Steam Whistle wedding - caterers?

[tochipotle]

Hi,
Considering having our wedding at Steam Whistle (love the look of the building and central location - beer's not bad either!). Other than Daniel et Daniel - I haven't got any experience with the caterers on their list. Has anybody been to a wedding at Steam Whistle and enjoyed/disliked their experience with any of the following caterers: En Ville, Beyond Catering, Catered Affaire or Marigolds and Onions? Any advice would be greatly appreciated - don't want to be disappointed on the big day!
Thanks

[dinin and dishin]

I just found out that Steam Whistle brewery lets you bring in your own liquor -- no corkage fee. That can mean quite a saving. Make sure you confirm that before you enlist a caterer. A friend in the biz advised me that many caterers will not tell you this and pocket the extra cash. This friend also does alot of business with them and I believe that they are pretty open about who you hire for the gig etc..

[pimentdespelette]

Unless I'm mistaken, you are about to get ripped off. Does Steamwhistle give you a "choice" of just three "preferred" caterers? Be sure to ask how much their landmark fee is. A landmark fee is a kickback, essentially, that you're never told about. Those caterers aren't "preferred;" they're high bidders. For the near monopoly the venue gives them, they add between 12 and 20 per cent to your catering bill. Ask them about this upfront. Daniel et Daniel charged us an extra 15 per cent—without us every knowing what for—for our wedding at Enoch Turner Schoolhouise. It added nearly $2,000 to our bill, so Enoch Turner, which seemed a good deal when they hid this from you, was actually hideously expensive. Ask the same thing about your rentals.
If they don't come clean, run.

[MiniMom]

Marigolds & Onions is a really good caterer...had there food at WEBC a few years ago and it was faboulous.

[kinkyfunk]

I have used both CA and M&O. Catered Affaire was better, I think, at getting a quote done quickly, and slightly better at revising the quote and menu.

M&O, however, had somewhat better food.

[books]

We have used Marigolds and Onions for a few work events If they can deliver the same level of quality and attention to detail on a wedding scale then you are set. Food was wonderful and presentation exceptional.

[tochipotle]

Thanks to both of you for taking the time to respond. I'll definitely check out Marigolds and Onions. (We're looking for a fun, casual food station meal event - sounds like they could handle it).

[pescatarian]

For what it's worth I remember being impressed by the woman in charge of Marigolds and Onion. I don't remember her name, but she was on the ball.

[pescatarian]

Marigolds and Onions catered the first Weekend to End Breast Cancer in Toronto a few years ago. I was on the volunteer food staff. It's hard to say, because the food was pretty good for what it was (served outdoors at Downsview Park). Not sure what they would be like for a wedding. The only events I've ever been to at Steam Whistle were very casual charity affairs where there were only hors doeuvres. I don't remember being wowed by the food eaten on the premises, but I don't know which caterers were used for either one.