they have inspired us with their work
Cherry Tarts are happy to recommend an amazing photographer Anna.... www.annamccarthy.com
We are also happy to recomend sensational flower ladies Suzanna and Becky... www.countryflowerssuffolk.com
Copyright
All content and images are copyright to Cherry Tarts
March 09