The Most Common Mistakes People Make When Ordering Catering

Ordering catering sounds simple until you’re the one responsible for feeding a group. Whether it’s a family reunion, a golf tournament, a church event, or a lake gathering, small missteps can turn into big frustrations on event day.

People searching for catering in Santee SC often aren’t professional planners—they’re doing their best and hoping everything works out. Over the years, Craig’s Deli has seen the same catering mistakes happen again and again.

The good news? They’re easy to avoid once you know what to watch for.

Mistake #1: Choosing the Menu Before Thinking About the Event

One of the most common catering mistakes is picking food first and logistics second.

In Santee, many events are:

  • Outdoors
  • Near Lake Marion
  • At parks, churches, or golf courses
  • Without access to full kitchens

Hot food, complicated setups, or menu items that don’t travel well often create problems. That’s why cold sandwich catering is such a popular option for event catering in Santee—it works almost anywhere and doesn’t depend on perfect timing.

Mistake #2: Underestimating How Much Food People Will Eat

Running out of food is the mistake people remember most.

Many first-time planners underestimate portions, especially for:

  • Outdoor events
  • All-day gatherings
  • Golf tournaments
  • Lake Marion events

     

Fresh air, activity, and long schedules increase appetites. Local catering in Santee works best when portions are planned realistically, not optimistically.

Craig’s Deli helps customers plan quantities based on real local experience, not generic formulas.

Mistake #3: Waiting Too Long to Place the Catering Order

Another common issue is waiting until the last minute.

During busy seasons—summer lake traffic, golf events, weekends, and holidays—popular caterers book up quickly. Waiting too long can limit menu options or create unnecessary stress.

For catering in Santee SC, it’s always safer to order earlier than you think you need to, especially for larger groups.

Mistake #4: Choosing a Caterer Who Doesn’t Know the Area

Not all catering works everywhere.

A caterer unfamiliar with Santee may not understand:

  • Lake Marion logistics
  • Local venues and park rules
  • Typical group sizes
  • Outdoor serving challenges

     

Local experience matters. Event catering in Santee goes smoother when the caterer understands how food will be transported, served, and held at common local locations.

That local knowledge is one reason Craig’s Deli is often recommended for Lake Marion catering and community events.

Mistake #5: Overcomplicating the Menu

More options don’t always mean happier guests.

Overly complex menus can:

  • Slow down serving
  • Create confusion
  • Increase waste
  • Cause delays

     

Simple, familiar foods usually perform best for group events. Cold sandwich platters, boxed lunches, and classic sides tend to satisfy the widest range of guests with the least friction.

This is especially true for family events, church gatherings, and business lunches in Santee.

Mistake #6: Forgetting About Timing

Even great food can disappoint if it arrives too early or too late.

Common timing mistakes include:

  • Food arriving before guests are ready
  • Food sitting out too long in warm weather
  • Serving delays that interrupt schedules

     

Experienced local catering in Santee accounts for timing based on the type of event, not just the pickup time. Craig’s Deli works with customers to align food readiness with when people will actually eat.

Mistake #7: Not Considering How the Food Will Be Served

Serving logistics are often overlooked.

Questions planners forget to ask:

  • Will guests serve themselves?
  • Do we need boxed lunches?
  • Will people be moving around?
  • Is there limited table space?

     

Boxed lunch catering or platter-style setups often solve these issues, especially for golf tournaments, work crews, and events with tight schedules.

Mistake #8: Choosing Price Over Reliability

Budget matters—but reliability matters more.

Chain catering options sometimes look cheaper upfront, but issues like:

  • Smaller portions
  • Inflexible menus
  • Centralized prep
  • Limited local support

can cause problems on event day. Many people learn after one experience that local catering in Santee offers better value because it reduces risk.

How Craig’s Deli Helps People Avoid These Mistakes

Craig’s Deli has become a trusted name for catering in Santee SC because the team helps customers think through details they may not even realize matter.

That includes:

  • Recommending menus that work for the event type
  • Helping plan realistic portions
  • Advising on pickup timing
  • Offering menu options that travel and hold up well
  • Sharing insight based on real local events

This guidance is especially helpful for people ordering catering for the first time.

Why Most Catering Problems Are Preventable

Almost every catering issue comes down to planning—not food quality alone.

By choosing a local caterer who understands Santee events, asking the right questions, and keeping the menu simple, most problems disappear before they start.

That’s why so many families, businesses, churches, and organizations rely on Craig’s Deli for event catering in Santee and Lake Marion gatherings.

Planning Catering in Santee the Smart Way

If you’re ordering catering and want the process to feel easy instead of stressful, learning from common mistakes is the best first step.

The right caterer doesn’t just provide food—they help the event run smoothly.

And in Santee, that’s exactly why Craig’s Deli continues to be a go-to choice for catering that works.

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