Susan’s Kitchen Catering And Events Frequently Asked Questions About Catering, Wedding, Ordering, Budget, how to order, service options and more
From Private Parties to Corporate Events. We offer diverse, flavorful menus using only high quality, fresh and natural ingredients. We specialize in Corporate Breakfasts and Luncheons, Cocktail Parties, Gallery Openings, movie locations, Weddings, and all of life’s special events in between.
Catering for offices and corporate events
Do you cater corporate breakfasts and lunches in Manhattan offices?
Yes. We deliver breakfast from 6:00 AM and lunch through the day to Midtown and downtown offices, set up and labeled. Options run from individually packaged meals and boxed lunches to full buffets and staffed service. The minimum is six guests Monday through Friday. Send your date, headcount, delivery window and any dietary needs, and we will send a menu and a quote.
How much notice do you need for a catering order?
Twenty-four hours for most orders, and we will try for less. Staffed events for corporate and institutional clients usually need a couple of days, and busy seasons need more. For an unexpected event such as a memorial, call us and we will do what we can.
Is there a minimum order?
Yes. Six guests Monday through Friday, and $250 on weekends. Delivery pricing depends on the location and the arrangements for your event. Our catering service area covers New York, New Jersey and Long Island. Tell us the address and the delivery window and we will confirm coverage and cost before you commit to anything.
When do you need my final guest count?
Two days before your event. Inside those two days we can usually still accommodate a reasonable increase in attendance, so tell us as soon as you know rather than assuming it is too late.
Do you handle large corporate events and conferences?
Yes. Our event team has planned and executed events for up to 3,000 guests, including conferences, upfront presentations, media activations, fundraisers and all-day seminars, across New York City, the Hamptons and the tri-state area. Multi-day conference service is timed to your agenda: breakfast, breaks, lunch and receptions. Send your dates, venue and schedule for a proposal.
Do you cater nonprofit and fundraising events?
Yes. Benefit dinners, school galas, fundraisers and closing dinners are a regular part of our work, and we are always willing to work with nonprofit organizations to meet event needs on an individual basis. We are a certified Women-owned Business Enterprise, which matters to organizations carrying supplier diversity requirements.
Can I see references or a client list?
Yes. We list several recommendations on this website and keep a longer list available on request. We can also provide a client list you are welcome to call for a referral. Ask our catering coordinator and we will put it together for you.
Menus, tastings and dietary needs
Can I customize the menu?
Yes. Every menu on this site is fully customizable and we build menus from scratch regularly. Tell us the occasion, headcount, budget range and any dietary requirements and our team will put options together. Changes can usually be made up to three days out, and orders are final two days before the event.
Can we sample the food before booking?
Yes, and there is no charge for it. We are always happy to provide a sampling so you know exactly what is arriving before you commit. Contact us to arrange a tasting around your menu and your date.
Can you handle dietary restrictions and allergies?
Yes. We offer full vegan and vegetarian courses designed alongside the rest of the menu, plus gluten-free and health-forward options, and we label items at service. Please raise allergies when you plan the event rather than on the day, so we can build the menu around them and brief the kitchen properly.
Do you have children’s pricing?
Yes. Children aged five to ten are charged at 50 percent of the adult price. Children four and under are free, though they are still counted for seating. We also offer a dedicated kids’ catering menu for family events, school functions and christenings, served alongside the adult food.
Do you provide wedding cakes?
We can provide all types of cakes and cupcakes, and we specialize in simple, unadorned, delicious ones. Many couples now choose a small personal cutting cake alongside a different dessert for their guests, and we are glad to build the menu either way.
Weddings, events and full-service production
Do you cater weddings?
Yes, from the rehearsal dinner through the reception. We handle plated, family-style, buffet and station service, cocktail hour, bar and dessert. Send your date, venue and estimated guest count and we will build a proposal around the style of service you want.
Do you offer event planning as well as food?
Yes. Beyond catering we handle venue sourcing, event design and decor, lighting, music and entertainment, floral, photography and audiovisual. If you do not have a planner, designate one point person at the event to make decisions on the day. If you are the couple, choose someone else to settle the end-of-night details so you can enjoy it.
Do you help find a venue?
Yes. We work with a range of venues across New York City and the surrounding areas and will gladly help you find the right space. We will also cater at any location you choose, and can make a site visit with you to work through the details.
Do you arrange floral design and decor?
Yes. We work with a handpicked group of floral designers and suppliers across New York City suited to a range of styles and budgets. Flowers are coordinated alongside your menu and tablescape rather than booked separately, so the room reads as one design.
Can you arrange entertainment?
Yes. From bands and disc jockeys through to comedy and theatrical acts, we can handle your event’s entertainment needs alongside the catering, so one team is coordinating the timing of the food and the room.
Do you arrange photography and videography?
Yes. We maintain relationships with photographers and videographers across New York City and can organize a range of personalized services as part of your event, coordinated with the run of the evening.
Do you provide audiovisual equipment?
Yes. We have access to a wide range of audio and visual technology providers, from detailed lighting design through to sound. Tell us what the room needs to do and we will bring in the right supplier alongside the catering.
Can you arrange rentals?
