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Frequently Asked Questions

The Basics

For more than 20 years and thousands of events, we’ve done more than serve great food, we’ve helped bring people together. Our food is made from scratch with quality ingredients and big flavor, while our experienced team provides the guidance and logistical know-how to help your event run smoothly.
Our Food for All Philosophy means creating thoughtful, flexible menus for a wide range of tastes, cultures, and dietary needs. We’ll work with your priorities, offer creative solutions, and help shape an experience that feels like you.
At the heart of it all is people. From our team and clients to every guest around the table, we’re here to make your gathering feel welcoming, memorable, and well cared for.
We offer everything from convenient pickup and delivery to fully staffed catering with setup, service, cleanup, rentals, linens, and place settings. Our team can support buffets, plated dinners, family-style meals, food stations, receptions, and more. Choose as much or as little support as you need, and we’ll help you build the right service plan for your event.
From intimate dinners to gatherings with more than 1,000 guests, we’re experienced in events of nearly every size and style. We cater weddings, corporate gatherings, nonprofit galas, community celebrations, milestone birthdays, memorials, brunches, production sets, and plenty in between.
 
Whatever brings your people together, we’ll bring the same care, creativity, and big flavor to the table.
We’ve catered intimate gatherings for as few as four guests and large-scale events serving more than 1,000. Tell us what you’re planning, and we’ll help determine the best menu, service style, and support for your guest count.
We specialize in global fusion, blending flavors from around the world to create something truly unique. That said, we love a classic, traditional menu just as much. Whether you’re craving something bold and adventurous or prefer a tried-and-true favorite, we’re here to make it happen. No matter the style, we always work with you to craft a custom menu tailored to your event and vision—because your celebration should feel as special as the food served at it.
We’re proud to cater to the Twin Cities and its surrounding suburbs.
For most drop-off orders, we ask for at least 3 days’ notice. For staffed events, we recommend reaching out at least two weeks in advance. Additional notice may be needed during busy seasons, and availability or menu choices may be limited for short-notice requests.
We know some gatherings, including memorials, come together unexpectedly. When that happens, please reach out, and we’ll respond quickly and do our best to help. Whenever possible, we recommend contacting us as soon as you begin planning so we can give your event the time and attention it deserves.
For events booked well in advance, we’ll confirm a guaranteed minimum guest count eight weeks before your event. Your final guest count is then due one month before the event date.
 
For events booked on shorter notice, we’ll need your most accurate current count as soon as possible. Guest counts guide everything from food sourcing and production planning to staffing and service. We understand that numbers can shift and will be flexible within reason, but timely and accurate updates help us take the best possible care of your event.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let us know as soon as possible. Cancellation fees may apply and will be detailed in your Service Agreement.
Cancellations made less than two full days before an event will be charged 100% of the total invoice. At that point, food has been purchased, labor and rentals have been scheduled, and other resources have already been committed to your event.
While deposits are nonrefundable, they may be transferred to a rescheduled or future event held within one year of the original event date. We understand that plans can change and will work with you whenever possible.
During our peak season (May-December) we may have order minimums in place. Please visit our Contact Page for the latest information on if minimums are currently enforced. 

Payments & Fees

Yes. A signed Service Agreement and deposit are required to secure your event date. Most events require a $500 deposit, while larger events generally require a higher deposit based on the size and scope of service.
Your deposit and payment schedule will be outlined in your personalized proposal. Once your agreement is signed and deposit is received, your date is officially secured on our calendar!
We accept checks, cash, and credit cards—whatever works best for you.
Yes. Staffed events typically include a service fee of 15–20%, depending on the size, scope, and level of service involved. This helps cover the planning, coordination, and operational support required to bring your event together smoothly.
 
Your exact service fee will always be clearly outlined in your personalized proposal. Please note that the service fee is not a gratuity; gratuity is optional and may be added separately if desired.
Yes, staffed events include labor charges based on the service style, guest count, venue, and event timeline. A plated dinner requires more hands-on support than a buffet, while pickup or delivery may require little to no onsite staffing.
 
