2024
Last updated:
Our Recommended Top 16
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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Fort Lauderdale Catering Companies on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.
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16Top Picks
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Providers
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Featured Provider
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- 5.0 (17)
Why choose this provider?
Lavish Gastronomy Prive Inc. works with individuals and corporate companies in Miami. It offers private Chef catering services and specializes in Asian, Mediterranean and classic French cuisine. Their menu includes seared foie gras on toast, caviar, Scallops & Truffle Carpaccio and slow cooked Chilean Sea Bass. It also provides bachelorette, co*cktail parties and brunch . Owner, Jerome Abraham, is a French culinary professional who has been an executive chef for over 15 years and worked at some of the finest establishments in France & Switzerland. He is a member of Disciples Escoffier International.
- Personal Chef Services
- Private Chef
- Private Catering
- Appetizer Bar
- Family Style
- Buffet
- Plated Meal
- Bar Service
Expertise.com Rating
Why choose this provider?
Need help contacting a Catering Company in Fort Lauderdale? Call our Concierge team at 848-Book-Pro (848-266-5776 from 6 am - 4 pm PT | Mon - Fri). They are standing by to help you get the service you need.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 3.5 (20)
- 5.0 (1)
Why choose this provider?
Boca Joe’s Catering has been serving clients with exceptional value and cuisine for nearly 30 years. The Fort Lauderdale-area business specializes in providing the freshest foods to all types of social events ranging from simple gatherings to full-service affairs. The talented executive chef and a team of professionals ensure customer satisfaction by providing setup, break down, and clean up with a personal touch.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.5 (6)
- 4.3 (1)
Why choose this provider?
Red Chair Catering provides Fort Lauderdale-area clients with an array of catering options for virtually any occasion and budget. The family owned and operated business has a passion for food and offers tasty items that are classics but goodies. Clients can rely on the experienced caterers to go the extra mile to ensure an impressive presentation and food display. Red Chair Catering specializes in corporate and special event solutions with food to impress kids and adults alike.
Why choose this provider?
Culinary Affairs is a catering company providing lunch and breakfast for clients with a range of event needs. It caters wedding receptions, birthday parties, and other personal events. Culinary Affairs is also familiar with the business world and regularly caters events for pharmaceutical companies and corporate clients. This company primarily makes American food but has considerable experience with Latin dishes. It also makes a variety of wraps. Clients can place orders in person, over the phone, or online.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.0 (91)
Why choose this provider?
Delacaseas Catering & Café is a go-to resource for delicious, affordable foods that guests will enjoy. The Fort Lauderdale-area business specializes in catering private parties, lunches, weddings, and more. Delacaseas Catering & Café features a skilled executive chef and professional catering team to lovingly prepare fresh breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu selections.
Expertise.com Rating
Why choose this provider?
Canyon provides high-quality catering services with a focus on dinner parties, office luncheons, and special events. The Fort Lauderdale-area restaurant features unique American artisanal cuisine with Asian, South, and Central American undertones. A talented chef collaborates with clients to create a memorable event with items directly from the restaurant’s well-known menu.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.0 (8)
Why choose this provider?
Eden Catering provides Fort Lauderdale-area clients with the best Kosher catering options available. The family owned and operated business specializes in delivering top quality food with the highest level of service and customer care. The talented executive chef and professional team ensure client satisfaction by creating innovative and delicious cuisine for corporate events, fundraisers, weddings, and private parties. Eden Catering commits to catering events with elegantly prepared and presented food at affordable prices.
Why choose this provider?
Potions in Motion is the premiere provider of premium beverage and bar services in the Fort Lauderdale area. The business has been delivering top notch gourmet catering, liquor, and beverage promotions for more than a decade. Clients can rely on the creative chefs to create menu options that suit a range of tastes and themes. Potions in Motion features a talented team of bartenders, flaming bartenders, mixologists, and brand ambassadors to make any event special. Comprehensive gourmet catering and bartending services are complete with premium top-shelf open bars, high-end glassware, customized drink menus, and more.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.0 (239)
Why choose this provider?
Pie-Zans is the destination spot for authentic Italian catering. The Fort Lauderdale-area business provides clients with the freshest food and the highest quality of service. Pie-Zans can handle events for individuals and businesses of all sizes while still delivering made-to-order, same-day freshness. The expert catering team makes customer satisfaction a top priority by making special items not found on the menu. Pie-Zans has an array of flavorful and delicious selections from which to choose including appetizers, salads, authentic Italian entrees, and classic pizza.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 5.0 (11)
Why choose this provider?
Tastebuds Catering delivers delicious cuisine to make any event unforgettable. The fine catering and event production business has been providing the highest quality of service and food selection for over 20 years. Tastebuds Catering specializes in off-premise catering and customized menus to suit individual event needs and budgets. Clients can rely on the business to provide a classic variety of fresh, bold, and delicious food.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.5 (16)
Why choose this provider?
Culinary Artz Catering specializes in providing an unforgettable culinary experience to clients in the Fort Lauderdale area. The professional catering and event production business has more than 50 years of combined experience delivering high-quality food and exceptional service. Culinary Artz Catering features a talented executive chef and dedicated management team to make events memorable and hassle-free. Clients can rely on the business to deliver an array of delectable dishes and a variety of event packages to fit many themes and budgets.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.0 (288)
Why choose this provider?
