Capers Catering
Relax. Everything is being taken care of. No more pre-party freakout as you run to the deli to buy ice, only to realize that you have nothing to put it in. Whether you're having 50 people over for cocktails or the wedding of the millennium, you can count on scrumptious food and prompt, efficient service. An added perk: The chef can pull off everything from authentic sushi to Yorkshire pudding with equal finesse. 66A Broadway, Arlington, MA .
Capers Catering
Run by Emma Roberts, Capers works with brides and grooms to create custom menus that showcase local ingredients—and they do it for parties big and small, indoors and outdoors, formal and casual. (Roberts also owns Flip Flops Clambakes & BBQ, so imagine the spread she could put together for beach nuptials.) If you're curious about her recent creations, try browsing Capers on Pinterest. Mini chocolate-covered "Oreos" with milkshake shooters, anyone? caperscatering.com.
Capers Catering
After nearly three decades in the biz, Capers knows how to whip up one hell of a spread. And with a “farm-to-fork” philosophy, it’s a safe bet your meal will be totally fresh, too. 21 Emerson Street, Stoneham, Massachusetts 02180, caperscatering.com.
A Mano Catering
Elyse Etling is Boston's hottest caterer, and for good reason. Her presentation is sublime, her service is flawless, and her fare is serendipitous, tapping into ethnic dishes and unusual spices. 301 Reservoir Street, Needham, MA .
Concord Caterers
Mark Gallagher has fed the cast of Love Story, the Kearns-Goodwin wedding party, the Harvard Lampoon's centennial guests, Henry Kissinger's pals, and a bunch of People's Republic scientists with particularly fussy palates. He has done Iranian banquets, dinners based on Thomas Jefferson's personal recipes . . . but never turkey and mashed potatoes. Burlington, MA
The Catered Affair
70 Reservoir Park Dr., Rockland, MA thecateredaffair.com.
The Catered Affair
More than 20 years ago, Holly Safford decided that celebrations deserved better than the substandard fare served by many caterers. That may have been a revolutionary notion at the time, but these days, brides and grooms expect spectacular food for their spectacular Big Days—and Safford delivers. With executive chef Robert Smith and a smart, hard-working staff behind her, Safford provides impeccable service and foods that go far beyond formula menus—picholine olives stuffed with sweet sausage and goat cheese, chocolate profiteroles with caramel chip ice cream, and practically anything else a couple might desire. 70 Reservoir Park Dr., Rockland, MA thecateredaffair.com.
The Catered Affair
Your wedding caterer should be, above all else, a perfectionist. You don't want boring and bone-dry chicken any more than you want poorly timed service or cheesy table settings. The Catered Affair owner Holly Safford is just that—a perfectionist who runs her tight ship with equal parts creativity, fabulous taste, efficiency, and soul. What's more, she's been doing it for decades, and her seamless organization and calming demeanor has kept many a girl from turning into Bridezilla. Take that, Martha Stewart. Accord Park, Hingham, MA thecateredaffair.com.
The Catered Affair
This culinary juggernaut is the in-house caterer for a slew of the city’s high-end venues, including the Boston Public Library, Harvard Art Museums, and the Boston Athenaeum (where it also runs a brand-new café open to the public). Which begs the question: If they trust the Catered Affair to handle their cuisine, shouldn’t you? The answer: Yes, you absolutely should. With the goal of creating unforgettable dining experiences, the team here can curate a personalized menu for your big day — think king-crab tostadas and broiled oysters with sea urchin and black lime — that looks as good as it tastes. thecateredaffair.com.
The Catered Affair
Partnering with some of the area's most exclusive venues, this catering company turns out artfully plated fare that would be at home in the city's finest restaurants: chorizo beignets with romesco, espresso-roasted lamb sirloin. Maybe that's because executive chef Shane O'Neill, a L'Espalier alum, is the culinary genius behind the seasonally inspired menus. 70 Ledgewood Place, Rockland, MA 02370, thecateredaffair.com.
Au Soleil Catering
If God is indeed in the details, Au Soleil must be nigh holy. The operation gets every last request right, and often adds a few flourishes of its own. That might mean having bartenders shake up pitch-perfect cocktails to order. Or creating entrées that play up your favorite ingredients, or that reflect the seasonal bounty at chef-owner Frank McClelland's Apple Street Farm. Whatever occasion you're having catered, you can count on the eats being divine. 148 Hampden St., Boston, MA 2119, ausoleilcatering.com.
Au Soleil Catering
Turning out memorable meals in private homes—which often means tight quarters and picky palates—is a task that could sap any chef's muse. No surprise the catering arm of the vaunted L'Espalier/Sel de la Terre group is more than up to the challenge. Planning a small fete, we laid out the hurdles: seafood allergies, vegan diets, decorating don'ts. Au Soleil fired back with scads of ideas, including using petits fours as favors and dressing the table with bouquets of our favorite blooms. From intimate dinners to 600-person galas, this event-maker handles every gathering with aplomb. 148 Hampden St., Boston, MA 2119, ausoleilcatering.com.
Bakers' Best Catering
When the only thing the family can agree on is not to sweat over a hot stove, 10-time winner Bakers' Best has got something to satisfy every craving: Dieting Dad will love the grilled vegetable, hummus, and cucumber wrap. Mom will savor the crab cakes with spicy rémoulade on the side. And the kids will fight—good-naturedly, of cours—over who gets second helpings of the cream cheese brownies. 27 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands, MA 2461, bakersbestcatering.com.
Calla Lily Caterers
With its whimsical presentation and extraordinary attention to detail, Calla Lilly reinvents hors d'oeuvres. You'll find the usual suspects (crab cakes and California rolls), but the twist is in the remoulades and dipping sauces. Portobella mushroom quesadillas, mini-popovers, and lobster cakes with citrus salsa are served on platters with exotic floral arrangements. 92 Krikland St., Cambridge, MA .