Catering St. Louis Events

What Catering St. Louis Events does

Catering St. Louis Events is a chef-owned, full-service catering and boutique event venue company founded in 1980 by Mark Erker, a Culinary Institute of America graduate. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, the company serves the St. Louis metro area with two integrated service lines: full-service catering (seated dinners, buffet cocktail dinners, buffet seated dinners, and themed corporate packages such as Taste of The Hill, The Napa Experience, Garden Luau, Great American BBQ, and Pies and Pints) and venue management across a portfolio of 14 boutique venues. The venue portfolio combines owned real estate properties (City Cottage on Chouteau, La Verona at the Marketplace, Oliva on The Hill, Three Barn Farm, and the St. Albans Old Barn Inn and Studio Inn) with exclusive catering and event management contracts at iconic St. Louis institutions including the Missouri Botanical Garden (Bayer Event Center, Spink Pavilion), Forest Park (Visitor Center, World's Fair Pavilion, Jewel Box), and Washington University's Whittemore House.

The company is privately held and family-owned, with leadership that includes CEO Mark Erker, President Sharon Endicott (30+ years tenure), Executive Chef Lynn Heermann (35+ years in the restaurant industry), and a team of dedicated event coordinators covering weddings, corporate sales, and design specialization. The business operates a sales-led, direct-distribution model in which event coordinators engage clients from initial inquiry through day-of execution, supplemented by website-driven lead capture, email newsletters, interactive venue quizzes, and an extensive testimonials library. Service is delivered in a non-tipping environment by a part-time flexible workforce of servers, bartenders, food runners, prep cooks, and utility staff.

Revenue is generated through catering service fees, venue rental, and event planning coordination across four primary use-case segments: weddings and receptions, social events (birthdays, anniversaries, bar/bat mitzvahs, celebrations of life, holiday parties), corporate events (meetings, product launches, holiday parties, team building, executive dinners), and fundraising events (galas, auctions, concerts). The disclosed annual revenue is over $7 million, with a diversified enterprise and institutional customer base spanning financial services, healthcare, education, manufacturing, media, and nonprofit sectors, alongside a high-volume long tail of individual wedding and social event clients. No external funding or parent company ownership is indicated, and the company has no disclosed API, SDK, software product, or technology platform; the underlying "technology" is its culinary expertise, event coordination processes, and the venue portfolio itself.

Name

Catering St. Louis Events

Legal name

Catering St. Louis Events

Website

https://cateringstlouis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Catering St. Louis Events is a chef-owned, full-service catering and boutique venue management company founded in 1980, operating 14 venues across the St. Louis metro and serving weddings, corporate events, social gatherings, and fundraisers for consumer, enterprise, and institutional clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Catering and Event Venue Services

NAICS

Caterers (722320), Caterers (72232), Food Service Contractors (722310), Special Food Services (7223)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wedding & Social Event Catering (THAHAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate & Business Event Catering (THAHAKAA), Gala, Fundraiser & Nonprofit Event Catering (THAHAKAF), Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise) (HSACAGAA), Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties) (THAFAIAB)

Keywords

• Event catering services
• Wedding venue management
• Corporate event catering
• Boutique event venues
• Full-service event planning

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Catering Services: Full-service food and beverage catering for events including seated dinners, buffet meals, and cocktail events. Menus include Seated Dinner Menu, Buffet Cocktail Dinner Menu, and Buffet Seated Dinner Menu options.
2. Venue Management: Company owns or has exclusive contracts for 14 boutique venues across St. Louis, providing venue rental revenue along with integrated catering services.
3. Event Planning and Coordination: Event coordinators provide planning services from initial consultation through event execution, including design specialization and day-of coordination.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Catering St. Louis Events is a chef-owned, full-service catering and event venue company that provides customized food and beverage catering along with exclusive management of 14 boutique event venues across the St. Louis area. The company serves weddings, corporate events, social gatherings, and fundraisers with end-to-end services including menu design, venue selection, staffing, and day-of coordination. Founded in 1980, it operates as a hospitality contract management provider for some of St. Louis' most iconic institutions.

