Michael Thomas and his team at Oceanwest have catered 3 big events for us-2 big family weddings, (160 plus guests at each), and also a very important formal dinner for 70 guests from Quebec.
For each event, Michael was organized, focused, listened to what we needed, and delivered 110%. He is a professional; he knows what he's doing. His suggestions should be listened to-his experience of what works and what doesn't work is very valuable, so I would suggest flexibility at your initial meeting with him.
What impressed us most was that during the events, Michael was ready to piece together whatever aspects we had overlooked. For example, we had no-one assigned to cut the cake-Michael took care of that. he checked continually with our event managers as to what was needed, how things were going, etc. etc. His team are easy to work with, and very obliging-his chef went way beyond the call of duty to help our servers with the 70-person event.
The food is really, really good-freshly steamed vegetables, prepped on the spot-no soggy sad veggies looking at you. Salads, rice dishes, etc the same. As for the baron of beef, carved under the hot lamps....................yum. And he has a horseradish sauce that we just adore!!!!
Having read some of the less favourable reviews, I would offer a suggestion based on the bit of experience I have:
A wedding, for you, is a once in a lifetime event. For the caterer, it is a very important job. But he has lots of events lined up to do. When you deal with a caterer, take off your romantic hat, and put on your clear-thinking, focused, listening hat. Be clear before he arrives of what your idea is, and have it written down. Take notes of what he tells you he will do, and, more importantly, what he will not do. If you don't write it down, you will forget it, and that, i think, is where the problems arise.
Fair is fair, he does his side, you have to do yours.
Hope he's free for daughter No 3's wedding.........and No 4's....... read more
