Sarasota Catering Company

Business Details

22 Years

experience

Your Trusted Catering Partner in Sarasota, FL

Sarasota Catering Company has been serving the community for 20 years, overcoming challenges like economic downturns and natural disasters to build a reputation for exceptional service and quality food. Founded on the principle that superior service differentiates us, we have expanded our expertise to master both culinary excellence and event execution. Our team has catered over 500 events annually, ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale weddings and corporate functions, while maintaining a commitment to client satisfaction. Recognized by industry awards and professional organizations, we prioritize personalized service, working closely with clients to create tailored menus and seamless event experiences. Community involvement remains central to our mission, supporting local nonprofits through donations and partnerships.

Our dedicated staff, many with long-term tenure, contribute to continuous innovation and the high standards that define our operations. We specialize in full-service catering across Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties, offering rentals, staffing, and coordination to ensure every event succeeds. Our licensed alcohol service and partnerships with top venues further enhance our ability to deliver comprehensive solutions. With a focus on transparency and client-centric values, we guarantee reliability and quality in every detail. This enduring commitment to excellence has made us a trusted choice for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions throughout Florida.

Services

Wedding Catering Corporate Catering Event Planning Menu Tastings Preferred Vendor List Catering Menus Day of Coordination Food Catering Party Catering Bar Services

Details

Year established: 2004

Highlights and features

We have 20 years of experience catering 500-700 events annually across Florida.
Our team holds licenses for alcohol service and full-event coordination.
We maintain partnerships with top venues like Ringling Museum and Mote Marine.
Our staff includes long-tenured professionals dedicated to continuous improvement.
We support local nonprofits through food donations and community partnerships.

What people say

Excellent service Delicious food Stress-free events Professional staff Creative menus

Website

Update Listing

Services

Wedding Catering

Sarasota Catering Company specializes in creating unforgettable wedding experiences through customized menus and seamless service execution. Our team collaborates with clients to design culinary experiences that reflect personal tastes while maintaining professional standards. With partnerships at premier venues like Ringling Museum and Mote Marine Aquarium, we ensure every detail aligns with the couple's vision. Our comprehensive approach includes menu tastings, rental coordination, and on-site staff management to guarantee flawless delivery.

Corporate Catering

We deliver sophisticated corporate catering solutions for meetings, galas, and business functions with gourmet food and professional service. Our experienced planners coordinate logistics from menu selection to equipment rentals, ensuring timely execution. Licensed alcohol service and customizable packages accommodate diverse business needs, from executive luncheons to large-scale conferences. Our reputation for reliability makes us the preferred choice for Sarasota's top companies.

Event Planning

Our full-service event planning includes venue selection, timeline creation, and vendor coordination to ensure stress-free experiences. From initial proposal development to final execution, our professionals manage every detail. We offer site visits, menu customization, and rental assistance to create cohesive events that match client visions while maintaining budget parameters.

Menu Tastings

Private tastings allow clients to experience our culinary offerings before finalizing menus. For $25 per guest (minimum two people), we showcase selected dishes to ensure flavor profiles meet expectations. This service helps refine choices while maintaining budget constraints, ensuring every dish aligns with the event's theme and guest preferences.

Bar Services

As one of few licensed off-premise caterers, we provide comprehensive bar services including professional bartenders and premium beverage selections. Our staff manages alcohol service logistics while maintaining responsible serving practices. This service eliminates the need for separate vendors, ensuring seamless integration with food service and event coordination.

People

Lance Thompson

Owner & Executive Chef

With 20 years leading Sarasota Catering Company, Lance Thompson combines culinary expertise with business acumen to maintain our reputation for excellence. His media appearances and community involvement reflect his commitment to quality and service.

Allison Whitten

Sales & Marketing

Allison manages client relations and marketing initiatives, ensuring our services reach new audiences while maintaining personal connections with returning clients through strategic outreach and event promotion.

Deb Sims

Culinary Team Lead

As head chef, Deb oversees menu development and kitchen operations, maintaining consistent quality across 500-700 annual events while mentoring staff to uphold our culinary standards.

Dwight Smith

Service Staff Lead

Dwight coordinates our event staff, ensuring professional service execution at every function. His team management maintains the high standards that clients expect from our 20-year-established business.

Cindi Shoe

Event Coordinator

Cindi works directly with clients to plan events, managing logistics from initial proposals through final execution while maintaining our commitment to personalized service and attention to detail.

Questions

How do I choose the right caterer for my event?

Research experience, check references, and request tastings to ensure quality and reliability.

What services does Sarasota Catering Company Company offer?

We provide full-service catering, event planning, rentals, staffing, and licensed alcohol service.

Can menus be customized for dietary restrictions?

Yes, we offer vegetarian, vegan, and specialty menus to accommodate all dietary needs.

Do you cater outside Sarasota County?

We serve Bradenton, Venice, Boca Grande, and Lakewood Ranch areas with full coordination.

What payment options are available?

We require a $500 deposit with flexible payment plans for remaining balances.

Reviews (5)

Write a Review

Scott Hammersand

Jun 04, 2022 Report

This company was highly recommended by a good friend who used them for several events. We trusted them for our wedding and were blown away by the amazing experience. The staff member at our reception was an angel and made several to-go containers for us as we were too busy to eat much at the time. The food was incredible and the presentation was perfect. We worked with Savannah Dyer and she did a great job on advising us with the amount needed. 5/5 Stars

Lauren Brightwell

Jun 02, 2022 Report

We engaged SCC for our Wedding at Spanish Point. They were Fantastic from start to finish! We engaged Savannah Dyer for "Day of Wedding Planning". She was also Fantastic! To start we got an immediate response on our initial inquiry for catering and planning services for our Wedding (which we did not receive from other recommended Catering Companies). The menu options were reasonably priced and the food at the event was Delicious! Savannah handled EVERYTHING! she followed up, made suggestions, was responsive and helpful.

I didn't worry about anything leading up to the big day. She managed and coordinated our timeline with all of our other vendors. Could NOT have done it without her! She was a pleasure to work with! Highly recommend!

Debbie Mc Hardy

Apr 27, 2022 Report

Sarasota Catering and their staff were so awesome. They catered the food and did the bar for a recent WCR event for me at Benderson tower. The staff were so helpful and accommodating, the food was yummy and we had a great evening. Highly recommend you chat to Sashi to all catering needs

Lauren W.

Apr 17, 2022 Report

Sarasota Catering Co provided services for our recent event with outstanding excellence. The sales team were patient and completely knowledgeable. Everything they told us not only happened, but surpassed any expectations. The food was delicious, served hot and presented beautifully. The cleanup was handled professionally with great care. Just can't thank them enough for everything.

Nancy Munson

Apr 12, 2022 Report

The staff was friendly and efficient, the food was excellent! Our wedding was all we hoped it would be and more.