When planning events, you know that food can make or break an event. And while the menu choices you make are critical, event success really starts with securing the services of a great Minnesota caterer. Here are 5 expert event caterers and venues that do just that:
CRAVE CATERING & EVENTS
This full-service, award-winning catering company is a popular local favorite for good reason. Using only locally-sourced, fresh ingredients the crew at Crave Catering & Events are dedicated to creating a unique menu catered to your one-of-a-kind needs.
Why try Crave Catering?
• Menu planning. The Crave Catering & Events team works with you to create a perfect menu that suits your budget. What’s more, they’ll help you navigate the complexities of guests’ dietary restrictions with their delicious gluten-free, kosher, vegan, or vegetarian menus.
• Service professionals. A staff of experienced, uniformed servers professionally tend to your guests, serving plated dinners, attending to carving stations, managing buffets, passing appetizers, and bartending.
• Event experience. From corporate gatherings to non-profit events, picnics to weddings, the Crave team has experience catering to the special culinary requirements of every type of event.
Menus
Promising “love at first bite,” Crave Catering & Events cooks up a stunning array of mouth-watering menus. If you’re looking for the classic rubber chicken dinner, you won’t find it here. Instead, we recommend Poulet de Jardin, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Rosemary Lemon Mashed Potatoes, and for dessert, classic New York Style Cheesecake. Yum!
Venues
Whether yours is an intimate gathering or a large gala, Crave Catering & Events is one of the preferred caterers at some of the area’s most elegant, expansive, and scenic venues, including:
• Muse Event Center
• Quincy Hall Northeast
• The M - Minnesota Museum of American Art
• St. Paul Event Center
• The Fillmore Minneapolis & more!
Kudos
Crave Catering has received several prestigious awards throughout the years, including ICA CATIE’S 2016 Best Food Trend Incorporation, ISES’S 2015 Best Menu Innovation, and Minnesota Meeting & Events Magazine’s 2014 Best Catering Company, among many others.
D'AMICO CATERING
With more than thirty years’ experience, the D’Amico Catering team cooks up versatile, delicious, and customized cuisine for every type of event, from weddings to corporate events, intimate gatherings to formal galas.
Why try D’Amico Catering?
• Restaurant-tested chefs. D’Amico’s team of passionate, talented chefs have amassed years of experience at many of the area’s most beloved and popular restaurants. They combine their culinary talents to cook up delightful, creative fare for you and your guests.
• Socially responsible. D’Amico Catering is committed to sustainable and responsible business practices through a program they call GOALS — Green, Organic, Artisanal, Local, and Sustainable.
• Dedicated staff. A dedicated staff of catering professionals are on hand to ensure every detail of your experience is precisely what you would come to expect from D’Amico Catering.
Menus
The culinary geniuses of D’Amico Catering infuse fresh global influences into every meal. Locally-sourced ingredients combine with artful preparation and inspired presentation to create an unforgettable food experience every time. D’Amico’s Showcase menu features favorites such as Herb-Crusted Buttermilk Chicken, Seared Duck Breast, Sautéed New York Strip, and Vinegar Braised Short Ribs, to name just a few.
Venues
Whether you want indoor or outdoor, elegant, or casual, D’Amico Catering offers you exclusive access to some of the area’s more prestigious venues, including:
• Ashery Lane Farm
• Bavaria Downs
• The Beach Club
• Edinburgh USA
• McNamara Alumni Center - U of M and more!
Kudos
D’Amico Catering has been recognized by many respected organizations in the industry, including Minnesota Bride Magazine Award’s 2005-2017 Best Caterer for a Large Wedding, Best New Wedding Venue, and Best Caterer; ISES’S 2017 Best Catering Menu Innovation; Minnesota Meetings & Events Magazine Best of Awards for 2015’s Best On & Off-Site Caterer, plus many more.
STERLING CATERING & EVENTS
A full-service caterer dedicated to providing amazing food and the highest level of service for any event, from an intimate gathering to an elegant gala. From concept to clean up, Sterling Catering & Events will make your event a success.
Why try Sterling Catering & Events?
