Frequently asked questions
Q1 - The biggest question we get asked is - what size do I buy? or I am looking for a platter as nibbles for my guests. What size do you recommend?
A1 - The pricing of our platters is based on your guests having a light meal. If you don't intend on your platter being the main meal then order for 50% of your guest count. Therefore if you want light nibbles for 50 people then our recommendation is to order our platter for 25-30 which should last around 45mins to 1hrs worth of nibbling. There is no exact science but if you think your guests are going to be big eaters then increase the size. If you want it to last longer then increase the size.
Also think about when the next lot of food is going to be available. It's important to be providing your guests at least 3 portions an hour if they are drinking.
Example: if your wedding ceremony is at 2pm and your reception is at 6pm then we would suggest providing them a 'Light Grazing Table' at 3pm and a round of 3 canapés at 4.30pm.
Q2 - Our party is at ‘X’ time, when do you deliver?
A2 - We deliver just in time so if your party is at 6pm, then the ideal time for delivery and set up would be 30minutes prior
Q3 - What do you provide?
A3 - All pricing includes delivery (there maybe additional charges for orders delivered to parts of the Waimakariri) and set up (we call it installation). We include knives for the cheeses and spreads and serviettes.
Q4 - Can you supply plates?
A4 - We don’t recommend using plates, although we can supply them if given enough notice. We believe our platters should be something your guests go backwards and forwards to. This creates conversation and socialising. That’s what we’re about, bringing people together with great food.
Q5 - Couldn’t I make this myself for cheaper?
A5 - You could try. We make all of our own breads, spreads, dips and cheeseballs. We make all of our own crackers and truffles and other odds and ends. We roast our own nuts and seeds. You couldn’t buy the ingredients at the super market for the pricing you pay. But by all means try if you want to.
Q6 - Is there anything we have to return?
A6 - Yes, all of our platters are made on plywood boards. We will pick these up within a couple days. We just ask that you leave them out somewhere dry and safe. We send an email to you the day before as a reminder. NB. These boards cost us money, so we do appreciate them back.
Q7 - Do I have to order online?
A7 - Ideally ordering online allows you to provide us with all of the necessary information to process your order properly. We’re alway happy to take manual orders. All manual order payments are required before delivery and we provide you our bank account details.
Q8 - Where do you deliver?
A8 - We deliver all over Canterbury (however a little surcharge may apply if you're more than an hour away from Christchurch and a $30 delivery fee for orders past Belfast) and this is included in our pricing you see online. At times we may work with you when arranging pick up of our boards.
Q9 - How long have you been operating and do you hold a license?
A9 - At all times we maintain a standard of hygiene and cleanliness, in agreement with appropriate bylaws and food safety regulations, including correct food storage and handling. All staff are trained in food hygiene systems. Our commercial kitchen is a licensed food premise with the Selwyn District Council. the social platter co is part of the country lane group of companies and we have been operating for several years.
Q10 - What else do you do?
A10 - Good question! We do it all. We have a huge range of options from Savoury, Sweet and Meat Platters to corporate catering and events anytime. Weddings are an important part of our business and we have a page dedicated to buffet meals, bespoke menus and more. Browse our website or give us a call or email to discuss options further.
Q12 - Some of my guests have allergies, can you accommodate this?
A12 - Simply answered with a YES! We are only as good as the information that is provided. Please let us know, or order some of our allergy items when you work through the ordering process. We can do full Gluten Free or Vegan Platters if requested. Nothing is a problem, just ask. These requests may vary the pricing on some of the platters.
Q13 - How long can your platters sit out for before they need to be refrigerated?
A13 - There is always a bit of science to this answer so let me answer this bit by bit.
1. We purposely don’t put anything on the platters that would have a short shelf life outside of a controlled environment eg. Fridge. Items like, eggs, dairy (this does not include cheese), fish, chicken have short incubation periods for bacteria, so we don’t use them.
2. All of our cheeses are processed and meats are cured. This makes them shelf stable for a number of hours. The environment plays a big part of this, but even in the peaks of summer in 28 degrees as long as they are in the shade they would be happy sitting outside for 4 hours. The only thing that would start to occur is drying out of breads and meats and sweating cheeses.
