never hired one, but used to be one (at a hotel for weddings, meetings, christmas parties...).
realy review the contract as far as cost (it can vary greatly based on number of people attending, how much per head you are spending), find out if you are required to use only THIER vendors (only their chosen bakery, caterer, photographer) or if you can pick and choose (and be eligible to any advertised specials that may be going on with that specific vendor), if they will be acting as a contractor on your behalf (in which case they deal with the vendors) or if you will have to enter in separate agreements with all of the individual vendors (in which case you can end up in a "he said/she said" argument where no matter what you're still liable for all of the individual bills). if you are planning on having it at a specific location other than your home you need to see if they will allow an outside planner to work the venue (some don't want a third party involved, and they have their own mandatory vendors that might not be the same as the planners). if it will be in your own home consider that you might need a one day rider on your homeowners insurance in case anyone they bring in is injured (and make sure they use only reputable bsns.-some will have a vast network of "friends" and associates who are not professionals in a given area and may not be reliable to provide what you need. the last thing you may want is a buffet that was prepared in someones home kitchen and is being dished out by their teenagers and some friends who thought it would be "fun" to be a waiter for a day).
if it's not going to be a huge event that involves allot-and you are realy just interested in someone coordinating the food, consider calling some small local restaurants in your area-many don't advertise but do catered events on the side. i used one for my wedding-they brought everything in, set it up (would have provided servers if i wanted) and all we had to do was tear down and bring the chafing dishes, serving items back to them a few days later.
