To be clear, I DID NOT use Applause Catering for my wedding, but think it is very important for prospective brides and grooms to know my experience with them and why I will not ever use them or recommend them for an event.
I am planning my... fall 2015 wedding and found Applause Catering on the list of approved vendors for my venue. After reviewing their website, my fiance and I decided to schedule an appointment and a tasting at their facilities. Following the instructions on their website, I submitted a request for a tasting, along with the information that was requested...and waited...
Having not received a response after 2 days, I submitted a new request...and waited...
After 2 more days of waiting and not getting any responses, I called the number found on the website. Unfortunately, it is a fully automated system with no general contact to speak with, so I selected the extension of the first person listed as a sales and catering specialist and left a detailed message...and waited...
That evening, I received an email in response to my first two requests telling me that "he thought the chef would be out (on my requested date) with his children and would get back with me" but would like to schedule an appointment anyway. He also stated in the email that he would get back with me right away to let me know if the chef was or was not going to be available. As both my fiance and I are from out of town, it's imperative that we are very efficient with our appointments and would not schedule one to hear his sales pitch without having a tasting as well. I called the number on his email immediately- literally, in the time it took for the email to come in, for me to read it, and subsequently dial the number, 5 minutes may have elapsed- and had no answer. I then responded to his email with very detailed information about my travel plans and the requirements for my appointment....and waited...
The next morning, I received a call from a different person, but unfortunately was away from my phone and missed the call. I called back right away (perhaps 15 minutes had elapsed since the message was left), but again, no answer. I left a message requesting a call back right away...and waited...in fact, I have not heard back from either people whatsoever.
If this company values new business, they certainly don't show it. The communication-or rather, lack thereof- is simply appalling. If it is this difficult to so something that should be so simple as to schedule appointment, how is it going to be to work with them to ensure my needs are met for my wedding? If they can't handle a simple task of returning a phone call or email in a timely manner, then how can I trust that they are going to properly do their jobs? I can't, and they have lost my business as a result. So disappointing.
UPDATE: I ultimately received an email communication stating they could not accommodate any tasting requests on the date I requested but they "still wanted my business". There were no suggestions of when their chef might make an appearance for a tasting for alternate dates.