You'll spend more money on food than any other aspect of your wedding, so you'll want to work with a top-notch professional. When making appointments to interview caterers, try to schedule a tasting of their wares at a later point. Don't forget to ask them the questions below, and choosing a caterer will be as easy as pie -- just make sure your taste buds have a say in the matter too.

1. Does the caterer specialize in certain types of food or service? (They should provide you with sample menus to review.)

2. Can the caterer arrange for a tasting of the specific foods you're interested in prior to hiring? (They should.) Schedule a tasting if you get a good vibe.

3. What is the caterer's average price range? Are costs itemized depending on the foods you choose, or is there an all-inclusive flat rate? What would that include (linens, tax, and gratuity)? Does the caterer have printed price sheets for food selections?

4. How involved is the caterer in a typical reception -- does she work like a wedding coordinator or banquet manager, cueing the band, telling the couple when to cut the cake, adjusting the schedule if guests don't seem ready to sit down to dinner? (You will need to find someone to fill this role -- if your site manager or caterer isn't going to do this, think about hiring a wedding coordinator.)

5. Will the caterer provide tables, chairs, plates, table linens, silverware, salt-and-pepper shakers, and more? Ask to see these items to make sure they're acceptable. Do you have to rent tables, place settings, or other equipment? Or will they arrange for the rentals?

6. Who is the main contact? Will the same person you work with when planning also oversee meal service on the day of the wedding? (You want this to be the case.)

7. Will the caterer work any other weddings on the same weekend, the same day, or at the same time as yours? (You want to be sure they will devote sufficient attention to you.) You may want to pass on a smaller outfit who indicates they have another job or two scheduled for that day.

8. Does the caterer handle all table settings? Will they put out place cards and favors?

9. Will the caterer provide wait staff? How many would they recommend for the size of your wedding? What will the waitstaff wear? (Top caterers say they always use their own serving personnel, even if the site's staff is available, because they understand the caterer's way of doing business.)

10. Will the caterer be willing to include a recipe you provide, like a special family dish, or an appetizer with some sort of sentimental significance? Can they prepare vegetarian, kosher, kids, or halal meals for just a few of your guests?

11. Where will the food be prepared? Are there on-site facilities, or do you, the caterer, and the site manager need to make additional arrangements? If the caterer must bring in his own equipment, is there an additional fee?

12. Does the caterer work with fresh (not frozen) food?

13. Does the caterer have a license? (This means her business has met health department standards and has liability insurance -- make sure this includes a liquor license if you're having a bar.)

14. Can the caterer provide alcohol? Or can you handle the bar separately? If you can provide it, is there a corkage fee? How and when will you get the alcohol to the caterer? If the caterer will provide it, do they have an flexible wine list, and can you make special requests? How is this list priced?

15. How will the caterer arrange the food on the buffet table or on plates? Can you see photos of previous work displays?

16. Can you speak to previous clients? (Get at least two references that had a similar number of guests and a similar menu style.)

17. Does the caterer also do wedding cakes? Can you use an outside baker if you desire? Is there a cake-cutting fee?

Source: www.TheKnot.com

Has the feast to end all feasts got you by the gills? Organizing your thoughts and ideas for your wedding reception meal is a must. Start meeting with caterers immediately (as in 12 months before the big day), but first fill in this checklist. It will be a helpful reference when consulting caterers.

CATERING BUDGET
Since caterers charge per head, divide your approximate number of guests into the amount you have set aside for catering. This will give you a sense of what you can afford.

MEAL
If you've already booked your reception site for a chunk of time, you probably already have the type of meal in question nailed down. If not, decide quick, then reserve a location for the appropriate time. Dinner is the reception meal most commonly served, but the brunch or breakfast variety will cost less. Tea or cocktails are also affordable -- and quite stylish -- alternatives. Consider:

• Brunch/Breakfast
• Tea
• Lunch
• Cocktails
• Dinner
• Dessert only

SERVICE
Think about the style of your wedding and let that guide your decision here. Most options are compatible with all degrees of wedding formality, though some differ dramatically in cost. Aim for your ideal and modify later (with advice from your caterer).

