SOCIAL
EVENTS

Best Social Events in the San Francisco Bay Area

At Left Coast Catering, we believe that life’s fondest moments take place around a beautiful meal. Surrounded by people you love, laughter, and lively conversation, it’s easy to make memories that last a lifetime. Because we care about these experiences, we hold ourselves to very high standards and take pride in producing them for our clients. Whether you’re hosting a wedding, private dinner, fundraiser, or other social event, our team is here to create an unmatched experience. Let us show you how. (We also specialize in CORPORATE EVENTS)

Introduction

No matter the size or type of event you envision, the Left Coast Catering team will work with you to make it a memorable occasion. Delicious food and exceptional service always leads to happy people – and we want you and your guests to be very happy!

We love to collaborate with our clients to create the perfect event, whether it’s your wedding, a dinner party for friends or clients, or a holiday party at your home. We start by sitting down with you to capture your specific vision and objectives:

Many years of catering and producing social events in the San Francisco Bay Area have helped us develop a set of critical questions to ask. Once we have a clear understanding of your vision, our team will get to work bringing your event to life. We work with you to capture your vision and ensure every detail of your event is exactly as it should be.

We want you to mingle, have meaningful conversations, and enjoy the company of your guests.

At Left Coast Catering, we strive to make every detail of your event the best. From elegant parties to casual get-togethers, our style is always fresh, vibrant, and service-oriented. Our extensive experience enables us to compile your ideal menu, create signature beverages, and stage a beautiful setting, complete with decorations, staffing, and everything else. When your big day arrives, our goal is to allow you to be a participant at your own event. Instead of worrying about the details, we want you to mingle, have meaningful conversations, and enjoy the company of your guests.

If this is the level of service you expect at your next function, then please contact us. Let’s start creating. You can reach us at (415) 934-0600, or by completing our contact form.

Event Types

A Few of the Social Events in our Repertoire

As the top catering and event company in San Francisco, we understand that every event is reason to celebrate and we want your occasion to be exactly as you envisioned. We put care into everything we do and go above and beyond for our customers.

At Left Coast Catering we provide:

We believe deeply in quality. Because of that, we build all of our menus around locally-sourced produce and farm-to-table ingredients. The fish we serve is always sustainably-caught or raised, and you can always trust our dishes to be elevated, beautiful, and fresh.

Below are some of the events we produce, as well as a breakdown of the services we provide to make them absolutely perfect.

Your wedding is one of the most memorable days of your life, and we’re here to ensure it’s one that you will, in fact, never forget. From our personalized services to our high level of customization and easy one-stop-shop arrangement, we provide everything you need to say “I do.”

Whether you are having an intimate, casual, or rustic event like the outdoor wedding we recently catered, our team is here for you. Our top-quality event production services allow you to enjoy an unforgettable wedding without lifting a finger.

At this wedding, our team did several unique things. We designed the appetizers to reflect the client’s favorite foods, for example, and created food stations that were representative of the places the couple have traveled. To give the space the feel the couple wanted, we magically transformed the ceremony venue into a dreamy place for a delicious dinner. We also created a stunning custom designed three-tier wedding cake.

We were grateful to be involved in telling this client’s story.

View some of our seasonal Wedding Menu samples:

Sample Wedding Menus

One of the many things we do well is creating innovative and elevated small bites and interactive displays. Whether it’s a cocktail buffet, social event, political fundraiser, engagement party, birthday party, an anniversary celebration, or something else entirely, we’re ready to get it going for you. Let’s connect – you can trust that our team is going to make every detail just perfect

For example, when we recently catered a cocktail party for our client’s local sales team, our crew created an open kitchen that allowed guests to chat with the chef. We designed a beautiful cheese arrangement, picked out the perfect linens, and created an impressive menu of seasonal California passed appetizers.

When the event was done, our client told us, “It is always a pleasure to have Left Coast in the house. The team, especially the chef and manager, were great. The food as always was delicious.”

View some of our seasonal Cocktail Party Menu samples:

Sample Cocktail Party Menus

Private events are … yes, private! But, what makes a private event really unique? Is it the exclusivity, elegance, style, or maybe the theme for the event? We believe it is all of these and more!

A well-arranged private event is not only a welcoming affair, it is an intimate experience which we excel at creating. Left Coast Catering is your trusted private event facilitator, coordinator, manager, and producer. From planning to production, from venue-based to in-home private events, we walk with you, step-by-step, to produce the private event you envisioned.

When we talk to our clients about previous private events we’ve catered, we love to mention a special 40th birthday party we catered. Our fun-loving clients wanted a 1979 theme, so we created a buffet to match the time frame. We designed the space, lined up a DJ, and worked closely with the two couples planning the party.

