Wedding
Catering
for
Couples
Catered by a Married Couple
Partner with Nicole + Chef Peter for a seamless, flavorful and fantastic day!
Handcrafted Seasonal Local
Browse example menus
Savor Culinary Expertise
Cuisine
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The Table Catering is farm to table seasonal and local organic cuisine.
Chef Peter has been cooking for over 20+ and has fine dining in Mediterranean, Latin, and Asian kitchens. Our food is not limited to a specific cuisine.
The Table Catering food has reflected our time in many kitchens with many diverse chefs but it relies heavily on what is grown locally.Expect fresh vegetable first full flavors and not heavy dishes prepared only with the cleanest pre-industrial ingredients.
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We wish to prepare our food in a way that pre dates the technology of factory made foods. Our cuisine is about being minimally processed and not using ingredients that come out of a bag or box. There are many hidden long term health dangers in our shelf stable foods and first and foremost, we have found that local ingredients have more flavor.
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We know that climate change is real and inevitable. But that doesn’t mean we as individuals don’t have to change things about how we manage our own environment.
The Table Catering wants to push the limit on relying on fossil fuels.
Therefore we eliminate single use products, avoid using plastic, and even drive an electric car.
We source local and hyper local whenever possible including home grown produce and garnishes.
We live what we preach so to speak.
Chef Peter is also an avid urban farmer with 13 fruit trees, bees, chickens and more on a modest Oakland lot.
Seasonal
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Chef Peter shares his 20+ years of culinary expertise to prepare in season dishes with great attention to both local and sustainable ingredients, avoiding refined flours and sugars.
When selecting The Table Catering, you are also selecting Northern California farmers who sell at our Berkeley markets.
Feel free to browse our seasonal platter buffet menus:
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This is a common request. We are happy to accomodate. We have a variety of dishes that are vegan, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian. We will partner with you to select a menu and number of platters that is best for your group.
All menu items are labeled with allergens and a complete list of ingredients.
We are also happy to advise of menu combinations best for your group included in your catering services -
Yes, if you see a menu dish you are interested in but have a question about pairing with another starch or vegetable or perhaps an ingredient modification, we are happy to explore this with you.
This step is generally explored during our private tastings located in our commerical kitchen in north Berkeley.
Chef Peter
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Chef Peter prepares Mediterranean-California cuisine with spectacular ingredients and low environmental impact.
Peter has been cooking in the East Bay since 2003. He holds two culinary degrees from California Culinary Academy and a Bachelors in Chemistry from UC Berkeley. He honed his skills preparing fine dining dishes at Bucci’s, Chez Panisse, and Garibaldis. As Executive Sous at Google, Peter led kitchens of 50 staff and 800+ daily guests with new, daily menus. His work as Culinary Trainer in West Oakland’s St. Vincent de Paul Oakland was honored by NBC Bay Area Proud. Peter most recently served as Chef & Hospitality Director at a Berkeley nonprofit, serving 200 guests weekly, leading a team of community volunteers, creating innovative dishes, and fostering community fellowship through hospitality.
Peter is married to Nicole, has two kids, a dog, some chickens, grew up in San Diego.
He enjoys video games, comedy and gardening. -
At your wedding, Chef Peter is pleased to introduce your seasonally sourced menu and speak to the origins of the dish to your guests, included in all of our elevate wedding full service buffets.
With his knowledge and passion for flavorful local cuisine, Chef Peter is sure to inspire and educate your guests before diving into their handcrafted meal.
Taste
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In short, yes, however our tastings tend to look different then perhaps larger catering companies.
Some caterers offer group tastings and /or $300+ pp private tastings.
The Table Catering is placed in the middle, We offer
private experience while get to know our prospective clients while also allowing them to try Chef Peter’s flavor profiles and select dishes.
Nicole is happy to discuss your wedding day questions.
Our tastings by Chef Peter are generally 3-6 prepared dishes for 2-4 guests.
The cost is $250-$390 in total to accommodate for our shop, prep, plan, cook, clean time as well and Chef Peter and Nicole’s consolation.
Our tasting availability does vary depending on the season, however expect to schedule a tasting with 2-5 weeks advance notice and may occur on a Sunday or Wednesday afternoon for up to one hour.
Our commercial kitchen is located in North Berkeley at a church.
Selecting The Table Catering?
We are happy to deduct the cost of your tasting from any upcoming catering package.
contact events@thetablecatering.com to get started!
“Nicole and Peter worked with us to deftly navigate many constraints and create a plan that delighted us all.
