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Baker's Crust is an artisan kitchen in Virginia Beach that caters small gatherings and big events. The menu features salmon with herb butter, buttermilk tenders, penne alla vodka, baby kale and cranberry salad trays, the 32-piece “Sweetie Tray” that showcases mini cookies and brownies, and the crowd-pleasing Farmer's Casserole that has interesting ingredients like maple sausage. Baker's Crust sells gift certificates, and it provides gluten-free options.
Bella Monte Restaurant is a shop in Virginia Beach that has been crafting culinary marvels for more than 25 years. The company offers catering services, and it handles events of any type and size, “from the simplest of parties to the most elaborate of affairs.” The packages include décor consultation, menu structuring, and fare supervision. Bella Monte Restaurant maintains the on-site “Enoteca” wine repository, and it is open Mondays through Saturdays.
Catherine's Catering is a company in Virginia Beach that whips up and delivers “hand-crafted fresh food” for occasions like family reunions, tea parties, and office gatherings. The owner studied at École de Cuisine La Varenne in France, and her business philosophy is to give equal treatment to each and every client, “regardless of event size and budget.” Catherine's Catering also conducts in-home cooking classes for all ages, and it offers personal cheffing services as well.
Chef by Design is a catering company in Virginia Beach that tells clients, “Let our business be your pleasure.” The shop has been serving party-going food lovers in the Hampton Roads region for more than 15 years, and the events it caters include private dinners and corporate events. Chef by Design customizes the meal plans according to each client's hosting goals and needs, and the catering packages include private tasting sessions.
Chick's Oyster Bar is a restaurant in Virginia Beach that lets diners experience the city's unique flavors. The company offers catering services, and it handles formal and casual functions of any size. The staff provides trays with items like raw oysters, tailgate stations that feature ingredients like Louisiana blackened shrimp, and sit-down dinners. Chick's Oyster Bar is an active community member, and it supports the Charles Barker Champions for Kids, The Wounded Warrior Project, and other worthy causes.
Il Giardino Ristorante is a piano bar and lounge in Virginia Beach that also runs a catering service. The business opened in the early 1980s, and it is the first in the city to house an oven for producing fresh focaccia bread. Il Giordano Ristorante takes pride in creating all its sauces from scratch, and some of its flagship recipes are Carpaccio con Avocado e Palmito, Vongole Jalapeño, Pollo alla Francese, and Gamberi Marinara o Fra Diavolo.
Lesner Inn is a venue and caterer in Virginia Beach. The company has been serving guests since 2004, and it is a recipient of industry recognitions like the WeddingWire Couples' Choice and The Knot Best of Weddings awards. Clients can call the Lesner Inn staff to inquire about the packages.
Lucky Oyster is a seafood grill in Virginia Beach that serves locals and tourists in an inviting atmosphere “with the allure of our old-fashioned nautical décor.” The company provides a venue for special occasions, and it caters off-site celebrations as well. Lucky Oyster is a recipient of the Best of Virginia Beach Gold Awards from 2012 to 2015, and its planners have the training and experience to tailor the menu according the the client's taste and event goals.
Malbon Bros. Is a restaruant and caterer in Virginia Beach that has been satisfying food enthusiasts since 1923. The company enjoins event hosts to “take a bite out of history” and let the staff bring in its signature whole-hog barbecue to the party. Malbon Bros. has take-out and delivery services, and it has a Grab-n-Go bar that sells à la carte items. The menu includes beef brisket and baby back ribs.
Malbon's BBQ Catering is a service provider in Virginia Beach that is open seven days a week, even during holidays. The company has been offering slow-cooked, Carolina-style barbecue since 1983, and it can produce gustatory marvels for gatherings with 25 to 5,000 guests. Malbon's BBQ Catering maintains an assortment of pits and smokers, and it serves events that take place in Hampton Roads and Outer Banks venues. The company promises food that “Tastes so good, it'll make you squeal!”
Mermaid Catering, Event and Personal Chef Services is a catering business headquartered in Virginia Beach. Its team includes graduates of the Johnson and Wales University and Culinary Institute of Virginia. They cater to all types of small and large events. The team also offers event management services that include rental and decor coordination, set up and cleanup, and menu and event planning. The company was named Best Of Business Awards from Coastal Virginia Magazine in 2020.
Omar's Carriage House is a resturant and caterer in Norfolk that is a recipient of the 2016 WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award. The team will concoct hearty dishes for gatherings of any size, and the menu items include hors d'œuvres like tahini hummus and prosciutto antipasti, entrées like duck confit and macadamia-encrusted mahi, and dinner fare like wild mushoom tagliatelle and Moroccan chicken. Omar's Carriage House operates out of a historic building, and it has vegan options.
TASTE Unlimited is a specialty-food provider in Virginia Beach that has been serving culinary enthusiasts since 1973. The company holds a 2013 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, and its catering department offers boxed lunches and full cocktail party fare. TASTE Unlimited has six locations throughout the Hamptons Roads region, and it has an online store that sells edible gifts. A client wrote, “Our lunch and catering orders are always accurate, fresh, and on time.”
The Gourmet Gang is a bistro in Norfolk that has been “the 'go'to' caterer in the Coastal Virginia area for more than 27 years.” The menu features sumptuous dishes like grilled portobello mushrooms, crab cakes, butternut squash soup, and albacore tuna salad with pasta du jour, and the staff will gladly tailor the meal plan according to the client's preference. The Gourmet Gang has other locations in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, and it accepts online orders.
Traditions Catering serves clients across Virginia Beach and the surrounding Hampton Roads, Williamsburg, and Coastal Virginia areas. It offers event and menu design services customized to clients' needs and preferences, helping them obtain memorable experiences for their celebrations or events. Its team also assists in setting up tables and chairs. In addition to food, bar and beverage services are available for clients wanting craft beers, wines, coffee, and non-alcoholic drinks. The catering company offers phone, virtual, or in-person meetings to understand and answer clients' inquiries.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
