Business Details
22 Years
experience
Your Trusted Catering & Gourmet Meal Experts in Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Emerald Coast Catering has been serving the Emerald Coast for 17 years with award-winning catering and gourmet meal services. Founded in 2004 by Chef Gary Serafin, our team combines over 35 years of culinary expertise with a commitment to quality ingredients and exceptional service. We specialize in full-service catering for weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings, offering customizable menus ranging from Southern to Floribbean cuisine. Our licensed and insured operations are regularly inspected by the Florida State Health Department, ensuring the highest standards of food safety and hygiene. We provide turnkey event solutions, including staffing, rentals, and beverage services, tailored to both local and destination clients.Our dedication to community involvement and charitable organizations reflects our commitment to giving back to the regions we serve. With a focus on innovation and client satisfaction, we guide clients through every step of the planning process, whether locally or remotely. Our accolades include recognition from Wine Spectator and Florida Trend Magazine, underscoring our reputation as a trusted leader in the catering industry. From intimate dinners to large-scale events, we prioritize personalized service, attention to detail, and culinary excellence. Our Gourmet to Go program extends this expertise to convenient, chef-prepared meals for families and individuals, maintaining the same standards of freshness and flavor.
Services
Full-Service Catering
Gourmet Meals to Go
Wedding Catering
Event Planning
Menu Customization
Party Rentals
Rehearsal Dinners
Destination Weddings
Economy Menus
Beverage Services
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- We are fully licensed by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulations
- Regularly inspected by the State Health Department for food safety compliance
- Carry Event Liability Insurance for all events
- Active participants in local charitable organizations
- Award-winning catering services with 17 years of experience
What people say
Delicious meals
Professional service
Stress-free planning
Attentive staff
Exceptional food quality
Services
Full-Service Catering
We provide comprehensive catering solutions for weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings. Our services include menu design, staffing, rentals, and on-site execution. Clients benefit from our expertise in creating seamless, memorable experiences with gourmet cuisine and professional service.
Gourmet Meals to Go
Our Gourmet to Go program offers chef-prepared meals for pickup, featuring restaurant-quality ingredients and recipes. Meals are flash-frozen for freshness and easy preparation at home. Ideal for families or individuals seeking convenient, flavorful dining options without compromising quality.
Wedding Catering
Specializing in destination weddings, we handle all catering needs from intimate ceremonies to large receptions. Services include custom menus, beverage pairings, and coordination with preferred vendors. Our team ensures stress-free planning and execution for couples and event planners.
Event Planning
We offer full-service event design and coordination, including venue selection, decor, and logistics management. Our team collaborates with clients to create personalized themes and ensure every detail aligns with their vision, enhancing the overall guest experience.
Party Rentals
Complementing our catering services, we provide rental items like tables, chairs, linens, and dinnerware. This ensures cohesive event setups and reduces the need for multiple vendors, streamlining the planning process for clients while maintaining quality and consistency.
People
Gary Serafin
Owner & Executive Chef
With over 35 years in the food industry, Chef Gary Serafin founded Emerald Coast Catering in 2004. A Wine Spectator award winner, he brings expertise in gourmet cuisine and event catering, ensuring exceptional service and culinary excellence.
Questions
What services does Emerald Coast Catering offer?
We provide full-service catering, gourmet meals to go, wedding catering, event planning, and party rentals across Northwest Florida.
Do you cater to destination weddings?
Yes, we specialize in destination weddings, offering comprehensive catering and event coordination for couples planning remotely.
Are your meals customizable?
Yes, we welcome custom menu requests and work closely with clients to tailor dishes to their preferences and event themes.
What areas do you serve?
We serve the Emerald Coast from Panama City Beach to Pensacola, including Santa Rosa Beach, Niceville, and Crestview.
Is your catering service licensed and insured?
Yes, we are fully licensed by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulations and carry Event Liability Insurance.
Reviews (5)
Peter Goldman
May 21, 2022
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Have you stopped in to see the ready-to-go meals? Classic recipes, full of flavor. Absolutely delicious!
Jayne Jackson
Dec 18, 2018
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We hired Gary with ECC to cater our destination wedding and everything exceeded our expectations. He was great about communication surrounding the event. The food was so so good and everyone was very professional. We enjoyed having them at our event. Highly recommend!
Eva Mcb
Oct 28, 2016
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This vendor was great to work with. We were miles away trying to plan for our special day and they were extremely helpful. ECC came over to the property when we arrived to help with the layout and this meant a lot to us. The only reason I won't give a 4 star rating is because they were late to set up. While our outside tables and cake table looked great, the presentation of the food was not what I expected.
The kitchen counter top was used in place of 2 food stations and a side salad bar (paid for), which was discussed and planned a few day before the wedding. The down side was there were no cloths/decor or anything used to make the servings attractive. All food items left over were to be boxed and left, and that didn't happen. We expected a little more. I suggest being very specific with how the food stations will be displayed. Perhaps the late arrival had an impact on the food station set up.
The kitchen counter top was used in place of 2 food stations and a side salad bar (paid for), which was discussed and planned a few day before the wedding. The down side was there were no cloths/decor or anything used to make the servings attractive. All food items left over were to be boxed and left, and that didn't happen. We expected a little more. I suggest being very specific with how the food stations will be displayed. Perhaps the late arrival had an impact on the food station set up.
Shana Fuerst
May 29, 2014
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I just have to say.a destination wedding was HARD work! Out of all of the vendors that were hired, Emerald Coast Catering came through with everything they said they would perfectly! We decided on the "economy menu" with the BBQ. We did both chicken breast, pulled pork and chose 3 sides.and it was perfect! The food was delicious! (for both our guests from Germany and also our Oklahoma guests!) We also hired the premium bartender service for 4 hours.
The 2 guys that came to serve the food and drinks were the only vendors I hired that said "It's your day, I'll do it however you like!" I can't say enough positive things.so glad we decided to hire Emerald Coast Catering!
The 2 guys that came to serve the food and drinks were the only vendors I hired that said "It's your day, I'll do it however you like!" I can't say enough positive things.so glad we decided to hire Emerald Coast Catering!
Elaine Tucker
Dec 18, 2013
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This was the 4th wedding of our 4 children and the 3rd in 18 months.and by far the BEST! I never worried about a thing - I knew that the event would be everything my daughter wanted, the food would be awesome, all our guests would have a great time, and my husband and I would have a good time also. As an Event Planner, it is hard not to do things myself, but this wedding was a joy to plan, a joy to be at and my friends are still taking about the fabulous food.
The wedding took place outdoors so we needed tents, tables, chairs, and linens. The wedding ceremony and the reception were in different locations on the property so we need various set-ups, the weather was very unpredictable, the wedding started in the daylight and ended very late so we needed lighting, and we were expecting over 200 guests. The staff of Emerald Coast Catering was awesome and the wedding could not have been better. I would recommend Emerald Coast Catering to anyone planning a wedding, or event on the Emerald Coast!
The wedding took place outdoors so we needed tents, tables, chairs, and linens. The wedding ceremony and the reception were in different locations on the property so we need various set-ups, the weather was very unpredictable, the wedding started in the daylight and ended very late so we needed lighting, and we were expecting over 200 guests. The staff of Emerald Coast Catering was awesome and the wedding could not have been better. I would recommend Emerald Coast Catering to anyone planning a wedding, or event on the Emerald Coast!