Nicole and Peter's love for food and hospitality carried into every plate, each bite, and showered us and our guests with the love we wanted to share with them on our wedding day.” - Chris + Jennifer
Relax with Service Expertise
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Nicole and her team will partner with you ever step of the way to ensure your catering
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Planning
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Even simple social celebrations have many parts to plan.
We partner with couples who have a a four month to twelve months lead time.
Life can be busy while also planning a wedding. We want to ensure
ample time for you and us to best plan for a smooth service on your special day. -
You will partner directly with Nicole to detail our your special day's catering and service need with scheduled video consultations.
On event day, you will also have a dedicated on site Operations Banquet Manager and Owner and service provide Nicole to execute service along with a team of catering attendants to serve both FOH (front of house) and BOH (back of house, culinary) to ensure a smooth and tasty day.
There is of course, additional behind the scenes team members preparing for your special day, such as formatting your menu, packing supplies, washing dishes, chopping vegetables and a host of tasks.Many caterers have a sale rep who sells a catering package and another staff to deliver service. Nicole does both and sees your event from start to finish, avoiding any misunderstanding on the outcome.
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We recommend some type of day of point person for any event. This can be a full service event planner or day of planner.
Their role allows YOU to be in the moment for your special day and not checking to ensure the event is running on schedule.
As an exepreinced Catering and Wedding Planner, I have seen far to many brides accidentally micro manage their own wedding reception, taking you away from the joys of the moment and celebrating your new family.
The Table Catering is happy to partner with your family, vendors and planning team on your special day to ensure smooth logistics and fun celebratory day.
Details
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Our best fit clients are seeking fantastic none-pretencious food sourcing local ingredients
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We frequently secure and coordinate table linens, chairs, tables, bars, lighting, glassware, uplights and other supplies with our partner vendors.
We can cover the coordination, delivery and cost of supplies as well as our team setting up, servicing, teardown.
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We are a Green Certified Caterer and strive for zero waste with our special events.
Included in our wedding packages is reusable plates, glassware and flatware. This cuts down on the amount of trash your special event produces which we find is better for our earth and your guest's experience.
Drinks + Sweets
Beverage Service
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Chef Peter prepares house-made non alcoholic drinks which can be a great refreshment for guests for all ages, made without the use of refined sugars, seasonal beverages
For our bar services, we source local beers, wine, sparkling drinks.
Of course coffee and tea service is also available fo rthe evening.
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Yes, we are happy to accomodate if you prefer to source your own alcoholic drinks. We can secure license bartenders for the evening. Prefer something different? Lets chat
Tip: If purchasing your own drinks, consider which family member or helper will purchase, transport, chill and haul leftovers after your gathering.
We do not have corkage or handling fees, which you may find with large caterers.
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We are able to provide licensed bartenders and will make recommendations on number of servers based on your event along with coordinate bar rental equipment, linens and glassware as needed.
Complete bar set ups are $199 and bartenders are $59 per hour to cover all related taxes, insurances, and supplies
Sweets
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Chef Peter has extensive experience in both savory and pastry culinary arts.
Chef's baked goods are baked with natural sweeteners such as honey instead of refine sugar, and organic whole wheat flour instead of wheat refined flour.
Many of our clients select our dessert platters in addition to or in place of a traditional wedding cake from an external baker.
Should you have a wedding cake prepared by another vendor, our catering service attendants are happy to cut and serve for you and your guests. This service is included in our full service offerings. -
Chef Peter offers a variety of house made sweets featuring sugar alternatives such as honey and generally includes whole wheat flour non refined flour unless otherwise requested. Often couples select an additional small dessert in addition to their cake, such a chocolate flourless budino (gf) or seasonal fresh fruit platter.
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Currently The Table Catering includes cake cutting into your overall services by our catering staff.
Common in the industry is charging per slice. We don’t really love this concept, while we recognize additional labor and materials is used, we do have the staff on site to support this service and may have a charge if reusable plates are used as those were likely rented and need to be washed, which does come at a cost.
As an alternative, compostable plates and forks are an easy option as generally at this point in the evening, you and your guests have enjoyed a great meal, perhaps listened to some speeches, and are feeling a bit more relaxed and ready to party!
Enhancements
Rentals
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The Table Catering is happy to rent tables, chairs and /or linens on behalf of your event.
Your venue floor plan details are generally firmed up one month in advance with our client services Coordinator, Janelle.
Basic one color linens begin at $29 with all type of upgrades and patterns available starting at $54 per table linen.
Tables are generally $20 per rental and we have access to a variety of shapes. We are happy to partner with your venue and or planner directly on this piece, including the floor plan, load in and out details.
