Big Tree Catering
Big Tree Catering is a Portland, Maine full-service catering company specializing in customized weddings and private events, offering the owned Local 188 venue and operating under the Big Tree Hospitality restaurant group led by James Beard Award-winning Chef Andrew Taylor.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Big Tree Catering does
Big Tree Catering is a full-service catering company headquartered in Portland, Maine, operating as the catering arm of the Big Tree Hospitality restaurant group (which also owns Eventide Oyster Co., The Honey Paw, Hugo's, and Eventide Fenway). The company provides customized catering for weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, and milestone celebrations, drawing on Maine-sourced ingredients from a long-tenured network of farms and seafood purveyors and led by James Beard Award-winning Chef-Owner Andrew Taylor and General Manager/Owner Arlin Smith. Its core offerings include private event catering, the owned Local 188 venue in downtown Portland (up to 140 guests cocktail-style or 80 seated), curated menu packages (Brunch, Cocktail Party, Maine Lobster Bake, Family Style), and a public ticketed events series distributed via TicketLeap.
Big Tree Catering firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Big Tree Catering
- Legal name
- Big Tree Catering
- Website
- https://bigtreecatering.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Big Tree Catering is a Portland, Maine full-service catering company specializing in customized weddings and private events, offering the owned Local 188 venue and operating under the Big Tree Hospitality restaurant group led by James Beard Award-winning Chef Andrew Taylor.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Big Tree Catering industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Event Catering Services
- NAICS
- Caterers (722320), Food Service Contractors (722310), Special Food Services (7223), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Retail-Eating Places (5812), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties) (THAFAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wedding & Social Event Catering (THAHAKAE), Catering Coordination & Bar Service Management (Non-restaurant) (HSACAAAH), Beverage Services (Bar Catering, Mixology, Beverage Programs) (THAHAKAJ), Party Venue Sourcing & Booking Services (HSACACAL)
Keywords
Where Big Tree Catering is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Big Tree Catering business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Private Event Catering: Full-service catering for private events including weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate gatherings, and welcome parties. Pricing is customized per event based on guest count, menu selection, and service requirements. Venue rental fees for Local 188 are separate revenue. Food and beverage revenue is supplemented by room rental charges.
- Public Ticketed Events: Pop-up dinners, brunches, and special culinary events sold directly to consumers via ticketed admission. Events range from $25 per person (Family Meal) to $125 per person (Farm to Table dinners). Revenue is collected at point of sale through TicketLeap and similar platforms.
- Bar Services: Beer, wine, and liquor service offered for events in Maine. For out-of-state events, bar services may be available depending on state liquor laws. Clients pay for all beverage service as part of the event package.
- Holiday Grocery Program: Seasonal grocery order and pickup program, with orders placed through the Big Tree Foods website and picked up at designated locations. This represents an ancillary revenue stream tied to the holiday season.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Weekend venue rental at Local 188, 0-50 guests |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Weekend venue rental at Local 188, 50-100 guests |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Weekend venue rental at Local 188, 100+ guests |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Weekday venue rental at Local 188, 0-50 guests |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Weekday venue rental at Local 188, 50-100 guests |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Weekday venue rental at Local 188, 100+ guests |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ticketed public events - standard |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ticketed public events - premium |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Big Tree Catering product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Big Tree Catering is a full-service catering company in Portland, Maine that delivers customized menus, beverage service, service staff, and event management for weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate gatherings, and private celebrations. The company sources ingredients from Maine farmers and seafood purveyors, operates the Local 188 private event venue at 685 Congress Street, and hosts a recurring calendar of public ticketed dining events including Family Meal nights, pop-ups, brunches, and farm-to-table dinners. Pricing is quote-based for private events and per-person for public ticketed events and venue rentals.
Product overview
Big Tree Catering is a full-service catering company under Big Tree Hospitality, offering customized catering for weddings and special events. The core product is the catering service featuring globally-influenced dishes made with Maine-sourced ingredients. The portfolio includes sample menu packages (Brunch, Cocktail Party, Lobster Bake, Family Style), the Events at Local 188 private venue, a public events series featuring pop-ups and family meals, and Big Tree Grocery holiday ordering. Led by James Beard Award-winning Chef Andrew Taylor, the company serves events from casual settings to formal ballrooms across Maine and beyond.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Custom Event Catering
- Events at Local 188
- Public Events Series
- Big Tree Grocery
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 140 guests accommodated at Local 188 venue for cocktail-style events
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Big Tree Catering
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Big Tree Catering technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Big Tree Catering partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- 1% for the PlanetminorBig Tree Catering is a proud member of 1% for the Planet, committing 1% of annual revenue to environmental organizations. This membership reflects the company's commitment to sustainability and protecting the Maine land and waters from which they source ingredients.
- Stonecipher FarmscoreIan Jerolmack and crew grow organic produce for Big Tree's restaurants and catering operations. Known for willingness to try new crops and different seed varietals; notably prized for their fava beans.
- 30 Acre FarmcoreSimon Frost and family ferment vegetables in Whitefield, Maine. A source of beautiful produce and fermentation knowledge, with cabbages particularly highlighted. Associated with a well-curated roots reggae soundtrack at their farm stand.
- Green Spark FarmcoreMary Ellen and Austin Chadd have been supplying fresh early-season herbs, summer tomatoes, and melons to Big Tree since inception.
