Taste Catering and Event Planning
Taste Catering and Event Planning is a privately held, women-owned full-service catering and event production company founded in 1978, serving weddings, corporate, and private events for groups of 20 to 2,000 guests across the San Francisco Bay Area from a 18,000 sq ft commissary kitchen in Burlingame.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Taste Catering and Event Planning does
Taste Catering and Event Planning is a full-service, privately held catering and event production company founded in 1978, headquartered in Millbrae, California, with a newly built 18,000 square foot commissary kitchen in Burlingame that enables multiple simultaneous large-scale events. The company delivers end-to-end event services — wedding catering, corporate and private event catering, in-house event design and production, and a dedicated Taste Beverage sub-brand for custom cocktail and bar programs — for groups of approximately 20 to 2,000 guests across the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Palo Alto, Marin, and Napa Valley. Its service portfolio is complemented by a 2022 co-branded partnership with Jalsa Catering (Taste x Jalsa) that adds authentic regional Indian cuisine, and an extensive venue partnership network of more than 20 premier Bay Area venues such as SFMOMA, the Asian Art Museum, Filoli Gardens, and the California Academy of Sciences.
The business operates a hybrid go-to-market model anchored by direct, quote-based sales through its website and a referral channel driven by preferred-caterer status at marquee venues. Revenue is generated primarily through professional-services engagements: per-event pricing is determined by guest count, menu selection, dietary and cultural requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergen-sensitive), service style, and event complexity, with custom menu design supported by an in-house culinary team led by Executive Chef Aaron Plascencia and Executive Pastry Chef Vanessa Garrido (CIA-St. Helena). The company is a nationally certified women-owned business, currently led by co-founders MeMe Pederson (CEO) and Janet Griggs (CFO) — both at the helm since 1992 — alongside President Margaret Teskey, and was the first major Bay Area caterer to obtain green certification from the San Francisco Department of the Environment.
Taste serves a diversified client base spanning enterprise technology (Apple, Google, Facebook/Meta, Salesforce, Square, New Relic, Qualys), healthcare (Gilead Sciences, Genentech, John Muir Health), financial services (JP Morgan), retail (Tiffany & Company, Tourneau), and nonprofit organizations (Meals on Wheels San Francisco, San Francisco SPCA). Distribution is wholly direct and on-site: services are delivered at client- or venue-specified locations with no retail or e-commerce channels. There is no public disclosure of revenue, no external institutional investment, no AI/ML capability evidenced, and no mobile app or public API; pricing is not standardized and all quotes are bespoke.
Taste Catering and Event Planning firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Taste Catering and Event Planning
- Legal name
- Taste Catering and Event Planning
- Website
- https://tastecatering.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Taste Catering and Event Planning is a privately held, women-owned full-service catering and event production company founded in 1978, serving weddings, corporate, and private events for groups of 20 to 2,000 guests across the San Francisco Bay Area from a 18,000 sq ft commissary kitchen in Burlingame.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Taste Catering and Event Planning industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Event Catering Services
- NAICS
- Caterers (722320), Food Service Contractors (722310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise) (HSACAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wedding & Social Event Catering (THAHAKAE), Beverage Services (Bar Catering, Mixology, Beverage Programs) (THAHAKAJ), Catering Coordination & Bar Service Management (Non-restaurant) (HSACAAAH), Specialty & Dietary Catering (Vegan, Kosher, Halal, Allergy-Friendly) (HSACAGAH)
Keywords
Where Taste Catering and Event Planning is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Taste Catering and Event Planning business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Catering & Event Services: Full-service catering for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. Custom menus designed for each event with professional service staff. Revenue generated through per-event pricing based on guest count, menu selection, and service requirements.
- Beverage & Bar Services: Full-service bar staffing and custom cocktail programs through Taste Beverage division. Includes specialty wine, spirits, beer selections, and zero-proof options.