3. During winter while you are inside your 22degree heat pumped house they would be totally fine available for your guests to graze on for 4hrs to 5hrs
A1 - The pricing of our platters is based on your guests having a light meal. If you don't intend on your platter being the main meal then order for 50% of your guest count. Therefore if you want light nibbles for 50 people then our recommendation is to order our platter for 25-30 which should last around 45mins to 1hrs worth of nibbling. There is no exact science but if you think your guests are going to be big eaters then increase the size. If you want it to last longer then increase the size.
Also think about when the next lot of food is going to be available. It's important to be providing your guests at least 3 portions an hour if they are drinking.
Example: if your wedding ceremony is at 2pm and your reception is at 6pm then we would suggest providing them a 'Light Grazing Table' at 3pm and a round of 3 canapés at 4.30pm.
Q2 - Our party is at ‘X’ time, when do you deliver?
A2 - We deliver just in time so if your party is at 6pm, then the ideal time for delivery and set up would be 30minutes prior
Q3 - What do you provide?
A3 - All pricing includes delivery (there maybe additional charges for orders delivered to parts of the Waimakariri) and set up (we call it installation). We include knives for the cheeses and spreads and serviettes.
Q4 - Can you supply plates?
A4 - We don’t recommend using plates, although we can supply them if given enough notice. We believe our platters should be something your guests go backwards and forwards to. This creates conversation and socialising. That’s what we’re about, bringing people together with great food.
Q5 - Couldn’t I make this myself for cheaper?
A5 - You could try. We make all of our own breads, spreads, dips and cheeseballs. We make all of our own crackers and truffles and other odds and ends. We roast our own nuts and seeds. You couldn’t buy the ingredients at the super market for the pricing you pay. But by all means try if you want to.
Q6 - Is there anything we have to return?
A6 - Yes, all of our platters are made on plywood boards. We will pick these up within a couple days. We just ask that you leave them out somewhere dry and safe. We send an email to you the day before as a reminder. NB. These boards cost us money, so we do appreciate them back.
Q7 - Do I have to order online?
A7 - Ideally ordering online allows you to provide us with all of the necessary information to process your order properly. We’re alway happy to take manual orders. All manual order payments are required before delivery and we provide you our bank account details.
Q8 - Where do you deliver?
A8 - We deliver all over Canterbury (however a little surcharge may apply if you're more than an hour away from Christchurch and a $30 delivery fee for orders past Belfast) and this is included in our pricing you see online. At times we may work with you when arranging pick up of our boards.
Q9 - How long have you been operating and do you hold a license?
A9 - At all times we maintain a standard of hygiene and cleanliness, in agreement with appropriate bylaws and food safety regulations, including correct food storage and handling. All staff are trained in food hygiene systems. Our commercial kitchen is a licensed food premise with the Selwyn District Council. the social platter co is part of the country lane group of companies and we have been operating for several years.
Q10 - What else do you do?
A10 - Good question! We do it all. We have a huge range of options from Savoury, Sweet and Meat Platters to corporate catering and events anytime. Weddings are an important part of our business and we have a page dedicated to buffet meals, bespoke menus and more. Browse our website or give us a call or email to discuss options further.
Q12 - Some of my guests have allergies, can you accommodate this?
A12 - Simply answered with a YES! We are only as good as the information that is provided. Please let us know, or order some of our allergy items when you work through the ordering process. We can do full Gluten Free or Vegan Platters if requested. Nothing is a problem, just ask. These requests may vary the pricing on some of the platters.
Q13 - How long can your platters sit out for before they need to be refrigerated?
A13 - There is always a bit of science to this answer so let me answer this bit by bit.
1. We purposely don’t put anything on the platters that would have a short shelf life outside of a controlled environment eg. Fridge. Items like, eggs, dairy (this does not include cheese), fish, chicken have short incubation periods for bacteria, so we don’t use them.
2. All of our cheeses are processed and meats are cured. This makes them shelf stable for a number of hours. The environment plays a big part of this, but even in the peaks of summer in 28 degrees as long as they are in the shade they would be happy sitting outside for 4 hours. The only thing that would start to occur is drying out of breads and meats and sweating cheeses.
3. During winter while you are inside your 22degree heat pumped house they would be totally fine available for your guests to graze on for 4hrs to 5hrs