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Our preferred partner vendors also provide our clients with uplights, string lights and anything in between.
Nicole our owner and your Wedding contact has Event Production experience and is happy to share recommendations on what might be a great fit for your event needs.
Full Service
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Full service refers to catering with catering attendants and essentially full service of your catering and service needs for your event. An alternative to full service would be drop off.
We specialize and prefer full service events.
Decor
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We are happy to make floral recommendations for you to partner directly with a florist. If you are in need of modest centerpieces and bar florals, we are happy to coordinate those directly.
As a woman owned green certified small business, we partner with other woman owned sustainable florist within Berkeley and Oakland.
Partner Venues + Vendors
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We are proud to partner with a handful of venues within the East Bay.
Many of our clients also value the outdoors. Venues that we have extensive experience with include
Piedmont Community Hall
Oakland Fairyland
Botanical Gardens UC Berkeley
East Bay Regional Parks / Outdoor Spaces
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Save a step and inquiry about our preferred vendors. In need of a DJ, photography or event planner referral?
We are happy to provide recommendations on who we have great working relationships with which is another step to ensure a smooth energetic day!
“Thank you Nicole and Peter so much.
The food was amazing and you were both so great about everything, making sure that every little detail was taken care of. We are so grateful!” - J+B
Next Steps
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Catering is similar to a restaurant on wheels. Thank fine dining restaurant travels.
We are happy to dicsuss various packages depending on your preferencesCocktail hour with house made appetizers
Buffet, Plated or Family style dinner We primarily serve buffet
Choice of compostable or reusables
Length of event and catering services
Set up tables, chairs, linens and full teardown
Full service for guests throughout the event including serving, bussing, replenishing
Choice of BYOB or we provide
and related questions
Whether your budget or various aspects of the day are important to you, please share with Nicole so our custom quote can best match your priorities.
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The Table Catering has catered weddings from $50 - $200 per guest. It really all depends on what you as a couple are looking for.
More common then not, we see couples spending $10,000-$20,000 for their all day service team and catering offerings.
Remember, the catering packages are not just the food, but often catering staff to welcome your guests, possibly set up rentals, serve appetizers, dinner, perhaps dessert, drinks, wash, bus, greet, liason with your planning team, all the behind the scenes to ensure the logistics of your day are smooth and you can be present and enjoy the day!
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Fun fact - we do not charge per guest!
After spending many years in the events, catering and wedding industry, while this is a common pricing strategy, The Table Catering believes in a different model - offering prices per platter . We recommend instead a number of platters and dishes for your guests, taking into consideration your event timeline and spending allotment.
This allows couples to not stress over whether to include 100 or 110 guests, or if the kids will eat, the food cost will stay the same.
We simply ask for your guest count range and look to finalize that range/number at least two weeks prior to your special day.
Investment
Next Steps
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Chef Peter and Nicole cater just a handful of weddings each year.
As a boutique caterer, we prioritize your special day and do not overbook our weekend events calendar. Your wedding will be our priority on your wedding date.
Please inquire for your date availability as couples book 3-12 months in advance and we do not cater every weekend.
Consider including The Table Catering in your initial venue selection and planning. We are happy to be of service!
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After our initial catering consultation, a custom quote will be created for you based on your event needs. This quotes are adjustable after our initial consultation. All menus and final event details should be confirmed three weeks prior to event date along with final payment two weeks prior.
We ask for a 25% payment of your estimated full balance of the existing quote to secure your date. This allows us to get planning right away.
The following 25% payment is due 60 days in advance, 25% due 30 days in advance or remaining balance is due two weeks prior with a final event order.
Then sit back and relax and get ready for the big day!
“Everything the Callis’ prepare is delicious, healthy, and thoughtful! They catered our wedding 8 years ago and it was a wonderful experience. We and all of our friends had a great time at the wedding and we couldn't have done it without them!
Peter and Nicole worked really hard all day, but they were so nice and composed, we knew they had everything under control. It was a pleasure to work with them on all the planning. The walk-through, in particular, helped us get a sense of how we should set up the hall and structure the evening.
We also appreciated that they helped us stretch our budget as much as possible. We received lots of comments from our guests that the food was great. Everyone raved especially about the potato salad and the meatballs!”
– Christina & JFO, Oakland
Katia + Emman
“Thank you so so much Nicole and Peter and everyone involved!!! The food was INCREDIBLE
I’ve had several people come up to us already and say it was the best wedding food they’ve ever had!
(my dad said it might’ve been one of the best meals he’s ever had period 😁). ”