Bay Area Catering Services

Catering and Event Planning Services We Offer

PICK-UP ORDERS

Planning something local? Pick-up your order at our headquarters in Santa Clara. You can pick up anytime between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Pick-up deadline for Sunday is 1:30 pm) Our helpful warehouse staff will even load the order in your vehicle for you.

Delivery orders

Want us to come to you? Delivery orders are perfect for a more casual type of entertaining. Our trained delivery staff will assist with basic set up and ensure that your order is on time. All items are sent in disposable containers and platters. Delivery charges are based on time of delivery and location and scheduled within a 45 minute window of your choice.

EXECUTIVE SET UPS

Looking for an elevated presentation but don’t want staff? An Executive Set Up is a delivery option that provides more than just a drop off.  Our Executive Set Up delivery team will come to your location and set up your food using linens, chafers, decorative serving platters and risers. Additional fees may include rental of chafers, linens, and pick up of the equipment. Executive Set Ups are scheduled within a one-hour window of your choice.

FULL-SERVICE EVENT PRODUCTION

Hosting a large group? Cooking on site? Need full service event production with audio/video and all of the works? Our serving personnel, event planners and trained chefs will do everything required to create the perfect event so you can relax and enjoy the occasion. Event staff hours will be charged based on your specific event details. Most events require two-hour set up and a one hour clean up in addition to your actual event time.

CORPORATE & OFFICE EVENTS

Having previously served some of the Silicon Valley’s most successful tech companies, Chef Figone understands the demands and needs of a fast-paced, network oriented environment. Food nourishes the body and mind, and can help reinvigorate any meeting, event, or conference attendee. Handheld provides fresh, healthy and fun options, with attention paid to any dietary needs or concerns. Whether it is a company holiday party, a boxed lunch delivery at the office or a business meeting, please consider Handheld Catering for all your food service needs.

WEDDINGS

Handheld Catering knows that a wedding is a special day for a couple. With a respected party and wedding planner in close communication to explain the ins and outs of your celebration, we are sure to make your vision become a reality.

Handheld Catering believes in seasonal, Farm to Fork catering, and with our mobile equipment your event can take place anywhere! 

  • Hakone Gardens
  • The Rengstorff House
  • Blanco Urban Venue in San Jose
  • Glasshouse in San Jose
  • Gamble Gardens in Palo Alto
  • Los Altos History Museum

Let’s Plan an Event!

Handheld Catering isn’t just a clever name. It’s who we are. We believe that you should know where your food comes from. We take our job as Bay Area event catering experts very seriously. We take the time to work with local farmers to provide our clients quality, healthy food that takes the Farm-to-Fork journey.

When you’re planning your event in the San Jose, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto or other Silicon Valley CA area, Handheld Catering knows just what to do. We pride ourselves on our ability to build a pop up kitchen on site, which allows us to cook all of our food onsite. This means that you and your guests will eat the freshest food possible! This also means that you have greater flexibility in choosing the venue for your event.

We know that event planning can be stressful. That’s why we connect you with an all-star event coordinator that works with you from the start. Our event coordinator will be onsite at your event so you don’t have to worry about anything except enjoying the event! All the details will be in place to make your event a memorable one.

Events celebrate the milestones in life. Anniversaries, party catering , family reunions, and weddings—these are the moments in life that we all remember and hold dear to our hearts. At Handheld Catering, we’ll work with you to make your event one that will create fond memories for all in attendance.

We transform simple flavors into extraordinary experiences. We’ll even work with you to create a custom menu for your event. Take your event to the next level by working with our experienced staff. Start planning your exceptional event today.

From intimate gatherings to large parties with up to 1,000 guests, Handheld Catering knows how to cater it all. We are your San Jose CA event catering experts. Call us today at 408-692-4782 or email us at info@handheldcatering.com

How Do You Choose The Best Event Catering Company?

Are you planning a special event and need to find the right catering company? Choosing which solution is ideal for your needs might be challenging given the variety of possibilities available.

In this blog post, we will discuss the best ways to choose the right Silicon Valley event catering company for your special day. From understanding your budget and equipment requirements to checking reviews and comparing food quality and options, we will provide you with all the information you need to ensure your event is a success.

What Is Event Catering?

Event catering is the preparation, serving, and clean-up of food for special occasions. It can include weddings, birthdays, bar mitzvahs, quinceañeras, retirement parties, housewarming events, and other life events that you want to make memorable for your guests.

The catering industry has grown rapidly over the past decade. Corporate catering is the business of preparing and serving food for large groups at events such as conventions, trade shows, seminars, and other functions. It also includes a variety of other services such as staffing, tableware, decor, and cleaning up after the event.

Social events require menus that are versatile enough to accommodate a wide range of dietary needs, allergens, and preferences. These can be complicated, so it’s essential that event planners have a deep understanding of their clients’ needs to provide them with the best service.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, anniversary, holiday parties, or just an everyday cocktail party, a professional catering company will help you create a memorable event that your guests will talk about for years to come. They’ll help you streamline the process and leave you with one less thing to worry about. You can avoid tension, time, and money by doing this.

What Is The Advantage of Hiring An Event Caterer For Your Cocktail Party?

If you are having a cocktail party to celebrate the launch of an important project or to announce the inauguration of an event, then you should consider using an event catering service. This is a great way to make your guests feel welcome and have a good time.

You should choose an experienced caterer with a good reputation in the area where you are planning your event. They should be able to offer you advice and suggestions on menus, drinks, and food presentation.

They should also be able to handle any special dietary requirements or allergies that you may have. They should be able to provide vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, or nut-free options so that everyone will be able to enjoy the food without fear of an allergic reaction.