Product overview

Catering St. Louis Events is a chef-owned, full-service catering and boutique event venue company founded in 1980, serving the St. Louis community for over 45 years. The company operates two interconnected service lines: (1) Full-service catering providing customized menus for seated dinners, buffet cocktail dinners, and buffet seated dinner formats, with themed corporate packages including Taste of The Hill, Great American BBQ, Garden Luau, Pies and Pints, and The Napa Experience; and (2) Venue management of 14 boutique venues across St. Louis, including exclusive contracts with iconic institutions such as the Missouri Botanical Garden (Bayer Event Center, Spink Pavilion), Forest Park (Visitor Center, World's Fair Pavilion, Jewel Box), Washington University (Whittemore House), and several historic properties (Oliva on The Hill, City Cottage, La Verona, Three Barn Farm, St. Albans venues, St. Louis Artists' Guild). The company also provides wedding planning coordination and corporate event packages including team building activities like scavenger hunts. With over $7 million in annual revenue and over 35 years of experience, the company employs event coordinators, chefs, and catering staff to deliver integrated food service and venue experiences for weddings, corporate events, social gatherings, and fundraisers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bayer Event Center at Missouri Botanical Garden Modern event venue at the Missouri Botanical Garden featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, the Dale Chihuly Blue Chandelier, and garden views. Suitable for large corporate events and wedding receptions.
• City Cottage on Chouteau French country-inspired small event venue in Midtown St. Louis featuring hardwood floors, brick walls, fireplace, landscaped gardens, and fountain. Accommodates intimate gatherings.
• Forest Park Visitor Center Historic Spanish-style venue built in 1892 featuring original clock tower, Palladian windows, and panoramic views of Forest Park. Houses modern banquet facility and state-of-the-art meeting rooms.
• Jewel Box in St. Louis Historic greenhouse venue in Forest Park featuring exotic tropical trees and flowers under glass architecture, offering a unique tropical setting for events.
• La Verona at the Marketplace Industrial-style event space with high-beamed ceilings, rustic brick, large windows, and outdoor courtyard. Features Italian-inspired ambiance with ballroom and historic elements.
• Missouri Botanical Garden: Ceremonies Only Ceremony-only venue at Missouri Botanical Garden including Japanese Garden and Lehmann Rose Garden sites for outdoor wedding ceremonies.
• Old Barn Inn at St. Albans Historic barn venue at St. Albans with rustic charm set in a vineyard location overlooking the Missouri River.
• Oliva on The Hill Tuscan-inspired intimate venue in St. Louis's historic Hill neighborhood featuring terrazzo floors, high-beamed ceilings, outdoor cedar pergola with Japanese wisteria, and herb garden. Built in 1910 as a tavern and boarding house. Home to Wine Down Wednesday events.
• Spink Pavilion at Missouri Botanical Garden
• St. Louis Artists' Guild Chic urban art gallery venue in downtown Clayton featuring 16-foot ceilings, gallery walls lined with colorful artwork, and a revolving collection of original art. The oldest arts organization west of the Mississippi.
• The Studio Inn at St. Albans Sophisticated vineyard venue overlooking the Missouri River featuring a romantic fountain, pavilion with large stone fireplace, iron chandeliers, and turn-of-the-century stone mansion designed by Theodore Link.
• Three Barn Farm Rustic countryside venue located one hour north of Chesterfield Valley in Pike County, featuring a New England-style farmhouse, 1914 dairy barn, rolling hills, and lakeside property.
• The Whittemore House at Washington University Elegant private estate overlooking Danforth Campus of Washington University, featuring Old World details including plaster-molded ceilings, grand staircase, handcrafted woodwork, large fireplaces, and landscaped grounds.
• World's Fair Pavilion in St. Louis Historic open-air shelter built in 1909 in Forest Park featuring modern amenities, both outdoor and sheltered spaces, and panoramic park and lake views.
• Seated Dinner Menu Formal seated dinner catering service with full table service where staff place entrees, remove dishes, and maintain beverage service throughout the event.
• Buffet Cocktail Dinner Menu Cocktail-style dinner service featuring passed hors d'oeuvres and buffet stations for guest self-service or staff-served portions.
• Buffet Seated Dinner Menu Hybrid dining experience combining buffet food service with seated dinner format and table settings.
• Wedding Planning & Coordination Full-service wedding planning including venue selection guidance, day-of coordination, vendor referrals, and custom menu design for ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners, and showers.
• Taste of The Hill Italian-themed corporate event package celebrating St. Louis's historic Hill neighborhood with Italian cuisine and wine selections.
• Great American BBQ Casual outdoor-themed corporate event featuring classic American barbecue fare including hot dogs, hamburgers, lemonade, and lawn games for groups of 50-250 people.
• Garden Luau Tropical-themed summer corporate event with Hawaiian-inspired cuisine and ambiance.
• The Napa Experience Upscale wine-country themed corporate event featuring premium wine selections and gourmet cuisine reminiscent of Napa Valley.
• Pies and Pints