• Knowledgeable catering team. Organized, efficient, and detail-oriented, the catering team at Sterling are there to help you through the entire planning process.
• Full beverage service. Customizable beverage service provides you with professional bartenders and servers offering a full range of libations and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Customizable menus. From dietary restrictions to vegetarian options, Sterling chefs are experienced in creating customized menus for every event.
Menus
Celebrate with a wealth of options from Sterling Catering & Events. Start with hot or cold hors d’ oeuvres, guide guests to signature stations, serve elegant plated meals, or make it buffet and family style. The biggest challenge will be choosing between Sterling’s show stopping entrees like the Bacon Crusted Chicken, Chianti Beef Tips, or Grilled Wild Salmon.
Venues
Sterling Catering & Events is a preferred caterer at many of the area’s most sophisticated venues, including:
• 413 on Wacouta
• Five Event Center
• Green Acres Event Center
• Warehouse Winery
• Watson Block and more!
MINTAHOE CATERING & EVENTS
Expecting a few thousand guests at your next event? Expect Mintahoe Catering & Events to make the meal right. Preparing cuisine with passion and imagination, Mintahoe Catering & Events combines the talents of award-winning chefs with inspired culinary innovations.
Why try Mintahoe Catering & Events?
• Catering and more. In addition to their catering services, the Mintahoe team will help with event services such as décor, entertainment, and design.
• Picnics plus. Mintahoe is the largest picnic caterer in the upper Midwest, serving hot-off-the-grill fare for as many as 25,000 guests.
• Bar & libations. Offering a variety of bar packages and options, Mintahoe’s professional bartenders will skillfully serve your guests libations from any of their extensive full bar, beer, and wine menus.
Menus
Make the meal memorable with mouthwatering entrees from Mintahoe Catering & Events. Guests will rave about the Stuffed Lingonberry Wingtip Chicken Breast, the Pistachio Crusted Grilled Lamb Chop, or the Korean Barbecue Salmon. Plated dinner service includes artisan breads with sweet cream butter and fresh brewed coffee service.
Venues
Mintahoe provides catering at a variety of locations throughout the area as well as eight exclusive venues, including:
• A’Bulae
• Inwood Oaks
• Minnesota Boat Club
• Nicollet Island Pavilion
• Van Dusen Mansion and more!
Kudos
Mintahoe Catering & Events has been the recipient of several of the industry’s impressive awards including 2017 Star Award Winner, Minnesota Bride Magazine’s Best of 2017 finalist, Wedding Wire’s 2016 Couple’s Choice Award, and the Knot’s 2017 Best of Weddings.
CHOWGIRLS
A women-owned and award-winning Minneapolis catering company, Chowgirls creates delightful, hand-crafted fare using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Why try Chowgirls?
• Sustainability. Using quality, fresh and locally-sourced food, Chowgirls is committed to sustainability with 97 percent waste diversion to commercial composting and recycling.
• Savory, seasonal fare. Chowgirls has forged strong relationships with local farmers and vendors which enables them to craft old-world cooking that reflects the tastes of each season from the freshest ingredients.
• Delivery options. Casual catered affairs are a resounding success with Chowgirls sustainable delivery option that brings fine organic fare to your event, styled and ready-to-enjoy on elegant platters and real chafing dishes.
Menus
Summertime menus sing with seasonal cuisine prepared with the bounty of Minnesota’s finest gardens and farms. Serve your guests the freshest finger foods when you have the Chowgirls prepare popular favorites like the Bison Meatballs, Caprese Kebabs, or Corn, Tomato and Basil Bites.
Venues
Chowgirls at Solar Arts is the company’s own customized event space. In addition, they have partnered with over 100 regional venues, some of which include:
• Aria
• Day Block Event Center
• LynLake Brewery
• Machine Shop
• PAIKKA and more!
Kudos
Chowgirls have been honored to receive countless awards for their quality work, including Minnesota Bride’s 2018 Best Caterer for Small Wedding, Minnesota Meetings and Events’ Best of 2018 Reader’s Choice Award for Best Catering Company, and the Knot Magazine’s Best of Weddings 2018 Pick for Wedding Reception Venue.