Can I request a caterer to make specific dishes? Birthday cakes?

I almost never hire caterers because they're terrible. They take forever to get to the event, then they bake random things like pancakes, omelettes or chili for a formal party. And they leave half finished bowls of food laying around.
I would do what another user said and just bring a birthday cake with you, or just have one of your sims bake the cake during the party.