Yes, and we do not mark them up. We work with leading party rental companies for tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware and silverware, plus fine china, crystal and specialty linens. We can also arrange larger items such as canopies, stages and dance floors.
Do you provide bartenders and bar service?
Yes. We supply soda, water, beer, wine, liquor, ice and bar fruit, and can build custom drink menus and wine recommendations. Our bartenders and servers are trained professionals. Plan on one bartender per 100 guests for beer and wine, and one per 75 for a full bar.
On the day: staff, setup and service
What is the difference between full and casual catering?
Full catering is buffet style with our tables, linens, chafing dishes, real plates, silverware and serving utensils, and our staff stays through the meal and clears guest tables. Casual catering is delivered in disposable pans with quality disposable plates and utensils and proper serving pieces, with no staff on site. You set it up however you like.
What staff can you provide?
Our team includes waiter captains, bartenders, chefs, porters, hosts, waiters, coat check attendants and valet service. The right number depends on the size and style of your event. Our standard uniform is black trousers, black shoes, a white shirt and a white apron; tell us if you need something specific.
How many servers will my event need?
As a rule, one server per 25 guests at a buffet and one per 20 for a seated dinner, with a two-server minimum. A lavish six-course seated dinner may need one per 10 to 12; a very simple buffet may need only one per 35. We will recommend a minimum based on your event details.
What are your staffing rates?
Event manager $85 per hour, on-site chef $75, bartender $55 to $75, event staff $45, kitchen staff $45. Labor is charged per hour per worker whenever an event requires our staff on site, and every proposal lists it separately so you can see it.
Do you set up and clean up?
Yes. We dress and set the tables, clear them through the meal, and clean the service and kitchen area, leaving it as we found it.
What is included with a drop-off order?
Disposable plates, bowls, cups, napkins, cutlery and serving utensils are included. We provide linen for the buffet and set up any chafing dishes needed. China, silverware and stainless chafers are available at additional cost, but those require our staff on site.
What presentation can I expect from a drop-off?
Items arrive in wicker baskets and high-quality disposable platters and bowls, with plates, napkins, cutlery, serving utensils and cups included. China trays, service plates, silverware and stainless chafers are available for an additional charge. Lost or damaged non-disposable equipment is charged to the customer.
Is a plated meal the same price as a buffet?
No. A plated and served meal costs more than a self-service buffet, because it requires service staff at the event. If budget is the deciding factor, tell us and we will show you both formats side by side for your guest count.
Ordering, delivery, payment and cancellation
What areas do you serve?
Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island, plus Long Island, Westchester County and New Jersey. We also work in the Hamptons and the wider tri-state area for events. Give us the address and the delivery window and we will confirm coverage before you book.
How do I place an order?
Write out your order and email it to contact@nysusankitchen.com, or call us. We will acknowledge the request, call with any questions, and send a formal written confirmation. A credit card is required to guarantee the order. One important note: if you have not received a written confirmation from us, your order has not been placed.
Can I change my order after placing it?
Usually yes, if you let us know at least three days before your event. Tell us when you submit the order if you expect to adjust it. All orders are final two days before the event date, and we cannot make changes after that point.
What is your cancellation policy?
You can cancel at no charge up to 24 hours before delivery. Because every order is prepared to order, cancelling inside 24 hours incurs a 50 percent charge depending on the order, and same-day cancellations are billed in full. Cancellations must be made by phone, not by voicemail or email. Changes can be made up to 12 hours before delivery.
How do private customers pay?
Cash or credit card; we accept all major cards but not personal checks. A credit card is required to guarantee every order. Payment is due two days before pickup or delivery and we charge the card at that point. If payment does not clear two days out, the order cannot be fulfilled.
How do corporate accounts pay?
We welcome corporate charge accounts; call us for an application. We accept major credit cards, cash, company checks and house accounts. House account deliveries must go to the corporate address on file, with any exception pre-approved by phone. House accounts are billed monthly, and special event parties require a deposit.
Besides the food, what will appear on my invoice?
Your proposal lists every estimated charge: the per-person package price, labor for service staff, any rental upgrades we obtain on your behalf, and sales tax. An industry-standard 10 percent administrative fee is added to catering orders. We would rather you see the whole number up front.
Are gratuities included in the bill?
No. Gratuities are entirely at your discretion and are never added to your bill. Anything you do choose to leave is distributed among our catering staff at the discretion of our catering manager.
How can I compare quotes from two different caterers?
Caterers present bids differently. Some quote food only in the per-person price, others include service, and others include linens or china. Before comparing two numbers, check that both include the same items. Ask each caterer what is not in the figure, and compare the totals rather than the headline rate.
Are you insured?
Yes. We are fully licensed and insured for product and liquor liability up to five million dollars, and our staff are covered by workers’ compensation. Venues that ask for a certificate of insurance can be sent one directly.
Let’s Start Planning Your Event!
Our expert event planners are ready to answer your questions and help turn your vision into reality. Whether you’re planning a corporate event or a wedding, Susan’s Kitchen is your trusted partner for top-tier catering services. From healthy options to special dietary needs, we’ve got you covered.
Contact Susan’s Kitchen today to discuss your next event—we’re here to make it unforgettable.
