22 Essential Catering Survey Questions to Boost Client Satisfaction

Menu Selection & Dietary Restrictions Survey

Why & When to Use: Conducting a dietary restriction survey for catering 2–4 weeks before the event allows you to create an inclusive menu, minimize waste, and prevent allergen incidents.

Sample Questions:

1. "Which of the following menu categories interest you most? (Plated, buffet, food stations, hors d’oeuvres)"
2. "Please indicate any allergies or intolerances among your guests."
3. "What percentage of attendees requires vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options?"
4. "Are alcohol or specialty beverages part of your desired menu?"
5. "Rate the importance of locally sourced or organic ingredients on a scale of 1–5."

Conducting dietary restriction surveys prior to events enhances menu inclusivity and reduces allergen incidents. Source

Tasting Feedback Survey

Why & When to Use: Deploying a catering tasting survey immediately after a menu tasting session helps refine recipes and finalize selections before bulk preparation.

Sample Questions:

1. "How would you rate the flavor balance of each dish tasted (1–5)?"
2. "Which items would you remove or replace, and why?"
3. "Did the portion sizes meet your expectations for the event format?"
4. "How visually appealing were the plated presentations?"
5. "What adjustments (spice level, garnish, cooking method) would improve any dish?"

On-Site Service & Staff Performance Survey

Why & When to Use: Distributing a service quality survey via QR code or post-event email within 24 hours captures real-time impressions of your service and staff performance.

Sample Questions:

1. "How courteous and professional was the catering staff?"
2. "Were food temperatures maintained appropriately throughout service?"
3. "How efficiently were tables cleared and replenished?"
4. "Did servers accommodate special requests promptly?"
5. "Rate the overall flow of service from setup to breakdown."

Service quality is crucial in shaping customer satisfaction and loyalty in the catering industry. (atlantis-press.com)

Post-Event Catering Satisfaction Survey

Why & When to Use: Sending an event catering feedback form 24–48 hours after the event measures overall satisfaction, gathers testimonials, and identifies areas for improvement.

Sample Questions:

1. "On a scale of 1–10, how satisfied were you with the catering experience?"
2. "What aspect exceeded your expectations?"
3. "What could we improve for future events?"
4. "Would you recommend our catering services to others?"
5. "May we feature your feedback as a testimonial?"

Corporate Catering Experience Survey

Why & When to Use: Ideal for recurring office lunches, conferences, or employee appreciation events, this survey helps refine standing contracts and services.

Sample Questions:

1. "How consistent is food quality across orders (1–5)?"
2. "Does delivery arrive within the requested time window?"
3. "Which menu items are most popular with your team?"
4. "How would you rate our online ordering platform?"
5. "What additional services (setup, cleanup, compostable ware) would add value?"

Wedding & Special Occasion Catering Survey

Why & When to Use: This specialized questionnaire captures emotional, cultural, and thematic elements unique to milestone events, ensuring a personalized experience.

Sample Questions:

1. "Which cultural or family traditions should we incorporate into the menu or service?"
2. "How important is menu personalization to reflect your story as a couple?"
3. "What late-night snack or send-off treat would delight your guests?"
4. "Rate how well our tasting helped you envision the wedding day menu."
5. "Do you require coordination with other vendors (planner, florist, baker)?"

Catering Survey Best Practices: Dos and Don’ts

Dos:

• Keep Surveys Concise: Aim for under 10 questions to prevent fatigue.
• Personalize Invitations: Use tailored email subject lines for higher open rates.
• Offer Incentives: Provide rewards for completing longer surveys to boost participation.

Don’ts:

• Avoid Double-Barreled Questions: Keep each query focused to ensure clarity.
• Don’t Delay Distribution: Timing is critical; send surveys promptly for accurate recall.

Question Types:

• Mix It Up: Use a combination of multiple-choice, Likert scale, and open-ended questions for balanced insights.

Conclusion

Implementing well-crafted catering surveys at each event stage is your recipe for success. By actively seeking and acting on client feedback, you can increase catering customer satisfaction, refine your offerings, and build lasting relationships. Remember, the key to a successful catering business lies in listening, adapting, and continually striving to exceed expectations.