Let's plan your event

Share the event date, complete address, estimated guest count, event type, preferred meal time, desired service style, dietary needs, and any rentals or florals you are considering. An approximate budget is also helpful, even when some details are still being decided.

Yes. Use your best current estimate. The proposal can be revised as attendance becomes clearer, although major changes may affect food quantities, staffing, rentals, equipment, and pricing.

The team reviews your date, location, guest count, menu preferences, and service needs. You may receive follow-up questions, recommended options, or a preliminary proposal. A straightforward drop-off order may also be directed to online checkout.

We aim to respond the same day during published business hours whenever possible. Response time can vary with inquiry volume and event complexity. Providing complete information helps us evaluate availability and prepare useful recommendations without unnecessary back-and-forth.

No. A contact form, phone conversation, or preliminary quote does not reserve the date. The booking is confirmed only after the required agreement, deposit, or online checkout process has been completed.

When you’re ready to move forward, approve the quote and sign the catering agreement. Events over $3,000 also require a 50% deposit.

Please finalize your guest count and menu at least 10 days before the event. We cannot guarantee quantity or selection changes after that deadline.

Use the form when you need help selecting food, estimating quantities, coordinating several meal periods, or managing complex dietary requirements. It is also appropriate for weddings, full service, staffing, rentals, florals, bar service, multiple addresses, or challenging venue access.

Yes. Provide the city or general area and note that the venue is still being selected. Pricing and availability may remain preliminary until the final address is known because travel, parking, loading, staging, weather exposure, and setup requirements can affect the service plan.

Submit inquiries for Santa Cruz and surrounding communities using the exact event address whenever possible. We also receive requests for Watsonville Catering, Scotts Valley Catering, UC Santa Cruz catering, and select Los Altos Catering events. Availability depends on the date, location, order size, and service requirements.

Most drop-off catering orders require a $500 food minimum. Full-service and wedding minimums vary by package, date, season, guest count, and event requirements. Boxed meals generally require 25 boxes per selected meal or menu.

All catering orders require at least 72 hours of notice. For larger or staffed events, reserving several weeks or months ahead gives you better access to the preferred date, menu, team, rentals, and floral options. Full-service events may sometimes be accepted with as little as 10 days of notice.

Yes. Include the number of guests, meal time, event duration, and the dishes you are considering. Quantity recommendations depend on whether the food is a complete meal or light refreshment, how many choices are offered, and how long guests will have access to the food.

Yes. We regularly prepare vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free selections. For allergies, provide the specific allergen and number of affected guests. Food may be prepared in facilities that also handle common allergens, so any limitations should be discussed before the menu is approved.

Choose drop-off when you can set out the food and manage cleanup. Add attendants when you want help with setup, buffet monitoring, replenishment, or breakdown without a complete formal service team. Choose full service for professional buffet, family-style, or plated service with broader on-site management.

Yes. A proposal may combine food with tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware, buffet equipment, florals, tablescape design, beverage service, and bartenders. Santa Cruz Catering Company does not sell alcohol, so the client or venue must provide it for bartenders to pour.

Yes. Mobile tastings are available for weddings and larger full-service events after the menu has been narrowed to a focused selection. Wedding tastings are complimentary for confirmed bookings and may be purchased before contract, with the charge removed from the final bill if you later book.

Tell us about parking, loading areas, security check-in, stairs, elevators, long carries, kitchen or staging space, outdoor conditions, access windows, and firm cleanup deadlines. Coastal wind, uneven ground, and limited vehicle access are especially important to disclose for outdoor locations.

Yes, depending on availability. Provide each address, requested arrival time, meal quantity, on-site contact, and access instructions. Each boxed-meal delivery address must meet the $500 minimum, and additional delivery fees may apply to multiple locations.

Choose someone who will be reachable when the delivery or service team arrives and who understands the venue-access plan. For weddings or events where the host will be unavailable, list the planner, coordinator, office manager, venue representative, or another responsible person.