The Local Caterer

What The Local Caterer does

The Local Caterer is a full-service catering company headquartered in Mesa, Arizona, founded in 2020 by Executive Chef Josh Bakken and Co-Founder/Operations Director Kasandra Bakken. The business operates as part of the Bakken Hospitality family of brands alongside a sister private-dining concept, Bakken's Table, and is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding. It serves three primary customer segments — weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations — across the East Valley Phoenix Metro, including Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, and Gilbert, with delivery fees scaled by distance up to 50 miles.

The company's product offering centers on chef-crafted, scratch-made food with fully customizable menus presented through seven core service lines (wedding, corporate, private event, private party, baby shower, celebration of life, and BBQ catering) and three packaged themed dining experiences (Southwest, Backyard BBQ, Italian) plus charcuterie and grazing boards. Operationally it provides end-to-end event execution — custom menu design, professional uniformed service staff, full equipment provision (chafing dishes, linens, serving stations), setup, service, and cleanup — and integrates with Tripleseat for quote intake and event management. It has catered 500+ events since founding and holds a perfect 5.0-star rating on Google (131+ verified reviews), WeddingWire (100% couple recommendation), and The Knot.

Revenue is generated on a per-event, quote-based professional services model: pricing is fully customized to guest count, menu, service style, staffing, and equipment, with revenue streams from food pricing, a mandatory 20% non-gratuity service charge that funds administrative overhead, $25/hour staffing fees, distance-tiered delivery charges, $50-per-guest tastings (credited on booking), and a 25% surcharge on six major holidays. Payment is staged via non-refundable deposits and milestone balances. Customer acquisition runs through the website quote form, phone inquiries, and listings on wedding marketplaces (WeddingWire, The Knot) plus Google and Yelp, with no paid advertising disclosed.

Name

The Local Caterer

Legal name

The Local Caterer

Website

https://thelocalcaterer.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Local Caterer is a Mesa, Arizona-based full-service catering company founded in 2020 that provides chef-crafted, scratch-made food and end-to-end event execution for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations across the East Valley Phoenix Metro.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Catering Services

NAICS

Caterers (722320), Caterers (72232), Food Service Contractors (722310)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Retail-Eating Places (5812)

akta.pro primary industry

Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties) (THAFAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wedding & Reception Catering (HSACAGAD), Wedding & Social Event Catering (THAHAKAE), Venue & Banquet Hall Catering (THAFAIAC)

Keywords

• Event catering services
• Wedding catering
• Corporate event catering
• Private party catering
• BBQ catering

Headquarters

HQ city

Mesa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Event Catering Services: Per-event catering services for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. Revenue generated from food pricing per guest, service charges, delivery fees, staffing fees, and optional add-ons. Tastings offered at $50 per guest, credited toward final invoice upon booking.
2. Service Charge (Non-Gratuity): Mandatory 20% service charge added to all events. Supports operational and administrative work including event planning, BEO creation, client communication, menu development, staffing management, and administrative overhead. This is a mandatory fee, not distributed as tips to staff.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Local Caterer provides full-service, chef-crafted event catering for weddings, corporate events, private celebrations, and outdoor gatherings across the East Valley of the Phoenix Metro. Each event includes custom menu design, professional serving staff, all equipment (chafing dishes, linens, serving stations), on-site setup, service, and full cleanup. Signature themed dining experiences (Southwest, Backyard BBQ, Italian) and Charcuterie & Grazing Boards supplement the core offering.

