Hawaii

Caterer in Oahu & suggestions in menu

Hi ladies,

need help in finding a caterer.... I've contacted 2 already and probably because of the holidays I haven't heard back from them just yet, but since I'm going to be in Oahu on the 15th, I wanted to expand and have more options, to see if I find at least one or two that we like and are in our budget so I can meet them and do tasting....

We thought of starting with 2-3 appetizers, then have a buffet, for ~75 people at Lanikuhonua. We wanted to add a Hawaiian touch, so maybe have the Kalua pork as an entree, and also some typical Brazilian things (i.e. cheese rolls, which we can provide as long as the caterer is somewhat flexible).... Besides the pork, we want to think of some option for the veggies as well. And for dessert, what do people normally do besides the cake?
Still don't know exactly what apps and side dishes etc to choose, but I think more than the actual food (which, don't get me wrong, we want it to be good, but doesn't have to super fancy), we want it look nice and cool... so we'd love a caterer that knows how to display the food...

Could you share your thoughts on vendors - which ones you liked/didn't like, if they also do bartending (or how you solved that 'issue'), an idea of price per person and any suggestions of items in the menu that you think would be good?

Thanks!!!!

ps - I was never too active, but have been away from the forum for many months coz I went crazy with so many things to do and so much time left (yes, so MUCH time left) that I gave myself a break on wedding stuff for few months.... to pick up only when I really needed....
But I absolutely love this forum, and actually wanted to thank caiandcullen and Kellie (can't find her knottie name) for their initial help.... I was all lost when I got engaged and they gave me a great overview of expenses and what was needed and so on, and that's been a huge help now that I am actually looking into all that stuff :-)))




Re: Caterer in Oahu & suggestions in menu

  • AKWinterBrideAKWinterBride member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Aww, great!  I'm sorry I can't help you with the caterer in Oahu, but I love the shout out.  I think The Knot has a great community, and especially on the Hawaii boards!  So, welcome back to planning, can't wait to see what you have in store!!
    Photobucket Photobucket Anniversary
  • edited December 2011
    Welcome back! I can't help with the caterer either, but GOD do I love talking food! I could do that all day long.

    Do you want another dessert other than cake? Creme brulee? Malasadas? Fresh fruit? Pies? Gelato?
  • edited December 2011
    We used Beaches & Backyards Catering and they were awesome.  Lots of good veggie options and also amazinglly flexible.  Here's our menu (sorry for the weird font, I cut and pasted):


    PUPUS

    Chicken Satay Skewers with Thai Peanut Sauce

    Tofu Summer Rolls with Hoisin Sauce

    Kalua Pig Spring Rolls

     

     

    DINNER

    Grilled Fresh Catch with Lemon Beurre Blanc &

    Sweet Soy Drizzle

     

    Hawaiian Pulehu Tri-tip Steak with Warm Pesto Drizzle

     

    Vegetable Panang Curry

     

    Jasmine Rice with Toasted Coconut

     

    Okinawan Sweet Potato Mash

     

    Grilled Vegetables with Herb Oil

     

    Nalo Greens with Kakimochi, Edamame &

    Mandarin Oranges in Sesame Dressing

     

    DESSERT

    Fruit Skewers

     

     

    BEVERAGES

    Plantation Iced Tea

     

    Lemonade

     

    Ice Water

     

  • destiny1108destiny1108 member
    Sixth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We used Elite Catering, the food, service and presentation was fantastic, they also took care of bartending.
  • kriskrispieskriskrispies member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    thank you all for the warm re-welcome :)

    mdjs - thanks for sharing your menu and for your recomm on Beaches and Backyards, will check on them! there are some great ideas, and I agree with kaesha, I love talking food too! hard to choose among so many options. I love the idea of the skewers!

    destiny1108 - Elite was the first one I contacted, but I've been having a hard time in getting them to respond to each of my emails... each response takes many days (if not weeks) for a follow up... :( at this point we haven't even been able to talk to them about options, so at this pace I'm worried that even if we like them and they are at our budget, I could have issues closer to the date.... do you mind sharing a bit of your experience with them?

    and if you guys have any pics of how the food was displayed, I'd love to see them!! 

    thanks!!



  • 55pawsh55pawsh member
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Keneke's is wonderful!!  Their food is to die for and they're super flexible.  We asked them to create something for us and they came back with all types of suggestions.  Have to warn you, they're super laid back so you'll probably have to give them a contract, but they won't dissapoint you :)  You can also get barware and a bartender through them.  We ended up paying appx $22/pp  HTH :) 

    Our menu was (sorry for the big font, can't figure out how to make it smaller!):

    Pupus:  Teri beef skewers, spicy chicken skewers, shoyu poke, veggie Lumpia, island fruit

    Dinner:  Carved roast beef station, garlic shrimp,  teriyaki chicken, Kalua pig, Nalo greens, tofu veggie stir fry, broccoli stir fried noodles no meat, happa rice, Kona coffee.

  • destiny1108destiny1108 member
    Sixth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    we had some challenges with getting in contact with Elite on our own, but our WC was able to get responses faster.    I'll have to look up some photos, they had nice wood chafers (not the silver ones) which were attractive and they didn't charge for every little thing like some had quoted us.
  • edited December 2011
    We're using Ginniberries and they've been ultra responsive and accommodating. What really helped me decide on them over the other catering options was their presentation of the food (from what I've seen in blogs and photos) and creativity. They're also reasonably priced. Our wedding is not for another 2 months so I can't speak for the food itself, but from my experience so far, I'm very confident in their abilities. Highly recommended. Hope that helps!
  • edited December 2011
    mdjs - that menu looks great! about how much did you pay per person and did they charge any service fees on top of that?
  • aliciacharliealiciacharlie member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our caterer is Off-Menu Catering, and for any destination brides, he is awesome and really responsive.  I can send you the menu if you like, but our budget was about $34/person.  The food is actually from Indigo and most of the produce and meats are locally grown. 
  • edited December 2011
    hi aliciacharlie,

    i'm considering using Off Menu - would you mind sending me the  menu you ended up using?

    thanks!
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