Food Explorer
Food Explorer, operated by Caterfy GmbH, is a Düsseldorf-based full-service catering company providing event catering, private celebrations, and food delivery for corporate clients and private hosts across Germany's Rheinland region, executing over 1,000 events annually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersDüsseldorf, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Food Explorer does
Food Explorer, operated by the German limited liability company Caterfy GmbH, is a Düsseldorf-headquartered full-service catering company providing event catering, private catering, and food delivery across the Rheinland region of Germany. Founded in 2018, the company serves both enterprise corporate clients (with named customers including Amazon, BMW, Porsche, Patek Philippe, PwC, L'Oréal, Dior, Breitling, Shiseido, StepStone, Station Airport Düsseldorf, and Cinedom Köln) and private celebration hosts, executing over 1,000 events per year spanning weddings, corporate functions, trade shows, festivals, and product launches.
The company's core offering is a 360-degree event catering package that bundles consultation, menu concept development, food preparation in-house, delivery, on-site execution with professional service teams, event-day coordination, and post-event breakdown. The product portfolio is organized across three primary service lines (Event Catering, Private Catering, Delivery) and approximately fifteen specialized formats including BBQ, finger food, business catering, buffet, brunch, large-event catering, trade show catering, festival catering, office catering, Christmas catering, vegan, vegetarian, and wedding catering. Live-cooking stations function as an interactive add-on. The underlying technology stack is operational rather than digital — consisting of in-house kitchens, professional service teams, logistics coordination, and a venue partnership network spanning at least ten premium event venues including Oceandiva Nova/Futura, Langen Foundation Neuss, Zeughaus Neuss, GLORIA Theater Köln, Design Offices, and Rheinterassen, several of which offer reciprocal referral discounts.
Revenue is generated through customized per-event professional services contracts with pricing determined by event type, guest count, menu selection, and service requirements. Disclosed per-head pricing on premium formats ranges from €45 to €59 (e.g., Advent Brunch at €45/adult and €22.50/child; festive buffet with duck, goose, and game at €59/person). The go-to-market is sales-led direct with dedicated event managers as single points of contact, supplemented by an industry presence at MICE conventions and Düsseldorf Convention partnerships, plus organic social channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) and a website-driven inquiry funnel. The company operates from Düsseldorf (HQ), Cologne (regional office under Geschäftsführung Köln), and runs a venue in Düsseldorf Königsberger Straße, with service reach across Düsseldorf, Köln, Neuss, Frankfurt, and Mönchengladbach.
Food Explorer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Food Explorer
- Legal name
- Caterfy GmbH
- Website
- https://foodexplorer.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Food Explorer, operated by Caterfy GmbH, is a Düsseldorf-based full-service catering company providing event catering, private celebrations, and food delivery for corporate clients and private hosts across Germany's Rheinland region, executing over 1,000 events annually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Food Explorer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Düsseldorf
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Food Explorer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Event Catering Services: Food Explorer generates revenue through providing catering services for corporate events, private celebrations, weddings, festivals, and trade shows. Services include food preparation, delivery, setup, service personnel, and event management. The company offers various catering formats including buffets, BBQ, finger food, business catering, and wedding catering.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Festive Buffet - seasonal specialties (duck, goose, game) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Advent Brunch |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Food Explorer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Food Explorer is a full-service catering company providing food preparation, delivery, setup, professional service personnel, and complete event management for corporate events, weddings, trade shows, festivals, and private celebrations. They offer diverse catering formats including buffets, BBQ, finger food, brunch, business catering, and wedding catering, operating primarily across the Düsseldorf, Köln, Neuss, Frankfurt, and Mönchengladbach regions in Germany. The company handles 1,000+ events annually with a 360° service model from consultation through post-event breakdown.
Product overview
Food Explorer is a German catering company offering comprehensive event catering services across the Rheinland region (Düsseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt, Neuss, Mönchengladbach). The company operates through three main service lines: Event Catering (corporate events, trade shows, festivals), Private Catering (weddings, birthdays, celebrations), and Delivery Catering. Their portfolio includes specialized offerings such as BBQ Catering, Fingerfood, Business Catering, Buffet Catering, Brunch, Large Events Catering, Trade Show Catering, Festival Catering, Office Catering, Christmas Catering, Vegan Catering, and Vegetarian Catering. The 360° Eventcatering package provides full-service event management from consultation through execution. They also operate a network of partner event venues and offer Live-Cooking Stations as an interactive dining feature. The company serves over 1,000 events annually and works with corporate clients including major brands like Amazon, BMW, Porsche, and PwC.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Event Catering Full-service catering for corporate and private events, including planning, execution, and on-site management. Covers business meetings, conferences, trade shows, festivals, and large-scale corporate functions.
- Private Catering Catering services for private celebrations including weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, and personal parties.
- Delivery Catering Food delivery service bringing freshly prepared meals directly to homes or offices, with setup included.
- BBQ Catering Outdoor BBQ and smoker catering with aromatic grilled specialties for events.
- Fingerfood Catering Handheld appetizers and bite-sized dishes for standing receptions and networking events.
- Business Catering Catering solutions tailored for corporate settings including meetings, conferences, and office events.