- Event Design & Production: Design services including florals, decor, furniture rentals, lighting, and production coordination.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom event pricing based on individual client needs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Taste Catering and Event Planning product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Taste Catering and Event Planning is a full-service catering and event production company serving the San Francisco Bay Area. It provides custom-designed catering for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations, with in-house culinary, design, and beverage teams operating out of an 18,000 square-foot commissary kitchen in Burlingame.
Product overview
Taste Catering and Event Planning is a full-service luxury catering company offering a comprehensive suite of event services through multiple branded offerings. The core portfolio includes Wedding Catering & Design, Corporate & Private Event Catering, and Food & Beverage Catering, supported by in-house Design & Production Services and the Taste Beverage sub-brand for custom cocktail programs. A strategic partnership with Jalsa Catering extends capabilities to authentic Indian cuisine. The company operates a newly built 18,000 square foot commissary kitchen in Burlingame and maintains an extensive venue partnership network throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, serving San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Palo Alto, and surrounding communities. Established in 1978 and certified women-owned, the company supports over 40 years of operation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Taste Beverage: Full-service bar staffing and custom cocktails for weddings, corporate events, private parties, and large-scale productions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Products and services
- Wedding Catering & Design Full-service wedding catering with custom-designed menus, florals, bar programs, and styling tailored to each couple's preferences. Covers grand estate celebrations, modern city ceremonies, and intimate garden gatherings for couples and families planning weddings in the SF Bay Area.
- Corporate & Private Event Catering Catering for corporate events including product launches, conferences, executive dinners, holiday parties, fundraisers, and private milestone celebrations. Serves groups from 20 to 2,000 guests for Bay Area enterprises and private clients.
- Food & Beverage Catering Catering services featuring seasonal menus designed around local, organic ingredients sourced from Bay Area farms. Offers California farm-to-table cuisine, global flavors, and accommodation for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-sensitive dietary needs.
- Design & Production Services In-house event design including custom florals, event layout and floor plan design, furniture and tabletop styling, lighting and audiovisual equipment, music coordination, calligraphy, signage, and logistics. Led by Executive Designer Andrea Cruz.
- Taste Beverage Full-service bar staffing and custom cocktail program featuring handcrafted bitters, tinctures, shrubs, syrups, fresh-squeezed juices, and infused spirits. Provides signature cocktails, specialty wine and spirit selections, zero-proof options, and custom bar design for weddings, corporate events, and private parties across the SF Bay Area.
- Taste x Jalsa (Indian Cuisine Catering) Indian catering partnership offering authentic regional Indian cuisine at Bay Area events. Jalsa specializes in dishes prepared with seasonal, organic, locally sourced ingredients combining traditional spice blends with modern presentation. Co-founded by Vittal Shetty (Executive Chef) and Reshmi Nair (Operations).
- Venue Partnership Network Service Coordination with preferred Bay Area venues including wine country estates, art galleries, historic landmarks, San Francisco buildings, private clubs, outdoor gardens, ranches, and contemporary event spaces. Assists clients in venue selection and booking coordination through long-standing preferred caterer relationships.
Quantifiable outcome
- $3.75M raised for Meals on Wheels San Francisco at 36th Annual Star Chefs & Vintners Gala
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Taste Catering and Event Planning
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Taste Catering and Event Planning technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Taste Catering and Event Planning partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Jalsa CateringcoreCulinary collaboration bringing authentic Indian cuisine to Bay Area events. Jalsa specializes in regional Indian dishes with seasonal, organic, locally sourced ingredients. Partnership combines Taste's event planning and service expertise with Jalsa's bold regional flavors. Co-founded by Vittal Shetty (Executive Chef, trained at OCLD) and Reshmi Nair (Operations, 15+ years hospitality experience).
- Filoli GardenscorePremier wedding venue partnership. Taste is a preferred caterer at Filoli Gardens, a historic estate in the San Francisco Peninsula.
- Asian Art MuseumcorePreferred catering partner at San Francisco's globally renowned Asian Art Museum for special events and celebrations.