By the end of the evening, the guests were “partying like it was 1979” complete with disco balls, streamers, and delicious vegan and non-vegan menus.

View some of our seasonal Private Event Menu samples:

Sample Private Event Menus
Private Events

We specialize in all manner of holiday parties, including brunches, dinners, cocktail parties, desert events and more. Whether you want to serve a multi-course dinner or bite-sized appetizers, our team will help make your dream menu a reality.

One of our clients wanted to mix it up a bit and create an Asian-inspired menu. We tied the holiday theme into the event with beautiful red linens and chopsticks. The party was held at the client’s home, and our team created a beautiful, specialized dessert menu, complete with Matcha ice cream sandwiches and an elaborate dark chocolate array, to go with her theme.

View some of our seasonal Holiday Menu samples:

Sample Holiday Menus

Our team will work with you to create a menu that’s perfect for your next dinner – whether it’s multicourse, buffet, or family style. We have the experience to design a menu that can accommodate every dietary need and provide something delicious for everyone. Recently, we catered an event for a high-profile Silicon Valley executive who wanted to hold a private dinner at her home.

To get things started, we passed a specialty vodka-based cocktail incorporating the client’s favorite flavors – blood orange and ginger. Our chef created a fork-friendly dinner menu so guests could mingle without having to remain seated for dinner. We also had our pastry chef develop small sweets (which were low in sugar) to wrap up the evening, as requested by the client. The client and her guests were very happy with the event.

View some of our seasonal Dinner Menu samples:

Sample Dinner Menus
Private Dinner Parties
Seasonal Menus
Considerations

Four Factors to Consider While Planning Your Event

Putting on a world-class event requires planning. While Left Coast Catering offers comprehensive event production services (meaning our team will handle everything from lighting to floor plans and more), events work better when we join forces. With this in mind, click to explore a few elements to consider as you plan your social event:

Think of your guest list as the foundation of the event itself. You will select and invite the right people to your event, but the planning stage isn’t complete until we know exactly how many people will attend. An accurate headcount is critical for meal planning and catering, as well as equipment rental, tenting, and almost everything else.

Because of this, it’s wise to send your party invitations out weeks or even months before the event (depending on the type of gathering you’re having). This gives guests ample time to RSVP and helps to ensure you end up with an accurate number. Once you have your final guest count, Left Coast Catering will set the wheels in motion to make sure the smallest detail is perfect.

Left Coast Catering believes in sustainability and sourcing local products for its events. Our menus reflect the season while drawing from global inspiration. We apply the skills we’ve honed to plan, develop, and execute your menu for everything from tasty cocktail tidbits to full sit down formal dinners. With this in mind, spend some time considering what you would like to see on your menu. We listen closely to your preferences to create a truly stunning menu.

Special dietary needs? No problem. After crafting hundreds of menus over the years, we have a near infinite array of options at our fingertips. Menus are the canvas of our trade and the centerpiece of your event. Menus are where we compose your culinary masterpiece whether it’s limit-free, vegan, gluten, or dairy-free.

Depending on your event, we can offer small plate menus, passed appetizers, multi-course meals, wine and dessert pairings, and more. Not sure what kind of menu is ideal for your event? We can help. Schedule a meeting with our team for some ideas and inspiration.

Every event is different, and each has its own rental needs. If you’re renting a venue, for example, it may provide tents, tables and chairs, but then again, it may not. If not, we can bring them in for you. Fortunately, Left Coast Catering has broad reaching relationships in the rental industry to help with these needs.

As a full-service catering company, we can help procure everything you need. We offer all the accessories needed to make your event perfect. We also have an experienced team of event planners and an in-house production specialist who can help with the design, decor, lounge furniture, seating, lighting, flower arrangements, and the rest.

With this in mind, trust that if you need something for your event, we can take care of it.

Some social events, such as weddings and fundraisers, operate according to a set schedule. For example, there may be a cocktail hour when guests first arrive, light appetizers before dinner, and a wine and dessert pairing after the meal.

While your event doesn’t need a set timeline, implementing one is a great way to keep your event running smoothly to ensure an excellent guest experience. If you’d like your event to operate according to a timeline, our event planners can help create smooth transitions that result in seamless execution throughout the evening.

Event Services

Best Event Services in the San Francisco Bay Area

“I’m hosting a fundraiser and need a professional caterer with event management experience near me, but I want someone who can do more than just prepare a menu… I want someone who can plan and manage the total event.”

Left Coast Catering goes above and beyond for its clients. Providing the best catering in the Bay Area, we understand that planning a wedding, private dinner party, or social event can be stressful, so it is our goal to make it as streamlined and straightforward as possible. This is why we offer our event production services.