• Cocktails
• Passed hors d'oeuvres
• Hors d'oeuvres tables
• Seated Meal
• Family style
• American
• French
• Russian (white gloves)
• Buffet
• Formal (staff-served)
• Casual (self-serve)
• Food stations (e.g. raw bar, crepe table)

FLAVOR
Let your mind soar to the flavors you most fantasize about. When your taste buds have traveled the world over, try to categorize your ideas below.

• Continental
• Regional
• Seasonal
• Exotic
• Ethnic
• Thematic

COURSES
Map out your menu (and tame that food fetish) by ruling out courses that seem excessive and marking the ones that will make your meal completely mouthwatering.

• Hors d'oeuvres
• Soup
• Fruit and cheese
• Appetizer
• Pasta
• Dessert
• Salad
• Entree

REQUIREMENTS
Now it's time to think of the needs and preferences of some of your guests. Sauteed pork medallions or an all-beef barbecue may be music to your mouth, but considering your guests should be a top priority.

• Kosher
• Vegetarian
• Halal
• Other

ENTREES
Determining the main feature of the main course is just the beginning. Start with the basics, then let your caterer tempt your tummy with possible accompaniments.

• Beef
• Chicken
• Vegetarian
• Pork
• Seafood
• Lamb
• Pasta

OTHER FOOD IDEAS
Consider anything you think you might want to include (e.g. rice krispy treats, eggs benedict, ice sculpture, shrimp cocktail, etc.) and jot it down somewhere.

DESSERT
Will the wedding cake suffice? Or are you dreaming of a lavish Viennese table laden with pastries and treats?

• Cake only
• Additional desserts

ALCOHOL
The booze factor is a tough nut to crack. Here are some basic ways to handle it:

• Full bar (Open or Limited hours)
• Beer and wine only
• Wine with dinner
• Champagne toast
• Specialty cocktail

Source: www.TheKnot.com

Because what you serve is so important to your reception's success, making the right choice when it comes to catering services is one of your most important wedding decisions.

Full-service hotels, restaurants and most banquet facilities provide the food and beverages for all events they host. But many reception sites lack the staff, equipment and facilities to provide these kinds of catering services. In situations like this, you can simply contract with an off-premise caterer to serve your guests.

Before you meet with potential catering services - whether in-house or off-premises - pull together essential details like the reception time and date, its location, guest total, service style, menu options, and the size of your food and beverage budget.

Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. The more you understand, the more likely it is that you will have a memorable celebration. Here are some issues to discuss with prospective catering services before signing a contract:

1. Can you provide references and a portfolio of previously catered events?


2. Are you licensed and insured to serve alcohol? Do you carry liability insurance?


3. What will be the estimated per-head cost, and are taxes and gratuities included?


4. Does that total include setup, tear down and cleanup?


5. How much time will you require to set up?


6. What deposit do you require, and when is it due?


7. What will the balance be, and when is it due?


8. Do you have a cancellation policy, and what are its terms?


9. What kind of flatware, glassware and place settings will be provided?


10. Does your catering service supply tables, chairs, linens and table skirting? If not, what are your additional fees?


11. Does your catering service provide bar supplies and equipment, including glassware?


12. Are there additional charges for equipment or glassware rentals?


13. When must you have my final menu selections?


14. What are the sizes of the portions?


15. How soon must you have my final head count?


16. What will be your server-to-guest ratio, and does that figure include bartenders?


17. What will your service staff wear?


18. When would overtime charges begin?


19. If we have a buffet, do you provide line servers or is it self-serve?


20. If you supply the wedding cake, what is my cost per serving?


21. Do you assess a per-bottle opening fee for champagne or a cutting fee for the cake?


22. How much liquor, beer and other beverages do you recommend I order?


23. Can you offer a volume discount on beverages?


24. What alcohol alternatives can you supply?


25. Can we return unopened bottles without being charged?


26. When will the bar be opened and closed?


27. What type of bar service is available - cash, consumption or open?


28. Will you supply ice?


29. Can you provide a floor plan of the table and seating arrangements?


30. Who will be your top representative at my reception?


31. What additional services does your catering service provide, and what are their costs?

Talking through these points with the catering services you're considering can make all the difference when it comes to a smooth, elegant, fun and flavorful wedding reception!