- Browne Trading Co.coreProvides premium quality fish and seafood. Browne introduces Big Tree to new fish products annually and helps make use of under-utilized local fish cuts like cod and bluefin tuna.
- Upstream TruckingcoreGeorge Parr and crew provide ice, fish, and oysters. Known as an indispensable partner with deep knowledge of the Maine fish trade.
- Harbor Fish MarketcoreProvides local seafood including oysters and swordfish. Supplies both menu staples and rarities such as butterfish.
- Maine Lobster DirectcoreLee and team supply Maine lobster, enabling signature dishes such as brown butter lobster rolls at Eventide and crab wonton soup at The Honey Paw. Known for responsiveness to urgent delivery requests.
- Eventide Oyster Co.minorSister restaurant under Big Tree Hospitality. Referrals for large party reservations are directed to Big Tree Catering. Eventide cocktail programs are available for private events at Local 188.
- The Honey PawminorSister restaurant under Big Tree Hospitality. Referrals for large party reservations are directed to Big Tree Catering. The Honey Paw cocktail programs are available for private events.
- Hugo'sminorSister restaurant under Big Tree Hospitality. Referrals for large party reservations are directed to Big Tree Catering.
- Maine Beer CompanyminorPartner venue for the Tides of Change fundraiser event hosted at their Freeport, Maine location. Associated beverage partner for the Wolfeneck Farm to Table Dinner.
- Wolfeneck FarmminorCo-host of a Farm to Table dinner series event at Mallet Barn. Featured seasonal fare from Big Tree Hospitality chefs alongside beverages from Maine Beer Co, Devenish Wines, and New England Distilling.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Big Tree Catering competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pinch Food Design: New York-based high-end catering company specializing in design-forward weddings, corporate events, and brand activations. Comparable to Big Tree in chef-driven, custom private event catering with creative menus and premium positioning.
- The Catered Affair: A Boston-area full-service catering company specializing in weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations with custom menus. Highly comparable to Big Tree Catering in service model, custom pricing, and upscale Northeast event catering positioning.
- Max Ultimate Food: Boston-based high-end catering company for weddings, corporate events, and galas with chef-driven menus. Directly comparable to Big Tree Catering in custom private event catering, premium positioning, and full-service execution.
- Season to Taste Catering: Cambridge, MA-based chef-driven catering company founded by a James Beard-recognized chef, focused on farm-to-table private events. Highly comparable to Big Tree in culinary-led positioning, locally sourced menus, and custom event execution.
Regional players
- Inn by the Sea: Beachfront resort hotel in Cape Elizabeth, Maine offering wedding and private event catering services. Comparable in Maine luxury wedding catering, with similar locally sourced, sustainability-focused positioning.
- The Nonantum Resort: Historic Kennebunkport, Maine resort hosting weddings, rehearsal dinners, and private events with full catering. Comparable as a Maine coastal event venue offering catering, similar to Big Tree's Local 188 venue-driven business.
- Black Tie Catering Co. Maine-based event services and catering company serving weddings, corporate functions, and galas. Operates in the same Portland/Maine regional market as Big Tree Catering with comparable full-service offerings.
- White Barn Inn: Luxury Relais & Châteaux inn in Kennebunkport, Maine offering on-site wedding catering and private events. Comparable to Big Tree in high-end Maine wedding catering, though it pairs lodging with catering rather than operating as a standalone caterer.
- Birch Stream Catering: Maine-based catering company serving weddings and private events across the state. Comparable to Big Tree in regional Maine market and event-driven service model, though smaller in scale and brand reach.
Broad incumbents
- Thomas Preti Events: Established New York-area luxury catering company serving weddings, galas, and corporate events. Comparable to Big Tree in high-end private event catering, though larger in scale and broader in geographic reach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Big Tree Catering social profiles
Digital presenceBig Tree Catering financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Big Tree Catering leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Big Tree Catering funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Big Tree Catering 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 Big Tree Catering
What does Big Tree Catering do?
Big Tree Catering is a full-service catering company in Portland, Maine that delivers customized menus, beverage service, service staff, and event management for weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate gatherings, and private celebrations. The company sources ingredients from Maine farmers and seafood purveyors, operates the Local 188 private event venue at 685 Congress Street, and hosts a recurring calendar of public ticketed dining events including Family Meal nights, pop-ups, brunches, and farm-to-table dinners. Pricing is quote-based for private events and per-person for public ticketed events and venue rentals.
Is Big Tree Catering a public or private company?
Big Tree Catering is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Big Tree Catering founded?
Big Tree Catering was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Big Tree Catering based?
Big Tree Catering is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Big Tree Catering make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Private Event Catering is the primary driver. The others are public Ticketed Events, bar Services and holiday Grocery Program.
Who are Big Tree Catering's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pinch Food Design, The Catered Affair, Max Ultimate Food and Season to Taste Catering. Regional players are Inn by the Sea, The Nonantum Resort, Black Tie Catering Co., White Barn Inn and Birch Stream Catering. Thomas Preti Events is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Big Tree Catering have an API?
No public API is recorded for Big Tree Catering.
What industry is Big Tree Catering in?
Big Tree Catering's product category is Event Catering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFAIAB, Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties), with a secondary code of THAHAKAE, Wedding & Social Event Catering. Its NAICS code is 722320 and its SIC code is 5810.