Our team of skilled event production experts will handle virtually every detail of your event. We don’t just cater – we fully produce your event. Regardless of whether you need lighting, tent rentals, or musician recommendations, our experts are here to help you. Consider us your all-in-one destination for a truly unforgettable event.

Here are a few additional services we offer for our clients:

We know how frustrating it can be to work with ten different vendors when you need as many different event production services. As a result, we’ve set out to address that frustration. Left Coast Catering can handle menu planning as well as the floor plan. We provide linens and furniture. We can bring in a photographer and a DJ. No matter what kind of event you want to create, we are able to fully produce your special day, so you can sit back and enjoy it.
Menus are at the core of our event service. Want to create a custom, themed, or dietary-specific menu? Left Coast Catering offers vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian menu options, we can cater our menus to your unique preferences or restrictions. While most caterers make you choose your menu options from a list of one-size-fits-all dishes, we work with our clients to create delicious, curated, fully customized menus for your party or event.
You know as well as we do: the cocktail makes the party. Left Coast Catering offers fully licensed and insured bar and beverage staff. In addition to beer and wine service, our expert mixologists provide specialty cocktails, dessert and wine pairings, and non-alcoholic versions too.
Set a beautiful table with the help of our event production specialists. Thanks to our ample selection of tableware and specialty linen, we can create exactly the ambiance you want. Whether the style is classic and elegant, or clean and modern, we have linens and tableware perfect for your event. Plus, our staff will set it all up and take it down for you.
At Left Coast Catering, all of our staff members work for us in-house. We don’t bring in employees from staffing agencies for our events. Instead, everyone who works at your event is a part of the Left Coast family. This ensures a cohesive, streamlined event for you and optimized execution for us.
You don’t have to be a party planner to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind event. Instead, let our floor plan designers help you. They’ll arrange every element of your design into an intelligent, ergonomic configuration your guests will love.
Lighting is critical to any great event. Whether you’re using venue lighting or bringing in additional lighting for your party, our skilled lighting designers and technicians will ensure the atmosphere you’re striving for. Let us use your available lights to create dramatic spotlighting or a romantic, laid-back glow.
Photographs can serve as marketing material, personal keepsakes, or future “thank-you” cards for your event attendees. Our skilled photographers will capture your event to its fullest, creating memories that will truly last a lifetime.
A well-positioned tent can be critical in keeping your guests comfortable and protected from the elements. Figuring out what size tent you need, though, can be difficult. We can provide tenting recommendations to ensure you get the cover you need. Whether you’re simply covering your buffet line or providing seating for a hundred people, we’ll help you find the perfect match for your event.
Flowers add a level of elegance to any event. Whether you want simple centerpieces or more elaborate backdrops, arrangements, or design elements, our experienced florists will work with you to comprehend your vision and bring it to life.
Allow your guests to arrive in style with our valet services. Perfect for solving difficult parking situations and taking some of the stress out of your event, our valet services add polish to any gathering.
We are connected with music professionals able to access a broad range of musicians for your event. Our partnerships make it easy to find the right musicians for any occasion, whether you're looking for a string quartet or something more modern.
We also work with a network of DJs we can recommend for your event. Don’t sacrifice on entertainment - let us help.
We love to offer small gifts at social events. Examples include mini milk bottles and bags of chocolate chip cookies, etc. Why not end the event with something sweet for your guests to remember you by? If you’re throwing a wedding, we can customize the offerings with your monogram or whatever you want.
FAQ
  • Let us know you are interested in Left Coast Catering by completing the request form including your event date, location and guest count.
  • We will contact you and discuss topics such as your taste preferences, nature of event and budget.
  • Once we have gathered your information we will create an initial proposal until we get it right.
  • Once the proposal meets your approval we request a 50% deposit  and a credit card  on file to secure our services.
  • We will schedule a site inspection to determine your exact needs. Following your event your final balance will be billed.
  • You and your guests walk away from the best party you’ve ever had!

Do you have a minimum?
Full service events start at $3500.00. This is not a package price as each event is customized but typically includes food, labor, basic rentals, production and gratuity.

What does it cost?
Great question! There are many factors that go into determining the cost of the event. Below is what we see as a typical starting point for a full service event.These prices include food, labor, rentals and bar.

  • Cocktail receptions start at $125 per person
  • Lunch start $ 125 per person
  • Dinners start at $ 175 per person
  • Wedding start at $ 225 per person

Can you provide a cost estimate?
Absolutely. In order to provide detailed cost estimate, it is helpful to provide the start and end time of your event, an estimated guest count, venue information, rental requirements, and your estimated budget.

