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2024

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Best Catering Companies in Phoenix, AZ

Our Recommended Top 17

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Phoenix Catering Companies on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

351Reviewed

217Curated

17Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Phoenix, AZ 85027

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (57)

Why choose this provider?

Fat Freddy's Catering has been offering special breakfast, holiday, lunch, and dinner menus along with BBQ, hors d’oeuvres, and a la carte appetizers since 1993 in Phoenix. They are proud of their flexible menus, generous portions, and delicious meals that exceed clients' expectations and budgets. Past clients of Fat Freddy's Catering praise their staff as prompt, friendly, and professional.

Phoenix, AZ 85032

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Culinary Canvas Catering is a Phoenix-based business that is known for their all-natural and made-from-scratch dishes. They offer catering solutions for events such as weddings, corporate gatherings, and private occasions. They also help clients make custom packages to satisfy their needs for any event. Culinary Canvas Catering is affiliated with Local First Arizona, The Life at Windgate Ranch, and Pinnacle Living.

Phoenix, AZ 85023

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (1613)
Yelp
3.5 (64)
Facebook
4.2 (23)

Why choose this provider?

Waldo's BBQ has been specializing in cooking slow-cooked barbecue matched with superb side dishes and desserts since 1993 in Phoenix. They are known for their homey atmosphere and genuine hospitality, which are the keys to their success at family parties, graduations, business events, and weddings. Waldo's BBQ provides volume discounts and accepts payments through Discover, Mastercard, American Express, checks, Visa, or cash.

Phoenix, AZ 85004

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (1001)
Yelp
4.5 (949)
Facebook
4.7 (362)

Why choose this provider?

Short Leash Hotdogs is a mobile catering company in Phoenix that serves office functions, private events, and parties. They are known for having no minimum for orders and working well with the client's budget for events and special occasions. They also provide food trucks and event planning solutions. Short Leash Hotdogs aims to create a one-of-a-kind twist on a classic favorite.

Phoenix, AZ 85281

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.0 (66)
Facebook
4.8 (15)

Why choose this provider?

Heidi's Events & Catering has been tailoring menus to suit each customer's needs for their event since 1992 in Phoenix. Their culinary staff, food servers, and banquet captains are ready to serve weddings, social events, and office lunches. They also offer event planning services as well as catering solutions. Their customers have praised them for their exceptional services.

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Seasons Gourmet Catering has been providing contemporary cuisine in Phoenix since 1995. Their attentive and friendly staff is ready to assist in weddings, corporate events, bar and bat mitzvahs, cocktail parties, picnics, and holiday functions. They offer a variety of salads, seasonal dishes, homemade soups, and desserts. Seasons Gourmet Catering also includes a team of professional servers, chefs, and bartenders who can make events happen smoothly.

Phoenix, AZ 85022

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.0 (612)
Facebook
4.6 (82)

Why choose this provider?

Carolina's Mexican Food has been making fresh and homemade tortillas, flautas, taco salads, tostadas, enchiladas, burros, menudo, chimichangas, tamales, and burritos in Phoenix since 1968. They offer party platters and catering services at reasonable prices for businesses, anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, and corporate events. Carolina's Mexican Food has gained a number of 5-star reviews on Yelp.

Phoenix, AZ 85023

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (69)
Yelp
4.5 (37)
Facebook
5.0 (23)

Why choose this provider?

Creations in Cuisine Catering has been offering innovative dishes and event design services in Phoenix for over 20 years. They specialize in wedding, corporate, and social event catering services paired with their pre-selected or customized menus. They also assist clients in making their events either casual, elegant, intimate, or extravagant. Creations in Cuisine Catering won the WeddingWire Couple's Choice Award in 2015.

Phoenix, AZ 85028

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (151)

Why choose this provider?

Aioli Gourmet Catering is known for its burger bars, plated multi-course meals, buffet styles, and personalized catering setups in Phoenix. They also specialize in event planning and coordination services as well as grand openings, private parties, weddings, birthday, anniversaries, and corporate catering solutions. Aioli Gourmet Catering also has multiple food trucks that serve tasty burgers all over Arizona.

Phoenix, AZ 85027

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
3.5 (142)

Why choose this provider?

Sardella's Pizza & Wings is a Phoenix-based restaurant that has been specializing in authentic Italian cuisine and excellent customer service since 1988. They use the freshest ingredients as well as health-conscious alternatives for clients with dietary needs and specifications. They also provide pizza catering services that are very flexible to clients' budgets. Sardella's Pizza & Wings also handles deliveries.

Phoenix, AZ 85022

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (603)
Facebook
4.6 (450)

Why choose this provider?

Spinato's Pizzeria has been preparing and serving authentic Italian dishes in Phoenix for over 40 years. This family-owned business also serves the North Tempe, Central Phoenix, and South Ahwatukee areas. Their menu also includes salad, bread, and sides. They also provide bar packages and setups. Spinato's Pizzeria has received awards from Phoenix Magazine as the Best Pizzeria of 2014 and was recognized as one of the Top 50 Top Delivery Pizzas from Coast to Coast by the Food Network.

Gilbert, AZ 85296

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.0 (1529)
Facebook
4.6 (1)

Why choose this provider?

