Poor service, poor execution of meal

I would like to give some feedback on my experience with Yo Yo Spitbraais for our staff function on Friday, 8 December 2023.

My initial experience with Mishca was great - her communication was good, she was accommodating when I changed the number of guests a few times, and she kept me updated.

However, my high expectations were not met on the day and their subsequent service has been non-existent.

Firstly, as is noted on the quotation, I requested that the serving time be 14:30. When I received a phone call the Wednesday evening prior from one of the coordinators, he said that his “guy” will be there at 13:30. I distinctly said it’s likely too early as I assume we would only get there around 14:00. He then said that they could set up the bread table around 14:00 and then mains would be served at 14:30 or we could serve everything together.

He arrived at 12:30 on the day. I was shocked, because this was way earlier than we had agreed upon. I asked the 2 staff members who were keeping our spot to ask him if the food would still be warm at 14:30, which he said it would. On the quotation, it is stated in black and white “We will cook your meal at our industrial kitchen premises and deliver it to your venue hot and freshly made.” Emphasis on hot.

On the day a few things happened:

1. When we started having the starters (bread table) there were only 5 loaves for almost 50 people... This seemed skimpy. 2. The butter and cheeses were completely melted. We could not use any of the butters as it was liquid and some of the cheeses had begun to separate. This is likely due to the heat, but surely there should have been a contingency plan from your side? A cooler box? Not coming so early? 3. The “Roasted Butternut with Rocket and Feta covered with Balsamic Glaze” had no feta. 4. At 14.30 the server told us that we needed to come for mains. He kept saying that we made him start “one hour late” despite the fact that the serving time stated on the invoice was 14:30. I don’t understand why we were made to feel guilty and shamed when we were right on time? 5. The portions of rice and butternut was very little - most people dished about a tables**** or less because they were worried it wouldn’t be enough for everyone. A small bowl of rice and a small platter of butternut without feta for 46 people? 6. The food, served at 14:30, was ICE COLD. This was the most disappointing out of everything. Cold meat! Cold chicken! Cold potatoes! Cold rice! It was extremely unpleasant and quite a few people didn’t even finish their food because it was cold. I honestly didn’t enjoy my meal at all because it was not warm. We paid for delivery and stay-and-serve so that our food would be delivered and served warm. If we wanted cold food we could have ordered anywhere else and just brought it ourselves on the day.. but as per your invoice it was stated that the food would be HOT, and that was our expectation.

The catering fell far below my expectations and I felt embarrassed that I was the one who organised it.

Lastly, one of my colleagues was hospitalized 5 days before our function and was no longer be able to make it. I emailed Mishca on 5/12/2023 if I could get a refund for this person, and she agreed. I have subsequently emailed on the 11/12/1023, 14/12/2023 and 21/12/2024 with my experience and request for a refund (for the sick staff member) with my emails being completely ignored. I phoned Mishca on 2/1/2024 and was given the excuse that they had “taken an unplanned break” and were catching up with emails. She assured me I’d definitely get a response by the end of the week, which did not happen. It’s been a month since our function and I have not received a reply to my complaint nor have I received the refund for the person who couldn’t make it.

Disgusted doesn’t cover it. Stay far away from this company