Do you charge for vendor or kid's meals?
Depending on the offering, we will provide discounted meals for vendors and kids under 12.

What are the costs involved?
Food, rentals such as tables, chairs, linen, china, glassware. Onsite labor, bar set-up, sales tax, 18% production, administration and insurance fee.

Are there any additional fees I should be aware of?
Flowers, decor, and alcohol are an additional charge.

Can you create a custom menu for my event?
Absolutely! We will work with you to create a perfect menu based on your tastes and the format of the event while working with the season at hand

What kind of ingredients do you use?
We source sustainably raised meat and fish and rely on our vendors for  locally sourced products. Also, we make everything from pickled vegetables to delightful pastries in-house.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, our culinary team has years of experience and we can accommodate almost any dietary requirement including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options

Do you offer decor?
Yes, we have an in-house production manager who creates fabulous event designs and florals for an additional fee.

What other services can you provide for my event?
Rentals, linen, decor, entertainment, band/DJ, flowers, photo booth, vallet and wedding coordinator referrals.

Do you require a day with your coordinator for weddings?
Yes, we require a day of wedding planner to coordinate the schedule and activities for the day. Left Coast Catering will handle the catering including the food, bar and set-up and breakdown of the rentals.

 Do you have a minimum number of staff required for an event?
We require a minimum of two staff people for a full service event and have a 5-hour minimum for each person.

How many servers will be needed at my event?
Typically we staff:

  • 1 server for every 10 guests for seated meals,
  • 1 server for every 30 guests for buffet,
  • 1server for every 25 for cocktail receptions with both tray passed and stationary appetizers,
  • 1 server for every 50 for larger scale events without passed appetizers.

Can you help me find a venue?
Absolutely!  We have venue partners throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area. We can help find the absolute best location for your event.

If I have an event in my home but I don’t want you to work in the kitchen, can you still accommodate?
Yes, we are in the catering business and can create a kitchen anywhere. This starts with us creating the right menu and bringing in the correct kitchen equipment for your event.

Do you handle trash removal service?
We will take away any back of house compost and leftover food on full service events at no cost. If you need us to take the trash off-site there is an additional fee that varies by the size of the event.

How far do you travel?
We operate in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, however we are able to travel up to 75 miles outside the city with appropriate travel fees applied.

How much advance notice do you need for events?
We require two weeks advance notice to properly prepare for your event. This gives us the time needed to create your menu and proposal, schedule a site visit, order the rentals and linen and staff the event.

Do you require a deposit to hold the date?
Yes, in order to secure the date we require a signed contract and a 50% deposit.

When do you require a final guest count?
We require 10 days advanced notice. Events over $20,000 require 14 days advance notice.

When do I need to finalize any menu changes?
10 days prior to the event date. For events over $20,000, 30 days prior to the event date.

Do you provide tastings?
Yes, we are happy to offer our clients a tasting for events over $10k once you have received a proposal.  We charge $500 for a group of 4 people per guest, which is applied towards the balance with a signed contract.

Are you a certified green business?
 Yes!  Our principles, policies and practices aim to improve the quality of life and create  a positive effect for our customers, employees, communities, and the planet.

 How long have you been around?
 Left Coast Catering got its start working in the Silicon Valley in 1994 catering private dinners for some of the top executives. Since then we have grown into a full service catering company that has accommodated events of up to 1,500 guests.

 What is the production charge?
The 18% is based on the event subtotal. The "production, administrative and insurance" charge helps to pay for staff that handle all aspects of our business that are not at your event, (both administrative and kitchen), and the many types of insurance we are required to hold. It is a standard for most caterers to include with their proposals, but many caterers refer to it simply as a "service charge"

Why is there tax on everything?
California Board of Equalization requires sales tax on all services.

What is your cancellation policy?
If you cancel your event after the date is booked (proposal is accepted and a date is reserved) there will be a cancellation fee  due based on the date of cancellation as follows:

  • Cancellation one month or more prior to the event, a 20% cancellation fee plus any costs incurred
  • Cancellation within two weeks prior to the event, a 50% cancellation fee plus any costs incurred
  • Cancellation within seven business days prior to the event, payment is due in full

What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards, personal checks and ACH transfers

How does billing work?
We require a 50% deposit, a credit card on file and a signed contract in order to save the date. Final balance is due the day of the event. We accept all major credit cards, checks, and cash.

Are you fully insured?
We carry 2 million dollars of liability insurance and workman's compensation Give us a call to discuss your event.

 

Let’s Start Planning Your Event Today!

Now that you know how we work, connect with us to start planning your next company event. We would love to make your launch party or team building dinner genuinely unforgettable. Please contact us now at (415) 934-0600 or complete our contact form.