FAQs

Olsen's Catering has been operating in Dunsborough since 2004. We have consistently provided outstanding food and service for hundreds of weddings, and over a thousand dinner parties

Olsen's Catering is based in Dunsborough. We have a purpose-built, licensed, commercial kitchen located in Enterprise Park off Commonage Rd.

Yes! Our experienced staff are a great asset to our business, providing knowledgeable and friendly service at all our events. Waitstaff are included in our quotes for a specified time. Additional hours are charged at quoted rates. Please note that Olsen's Catering does not supply staff for events that we are not catering for.

Yes! Our experienced barstaff are all RSA approved. Barstaff can be provided for your event for a minimum of three hours. Please note that Olsen's Catering does not supply staff for events that we are not catering for.

We work on approximately 1:20 waitstaff for most menu styles. This may or may not include the supervisor, depending on event details

Our staff wear crisp white hospitality shirts and dark blue aprons, both embroidered with our logo. They also wear black pants or skirt, and black shoes.

Chefs and waitstaff are included in our quote for a set period of time depending on catering style. All our menus include information on the length of time chefs and waitstaff are included. Beyond this, additional charges accrue at the quoted rate. The included time is in no way supposed to limit your event. This is the amount of time that has been factored into your quote.

Absolutely! We make a recommendation for tableware that will be required to serve the meal. We suggest that you incorporate the tableware needs into your broader hire requirements (table, chairs, lighting, heating and styling). This minimises delivery costs and ensures there are no double-ups. There are several excellent hire companies in the region. Please see our 'suppliers' page for more information

There are several hire companies in the Dunsborough, Margaret River, Busselton region. They all provide an excellent service and it is worth visiting their premises to view their range. Some focus on crockery, cutlery, glassware etc whilst others provide furnishings and other styling items. Busselton: Bling Events, South West Event Hire Dunsborough: Cape Marquees, Zest, Empire Events Margaret River: Margaret River Party Hire

More than you realise! We do not wash glassware onsite, so there needs to be sufficient glassware to allow for guests misplacing glassware, changing wines and using a fresh glass etc. Each event has different requirements, the following are typical examples: For a cocktail function with six hours bar service, including: one champagne, one red wine and one white wine, plus bottled beer and water, we recommend 2.2 wine glasses per person and 0.75 flutes per person. If there is a champagne toast following the wedding ceremony, 1.75 flutes pp For a seated function, glasses as required for table setting plus a further 25% for replacements

For larger events, our policy is to rinse plates and cutlery, and stack them back in the hire crates to be collected and washed by the hire company. Glassware is rinsed and stacked back in hire crates. This is an agreeable practice with most hire companies we deal with. For smaller events, and where facilities permit, we wash all dishes.

Yes! We specialise in venue catering and will accommodate you wherever possible. We are very happy to meet with you on site to discuss the finer details and logistics to ensure your day is perfect.

No. All events are treated with the same respect and attention to detail at Olsen's Catering, whether it be a dinner for two, or a magnificent, once in a life time celebration.

We guarantee it! As a catering company, we believe one of our fundamental roles is to ensure your guests are well fed. We will make recommendations to ensure that this occurs. Great food and plenty of it is our promise to you.

Some food is perfectly suitable to be covered and left in your fridge, and we are happy to do this with remaining cooked food.

Yes. For example it is a popular option to have stand-up canapés as an entree (canapé menu), followed by a seated main course (a la carte menu), finishing with a dessert buffet (dessert buffet menu)

Under five years is no charge* Five to eleven years ranges from $20pp to $35pp depending on menu selection and catering style. Twelve years and above are adult prices. *assuming a reasonable number of young children. If it's a birthday party for four year olds, there will be a charge!

We offer an in-house chef service at Olsen’s Catering and recommend this as an ideal opportunity to meet with Grieg, sample our food and enjoy a great evening in. Dinner party groups of two to twenty guests individually select three courses from our a la carte dinner party menu (five entrees, five mains and five desserts). These are cooked and served in the comfort of your own home or accommodation, with waitstaff as required. And we’ll leave your kitchen spotless! With regards to our canapé (cocktail) menu, all canapés are made by us - not bought in, pre packaged or frozen. Most canapé items are made up in batches of 30+ portions and are one or two bite sized morsels. Making up very small batches isn't possible. However, some of the canapés on this menu are also available on our ‘drop-off fingerfood menu’ which is suitable for self-catering, with some cooking or heating required for some of the choices - this is a great way to try our canapés with a group of friends. If either of these tasting options suits you, please let us know and we’ll send menus through to you right away

As best we can.

An MC (master of ceremonies) is vital for all weddings, whether it be a small, informal gathering or a large scale celebration. This is your and our go-to person on the day for all questions that may arise - both from within your guest group, and from our staff. We can't emphasise strongly enough the importance of this role. This is the guy (or gal) who will shield all guests, especially the bride and groom, from any irksome little details that need attention on the big day. Between your MC and our supervisor, all things can be resolved, for example:

• Hold ups due to traffic, photo shoot etc
• Running out of beverages
• Unexpected health issue
• Inclement weather
• General housekeeping queries - location of bathrooms etc

Depending on the scope of your event, a supervisor may be required. For large events, or those with specific requirements, the supervisor plays a critical role in ensuring the fine details and smooth coordination of your event are taken care of. Our supervisors are our most experienced waitstaff members and provide a point of contact between your event and our services. Their role includes any or all of the following responsibilities:

• General knowledge of all event details - they are the onsite problem solving, go to person!
• Check off that suppliers have delivered as planned (hire gear, beverages etc) coordination of services between the kitchen, wait and barstaff.
• Signing off of staff

In the immediate Dunsborough area there is no travel charge. Beyond this, our travel charge is 80c/km.

This is a commercial kitchen equipment hire charge. it covers costs associated with supply, installation and cleaning of the kitchen equipment required to prepare and serve the menu of your choice. This includes items such a gas deep fryers, commercial ovens, BBQ's, hot box etc. This is quoted once the venue has been visited and the menu is finalised. We are happy to use on site facilities where possible.

Payment of the deposit secures your date. Deposit amount varies according to the event and guest numbers. Payment of the deposit is also acceptance on the clients behalf of our terms and conditions. These we have attempted to keep short and simple as follows:

Cancellation of your event after the deposit had been paid. Refund - nil

Cancellation of your event after the balance has been paid. Refund at our discretion.