Bartleby & Sage
Bartleby & Sage is a Brooklyn-based, female-owned full-service catering and event planning company serving weddings, corporate events, Mitzvahs, and private celebrations across NYC and the tri-state area, with pricing per event and a 30+ year operating history.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersBrooklyn, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Bartleby & Sage does
Bartleby & Sage is a Brooklyn-based, female-owned full-service catering and event planning company founded in 1997 by Leslie Levin Nilsson. It serves clients in New York City and the broader tri-state area (New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester, Hudson Valley, and the Catskills), specializing in weddings, corporate events, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and private celebrations and galas. The company operates from a single Brooklyn kitchen and showroom at 630 Flushing Avenue, with a core team of approximately 10-20 staff led by the founder, a COO, an executive chef, a pastry chef, a marketing director, and a senior events captain, supplemented by event staff scaled to event size.
The service portfolio spans high-touch full-service catering and event design (weddings at $180-$240 per person plus a 20% production fee and 8.875% sales tax, with typical NYC weddings in the $35,000-$150,000+ range), corporate catering with a $2,500 minimum food and beverage spend and 20-guest minimum, drop-off catering, and bespoke exclusive events. Distribution is direct-to-client through the company website, founder-led consultations, venue referrals from a 60+ venue partnership network (including exclusive caterer status at Wainwright House), and listings on wedding platforms (WeddingWire, The Knot, Here Comes The Guide, Party Slate).
Bartleby & Sage is bootstrapped, with no institutional funding rounds disclosed, and is founder-controlled. Its revenue model is professional services, priced per event across weddings, corporate, Mitzvahs, galas, and drop-off segments. The company differentiates on locally sourced ingredients, sustainability commitments (biodegradable tableware, partnership with Re:Dish, 10% of profits donated to community organizations), founder-involved client consultations, private tastings, and 30+ years of brand recognition supported by media features in the Today Show, Food Network, ABC, the New York Times, Martha Stewart Weddings, and New York Magazine.
Bartleby & Sage firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bartleby & Sage
- Legal name
- Bartleby & Sage
- Website
- https://bartlebyandsage.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Bartleby & Sage is a Brooklyn-based, female-owned full-service catering and event planning company serving weddings, corporate events, Mitzvahs, and private celebrations across NYC and the tri-state area, with pricing per event and a 30+ year operating history.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bartleby & Sage industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Catering and Event Planning Services
- NAICS
- Caterers (722320), Caterers (72232), Food Service Contractors (722310)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating Places (5812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wedding & Social Event Catering (THAHAKAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Gala, Fundraiser & Nonprofit Event Catering (THAHAKAF), Venue & Banquet Hall Catering (THAFAIAC), Beverage Services (Bar Catering, Mixology, Beverage Programs) (THAHAKAJ)
Keywords
Where Bartleby & Sage is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brooklyn
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Bartleby & Sage business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Full-Service Catering & Event Planning: Comprehensive catering and event planning services for weddings, corporate events, Mitzvahs, and private celebrations. Revenue generated per event based on guest count, service style (passed hors d'oeuvres, plated dinner, buffet, family-style), bar packages, and event planning scope.
- Corporate Catering Services: Corporate event catering including executive lunches/dinners, all-day conferences, holiday parties, and product launches. Minimum $2,500 food & beverage spend with 20 guest minimum.
- Drop-Off Catering: Freshly prepared, beautifully presented breakfast, lunch, and dinner delivered directly to clients. Includes setup and cleanup services with eco-friendly biodegradable paper goods.
- Wedding Catering & Planning: Full-scale wedding catering starting at $180 per person (venue provides bar) or $240 per person (company provides bar), plus 20% production fee and 8.8% sales tax. Includes planning services, tastings, and custom menu development. Typical NYC wedding ranges $35,000-$150,000+ depending on guest count.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Event-based | Full-scale wedding catering - base rate |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Wedding tasting experience |
| Unit Pricing | Event-based | Corporate catering minimum |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
Bartleby & Sage product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bartleby & Sage is a full-service catering and event planning company that delivers food, beverage, staffing, and event design for weddings, corporate events, Mitzvahs, and private celebrations across NYC and the tri-state area. Services span from in-house culinary production and custom menu development to complete event logistics, vendor coordination, bar service, and on-site execution, with sustainable practices and locally sourced ingredients as a core differentiator.
Product overview
Bartleby & Sage is a premier full-service catering and event planning company offering a unified portfolio of services centered on culinary excellence and event design. The core offering encompasses Full-Service Catering & Event Planning, with specialized sub-products including Wedding Catering & Planning, Corporate Event Catering, Bar & Bat Mitzvah Catering, Drop-Off Catering, and Exclusive & Bespoke Events. Add-on modules include Wedding Planning Services (day-of coordination through full-year planning), Custom Wedding Cakes & Desserts created by in-house pastry chef Hans, and Bar & Bartending Services. The company also provides Venue Partnerships & Recommendations through established relationships across New York and the tri-state area. The integrated service model allows clients to access catering, event design, staffing, bar services, custom desserts, and venue coordination from a single provider.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Wedding Catering & Planning
Quantifiable outcome
- Events for 300-400+ guests consistently receive exceptional feedback about food quality and presentation
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Bartleby & Sage
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Bartleby & Sage technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Bartleby & Sage partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Wainwright HousecoreExclusive caterer at Wainwright House waterfront venue in Westchester. The venue drops their site fee by more than 50% in off-season. Founder Leslie Nilsson's daughter was married at this venue.
