Catering for Your Next Event at The Shop
Planning an event at The Shop at the CAC? Once you know your date, space, and guest count, food is usually one of the next things to figure out.
The good news is that you don’t have to take your group somewhere else to eat. There are several local caterers that can bring food directly to The Shop, whether you’re feeding a small group of four or planning an event for 100 people.
We’ve worked with all of the vendors below, and they’re familiar with The Shop and our event spaces. Depending on the caterer and what you’re planning, you can choose between drop-and-go catering or full-service catering, where an attendant stays on-site to help with the food and service.
Here are some of the caterers we recommend.
Madeline Fitzpatrick | Chef Fitzpatrick
Chef Madeline Fitzpatrick is one of our favorite catering options at The Shop. Madeline regularly pops up at The Shop with her Soul Noodle concept, so she’s already familiar with the space and our events.
She’s catered everything from weddings and conferences to receptions of up to 350 people, so she can work with both smaller gatherings and larger events.
Madeline offers both drop-and-go and serviced catering. If you’re planning an event with a bar, ask her about handling the bar setup as well. She can provide the additional help needed to keep both food and drinks covered.
Madeline is also a NOCHI alumna and a local entrepreneur.
Good for: Meetings, lunches, receptions, happy hours, and larger events.
Martin Wine Cellar
A reliable local option
Martin Wine Cellar is a good choice if you want plenty of menu options and different price points to work with.
They can handle everything from simple drop-off catering to events that need staff and bartenders. That flexibility makes them a good option for both meetings and larger events.
Good for: Breakfast and lunch meetings, office events, receptions, happy hours, and larger gatherings.
Chef Ace & Chi-Cajun Catering
Chef Ace & Chi-Cajun Catering is another caterer that knows The Shop well. They’ve done several events here and regularly pop up at The Shop.
The local, Black-owned business offers Cajun-inspired food that works well when you want something other than the typical sandwich or boxed lunch.
They can accommodate different types of events and group sizes, making them a good option for everything from a casual team lunch to an evening event.
Good for: Lunches, team events, receptions, and casual gatherings.
Contact: Marcello Martin — chefboyrme2@gmail.com
Gracious Bakery
Gracious Bakery is a good option when you need something simple for a meeting or event.
Their catering works particularly well for breakfast meetings, pastries, sandwiches, desserts, and other items that are easy to put out for a group. It’s also a good choice when you don’t need a caterer to stay throughout the event.
Good for: Breakfast meetings, coffee breaks, lunches, pastries, and smaller events.
El Pavo Real
If you’re looking for something a little different for lunch or an event, El Pavo Real is worth considering.
The New Orleans restaurant offers catering that can work well for casual group meals and events. It’s a good alternative to the standard corporate lunch options and gives you a chance to bring some Mexican food into the mix.
Good for: Team lunches, casual events, celebrations, and group meals.
St. James Cheese Company
Not every event needs a full meal. For networking events, happy hours, and receptions, a selection of cheese, charcuterie, sandwiches, and other small bites can be a better fit.
St. James Cheese Company is a good option for this type of event. Their catering can be set up as a spread for guests to grab while they mingle, making it especially useful for events where people aren’t sitting down to eat.
Good for: Happy hours, networking events, receptions, client events, and smaller gatherings.
Bonfire Events & Catering
If you’re looking for a more comprehensive catering setup, Bonfire Events & Catering is a good option.
Bonfire is the catering arm of Brechtel Hospitality and is run by Emmeline Johnston, a former Ritz-Carlton event manager and former CAC director of sales. They offer a broader range of catering services and can provide full-service staffing and bar service.
This is a good option when you don’t want your team worrying about the food during the event and would rather have catering staff handle the details.
Good for: Corporate events, receptions, client events, and larger gatherings that need full-service catering.
Drop-and-Go vs. Full Service
When you’re choosing a caterer, one of the first things to decide is how much help you need.
Drop-and-go is usually the easiest option. The caterer brings the food, sets it up, and leaves. This works especially well for finger foods, boxed lunches, pastries, sandwiches, and other food that doesn’t require someone to stay and serve it.
Full-service catering means the caterer provides someone to stay with the event. An attendant can help with setup, keep food stocked, assist guests, and clean up throughout the event.
For a small meeting, drop-and-go may be all you need. For a larger reception, having someone on-site can make things much easier for the person organizing the event.
When getting a quote, make sure you ask what’s included. Staffing, setup, serving utensils, plates, napkins, drinks, and cleanup aren’t necessarily included with every catering package.
How Much Food Do You Need?
The right catering setup depends a lot on your group size and what you’re doing.
For 4–10 people, a simple lunch, pastries, sandwiches, or a small spread is usually enough.
For 10–30 people, you have more options. A buffet, shared platters, or a combination of appetizers and small bites can work well.
For 30–100 people, it’s worth thinking about service and logistics in addition to the food. Depending on the event, you may want a buffet attendant, passed appetizers, a staffed bar, or someone from the catering company to manage the food throughout the event.
And whatever your group size, make sure to let the caterer know about dietary restrictions when you request your quote. It’s much easier to plan for those needs in advance.
Planning an Event at The Shop?
Whether you’re bringing in four people for a meeting or hosting 100 guests for an evening event, you have plenty of catering options without having to leave The Shop.
Our catering partners are already familiar with the facility, which makes the planning process a little easier. You can choose the food, decide how much service you need, and let the caterer handle the rest. However, if you decide to go off-site for your meals, we have suggestions for that as well!
Need a space for your next meeting or event? Get in touch with The Shop at the CAC to learn more about our meeting and event spaces.