Fit the dinner around the celebration
A birthday may involve children, staggered arrivals and entertainment. Explain that schedule before selecting the chef's menu. A seated dinner, sharing dishes and bites served throughout the evening require different preparation. Also reserve working space where the professional can cook without obstructing guests moving through the home.
Coordinate the cake, drinks and other suppliers
State who provides cake, drinks, tableware and any extra service staff. If another baker supplies dessert, share its arrival time and storage requirements. Put the final guest count and amendment deadline in writing. Clear coordination prevents an expected element from being discovered missing simply because neither party included it in the original booking.