La Ristra Restaurant is a food venture in Phoenix that specializes in authentic Mexican dishes. Their menu includes tapas, burritos, soups, salads, chips, salsa, tacos, and sopapilla. They offer catering services for any special events. They take care of everything, ranging from the setup to cleanup of the venue. La Ristra Restaurant makes sure that every client is treated like a guest in their family.

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.0 (219)
Facebook
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Benedict's Catering is a Scottsdale-based business that aims to provide beautiful presentation, award winning service, and detailed event planning solutions for over a decade. They specialize in product launches, client appreciation, holiday, team training, birthday, off-premise, and cocktail party catering services. Benedict's Catering has received the Best of our Valley awards from azfoothills.com in 2010, 2012, and 2014.

Phoenix, AZ 85004

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (464)
Yelp
4.0 (118)
Facebook
4.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Chambers offers a full menu of entrees, small plates, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and desserts in Downtown Phoenix. They also have friendly bartenders who are highly knowledgeable about fine wines, signature cocktails, craft beers, and whiskeys. Their location is walking distance to sports stadiums, college campuses, and theaters. Past customers praise Chambers for their down-to-earth food and vibe as well as their amazing happy hour specials.

Mesa, AZ 85210

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (15)

Why choose this provider?

Straight to the Plate Catering makes delectable desserts, fruit displays, and elegant meals for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions in Mesa. They also offer culinary delights, floral arrangements, and photography services to open houses, funerals, holiday events, life celebrations, anniversaries, and graduations. Straight to the Plate Catering has received the Couples' Choice Award of 2014 and 2015 from the WeddingWire.

Phoenix, AZ 85017

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (26)
Facebook
4.7 (14)

Why choose this provider?

Sharko's Catering is a family-owned business that has been providing food preparation services in Phoenix for over four decades. They specialize in corporate, social, anniversary, and private event catering services. Their team is also skilled in making simple, tasty, and fresh contemporary classic dishes. Sharko's Catering is also open to the Mesa, Scottsdale, Peoria, Glendale, and Sun City areas.

Phoenix, AZ 85017

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.0 (45)
Facebook
4.4 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Taqueria Guadalajara is famous in Phoenix as experts in preserving the authentic taste of Mexican tacos. They provide forks, cups, napkins, and plates for their catering services, and they accommodate events such as graduations, baptisms, birthdays, festivities, weddings, and other types of occasions. Taqueria Guadalajara aims for timely service, pleasant atmosphere, total customer satisfaction, and ethical integrity.

Compare our Top Catering Companies

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Fat Freddy's Catering
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Culinary Canvas Catering
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Waldo's BBQ
Phoenix, AZ 85023
Short Leash Hotdogs
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Heidi's Events & Catering
Phoenix, AZ 85281
Seasons Gourmet Catering
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Carolina's Mexican Food
Phoenix, AZ 85022
Creations in Cuisine Catering
Phoenix, AZ 85023
Aioli Gourmet Catering
Phoenix, AZ 85028
Sardella's Pizza & Wings
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Spinato's Pizzeria
Phoenix, AZ 85022
La Rista Restaurant
Gilbert, AZ 85296
Benedict's Catering
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Chambers
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Straight to the Plate Catering
Mesa, AZ 85210
Sharko's Catering
Phoenix, AZ 85017
Tanqueria Guadalajara
Phoenix, AZ 85017

FAQs

  • Introduction

    Catering is a convenient service that brings restaurant-quality food and beverages to a variety of social gatherings. It's beneficial to weddings, workplace celebrations, and other events because it invites guests to relax and enjoy a festive meal. While there are many dedicated catering businesses that transport food and equipment to their clients, many restaurants also offer catering as part of their dining services.

    For those interested in a career in catering, the flexibility to take your business anywhere is one factor that may make the industry attractive. Like traditional restaurants, caterers often specialize in one type of cuisine, and they can vary widely in price and capacity. Whether you're looking to hire catering services for your next event or you want to learn more about the profession, take a look at these frequently asked questions below.
  • Can a catering company serve alcohol?

    Just like brick-and-mortar restaurants, catering companies need a liquor license to serve alcohol to patrons. If a caterer is serving alcoholic beverages, guests under the age of 21 are allowed on the premises, but they may not buy or consume alcohol.

  • Are catering tastings free?

    If you're having a large event catered and expecting to spend a lot of money, having a tasting beforehand is often a good idea. Tastings are handled differently by catering companies; some may charge while others won't. In general, most caterers charge a fee, usually around the cost of a meal at a restaurant.

  • When catering for a party, how do you calculate how much food is needed?

    Caterers usually help their clients calculate food by offering a recommended portion size per guest. Taking this into consideration, all you need to do is multiply this portion by the number of expected guests to determine the total amount of food needed.

  • When should you reserve catering services before an event?

    The amount of time in advance needed to schedule catering services depends on the number of people and type of event. For weddings with 50 people or more, six to 12 months in advance is recommended. For smaller gatherings, a month or two should suffice.

  • Do you tip the caterer?

    Some catering services include tips in the bill, so you don't have to worry about handling this aspect on the day of your event. If the tip is not included, a minimum of 15% of the total bill is recommended, while tipping 20% is not uncommon.

  • What is included with catering services?

    In addition to the food you order, catering services can include delivery, linens, silverware or plasticware, plates and cups, a small heat source to keep hot dishes warm, and staff. When planning your event, it's always a good idea to confirm which of these items are included and necessary.