Let's plan your event

Provide the event date, complete address, estimated guest count, event type, desired meal time, preferred service style, dietary needs, and approximate budget. Also mention rentals, florals, beverages, bartenders, desserts, or other services you may want included.

Yes. Use your best current estimate and provide the city or general area if the venue is still being selected. The proposal may remain preliminary until the final address and attendance are known because those details can affect delivery, staffing, equipment, and pricing.

Most quote requests receive a response the same business day during normal operating hours. Complex events may require follow-up questions before a complete proposal can be prepared. Providing detailed information in the first message helps the team respond with more useful options.

No. An inquiry or preliminary quote does not reserve availability. The event is officially booked only after the required agreement, deposit, or online checkout process has been completed. Popular weekends and holiday dates may change while a proposal is under review.

Yes. Straightforward drop-off orders can usually be built and purchased through the online menu. Use the contact form when you need quantity guidance, menu customization, staffing, rentals, florals, multiple delivery times, or a more complex event plan.

We cater throughout Oakland, including Downtown, Uptown, Jack London Square, Lake Merritt, Temescal, Rockridge, Fruitvale, and Montclair. Nearby East Bay service is evaluated using the exact address, event date, order size, and staffing requirements.

Most catering bookings require at least 72 hours of notice. Five to 14 days is more comfortable for corporate drop-off orders and smaller events, while larger staffed events are best reserved several weeks ahead. Weddings, holidays, and popular weekend dates should be planned earlier.

Most drop-off orders have a $400 food minimum. Boxed meals generally require 25 boxes per meal selection, and most full-service or wedding packages begin at 25 guests. Additional minimums may apply based on the date, service style, staffing, or delivery plan.

Drop-off means prepared food is delivered ready to serve and your group manages the meal. Adding attendants provides help with setup, refreshing the display, and catering-area cleanup. Full service includes a larger professional team for buffet, family-style, or plated service, along with coordinated setup and breakdown.

Yes. Applicable menus include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free choices. Identify the specific restriction and number of affected guests when requesting the quote. Food is prepared in shared facilities, so serious allergies should be discussed directly before the menu is confirmed.

Yes. Published menus and packages provide convenient starting points. The team can help adjust selections for your guest count, budget, dietary needs, event theme, and venue. Premium ingredients, additional labor, or extensive changes may affect pricing and availability.

Yes. Corporate services include breakfast and brunch spreads, hot or cold drop-off buffets, boxed meals, executive lunches, training programs, client events, and fully staffed company celebrations. Recurring workplace meal schedules may also be available.

Yes. Include the date, venue or Oakland neighborhood, estimated guest count, and whether you are considering buffet, family-style, or plated service. Mention any interest in tastings, appetizers, cake service, bartenders, rentals, florals, or tablescape design.

Yes. Individually packaged breakfast, lunch, and dinner options can support meetings, trainings, off-sites, and staggered schedules. Include the number of meals, dietary quantities, delivery time, labeling needs, and whether the order must be divided among multiple locations.

Yes. A proposal can combine catering with tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware, buffet equipment, floral arrangements, tablescape styling, and bartenders. Oakland Catering Company does not supply alcohol; the client or venue must purchase and provide it for the bartending team to serve.

Yes. Most food is prepared before arrival, so a commercial kitchen is not required for many events. A protected staging area is still helpful, and some menus may benefit from access to water, power, refrigeration, or a back-of-house workspace.

Share parking and loading instructions, security or reception procedures, access codes, suite numbers, elevators, stairs, long walking distances, and the name and phone number of the event-day contact. Urban access details can affect arrival time and the amount of labor required.

To reserve your event, approve the quote and sign the catering agreement we send. Orders exceeding $3,000 also require a 50% deposit.

We accept menu and attendance changes up to 10 days before your event. Once that deadline passes, quantities may no longer be adjustable.

Review and sign the catering agreement, complete any required deposit, and verify the date, address, serving time, guest count, menu, dietary meals, staffing, and access instructions. The team will use the approved details to prepare the event plan and may contact you if any final information is still missing.