Our onsite teams may include event leads, servers, chefs, and other support staff who handle setup, service, and cleanup. Recommended staffing, estimated hours, and associated costs will be clearly itemized in your personalized proposal.
 
Labor charges are separate from the service fee.
Some venues require caterers to collect an additional fee, either as a flat rate or a percentage of the event cost. These fees are established by the venue and passed through to them; they are not set by Chef Jeff Catering.
 
We do our best to keep venue requirements current in our system. If a venue fee applies, it will be clearly listed in your personalized proposal. Because policies can change, we also recommend confirming the most up-to-date information with your venue coordinator.
Depending on your event, additional costs may include staffing, service or service-style fees, delivery or travel, rentals, venue fees, and applicable taxes. Plated meals may include an additional fee to account for the increased planning, coordination, and service required. Family-style meals may also include additional costs based on the number of shared dishes and serving pieces needed.
 
Not every charge applies to every event, and we’ll help you understand what is needed for yours. We believe in complete transparency, so every applicable cost will be itemized in your proposal. If your plans change, we’ll update your proposal accordingly nso there are no surprises or hidden fees.

The Extras

Yes, we offer rentals for plateware, silverware, water glasses or goblets, and linen tablecloths or napkins. Just reach out to your event coordinator, and they’ll walk you through our available options and help add them to your proposal. We’ve got everything you need to make your event look just as good as it tastes!
We want you to love your meal and we offer open house tastings throughout the year. If you are interested in attending a tasting, please contact our team at info@chef-jeff.com. Private tastings may be available for an additional charge based on our event calendar.
We do not provide or serve alcohol, as we are a sober-friendly and recovery-friendly environment. However, if you plan to have alcohol at your event, we’re happy to connect you with trusted vendors who specialize in bar service. Our top recommendations are Liquid Motion or With a Twist.
No. Gratuity is never automatically added or expected, and our service fee is not a gratuity. If you would like to provide a tip, your event coordinator can add it to your proposal or process a separate credit card payment. You may also give cash directly to your event lead onsite. Gratuities are distributed among the team members who helped execute your event. While never required, gratuity is always sincerely appreciated by our team.
Yes. We regularly work with a wide range of dietary needs, food allergies, cultural or religious practices, and personal preferences. Because every guest’s needs are unique, we’ll review the details with you, guide you toward the best menu choices, and suggest appropriate alternatives or items that can be prepared separately or served on the side.
 
Please share all dietary needs and allergies as early as possible so we have time to plan, source specialty ingredients if needed, and create a thoughtful experience for everyone.
Getting started is easy! Share what you know about your event so far. Your date, time, estimated guest count, location, service needs, and any menu ideas will help us create the most accurate pricing. Our team will review your information, follow up with any questions, and may schedule a brief consultation to make sure we understand what you need. You’ll then receive a personalized, itemized proposal so you can clearly see what is included.
 
You can contact our team or request a full proposal when you’re ready to begin.
Your personalized proposal will clearly outline the food, quantities, service style, staffing, delivery, rentals, and other details recommended or selected for your event. Any applicable service charges, venue fees, travel costs, and taxes will also be itemized so you can see exactly how your total is calculated.
 
We offer everything from simple pickup or delivery to fully staffed service with setup, cleanup, linens, plates, glassware, and silverware. Choose as much or as little support as you need. If you prefer to provide certain items yourself, we can adjust the proposal accordingly.
We’re happy to package up any eligible leftover food from your buffet for you or your guests to take home after your event! Just let us know in advance, and we’ll bring the containers. We do require a refrigerator or prepared cooler on-site to maintain food safety. Once food is handed off, Chef Jeff cannot guarantee food safety practices. Please note that leftovers are not guaranteed. We may prepare additional food as “food insurance” to ensure all guests, vendors, and staff are properly fed. Any additional food prepared for this purpose may not be considered leftover food available for the client to take home.
We also partner with a food rescue network of Community Partners to help make sure any eligible food doesn’t go to waste. It’s a win-win!
We’re here to help! If there’s anything else on your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether it’s about our services, menu options, or anything in between, we’re happy to chat and make sure you have all the info you need. Get in touch with us here, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

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