Catering to Your Every Desire: As far as big events go, dinner parties, wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners and bridesmaids’ luncheons are some of the most memorable portions of a celebration as they bring friends and family together in a festive setting to share each other’s company. When searching for an area restaurant to host or cater a big event, ask for a menu so you can sit and enjoy reading the delicious descriptions of their various offerings. Local restaurants will appreciate your interest and may provide a special rate, setting or unique menu items if they know you’re considering bringing a large party to their establishment.
 

For events that need to be catered in an off-site location, spend time with several preferred caterers and restaurants, and talk frankly with them about your budget, the style of catering you’re looking for, the location and any constraints, and the types of food you’re interested in. Request a private tasting to sample a caterer’s offerings and view their food presentation. It’s also a good idea to ask if dinnerware is included in the contract. You don’t want to overlap with event organizers or pay extra for a restaurant or caterer’s dinnerware if you’ve already got that item covered.

Styles of receptions typically include heavy hors d'oeuvres only, a buffet with carving stations for selections of ham, turkey or prime rib, or a traditional seated dinner. But in the coastal areas of North Carolina, truly almost anything goes, including a pig pickin’ or a clambake!

When planning an event on the coast, you might want to consider a menu featuring some of North Carolina’s specialties. Fresh seafood can be prepared in almost any way from fried to formal, featuring dipping sauces and other embellishments. Area restaurants and caterers usually specialize in fresh seafood dishes, so ask what’s in season. Using plentiful local seafood may also save you some money.

For less formal receptions or afternoon or dinner parties, inquire about traditional North Carolina barbecue. This taste-tempting treat can be a unique addition to an event menu and an item to get your guests talking. Area restaurateurs and caterers will always be able to offer other unique items, special Southern fare, or specialties of the house. Just ask!

Make sure when talking to proposed caterers that they are clear on the date, time of reception, location, number of guests expected, the level of hospitality you wish to provide and your absolute limit on charges per guest. Costs are usually quoted per guest – or if the event is buffet-style, on the largest number of people expected. Always ask for quotes and confirmation in writing and keep copies in a safe location.

Other questions you might pose when talking to caterers or area restaurateurs are do they cater for people with special dietary needs, providing vegetarian, low sodium or kosher alternatives? How much notice of final numbers do they require? Will they take care of the serving and/or the clearing? If catering at an off-site location or home, what kitchen facilities do they require? How much deposit needs to be paid, and by when? When is the final bill to be settled?

Good, friendly and ongoing communication (even down to the last minute) with your event’s caterer or hosting restaurant will help your event run as smoothly as possible and in the end will save both you, and the caterer or restaurant, money and resources that might otherwise be wasted.

Just Desserts: Everyone looks forward to a beautiful cake or delicious dessert at big events. For a wedding reception, the cake is many times the event centerpiece. Order your wedding cake as soon as possible, at least two to four months prior to your wedding. Some businesses specialize in just cakes and bakery items, but don’t forget to ask your main food caterer about their ability to provide wedding cakes, as well.
           
It’s always better to book your vendor as soon as possible and then finalize the details closer to your wedding date. Make sure you request a written copy of your order. The order should include cake type and style, a general description of the decoration, the number of layers and filling for each layer, plus the wedding or event date and time, and location of the event. This way, no one forgets the specifics of the advance order.
           
Today’s wedding cakes are leaning toward a more simple, and sometimes whimsical style. Decorations of fresh flowers are in, as are flavorful cakes. While the icing or fondant may be white, guests are being treated to rich cake flavors such as amaretto, hazelnut and pecan praline and fillings such as raspberry, peanut butter and Irish crème.
           
And don’t forget, talk with local caterers or bakers about specialty items for coastal weddings such as seashell or marine shapes to add that special touch to your coastal event. Trends to watch: tiers of specialty-flavored cupcakes, monogrammed cakes, and ice-cream wedding cakes! Read much more about area caterers & cake providers in the print version of the Coastal Event Planner.

 
Select Caterers & Restaurants:

A Catered Affair
3402 B. Trent Road, New Bern, NC
252.637.7331

American Dream Cakes
1121 Gum Branch Road, Jacksonville, NC
910.346.2347
www.americandreamcakes.com

Bistro by the Sea
4031 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC
252.247.2777
www.bistro-by-the-sea.com

Channel Marker Waterfront Restaurant 
Atlantic Beach Causeway, Atlantic Beach, NC
252.247.2344
www.thechannelmarker.com

Chelsea Restaurant
Historic Downtown New Bern, NC
252.637.5469
www.thechelsea.com 

Chris’ Cakes
Jacksonville, NC
910.347.0983
chrisburris1979@hotmail.com

Class Act Catering
Serving Eastern NC
252.354.3477
phyllis_manning@hotmail.com

Clawson’s 1921 Restaurant
Front Street, Beaufort, NC
252.728.2133

Country Club of the Crystal Coast
152 Oakleaf Drive, Pine Knoll Shores, NC
252.726.1034
www.cccrystalcoast.com

Divine Desserts
Serving Eastern NC
252.622.1009
www.christysdivinedesserts.com

Edible Arrangements
2599 Henderson Drive, Jacksonville, NC
910.478.4980
www.ediblearrangements.com    

Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant
4th & Bridges Street, Morehead City, NC
252.727.1921
floyds1921@earthlink.net

Kathy Canby Cakes
Serving Jacksonville and the Surrounding Areas
910.347.5403
www.kathycanbycakes.com

Lebanon Valley Cuisine
4219 A & B Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC
252.726.6668

Morehead City Country Club
2900 Country Club Road, Morehead City, NC
252.726.2089

Pam’s Specialized Catering
Serving Eastern NC
252.240.3256
pkaiser@ec.rr.com

Sharpies Grill & Bar
521 Front Street, Beaufort, NC
252.838.0101
www.sharpiesgrill.com

The Flame Banquet Centre & Catering Service
Historic New Bern, NC
252.633.0262

White Swan Chicken & BBQ     
2500 West Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC
252.726.9607

Windansea Restaurant   
708 Evans Street, Morehead City, NC
252.247.3000
www.windansea.net