FAQ — For Clients
Everything you need to know about using Cennaire as a client or event planner.
Getting Started
What is Cennaire?
Cennaire is a catering marketplace that connects event planners and clients with professional catering businesses. You post the details of your event, caterers send you quotes, and you choose the best fit — all in one place.
Is it free to use as a client?
Yes, completely free. Browsing caterers, posting catering requests, and receiving quotes costs nothing. You only pay the caterer directly once you've accepted a booking.
Do I need to create an account to browse caterers?
You can browse the public caterer directory without an account. To post a request, receive quotes, or make a booking you'll need to register — it only takes a minute.
What types of events can I use Cennaire for?
Cennaire works for any catered event: corporate lunches and dinners, weddings, birthday parties, baby showers, graduations, product launches, holiday parties, and more. If it needs food, we can help.
What areas does Cennaire serve?
Cennaire is available wherever our listed caterers operate. Coverage is growing — use the city filter on the Browse page to find caterers near you.
What does the verified badge mean?
Caterers with a verified badge have submitted their business documents and been reviewed by our team. It's a trust signal — verified caterers have confirmed their business credentials.
Posting a Request
What information do I need to post a request?
You'll need: an event title, event type, date, approximate guest count, and preferred city. You can optionally add cuisine preferences, a budget range, and any special notes for caterers.
Can I post a request without a confirmed date?
Yes. You can use an approximate date if your event isn't fully confirmed yet. Just note this in the request details so caterers can plan accordingly.
How long does my request stay active?
Requests stay open until you close them, accept a quote, or cancel. There's no automatic expiry on requests.
Can I edit or delete a request after posting?
You can cancel a request from your dashboard. If you need to change major details (date, guest count), it's best to cancel and repost so caterers are working from accurate information.
Will caterers see my personal contact details?
Caterers see your event details and any notes you provide. Your email and personal contact info are not shared until you've accepted a booking.
Receiving and Comparing Quotes
How many quotes will I receive?
There's no set limit. Any caterer whose service matches your criteria can submit a quote. Typically you'll receive several quotes within a few days of posting.
How long do caterers have to respond?
There's no deadline — caterers can submit quotes at any time while your request is open. Check back within 24–48 hours for initial responses.
Do quotes expire?
Yes. Each quote has a validity window set by the caterer (shown on the quote). If you don't act before it expires, you'll need to ask the caterer to resubmit.
What's included in a quote?
Quotes on Cennaire are professional, itemised documents. Each quote includes:
- Line items — A detailed breakdown of food, drink, and services with quantities and unit prices
- Fees — Any additional charges (service charge, delivery, equipment hire, etc.)
- Subtotal and grand total — Clear pricing summary
- Guest count — The number of guests the quote covers
- Validity date — The deadline to accept
- Cover message — A personal note from the caterer
- Deposit terms — If a deposit is required, the percentage and conditions
Can I receive a quote outside the platform?
Yes. Caterers can send you a share link to their quote. You can view the full professional quote and accept or decline directly from the link — no Cennaire login required.
Can I message a caterer before accepting?
Yes. Once you're connected through a quote or booking, you can communicate directly via Dashboard → Messages. Messages are organised by conversation with the event context shown.
Bookings
What happens when I accept a quote?
Accepting a quote creates a confirmed booking. Both you and the caterer will see it in your dashboards. Payment is arranged directly with the caterer.
Can I cancel a booking?
Contact the caterer directly via Messages to discuss cancellation. Cennaire is not a party to the payment or the service agreement — cancellation and refund terms are between you and the caterer.
What if a caterer cancels on me?
If a caterer has to cancel, contact them via Messages first. If you can't reach a resolution, you can repost your request to find a replacement.
Is payment handled through Cennaire?
Not currently. Cennaire facilitates the matching and booking process; payment is made directly with your caterer. We plan to add in-platform payments in a future release.
Reviews
When can I leave a review?
You can leave a review for a caterer once a booking has been completed. You'll find the option on your booking detail page.
Are reviews moderated?
Reviews are tied to verified bookings — only clients who completed a booking with a caterer can leave a review. This ensures all feedback is genuine.
Privacy & Safety
Who can see my event details?
Your event request details are visible to caterers on the platform so they can send relevant quotes. Your personal contact information is not shared publicly.
Can I post anonymously?
No. A registered account is required to post requests, but your name is only shown in the context of your bookings — not on public pages.