FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
What can I expect from the venue I've chosen? Choosing your facility is one of the most important steps in planning your event. Heart & Soul Bistro Catering is an approved, preferred, or house caterer at most of the open venues in Pennsylvania. The venue you choose may affect several costs associated with your event. For example, some facilities provide items such as tables, chairs and linens. Some facilities provide set up and break down of tables and chairs. Other facilities require the catering staff to provide these services. These are things to consider when reviewing the staff services on your proposal. Your facility representative will let you know which services they provide and what is required of the caterer. The facility representative may also assist you with a floor plan which would then be copied to Heart & Soul Bistro. We will also be happy to assist you with the walk-thru and/or floor plan if necessary. Heart & Soul Bistro staff labor estimates will include any additional services required by your facility i.e. table, chair set-up, breakdown, clean-up, trash removal etc. If your venue does not have a dumpster or trash removal services available, we can provide you with a rental van for trash removal for an additional $150.00 charge. We cannot provide any trash removal service with our own company vans. Where do I choose my menu? HNSB is excited about working with you to create the perfect menu for your event. We can work with you to custom build a menu of your choosing or suggest a particular menu that will help to make your event a success. We are also excited to show you our artistic flare and commitment to homemade, delicious food. HNSB offers an extensive list of foods on Facebook in the “Notes” section. When looking through the website, remember that this is a guideline to help you get started with choosing your menu. What if we want a champagne toast? A complimentary bottle of Champagne will be provided with all of OUR bar packages. You may provide your own single bottle of champagne or enough to serve ALL guests if your facility allows you to bring your own alcohol. Toasting glasses must be provided by the customer and/or a rental company. What kind of bar services do you offer and what do they cover? If you look on our menu under beverages, you will find all of the different types of packages that we offer. All of HNSB bar packages include ALL NON-Alcoholic beverages as well. HNSB bar packages include disposable cups. Rental glassware is available at an additional charge. If you decide to provide your own bar and alcohol, we do ask for a list of what you are providing and we do ask that you remember all of your bar needs, such as: bar table linens, ice, cups, cocktail mixers, garnish, stir sticks, ice bowl, scoop, tubs or coolers for icing, ice for icing, keg taps, keg tubs. Please note that HNSB does NOT have equipment for kegs. Also, make sure you have checked with your chosen facility to confirm that you can provide and serve your own alcohol. If you are allowed to purchase your own alcohol but CAN NOT serve it due to liquor liability reasons, we do offer our bartenders at $25 per hour. We also charge a $1 per person liquor liability license to serve your alcohol. We do offer cash bars. Ticket sales are available for corporate events. The client must provide their own tickets. Tableside wine service is available at an additional charge and may require additional staff. We do ask for a contact person before the event in case there is an issue with a guest being refused service due to inebriation. What if I only want non-alcoholic beverages? We offer a non-alcoholic beverage service. We offer iced tea, coffee, soft drinks, punch, lemonade and kool-aid. Beverage prices are listed on our website under the "Beverages" tab. Ice cream punch is an additional charge. Pitchers of tap water are free of charge. Please note that our coffee can be ordered for less than your total guest count in increments of 25. The beverage service includes disposable cups. Rental glassware is available. What do you mean by "service charge" on my proposal? There may be a 10-25% equipment service charge applied to your proposal. This service charge encompasses all buffet, beverage and bar service equipment including but not limited to: chafing dishes, utensils, sternos, bowls, props, coffee brewers, coffee service, beverage dispensers, table side service trays and tray jacks, pitchers, carafes, warming boxes, disposable dinnerware, disposable beverage cups, napkins, cocktail napkins, linens and special equipment required for large on-site events. Our 20% service charge will include all of the above and an appropriate type of disposable dinnerware (clear acrylic, black or white plastic, Styrofoam, etc.). A 5 piece place setting consisting of a linen napkin, dinner plate, salad or dessert plate, 1 fork and 1 knife will incur a 25% service charge. Glass plates and silver forks for reception menus will also incur a 25% service charge. Deliveries and Gourmet to Go pick-ups with disposable dinnerware are subject to a 15% service charge. Deliveries and Gourmet to Go pick-ups without disposable dinnerware have no service charge. If you choose to add pieces to your place setting (i.e. beverage glass, wine glass, salad fork etc.) HNSB will arrange for those items at an additional rental cost. You may also choose to arrange for ALL of your own rentals in which case HNSB may discount your service charge. Does my facility have a facility fee? Most venues in Pennsylvania charge a caterer's fee to the facility. If you choose a venue that requires a facility fee, it will be added to your bill and paid to the facility by HNSB. The Facility Fee charge on your proposal is an estimate only. It will be adjusted after your final bill. The facility fee will adjust according to your final guest count, final menu, beverage choices and service style choices. HNSB strives to provide you with the best quality, homemade products while maintaining a reasonable menu and service price. What are the staff rates and how am I charged for staffing? HMSB will staff events based on your guest count, menu, service style and the facility where your event is held. We want to ensure your guests have the quality of service we pride ourselves on. Poor service due to insufficient staff reflects poorly on our business. Our service is staffed as follows: Servers $25/hour or $30/hour (Sundays and for Plated Sit Down Service), Bartenders $25/hour, Chefs $30/hour Please note that the labor charge accounts for set up, service time, and clean up. You are billed for the actual services that we provide at your event. We adjust your staff charge if your party ends early, on time, or late. When do I need to sign the contract? When you have gone over the proposal and you have decided that the menu, pricing, etc. is to your satisfaction, we will require a $150 non-refundable deposit and a signed contract to confirm your event. When you sign the contract you are agreeing to a 50% deposit 30 days before your event and the other 50% 10 days BEFORE your event with a CONFIRMED MINIMUM GUEST COUNT GUARANTEE. This means that once you have confirmed your minimum guest count you cannot subtract people. You are welcome to add people in the 2 weeks prior to your event. Heart & Soul Bistro is happy to ADD we just can’t subtract once the minimum guarantee has been determined.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Grandmother Taught
- What types of customers have you worked with?
Corporate, Personal, Celebrity, Local