Weddings & Social
Wedding catering with menus that carry your story
Wedding and celebration catering across New York City and northern New Jersey, with menus built around who you are, not a fixed list. American Bistro with Mediterranean and Caribbean influence, and a chef who listens.
Who this is for.
Couples who care about the food as much as the flowers, and who want a caterer they can actually reach and trust. Weddings, engagement parties, showers, anniversaries and the milestones in between, from intimate gatherings to full celebrations.
The menu
American Bistro with Mediterranean and Caribbean influence.
Your menu should taste like you.
We have prepared weddings that honored a couple’s Caribbean heritage alongside American favorites, and weddings built on classic cooking techniques. Oxtail and jerk sitting happily beside filet mignon or a delicate fish course. We start from your story and your guest list and build from there.
Pricing.
Every wedding is priced to your menu, your guest count and the service you need. There are no fixed packages, because there is no fixed wedding. You get a clear quote built for your day, and the only set cost up front is the tasting.
$300
The tasting.
Before you book, we sit down and taste the plan together. The tasting is $300 for up to four guests, and it is credited toward your event when you go ahead and book us. Every other cost is built into the custom quote for your day.
Dietary needs
Every guest, accounted for.
Gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegan and allergy-aware options on every menu. Tell us what your guests need and it is built in, not bolted on.
Process
How it works.
- Start with a free 20-minute consultation about your date, guest count and the kind of wedding you are dreaming of.
- We talk it through and shape a menu to your taste and budget.
- Book a tasting and taste the plan once we agree on the menu and pricing, before you commit.
- We lock your date and handle the food, service and clean-up so you can enjoy your day.
Kind words
From the celebrations we’ve cooked for.
Rated 5 out of 5
There aren’t enough compliments that are worthy…
“When I explained to Charmaine that I wanted to honor my Caribbean culture by serving a mix of American and Trinidadian food for my 10-year anniversary party, she rose to the occasion. … When I called Charmaine the day before about a last-minute change to the menu to account for food sensitivities, she didn’t even skip a beat. And my guests LOVED all of it.”
Read the full review
I’ve stewed over this review for a while not because, Charmaine isn’t deserving, but because I wanted to make sure I wrote a review that truly did her justice. Words cannot describe how impressed I was with her responsiveness, innovative thinking, flexibility, and of course fabulous food. She was never difficult to get a hold of and always responded to all of my questions in a very timely manner.
When I explained to Charmaine that I wanted to honor my Caribbean culture by serving a mix of American and Trinidadian food for my 10-year anniversary party, she rose to the occasion. She provided amazing suggestions. Some of the foods included in the passed hors d’oeuvre event included fried plantain, burger sliders, beef patties, jerk wings, and teriyaki wings amongst other foods.
When I called Charmaine the day before about a last-minute change to the menu to account for food sensitivities, she didn’t even skip a beat. And my guests LOVED all of it. They continued raving about the food for DAYS following the event. Even my picky two-year-old devoured the beef patties.
To say, that I will be singing the praises for Charmaine of the Culinary Curate is an understatement. If you don’t utilize her service, you will certainly regret it.
Terri, 10-year anniversary party
WeddingWire · May 2023
Rated 5 out of 5
Taste testing/ Wedding Caterer
“Charmaine is AMAZING. Great communicator, super flexible and creative. … We had our taste testing earlier this year and it did not disappoint.”
Read the full review
Charmaine is AMAZING. Great communicator, super flexible and creative. We hired Charmaine and her team for our wedding next September 2024. We had our taste testing earlier this year and it did not disappoint. I am looking forward to our wedding day and having Charmaine and her team there!
Noemia, Wedding, after the tasting
WeddingWire · July 2023
Rated 5 out of 5
My Expectations Were Exceeded!!
“They created an amazing menu that my guests absolutely loved. … Their wait staff was friendly, professional, and accommodating.”
Read the full review
The Culinary Curate catered my daughter’s Business School Graduation Party. They catered the cocktail hour and main dinner. They created an amazing menu that my guests absolutely loved. They even recommended beautiful cutlery, table clothes, and napkins that accented the decor. Their wait staff was friendly, professional, and accommodating. I’d use there services over and over again.
Michele, Graduation party
WeddingWire · June 2022
Rated 5 out of 5
Perfect for my CD release!
“Charmaine and her staff ensured everything was in order and the menu was carefully selected making sure it would fit with the event and venue. The food was delicious, the service outstanding and those who attended were very pleased.”
Read the full review
It was my first CD release and I wanted it to be something very special. Charmaine and her staff ensured everything was in order and the menu was carefully selected making sure it would fit with the event and venue. The food was delicious, the service outstanding and those who attended were very pleased. Many asked for Charmaine’s contact. All I can say is; you can NOT go wrong with this company. Charmaine is very personable and honest, and her staff are also very responsible and carried a positive sphere that spread as well as melted in with the event as a whole. IF there were 10 stars to give, I would do that!!
Helen, CD release party
WeddingWire · June 2023
FAQ
Questions couples ask.
Can you build a menu around our heritage or a specific cuisine?
Yes, that is exactly what we love to do. Caribbean, American, Mediterranean or a blend of all three.
Do you cater small or intimate weddings?
Yes. We cater celebrations of every size.
How do we secure our date?
A deposit reserves your date on the calendar. Deposits are non-refundable, so we like to know you are fully committed to working with us.
Can you accommodate every dietary need at our wedding?
Yes. Share your guests’ needs and we build the menu around them.
How far do you travel?
Across New York City, northern NJ and the surrounding region; travel beyond the core area is quoted up front.
