How We Work
Venues
If you are still looking for that "perfect place" for your event, Thyme & Again will be happy to help find the ideal venue for you. We are intimately familiar with Ottawa's best venues and will introduce you to ones that will match your taste, requirements and budget. Click here for a listing of our venues.
Rentals
Thyme & Again Catering has developed strong relationships with the city's best suppliers over the past years. Whether you require china, glassware and table rentals, our staff are also knowledgeable about other decorative and specialty rental items including tents, chocolate fountains and even popcorn machines! We will assist you in advising and booking exactly what is required and ensure timely delivery schedules.
Most of our dishes are subcontracted to Party Time Rentals. We have a wonderful array of samples to choose from on display in our second floor studio.
For a stress free event, Thyme & Again arranges orders to be delivered to your site and picked up the following day. Special arrangements can be made for a same day/evening pickup (additional charges would apply). The rental company can also supply an insurance policy fee against breakage or damage if required.
Menus
There are a number of variables to consider when creating the perfect menu for your event. With your guidance, Thyme & Again will custom design a menu to ensure that you have the ideal menu and the perfect amount food. The following are some guidelines that we have developed with your input and our years of experience.
Cocktails
The time of day and length of an event can dictate how much food you will need. A party held right after work, during "cocktail hour", say from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, could centre around hors d'oeuvres and other light fare because the guests will probably have plans for dinner after the reception. At this time, we would recommend approximately 6-8 pieces per person, for a 1.5 to 2 hour cocktail reception.
For cocktail parties to be held over the dinner hour, we would recommend 12-14 pieces per person, which can be supplemented with food stations, tasting plates and stationary platters, or our small desserts and coffee.
Many elements come together when creating buffets. Our focus has always been on presentation and ample food to enable the guests to "try" everything and go back for their favourites. We provide 2/3 portions when offering more than one main course option and adjust our portion accordingly based on the variety of items offered on the buffet.
Staff
Thyme & Again has been fortunate enough to employ some of the best staff in the city!!
Thyme & Again employs professional, friendly and qualified catering staff who are highly knowledgeable of our food, set-up, service and take-down expectations. Most of our staff work exclusively for Thyme & Again, which ensures that they are well versed with our customer service and our food. We work very hard to match the best staff with the intricacies of each event and will book sufficient staff to make your event a success.
Our on-site chefs are comprised of a qualified in-house team who works in our kitchens daily. Whether your event is larger or a smaller home catering, a catering co-ordinator or captain is present to orchestrate the event and co-ordinate the staff.
Our staff rate is $24.00 per hour and a shift is a minimum of 4 hours. Clients are only billed from the time staff arrive on-site until they leave. Once we have established set-up and logistical requirements, we will provide you with staff arrival times and the number of staff required.
Thyme and Again staff are Smart Serve trained according to the AGCO rules and regulations.
Gratuities
Staff are always thrilled to be recognized for great service! At their discretion, clients may tip staff for exceptional service. Your catering co-ordinator would be happy to discuss an appropriate amount. If you wish, a gratuity can be included in your final bill.
Catering Co-Ordination Fee
Creating a successful event takes much more planning that just fabulous food. Our attention to detail and understanding your needs not only sets us apart from other caterers, but continues to propel us forward - We love the challenge!
A 15% event co-ordination fee is added to all catered events and this includes meeting with you to discuss your ideas, planning all aspects of your event, site inspection, event management, on-site inspections, liaising with suppliers, florists, talking care of rental bookings and changes, booking the right staff for you, customizing menus with our chefs, and of course wonderful professional advice!! Our goal is to ensure that your expectations and vision is translated smoothly into a well run, worry free event.
This fee also covers many of the little extras we include to make your event special. This includes bar equipment, decorative table decor and food platters, serving dishes and utensils.
Bar Options/Beverages
Thyme & Again offers many options to meet your needs. Most of our clients supply the alcohol themselves and we are happy to setup and serve it for you. We supply all the bar equipment and do not charge a corkage fee. We also can help you determine the type and amount of alcohol to purchase for your own bar. We provide full host bar services as well as cash bar services (a minimum number of guests is required for cash bars).
Our talented team of Smart Serve bartenders can provide you with an array of chic drinks to match the theme of your party. Fun Martini bars are our specialty!
Our in-house chef/sommelier can provide you with the perfect match for your menu. Thyme & Again partners with Savvy Company - excellent sommelier services here in Ottawa that will ensure a "perfectly matched evening".
Thyme & Again is a strong supporter of local and regional wineries and micro breweries.
Liquor Licence
Thyme and Again now has the ability to provide bar service for catered events under its own Liquor Licence. This enables our company to supply bar services at locations around the city without the need for clients to have to pay for and obtain a "special occasion permit".
We are pleased to offer this service to our respected clients.
How Does It Work?
- We setup, supply and handle all aspects of your bar requirements
- Thyme and Again is responsible for complying with all aspects of the Liquor Licence Act of Ontario.
- We provide fully trained experienced, "smart serve" staff that are well versed in the liquor laws in this province.
- We are insured for the provision of alcohol service
- We supply both cash and host bar services.
- We also still offer the same wonderful service
- We can supply all, mixes, ice, and all the fixings - just ask
- We supply all the bar equipment and ice tubs, at no additional cost.
- We can coordinate professional sommelier services
- We supply comprehensive help in liquor and wine requirements/quantities
For your function we will be pleased to provide bar services under our liquor licence.