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Missouri Botanical GardencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive catering and event management contract for Missouri Botanical Garden venues including Bayer Event Center, Spink Pavilion, and ceremony-only garden spaces. Company manages all food service, event coordination, and venue operations for these premier botanical garden venues.
• Forest Park (Visitor Center, World's Fair Pavilion, Jewel Box)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive contract for catering and events at Forest Park Visitor Center, World's Fair Pavilion, and the Jewel Box. These are iconic St. Louis landmarks operated under exclusive catering agreements.
• Washington University (Whittemore House)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive catering and event management for the Whittemore House at Washington University, a historic estate overlooking the Danforth Campus used as a private faculty club and conference center since 1969.
• St. Albans (Old Barn Inn, Studio Inn)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany owns and operates Old Barn Inn and Studio Inn at St. Albans, featuring a romantic vineyard location overlooking the Missouri River with turn-of-the-century stone mansion and pavilion with stone fireplace.
• City Cottage on ChouteaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany owns the French countryside-inspired City Cottage on Chouteau venue, a 100-year-old brick building renovated in 2011 featuring hardwood floors, brick walls, fireplace, and landscaped gardens.
• La Verona at the MarketplacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany owns La Verona at the Marketplace, a Tuscan-inspired industrial event space featuring high-beamed ceilings, rustic brick, large windows, and outdoor courtyard.
• Oliva on The HillcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany owns and operates Oliva on The Hill, a Tuscan-inspired social event venue built in 1910 featuring terrazzo floors, high-beamed ceilings, cedar pergola, and herb garden. Home to Wine Down Wednesday events.
• St. Louis Artists' GuildminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred catering partner for St. Louis Artists' Guild venue in downtown Clayton. Mid-century building features 16-foot ceilings and gallery walls lined with colorful artwork.
• Three Barn FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany owns Three Barn Farm venue, located an hour north of Chesterfield Valley in Pike County. Features New England-style farmhouse, 1914 dairy barn, and hilly lakeside property with rolling hills.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• ezCater: Online marketplace connecting businesses with local caterers for corporate catering orders. Competes indirectly by digitizing corporate catering demand that Catering St. Louis captures through direct sales.
• CulinArt: Event and corporate catering company serving corporate clients, cultural institutions, and private events with customized menus. Comparable mid-market event catering model with similar consultative client engagement.

Broad incumbents

• Aramark: Global food service and facilities provider with significant event, sports, and conference catering operations. Competes in adjacent catering segments but operates at much greater scale and breadth than Catering St. Louis.
• Levy Restaurants: National hospitality company providing premium event catering, sports and entertainment venue food service, and corporate dining at scale. Overlaps with Catering St. Louis on event catering but operates across a much wider portfolio.
• Sodexo: International food services and facilities management company with corporate, event, and institutional catering offerings. Overlaps with Catering St. Louis on managed event food service but at enterprise scale.
• Centerplate: Event hospitality provider specializing in catering for stadiums, convention centers, and large-scale live events. Comparable event catering capabilities though focused on higher-volume venue contracts rather than boutique weddings.

Direct peers

• Abigail Kirsch: New York-based full-service event catering and venue management company operating exclusive landmark venues with custom menus and event coordinators. Closest analogue to Catering St. Louis's bundled venue-and-catering model.
• Blue Plate: Long-standing Chicago caterer providing full-service event catering with custom menus and event coordination for corporate, wedding, and social events. Closely aligned on operating model, chef-driven approach, and end-to-end service delivery.
• Catering by Michaels: Chicago event catering company offering customized menus, event planning, and venue coordination for weddings, corporate functions, and private events. Comparable in scale, customer mix, and consultative sales motion.
• Affairs by Beth: Chicago-based full-service catering and event planning company specializing in weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings with custom menus and dedicated coordinators. Highly comparable business model, customer segments, and service offering to Catering St. Louis Events in a different metro.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CateringStLouisEvents
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/catering-st-louis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Catering St. Louis Events