Source: PerfectWeddingGuide.com

Orlando's "Catering Jewels for Jewels" Sweepstakes - Official Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

1. ELIGIBILITY: The Orlando's sweepstakes Catering Jewels for Jewels ["Sweepstakes"] is open to (i) legal residents of the following states: Missouri and Illinois. (ii) who are at least 18 years of age. Employees and the immediate families of Orlando's, Mavrik Jewelers and Bonneville St. Louis Radio Group and each of their respective employees, representatives, parents, bottlers, distributors, subsidiaries, affiliates, suppliers, advertising agencies, and persons living in the same household as such employees are not eligible to participate in the Sweepstakes. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited by law. The Sweepstakes begins on June 1, 2008 at 12:01:01 a.m. CST and ends on June 30, 2008 at 11:59:59 p.m. CST. ("Sweepstakes Period").

2. HOW TO ENTER: Register by entering your wedding date on the Orlando's Catering page; must be engaged to enter (not legally married) on-line at www.toastedrav.com or www.movinstlouis.com.

3. SELECTION OF WINNERS. All prize winners will be selected by a random drawing conducted by Bonneville St. Louis Radio Group on July 1st from all eligible entries received during the promotional period. Winners will be notified via telephone on or around July 1st, 2008. Unless otherwise designated or prohibited, prize winners will be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release (where legal) within ten (10) days of notification attempt or prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be selected. Unclaimed prizes may not be awarded. Judges' decisions are final.

4. PRIZES: One (1) Grand Prize winner of $500 certificate to Mavrik Jewelers in Kirkwood, Missouri. As specified by Orlando's, entries must have future wedding dates to qualify (must not be legally married in any state in the United States). Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. All taxes or expenses, including, without limitation, sales tax, luxury tax and any other costs incurred in claiming or using any of the prizes, are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. No prize substitution or cash equivalent of prize, except at Sponsor's sole discretion, and then only for a prize of equal or greater value. Any difference between the actual value of any prize and the approximate retail value set forth in these official rules may not be claimed and will not be awarded. Certain restrictions may apply. Winner is solely responsible for the payment of all federal, state and local taxes and all additional meals, beverages, transportation or other expenses or costs relating to the prize not expressly set forth above. Winners will receive an IRS Form 1099 for the approximate retail value of the prize. The prize is non-transferable and may not be extended, substituted or redeemed for cash value, except by Sponsors, who reserve the right to substitute the prize or a prize component with cash or another prize of comparable or greater value. Sponsors are not responsible if concert is postponed or cancelled after ticketing of prize for any reason, in whole or part. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of comparable value in its sole discretion.

5. MISCELLANEOUS: Sponsors reserve the right to void all entries made through any robotic, automatic, mechanical, programmed, or similar entry duplication method. Sponsors are not responsible for any (a) telephone, computer, hardware, software, programming or network malfunction or other technical failures or errors, or the failure to properly process entries; (b) communication disruption or other forces beyond the reasonable control of the Sponsors, including but not limited to disruption related to internet traffic, virus, bug or non-authorized intervention; or (c) damage caused by computer virus or otherwise resulting to any computer from such person's participation in the Sweepstakes whether human, mechanical or electronic. If any such malfunction, error, disruption or similar damage occurs and impairs the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper play of the Sweepstakes, Sponsors may, in their sole discretion, suspend or terminate the Sweepstakes by posting a notice on www.toastedrav.com, or www.movinstlouis.com. If the Sweepstakes is terminated before the end date, Winners will be selected from among all eligible entries received as of the termination date. Persons found tampering with or abusing any aspect of this Sweepstakes, or who Sponsors believe to be causing malfunction, error, disruption, or damage will be disqualified. Entries that contain errors, or are incomplete will not be accepted. Sponsors are not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, damaged, or garbled entries. The Sponsor will be the sole judge of which entries are valid and its decision is final and binding. Sponsors reserve the right to amend these rules at any time by posting amended rules on www.movinstlouis.com, and www.1065thearch.com.

