Choose items that are enjoyed by the majority of guests.
Cater with vegetarian items as well. Most people enjoy vegetarian.
Consider the ratio of men and women.
Keep in mind the age group and cater for all ages.
E.g. elderly like simple classic foods
where as the younger generation like modern contemporary dishes.
Keep in mind the different cultures and traditions.
Keep the menu varied.
Have a balanced menu with color, textures and flavors.
Many people make the mistake of wanting a menu that is going to be heavy and fill the guests so they pick all heavy pastry items. This isn’t balanced and does not present well (look appetizing) Also they choose what they like forgetting that not everybody likes what you like.
Pick a menu that is suitable for the time of day or evening.
Portioning. It goes without saying, you don't want to run out of food! Portioning can be tricky but by taking into account the profile of your guests and the duration of your event, your caterer will help you determine sufficient food quantities.
A good, experienced caterer will be able to work with any budget to come up with a quality and inspirational menu. It is better to have good quality and well presented smaller portions than large amounts of low quality food. Listen to your caterer's advice and ideas if budget becomes an issue. They are experts in planning parties and will be able to offer guidance so that you get the most bang for your buck, and still throw a fabulous party!