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)coreVenue partnership for dynamic and surprising events at SFMOMA, with creations as creative as the modern and contemporary art in this community treasure.
- California Academy of SciencescorePreferred catering partner for events at the California Academy of Sciences, including the Dream Lab Showcase.
- City View at MetreoncoreVenue partnership for JP Morgan Week and other corporate events at City View venue.
- Napa Valley WineriesminorPartnership with wine country estates and Napa Valley vineyards for wedding and event catering.
- Meals on Wheels San FranciscocoreLong-standing partnership supporting annual Star Chefs & Vintners Gala. Helped raise $3.75M in 2024 (up from $3.7M in 2023), providing 750,000+ meals for older adults in the Bay Area.
- Leading Caterers of AmericaminorMembership in industry association. Participation in annual executive summits including 2023 summit in Seattle.
- Junior Achievement of Northern CaliforniaminorCommunity partnership with Executive Chef Aaron Plascencia serving as Career Speaker at Paul Revere Elementary School.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Taste Catering and Event Planning competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bite Catering Couture: San Diego-based premium catering company focused on weddings and corporate events with custom menus and design services. Comparable to Taste in upscale positioning, integrated event production, and customization-led offering.
- 24 Carrots Catering & Events: Premier Southern California catering company serving weddings and corporate events with emphasis on farm-to-table cuisine and full-service production. Comparable to Taste in California regional focus, premium pricing, and integrated event design.
- Occasions Caterers: Mid-Atlantic premium catering company serving weddings, corporate galas, and large-scale events with full-service production. Comparable to Taste in full-service offering, scale of events handled, and venue partnership strategy.
- Global Gourmet Catering: Bay Area corporate event caterer serving technology, healthcare, and enterprise clients across the San Francisco region. Direct comparison to Taste's corporate catering segment with overlapping enterprise customer base and venue relationships.
- Thomas Caterers of Distinction: Established multi-decade premium caterer serving weddings, corporate, and private events with full-service production. Comparable to Taste in operating longevity, upscale positioning, and integrated culinary/event execution model.
- Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events: Established Bay Area luxury catering company serving weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. Closely comparable to Taste in premium positioning, Bay Area focus, full-service culinary/design offering, and venue partnership strategy.
- McCall's Catering & Events: Long-standing Los Angeles premium caterer specializing in weddings, corporate events, and galas. Comparable to Taste in full-service model, in-house design and beverage capabilities, and high-end event positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Taste Catering and Event Planning social profiles
Digital presenceTaste Catering and Event Planning compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Taste Catering and Event Planning financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Taste Catering and Event Planning leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Taste Catering and Event Planning funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Taste Catering and Event Planning 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 Taste Catering and Event Planning
What does Taste Catering and Event Planning do?
Taste Catering and Event Planning is a full-service catering and event production company serving the San Francisco Bay Area. It provides custom-designed catering for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations, with in-house culinary, design, and beverage teams operating out of an 18,000 square-foot commissary kitchen in Burlingame.
Is Taste Catering and Event Planning a public or private company?
Taste Catering and Event Planning is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Taste Catering and Event Planning founded?
Taste Catering and Event Planning was founded in 1978. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Taste Catering and Event Planning based?
Taste Catering and Event Planning is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Taste Catering and Event Planning make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Catering & Event Services are the primary driver. The others are beverage & Bar Services and event Design & Production.
Who are Taste Catering and Event Planning's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bite Catering Couture, 24 Carrots Catering & Events, Occasions Caterers, Global Gourmet Catering, Thomas Caterers of Distinction, Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events and McCall's Catering & Events.
Does Taste Catering and Event Planning have an API?
No public API is recorded for Taste Catering and Event Planning.
What industry is Taste Catering and Event Planning in?
Taste Catering and Event Planning's product category is Event Catering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSACAGAA, Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise), with a secondary code of THAHAKAE, Wedding & Social Event Catering. Its NAICS code is 722320.