By entering, participants agree to release and hold harmless Sponsors, and each of their respective parents, distributors, affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees and its advertising, promotional and judging agencies from any and all liability or any injuries, death, loss, tax liability or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with participation in this Sweepstakes or the acceptance, use, misuse or possession of any prize won. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the preceding release is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or void for any reason, the entrant agrees that, by entering the Sweepstakes, (i) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of- pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Sweepstakes, but in no event attorney's fees; and (iii) under no circumstances will any entrant be permitted to obtain any award for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental or consequential damages and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than damages for actual out-of pocket expenses. Entering the Sweepstakes constitutes permission to use the name, address (city and state only) and likeness of the prize winner for advertising and publicity purposes in any media now existing or hereinafter devised, without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. . Failure to comply with these official rules may result in disqualification from the sweepstakes. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to: (i) disqualify from this or any sweepstakes it sponsors, now or in the future, any person it finds, in its sole discretion, has intentionally violated these official rules, tampered with the entry process, the operation of this sweepstakes, or any other aspect of this sweepstakes; and (ii) cancel or suspend part or all of this sweepstakes in the event that printing errors, viruses, tampering, fraud, unauthorized intervention or other causes beyond Sponsor's control, corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play of the sweepstakes. In such event, Sponsor may award prizes in a random drawing from all eligible entries received prior to the date of cancellation or suspension.

6. WARNING:
ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO DELIBERATELY UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS SWEEPSTAKES MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD ANY SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK REMEDIES AND DAMAGES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS' FEES) FROM ANY SUCH ENTRANT OR OTHER PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, INCLUDING SEEKING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

7. WINNERS LIST:
For a complete list of winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Bonneville Radio St. Louis/WIL-92.3, c/o "Jewels For Jewels" promotion, 11647 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141. Requests must be received no later than July 31, 2008.

The operating room…

Imagine: your loved one is being wheeled away on a gurney toward the operating room. You worry some but the doctor reassures you that everything is going to turn out “ok” and that this is standard procedure. You walk back to sit with your family and wait, hoping and praying. Hours pass by and finally the doctor walks into the waiting room. You eagerly stand up awaiting good news, but the good news doesn’t come. Something has gone wrong and your life and life of your loved one will be forever changed.

Each day, thousands of Americans place their lives in the hands of medical professionals and each day someone is harmed as the result of preventable medical error. Every year, between 40,000 to 90,000 Americans die due to these preventable errors and cost society between $17 and $29 billion. This negligence, known as “medical malpractice” occurs when a physician fails to exercise the due care required of someone in that respective medical field. This could apply to pharmacists who errantly fill prescriptions to open heart surgeons who fail to use a standard accepted method during surgery. The most seemingly simple mistake could cause a lifetime of pain for you and your loved ones.

Arriving Home…

The saga continues, as you or your loved one arrives home after months in the hospital undergoing rehabilitative therapy. You have constant pain and find that you can no longer take place in the activities that you once enjoyed. Simply making a sandwich has turned into a frustrating, and at times excruciating experience. Furthermore, you’ve had to quit work and now have no way of providing for your family. You’ve been in contact with the doctor’s insurance company and realize that the physical and mental pain you felt as a result of the doctor’s mistake pale in comparison to the insult you felt when the company offered you a negligibly low settlement. You feel like giving up and breaking under the weight of physical pain and surmounting medical bills. Then you realize that you can’t give up.

Fight back with Castle Law.

The lawyers at Castle Law realize one thing: medical malpractice claims can be very difficult to deal with. On one side, you have doctors wanting to protect their reputations and jobs and on the other side, you have the greedy insurance industry wanting to do everything in its power to protect its profits, leaving you stuck in the middle simply wanting something, anything, that will make your life normal again. We realize the peculiar position that you are in and that is the very reason we became attorneys. Castle Law aims to provide a specialized service to people that only lawyers can provide.

As members of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, we believe in the fundamental right of fairness for people injured by negligent physicians. Plaintiffs in medical malpractice suits have the odds stacked against them and it takes a caring, compassionate, and skillful attorney to guide them through such a harsh system. Make no mistake about it: insurance companies will employ as many bad faith tactics as they can to protect their staggering profits. The top ten insurance companies made over $25 billion in profits in 2003 and they are not going to let that money slip away quietly. Insurance companies employ skillful attorneys to quickly litigate medical malpractice claims in their favor. Do not be a victim twice! The skilled lawyers at Castle Law have been helping the citizens of St. Louis, Missouri, Memphis, Tennessee, and Illinois deal with medical malpractice claims for over 13 years. We will fight insurance companies tooth and nail to guarantee the results you deserve. While we can’t promise that an insurance payment will completely restore your life, it will help. You deserve justice and you deserve to be treated fairly. Let Castle Law help you fight for your rights and fight to take the first step on the road to a better life.

If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of a negligent physician, call Castle Law today for a free consultation!