Do most caterers limit you to what they have on their website menus?

Or are they open to fixing other foods as well?Do most caterers limit you to what they have on their website menus?
It doesn't hurt to ask. We weren't crazy about the standard menus we were offered, so we just asked if they could do something different. We wanted "upscale barbeque" food. We gave the event manager a general idea of what we had in mind, and the chef was able to come up with a menu that we liked and that wasn't disruptive to their kitchen. As it happened, the menu was also less expensive than the standard choice we would have gone with if they wouldn't customize. I think as long as you don't get crazy with what you ask for, and are willing to compromise some, they'll probably be willing to work with you.
They are a business you do not go into a pizza shop and order pancakes or fish do you? You will see what they offer and if you like it they are the caterer for you , IF you don't you can ask if they will accomodate or you find another caterer.Do most caterers limit you to what they have on their website menus?
It depends. I was lucky enough to be able to work with the chef and gave him 2 recipes that I wanted served. One was a glazed carrot recipe that I love (I'm not a big veggie person, so I wanted a veggie that I would eat) and a cherry demi-glace to serve with the beef tenderloin, which I got from the chef at the restaurant where I was working at the time.



The restaurant where I work now won't do that. The chef and owner want to make sure what the guests at the wedding are getting is something they could order if they ever came back to the restaurant for dinner.
If you have the $$ we'll get you whatever you want.......
ost have more than what's on their site. that's just an example.
When I was organising my wedding no venue would compromise on their set menus aside from orgainising food for the people who are lactose/yeast intolerant or vegetarians.

It depends on where you are having your reception. We ended up going for a classy local hotel (pub) because we were given so many choices off the menu plus we could alter a few things. I found the venues specifically for weddings were too set in their ways to change anything. No place will let you bring in food from outside sources.
Yes. that's why i didn't went to caterers.



I found a wonderful cook with a good team, found a place with a very good kitchen all the permissions and licenses.



They will cook it at time, I get to choose everything, even the wines and so.



I have more control over everything, the quality, the products, as I will buy some and can see it being prepared (will not as I know the persons well).



Also it will be more cheap and as I'm not paying per person but the service I'm more at ease with guests.



Edit: Person that gave thumbs down must be a caterer Ahahah!
I think it is probably best to just start calling or emailing any caterers about this. It seems like the other answersers couldn't but I am able to alter anything I want. I love their menu so I am not changing anything. I could switch anything I wanted from one menu to another. I can also request other dishes they do not have on their menu. I will have a meeting with the chef 2 weeks prior to confirm everything I want, but I ultimately chose items on their menu. I think it varies greatly with different companies.
So far we have looked into three companies. One wouldn't budge and two are willing to add dishes that we wanted.