Chicago, a vibrant city known for its rich culinary heritage, iconic skyline, and diverse culture, is a prime destination for events and gatherings of all kinds. In addition to its varied culinary scene, Chicago is also home to some of the finest catering services in the country.

So whether you’re planning a corporate event, a wedding, a birthday celebration, or any other special occasion, the catering service you choose can make or break the experience for you and your guests. Finding the perfect catering service in Chicago can be overwhelming in a city brimming with options.

That’s why we’ve compiled a comprehensive insider tips guide to help you navigate the world of catering in the Windy City.

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Catering is more than just preparing and serving food; it’s an art that requires a unique set of skills and qualities. A great caterer goes beyond merely satisfying appetites—they create memorable experiences through their culinary expertise and exceptional service.

In this blog post, we will explore the ten essential traits that distinguish a remarkable caterer and elevate them to the pinnacle of their craft.

Choosing the right caterer is one of the most crucial decisions when planning an event. An exceptional caterer can leave a lasting impression on your guests. On the other hand, a subpar caterer can ruin your event and leave your guests disappointed.

But what makes a great caterer? Here are the traits you should look for when selecting a caterer to ensure an unforgettable experience.

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Engagement season is underway and we are loving all of your romantic proposals and engagement rings on our social media! But what comes after the champagne toasts and congratulations? Wedding planning, of course! It’s easy, right? Wedding planning with a full-time job and chores and errands…ok maybe it’s a big ask. That’s why we’re here to help! Here are some things to think about while planning your unique wedding:

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Love is in the air from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day! Did you know that December is the most popular month to get engaged? It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise: the glamour of the holidays and coziness of the impending cold weather inevitably bring people together. Getting engaged in December means that you can start your new year off in engagement bliss and focus your New Year’s resolutions on wedding planning!

According to WeddingWire, 6 of the 10 most popular dates to get engaged occur in December. This has a lot to do with extensive time off for the holidays. The most popular engagement dates include: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years’ Day, and Valentine’s Day.

During the holidays, you want to make full use of your holiday time off to enjoy. Most couples that get engaged in December use the time to celebrate the big news with their families. Those that can’t wait might use these extra days off as an opportunity to get ahead of the planning process and all it entails: finding a wedding planner, scouting out venues, and starting to think about the all-important food that will be served on the big day.

The average couple hires about a dozen different vendors to help with their wedding day: the cake, photographer, flowers, and so on. With so many options and limited time to kick it all off without a hitch, many default to vendors who are upfront with need-to-know information and who are great with communication.

Here are the top 5 biggest planning challenges:

• Determining budget and guest size
• Making decisions
• Keeping track of expenses
• Knowing you’re on the right track
• Finding vendors

At Catering by Michaels, we pride ourselves on our ability to bring together many different aspects of the wedding planning process. Working as your caterer, we connect with many other wedding vendors to create a beautiful event: your photographer, the venue, designers, and so on.

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In the case of Chris and Daniella, it was their professional involvements that brought them together. After quitting her job at a rival company, Daniella became a client of Chris’, and a networking event turned into love at first sight. From there, they became coworkers, friends, and the rest is history. 

Since both Chris and Daniella have connections in the hospitality industry, they were extremely easy to work with, and had an intimate knowledge of the wedding planning process. This helped make the process so much more fun! We worked closely to find the perfect venue to fit the romantic, city vibe they were looking for, and eventually settled on Harold Washington Library.

To complement the urban feel of their wedding, they wanted to serve a menu that was delicious, fun, and a bit different than what guests might expect. Since the couple love Gene & Jude’s hotdogs, we brought them in for a surprise late night snack, which was a huge hit! And if one Chicago favorite wasn’t enough, Chris & Daniella followed the theme of their wedding through to the guest favors and included Garrett’s popcorn (yum!). Needless to say, the wedding was a Chicago foodie’s dream and we had a blast putting it all together!

Photographer Jill Tiongco matched the vibe of the wedding seamlessly and captured these magical images of the day:

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