In addition, they should be able to provide staff to serve the food at your event. Depending on your needs, this could include servers, runners, and bartenders.

It is a good idea to request a tasting from the caterer so that you can get a better idea of their food quality, service, flavor, and choices. This will help you decide whether they are right for your needs and ensure that the food served at the party is delicious.

What Type of Events Need Event Catering?

In the world of event catering, you’ll find a wide variety of events that need to have food and beverages served. These include big social gatherings, major sporting events and other public events that involve large numbers of people.

Some of these events require a lot of planning, so it’s worth hiring a professional to ensure that all of the details are covered and your guests have a fantastic time. For example, if you’re hosting an anniversary party for a loved one, it would be a good idea to hire a caterer that has experience with events like this and can make sure that everyone is having a great time.

Other types of events that need event catering include formal dinners and awards ceremonies. For these events, you may choose to serve a plated dinner or a buffet meal. If you want to serve a full meal, you’ll need to coordinate the menu and guest list with your caterer ahead of time.

You should also consider the type of room you’ll be using for your catering service. For example, if your event is taking place in a boardroom, you might want to choose a table configuration that allows the attendees to move around easily so they can get some work done.

Does It Matter What Your Budget & Equipment Needs Are?

When planning an event, it’s important to understand your budget and the necessary equipment that will be needed. Not all events require the same level of catering, so it’s important to get a feel for what you’re willing to spend.

First and foremost, be sure to have a clear idea of your budget. It’s always helpful to know how much money you’re willing to allocate for an event before beginning preparations. Once you have a ballpark figure, start looking at catering companies in your area. You can find reputable companies by reading reviews or searching online.

When estimating how much food will be needed, it is important to take into account the type and number of guests that are attending the event. Remember: every guest counts.

One consideration when catering an event is ensuring that dietary restrictions are met. For example, gluten-free foods must always be ordered in advance since they cannot be easily substituted on site once they arrive at the venue.

Additionally, dairy-free foods must also be taken into account – whether they need soy milk as a replacement or not – as those types of foods often require more preparation time than other items on the menu do (gluten-free bread).

It’s also essential to make sure that all of the food being served is safe for consumption by those with food allergies or intolerances – even small details can make a big difference in someone’s life (cross contamination may trigger serious reactions). While most caterers are knowledgeable about these issues and will take care of them promptly once they’re aware of them; it’s always wise to double check just in case.

In addition to ordering food and setting up tables/chairs/etc., another task that may need attention during an event is cleaning up afterwards. This includes taking down decorations/setups as well as clearing away any leftover trash or leftovers from the meal itself – this includes anything from allergy-causing ingredients like nuts/seeds (even roasted) all the way down to the disposable cutlery and plates used during mealtime.

What Are Factors To Consider When Choosing An Event Caterer?

The food is a big part of the experience at any event, so it’s important to hire a caterer with good taste and a high level of professionalism. You also want a caterer who can handle any special requests you might have and is willing to work with you to achieve your vision.

Whether you’re hosting a wedding, a company party, a birthday, or holiday parties, it’s important to choose the right caterer. It can be a stressful process, so you want to make sure that you hire someone who will do the job well and who you trust.

Before you hire a caterer, ask about their background and experience. This will give you a better idea of how well they know their stuff and whether they’ll be able to deliver on their promises.

It’s also a good idea to find out where they source their ingredients from. This will help you determine how quality the food is, and whether they’re using local or organic produce.

Before you sign a contract with your caterer, check their reputation online and on social media sites. You can also ask friends and family for recommendations. You may even want to speak to a former client, if possible. This will give you an idea of how they handled their food and how satisfied their guests were with it.

Is It Ideal To Get Caterers For Corporate Events?

There are many things that need to be considered when planning corporate events. These include reserving a venue, entertainment, dress attire, and guest speakers. However, one of the most important aspects is the food.

A good catering company will ensure that all guests at your event get enough food to eat without leaving anyone hungry. This is a key reason why they are a good choice for large events.

Whether you are planning a buffet or a sit down dinner, it’s important to choose a caterer that can meet your specific needs. Consider the theme and style of the event, and the number of attendees.

Catering menus should be tailored to your specific needs and budget. It should also be presented in a beautiful manner to impress your guests.

Choosing a catering company that prioritizes efficiency and respects guest time is also an essential part of planning a successful corporate event. Ideally, you should start the planning process at least six months in advance of the event so that you can find a catering company that can deliver on your expectations.

What Are The Benefits Of Hiring An Event Planner?

Event design is an art that requires a lot of creativity. It also involves a lot of planning and organization.

Having an event designed by an experienced professional will help you to ensure that your event is successful. They will be able to find the right venue, catering services and other important elements for your event.

They will also be able to help you set the right budget for your event. This will save you from spending too much on your event because they have the knowledge and experience to know what is affordable.

Many designers get into the field because they have a passion for decor and styling. Others have a background in floristry, interior design or set design and use their skills to make the most of an event space.

A good event planner will be able to find a venue that meets your requirements, offer you excellent catering options and provide you with elegant linens for your tables and chairs. They will also be able to help you with coordinating the entertainment for your event. They will also be able to ensure that your event is on brand and that it will attract the right attendees.

Having An Upcoming Event? Contact An Event Caterer Now

When selecting the best catering company for your event, there is a lot to consider. From understanding your budget and equipment needs to checking reviews and ensuring everyone’s dietary restrictions are met, you should do your research before committing to a caterer.

Knowing the type of food you need and the atmosphere you want will help narrow down the choices. Additionally, don’t forget about insurance coverage and legal compliance; this is essential for any successful event.

With some planning and research, you will find Handheld Catering and Events is the perfect catering company that meets all your needs and offers delicious food at an affordable price.