Stork’s has been providing clients in the Fort Lauderdale-area with the highest level of catering service for more than 20 years. The business features a talented culinary and management team with many years of experience catering a variety of events and special occasions. Stork’s commits to delivering top notch design elements for the most memorable presentations and displays. Clients have an expansive selection of items from which to choose including refreshing beverages, breakfast pastries, sandwiches, salads, soups, smoothies, cakes, pies, and much more.
Why choose this provider?
Douglas Katering specializes in providing top quality food and personalized service. The family owned and operated business has been providing turn-key and custom catering services for more than 30 years. Douglas Katering offers a variety of meals for breakfast, lunch, snack, or dinner that is beautifully displayed. Clients can rely on the business to handle all aspects of an event including a delicious meal, rentals, staff, beverage service, décor, and entertainment.
Expertise.com Rating
Why choose this provider?
The Whole Enchilada offers the ultimate in no-frills fresh Mexican food. The Fort Lauderdale catering service provides clients with great service and a unique blend of classic-with-a-twist menu favorites. The Whole Enchilada specializes in meals with the freshest ingredients including fajitas, quesadillas, burritos, enchiladas, and more. The business offers bold, flavorful food for drop off, buffet style or on-site at the restaurant.
Why choose this provider?
Exquisite Catering by Robert provides top-notch professional services to help clients plan the perfect event. The Fort Lauderdale-area business specializes in catering intimate dinners, corporate lunches, and weddings with meticulous attention to detail. A range of delicious menu options is available for breakfast, cold lunches, chicken dishes, and desserts. Clients can choose from a variety of Italian, Latin, and Asian favorites for all occasions.
Compare our Top Catering Companies
Name | Expertise Rating | Address | Promotions | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lavish Gastronomy Prive Inc | 1508 Bay Road, Miami Beach, FL33139 | Call for booking and pricing | View More | |
Boca Joe’s Catering | View More | |||
Red Chair Catering | View More | |||
Culinary Affairs | 2400 Griffin Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL33312 | View More | ||
Delacaseas Catering & Café | View More | |||
Canyon | View More | |||
Eden Catering | View More | |||
Potions in Motion | View More | |||
Pie-Zans | View More | |||
Tastebuds Catering | View More | |||
Culinary Artz Catering | View More | |||
Stork’s | View More | |||
Douglas Katering | View More | |||
The Whole Enchilada | View More | |||
Exquisite Catering by Robert | 1800 NE 150th Street, Miami, FL33181 | View More |
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.
How many different catering styles are there and what are they?
The three main styles of catering are buffet, plated, and family-style.
- Buffet-style catering positions food on tables, and guests are encouraged to serve themselves.
- Plated catering is usually for formal occasions where staff bring individual plates to each seated guest.
- Family-style serves larger portions of food served placed on each table to be split between guests.
Do catering companies rent tables, chairs, tents, tablecloths?
Most catering companies provide the necessary equipment to serve food, such as serving utensils and chafing dishes, though not all have furniture, such as chairs and tables, to seat large groups of people. If you also want to rent dining equipment, a larger catering company is likely a good option.
What is the best way to tell your caterer your event date has been changed or canceled?
If your event date has changed or needs to be canceled, let the caterers know as soon as possible so they can make the necessary arrangements. A phone call is usually the best option so you can speak with someone directly to ensure that your cancellation is confirmed. If sending an email, be sure to get a written confirmation.
What are hidden fees that catering companies have?
When budgeting your event, it's a good idea to be aware of some of the common fees catering companies may charge. The most common include:
- Hiring waiters and other servers
- Cake-cutting or uncorking fees
- Garbage clean-up fees
- Tableware and linen rentals
- Tax and service charges
How do I start a catering business from home?
After putting together a business plan and getting licensed, you need some basic equipment, such as plates, bowls, silverware, and garbage bins, to get started with your catering business. This should be enough for a simple operation, though if you want to serve more people, acquiring staff and a kitchen is a must.
How do I rent a kitchen for catering?
Renting a kitchen is an important step for caterers looking to expand their business. Look for a space in your area that is at least 70 square feet, and contact the owner for details on rent. Once you've signed the lease, the next step is outfitting it with the right equipment.
How can I promote my catering business?
There are many ways to promote a catering business, though the most cost-effective for small businesses is social media. Here you can target specific demographics based on age, interests, and location to reach out to the ideal audience for your services. A press release can be another good way to inform local media outlets of your new business, while a blog can allow new and establish customers to follow you over the long term.
What licenses are needed to start a catering business?
There are several licenses required to run a catering business. In addition to a basic business license (BBL), you may also need a county or city license for food handling and a safety certification. A liquor license is not a necessity but common for caterers who plan on serving weddings and other large parties.
How much do caterers make per event?
The amount your catering business makes per event depends entirely on how much you charge for your food minus the cost of expenses, such as staffing and materials. These are all details to be worked out in your business plan, but a good rule of thumb is to walk away with at least enough profit to cover the time you spent earning it. The average salary for a caterer is between $18,000 and $42,000 per year.
Where can I find catering leads?
Getting leads for any business can be tough, but there's no better asset than word of mouth. The best way to get new customers is to make sure you always offer top-level service to the ones you already have, so they recommend you to friends and family in the future.
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