- Buffet Catering
Companies that use Food Explorer
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Food Explorer technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Food Explorer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Creative HivecoreFood Explorer partnered with Creative Hive to provide culinary services for CMOs United 2025, a major marketing executives summit with ~400 attendees on the Oceandiva Nova. Food Explorer delivered a sustainable food concept aligned with the event's brand-focused values.
- Oceandiva NovacoreOceandiva Nova is a fully electric eventship in Düsseldorf that partners with Food Explorer for catering services. The partnership emphasizes sustainability and innovation, hosting high-profile events like CMOs United 2025 with Food Explorer's sustainable food concepts.
- RENT4EVENTminorFood Explorer partnered with RENT4EVENT for the 13th MICE Forum celebrating the company's 25th anniversary. Food Explorer provided catering services including flying appetizers, live cooking stations, and flying desserts for 160 networking partners.
- Düsseldorf ConventionminorFood Explorer is an active partner of Düsseldorf Convention, participating in the MICE Forum to support the Dusseldorf MICE industry network.
- Design Offices Köln MediaparkminorDesign Offices Köln Mediapark is a premium event venue that partners with Food Explorer for catering services. The venue offers a 10% discount on catering when booked through Food Explorer.
- Langen Foundation NeussminorLangen Foundation Neuss is a premium event venue designed by Tadao Ando that partners with Food Explorer for catering services. Food Explorer provides full-service catering and logistics for events in this iconic architectural venue.
- Zeughaus NeussminorZeughaus Neuss is a historic event venue (former church) that partners with Food Explorer for catering services. The venue accommodates up to 490 guests and Food Explorer provides full-service catering and event support.
- GLORIA Theater KölnminorGLORIA Theater Köln is a cultural event venue that partners with Food Explorer for catering services at corporate events, product presentations, and private celebrations.
- RheinRiff DüsseldorfminorRheinRiff Düsseldorf is a lifestyle event venue at Areal Böhler combining urban industrial style with beach vibes. They partner with Food Explorer for catering services at corporate events, team buildings, and celebrations.
- Nova Lounge (Your Showdown)minorNova Lounge is a modular event space in Düsseldorf that partners with Food Explorer for catering. They offer a 10% catering discount for direct inquiries through Food Explorer.
- RheinterassenminorRheinterassen is a partner event venue for Food Explorer catering services in Düsseldorf.
- Forum Stadtsparkasse DüsseldorfminorForum Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf is a partner venue for Food Explorer catering services.
- NachtresidenzminorNachtresidenz is a partner event venue for Food Explorer catering services in Düsseldorf.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Food Explorer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Sodexo Germany: Global contract foodservice and facilities management company with substantial German operations serving corporate, healthcare, and education clients. Comparable business model (outsourced food services for organizations) but much broader portfolio and price-tier reach than Food Explorer.
- Aramark Germany: Multinational contract foodservice provider operating in Germany across corporate, sports, and event hospitality. Comparable in providing outsourced catering to large enterprises, but at a national scale with broader service lines.
- DO & CO: Austrian-headquartered premium hospitality group with airline catering, event catering, and restaurant operations across Europe including Germany. Comparable in premium event catering delivery and global corporate client base, though it operates at much larger scale and broader scope.
- Marché International: Swiss-German premium foodservice and catering brand operating restaurants, motorway stations, and event catering. Comparable in premium positioning and European event catering capability, though anchored in travel/MICE locations rather than on-site corporate events.
Emerging players
- Apetito Catering: German meal delivery and catering provider specializing in office and institutional meal solutions. Comparable in offering delivery catering and corporate meal programs, but with a more standardized, scaled delivery model rather than bespoke event production.
Regional players
- Gaudia Catering: German event and party caterer serving corporate and private clients. Comparable in premium full-service catering model and target customer base, with similar scale but operating in a different German region.
- Frey Gastronomie Group: German regional caterer providing event catering, company catering, and party services. Comparable in service mix and SMB/mid-market focus, but operates in a different geography than Food Explorer's Rheinland base.
Direct peers
- Kofler & Kompanie: German premium event caterer offering full-service catering for corporate events, weddings, and private celebrations across major German cities. Closely comparable in product mix (buffets, fingerfood, BBQ), premium positioning, and target customer (corporate + luxury brands).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Customer concentration
Food Explorer social profiles
Digital presenceFood Explorer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Food Explorer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Food Explorer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Food Explorer 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 Food Explorer
What does Food Explorer do?
Food Explorer is a full-service catering company providing food preparation, delivery, setup, professional service personnel, and complete event management for corporate events, weddings, trade shows, festivals, and private celebrations. They offer diverse catering formats including buffets, BBQ, finger food, brunch, business catering, and wedding catering, operating primarily across the Düsseldorf, Köln, Neuss, Frankfurt, and Mönchengladbach regions in Germany. The company handles 1,000+ events annually with a 360° service model from consultation through post-event breakdown.
Is Food Explorer a public or private company?
Food Explorer is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Food Explorer founded?
Food Explorer was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Food Explorer based?
Food Explorer is headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Food Explorer make money?
One revenue line is on record: event Catering Services.
Who are Food Explorer's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Sodexo Germany, Aramark Germany, DO & CO and Marché International. Apetito Catering is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are Gaudia Catering and Frey Gastronomie Group. Kofler & Kompanie is listed as a direct peer.
Does Food Explorer have an API?
No public API is recorded for Food Explorer.