Find a catering service in Durham, NC

Find catering services in Durham, NC

Find catering services in Durham, NC

Share a few details and we'll show you the best catering services in your area.
Zip code

Budget per person

Find catering services in Durham, NC

Share a few details and we'll show you the best catering services in your area.
Zip code

Budget per person

Top 10 catering services in Durham, NC

Clients agree: these Durham catering services are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Save The Date Creations & Cocktails

Save The Date Creations & Cocktails

5.0(1)
Offers online services
1 hire on Fash
Serves Durham, NC
Razan P. says, "Jennifer was so professional and overall wonderful to work with. She takes her role very seriously and goes above and beyond to make every detail come to life!! She communicated with me the whole time leading up to the party and I felt so confident in her ability to deliver. My sons has a combined birthday party and she managed to transform the pool and backyard into a gaming world. We all loved it and will forever remember how amazing it all looked. Thank you so much!! Will definitely use her service in the future for all our parties!!" Read more
Lalas.Crib

Lalas.Crib

5.0(2)
1 hire on Fash
3+ years in business
Serves Durham, NC
Ashanti says, "The staff was professional and very communicative. They were on top of all of my needs and the food was delicious. I will be sure to book them for my future events. All of my guest raved about the food." Read more
FantaCy Catering

FantaCy Catering

New on Fash
1 hire on Fash
6+ years in business
Serves Durham, NC
Nina Sky Entertainment LLC (NS) is an all inclusive event planning, design, catering and entertainment company since 2019. We take an innovative approach to event planning in which offer face to face and virtual meetings. We will guide you through the entire event planning process with everything from reserving your venue, vendor contract negotiations, event design. NinaSky Ent. offers catering, mobile bar service, Dj & sound equipment, staffing, and media management....
Natpacks Meals & Catering

Natpacks Meals & Catering

5.0Exceptional(5)
1 hire on Fash
6+ years in business
Serves Durham, NC
Tiffany says, "Fresh and easy local meal prep is perfect for me and my family. My favorite is the house made dressings. I feel good about the ingredients used and love the freshness. " Read more
Beyond Tiffany's Table

Beyond Tiffany's Table

5.0(4)
1 hire on Fash
12+ years in business
Serves Durham, NC
Michael says, "The honey glazed chicken and collard greens was the talk of the night!! The food was finger licking good!! I’ll definitely be hiring Beyond the table catering and event planning again. Happy Customer :)" Read more
Greedy Gabbs

Greedy Gabbs

New on Fash
5+ years in business
Serves Durham, NC
At Greedy Gabbs, you’ll enjoy getting personalized dining experience that I’ll design using any information regarding dietary restrictions, allergies, etc. I started my food career when I was 13 years old cooking large meals for my family. I have grown my craft tremendously. I am ServSafe Certified and currently working to receive my Management ServSafe certification. I’m currently enrolled in UNCW to obtain my Master of Business Administration which will me continue to grow my small business. I wouldn’t say I have a specialty; I can genuinely cook whatever you want me to. If you ask other clients, they would tell you to try my Puerto Rican c
Amalie(a)

Amalie(a)

New on Fash
7+ years in business
Serves Durham, NC
A unique, creative, and thoughtful approach to elevate in home dining. World flavors are my craft, Caribbean cuisine is my passion! As one of the top personal chefs in the area, I deliver not only on flavors, but also on level of service and expertise that brings an experience. You'll save time, get to enjoy your fun with guests, and feel catered to by the attention to detail you deserve.

Your Wedding and Event Catering questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Fash.

How much is catering?

Catering costs $10 to $35 per person for basic party food or a drop-off service. On average, caterers charge $500 to $7,500 total for 50 guests, $1,000 to $15,000 for 100 guests, and $1,500 to $23,000 for 150 guests. Alcohol or bartending options often cost extra.

Formal catering or wedding catering costs $30 to $200 per person for plated meals, a buffet, or food stations. A food truck rental costs $10 to $40 per person, depending on the type of event and whether you hire the truck on a weekend or holiday. Popular food truck menu options include tacos, pizza, BBQ, and ice cream.

What is catering?

Catering means supplying food and drink at a party, wedding, or other gathering. Some catering companies provide waitstaff, while others offer self-serve buffet stations or simply drop off prepared food to an event. Different catering companies provide different types of foods and cuisines, including:

  • Italian
  • Mexican
  • Barbeque
  • Japanese
  • Pizza
  • Sandwiches
  • Ice cream
  • Breakfast or brunch

How far in advance do I need to order catering?

Most caterers recommend ordering at least a few weeks to 6 months in advance, depending on the type of event and number of guests. However, catering a small party may not require as much advance time as a wedding, holiday party, or large corporate event.

Large chain restaurants often provide limited, drop-off catering services and require less notice than professional catering companies. Some chain restaurants and grocery stores offer catering services with only one day's notice.

What do caterers provide?

Caterers supply all the food for your event, either cooking it on-site or preparing it in their own kitchen beforehand. Many catering services include serving dishes, plates, glasses, and silverware in their price. Some caterers also offer tables, chairs, linens, or custom place settings for an added fee.

How long do caterers stay at an event?

Caterers typically serve food for 1 to 4 hours, depending on the time of year and number of guests. Setup usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Ask your caterer whether they will include any of the setup or cleanup time in their estimate.

Do you tip caterers?

Some caterers include a gratuity charge of 15% to 20% on your bill that is split between the servers. Before adding a cash tip, ask your caterer or review the contract to make sure a gratuity charge is not already included. If you decide to give cash tips directly, pay each person between $15 to $50.

How do I choose a catering company?

Search our list of caterers, then:

  • Get three or more free estimates to compare.
  • Read their reviews and menus on Fash and Google.
  • Choose a licensed, insured, and experienced company.
  • Try menu tasting before your event if possible.
  • Make sure they're a good fit for your budget and schedule.
  • Get a written estimate or contract.
  • Avoid making a large payment before your event begins.

After reading reviews and asking questions, hire the best company in your area.

What questions should I ask caterers?

When looking for local catering companies, consider asking the following questions:

  • How long have you been catering?
  • Are you licensed and insured?
  • How far in advance do I need to book?
  • What is your cancellation policy?
  • Do you allow menu changes?
  • Will you bring prepared food, or will you prepare it onsite?
  • How long will you be able to serve food?
  • How long do you need to set up?
  • Do you charge extra for travel fees?
  • Will you give me a written estimate and contract?

Reviews for Durham catering services

Recent success stories from people in the Durham area.
Rebecca J.
Lakenya was amazing and so was her food . Her fruity pebble waffles are to die for . I will definitely be booking her services again
Lalas.Crib
Lynn
NatPacks offers fresh weekly options and a creative catering lineup that is healthy and vibrant. Guest loved the selection and quality and allergy friendly options.
Natpacks Meals & Catering
Veniece
Everything was delicious, the staff & service at Beyond the table catering and event planning is top notch! You will not be disappointed
Beyond Tiffany's Table
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