- Local Farms and Family-Owned SupplierscoreExclusive partnerships with local, family-owned farms and businesses for ingredient sourcing. Part of the company's sustainability commitment.
- Re:DishminorPartnership for sustainable dishware services. Offered as alternative to biodegradable paper goods for truly sustainable service.
- Premier Kosher Caterer in NYCminorReferral partnership for clients requiring certified Kashrut meals. Bartleby & Sage works with this partner when clients need sealed certified Kosher meals with real china and utensils.
- NYC Venue Network (60+ venues)coreLong-standing relationships with venues across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester, Hudson Valley, and Connecticut. Venues include 620 Loft & Garden, Angel Orensanz, The Foundry, Queens Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Grange, and many more. Relationships built on years of trust and shared commitment to excellence.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights6 records
Bartleby & Sage competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Glorious Foods: NYC caterer specializing in weddings, corporate, and social events with custom seasonal menus. Direct overlap in service offering, geography, and target client segments.
- Great Performances: NYC-based catering and event company serving weddings, corporate, and cultural events with a similar full-service model and Brooklyn/Bronx kitchen operations. Direct overlap with Bartleby & Sage in target customers, venue relationships, and service offering.
- Olivier Cheng Catering: NYC event caterer focused on weddings, corporate, and private events with custom menus. Direct competitor in the same premium NYC market segment.
- Creative Edge Parties: NYC-based catering and event design firm offering weddings, corporate events, and galas. Comparable full-service model and similar premium positioning in the tri-state market.
- Abigail Kirsch Catering: Long-established NYC premium caterer for weddings, corporate, and social events, including exclusive venue partnerships (e.g., The New York Botanical Garden). Direct competitor in the same price band and event types.
- Peter Callahan Catering: NYC-based caterer known for stylish weddings and corporate events with custom presentation. Comparable service model, target clients, and NYC metro geographic focus.
- Thomas Preti Events: NYC-based event production and catering company for weddings, galas, and corporate events. Comparable service model with custom menus and full event design, targeting similar premium clients.
Broad incumbents
- Daniel Boulud Catering: Restaurant Daniel and its catering arm serve high-end private and corporate events in NYC. Chef-led premium offering that competes with Bartleby & Sage for culinary prestige-driven corporate and wedding clients, though anchored by a flagship restaurant.
- Levy Restaurants: Large-scale hospitality company providing catering and event services across sports, entertainment, and corporate venues nationally. Operates at greater scale than Bartleby & Sage, but competes for similar premium corporate event budgets in NYC.
Emerging players
- Pinch Food Design: NYC food-focused event design firm creating high-concept culinary experiences for brand activations, weddings, and corporate events. Adjacent to Bartleby & Sage with overlap in creative corporate and social events but with a more design-driven niche.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Bartleby & Sage social profiles
Digital presenceBartleby & Sage financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bartleby & Sage leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Bartleby & Sage funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bartleby & Sage M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bartleby & Sage
What does Bartleby & Sage do?
Bartleby & Sage is a full-service catering and event planning company that delivers food, beverage, staffing, and event design for weddings, corporate events, Mitzvahs, and private celebrations across NYC and the tri-state area. Services span from in-house culinary production and custom menu development to complete event logistics, vendor coordination, bar service, and on-site execution, with sustainable practices and locally sourced ingredients as a core differentiator.
Is Bartleby & Sage a public or private company?
Bartleby & Sage is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Bartleby & Sage founded?
Bartleby & Sage was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Bartleby & Sage based?
Bartleby & Sage is headquartered in Brooklyn, United States, in the North America region.
How does Bartleby & Sage make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Full-Service Catering & Event Planning is the primary driver. The others are corporate Catering Services, drop-Off Catering and wedding Catering & Planning.
Who are Bartleby & Sage's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Glorious Foods, Great Performances, Olivier Cheng Catering, Creative Edge Parties, Abigail Kirsch Catering, Peter Callahan Catering and Thomas Preti Events. Broad incumbents are Daniel Boulud Catering and Levy Restaurants. Pinch Food Design is listed as an emerging player.
Does Bartleby & Sage have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bartleby & Sage.
What industry is Bartleby & Sage in?
Bartleby & Sage's product category is Catering and Event Planning Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHAKAE, Wedding & Social Event Catering, with a secondary code of THAHAKAF, Gala, Fundraiser & Nonprofit Event Catering. Its NAICS code is 722320 and its SIC code is 5812.