Product overview

The Local Caterer is a Mesa, Arizona-based full-service catering company offering a unified catering service platform. The core offering consists of event catering services for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. Service offerings include Wedding Catering, Corporate Event Catering, Private Event Catering, Private Party Catering, Baby Shower Catering, Celebration of Life Catering, and BBQ Catering. Menu categories span Appetizers, Hors d'Oeuvres, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Entrées, Beverages, and Desserts. Signature themed dining experiences include the Southwest Experience, Backyard BBQ Experience, and Italian Experience. The company also offers specialty Charcuterie & Grazing Boards as part of their menu offerings. All services include professional setup, service staff, equipment, and cleanup.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wedding Catering Full-service wedding catering including custom menu design, professional serving staff, plated, buffet, family-style, and cocktail options, plus full setup and cleanup for weddings across the East Valley.
• Corporate Event Catering Professional catering for office lunches, corporate conferences, client appreciation dinners, and company events with flexible menus, on-time delivery, dietary accommodations, and recurring catering programs.
• Private Event Catering Custom catering for birthdays, anniversaries, and special celebrations with flexible menu options, professional setup, service, and cleanup.
• Private Party Catering Backyard parties, family reunions, and neighborhood gatherings with casual and formal menu options, full setup and cleanup, and flexible guest counts.
• Baby Shower Catering Elegant catering for baby showers and gender reveal parties featuring themed menus, charcuterie boards, and beautiful food presentation.
• Celebration of Life Catering Compassionate catering for memorial services and celebrations of life with custom menus honoring the deceased and comfort food options.
• BBQ Catering Authentic Arizona BBQ catering featuring smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and classic BBQ sides for outdoor events and corporate gatherings.
• Southwest Experience (Signature Themed Dining) Full themed dining experience featuring taco bars, proteins, rice and beans in a Southwest/Arizona cuisine style.
• Backyard BBQ Experience (Signature Themed Dining) Full themed dining experience with smoked meats, Southern sides, and cornbread for outdoor gatherings.
• Italian Experience (Signature Themed Dining) Full themed dining experience with pasta, chicken, seafood and classic Italian sides.
• Charcuterie & Grazing Boards Artisan charcuterie boards and grazing tables featuring meats, cheeses, fruits, and accompaniments for events and parties.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ events successfully catered across the East Valley
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Modern Moments VenuecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The Local Caterer is recognized as a preferred catering partner at Modern Moments Venue in Gilbert, AZ — a Best of Zola 2025 award-winning venue. This partnership cements their reputation in the East Valley wedding market and provides steady wedding catering opportunities.
• Bakken HospitalitycoreOthersThe Local Caterer is part of the Bakken Hospitality family of brands. This parent company provides institutional knowledge and operational excellence while the Local Caterer maintains personal touch and community focus. Bakken Hospitality also includes Bakken's Table (private dining/chef's table experience).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Catering by Diana: Phoenix-based full-service caterer specializing in weddings, corporate, and social events with customizable chef-driven menus. Comparable full-service event catering model serving the same Greater Phoenix customer base.
• Arizona Catering: Phoenix-metro full-service catering company serving corporate events, weddings, and private functions. Comparable in service scope, East Valley/Metro Phoenix geography, and full-service delivery model.
• Piece of Cake Catering: Phoenix-based full-service caterer serving weddings, corporate, and private events with customizable menus and on-site staffing. Comparable in service model, event types, and Greater Phoenix target market.
• Fab Food AZ: Phoenix-area full-service caterer offering wedding, corporate, and private event catering with chef-curated menus. Comparable service model, regional focus, and event-driven customer acquisition.
• M Culinary Concepts: Phoenix-based full-service catering company serving weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations across the Valley. Directly comparable to The Local Caterer in service scope, target market (Greater Phoenix), full-service model, and custom menu focus.
• Boka Event Group: Arizona full-service event and catering company offering weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings with customizable menus and bar service. Comparable product offering, regional focus, and full-service delivery model to The Local Caterer.
• Russo & Co Catering: Scottsdale-based full-service catering company focused on weddings and corporate events across the Phoenix metro. Directly comparable in target geography, premium wedding positioning, and customizable menu approach.
• Tam O'Shanter Catering: Long-standing Phoenix-area full-service catering operation serving weddings, corporate functions, and private parties. Directly comparable in service breadth, local market focus, and event-driven revenue model.
• Pampas Catering: Scottsdale-area full-service catering operation focused on weddings, corporate, and social events. Comparable in premium full-service offering, regional Phoenix-metro footprint, and event-driven revenue model.

Broad incumbents

• The Scottsdale Plaza Resort Catering: Hotel and resort with in-house banquet and catering services for weddings and corporate events across the Phoenix/Scottsdale market. Broader incumbent offering full-service event catering as part of a wider hospitality portfolio, competing for the same wedding and corporate clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/localcatererers
• Facebookfacebook.com/thelocalcatereraz
• Instagraminstagram.com/thelocalcaterer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-local-caterer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 The Local Caterer