Frequently Asked Questions

Planning an event often comes with many questions, and we’re here to help. Our FAQ section provides helpful information about our catering services, menus, staffing, booking process, and event planning so you can feel confident and prepared as you plan your celebration.

General Catering

How far in advance should we book Kelli’s Kitchen?
We recommend booking as soon as you have a confirmed date and venue. For weddings and large events, 9–18 months in advance is common. Corporate and social events may book sooner depending on season and availability.

What is required to reserve our date?
A signed agreement and a non-refundable deposit are required to officially reserve your event date. Once received, your date is secured and planning begins.

Do you require a deposit?
Yes. We require a 25% non-refundable deposit to hold the date for your event.

When is the final payment due?
Final payment is due approximately one week prior to your event date.

What payment methods do you accept?
To make payments simple and convenient, we accept:

Deposits are required to reserve your event date. Final payments must be received by the agreed-upon due date prior to your event.

For secure and accurate processing, please include your event name and date in the payment notes.

When do you need the final guest count?
Final guest count and entrée selections (if applicable) are required 30 days prior to the event.

Do you offer tastings?
At this time, we do not offer tastings for most events. Because our calendar is fully booked with events throughout the year, our team focuses on preparing and executing the celebrations we have committed to at the highest level.

In limited cases, we may offer one-on-one tastings for larger weddings or events with highly customized or specialized menus. We’re happy to discuss availability once your event details and package are confirmed.

In the meantime, we encourage you to view our Google reviews, where many couples and clients have shared their experiences working with Kelli’s Kitchen and the quality of our food and service.

Where can I find all of your quick links and social media?
For easy access to our website, menus, social media, payment links, and contact information, visit our official Linktree at linktr.ee/kelliskitchenct.

Our Linktree provides a convenient way to explore menus, connect on social media, access booking information, and find direct links to our trusted partners.

Dietary Needs & Special Accommodations

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes. Kelli’s Kitchen regularly accommodates a wide range of dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other common food sensitivities. When planning your event menu, we are happy to work with you to ensure all guests have delicious and appropriate options available.

What makes a food not gluten-free?
Foods are not gluten-free if they contain wheat, barley, rye, or ingredients derived from those grains. Even foods that are naturally gluten-free can become unsafe if they are prepared with shared equipment, cooking surfaces, or utensils that have touched gluten-containing ingredients. Guests with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivities should inform us in advance so we can discuss the safest menu options available.

Do you offer gluten-free menu options?
Yes. Many of our menu items can be prepared gluten-free, and we can also suggest specific dishes that naturally meet gluten-free requirements. Please let us know in advance if gluten-free accommodations are needed so we can plan the menu accordingly.

Can you accommodate guests with celiac disease?
Yes. We can prepare menu options suitable for guests with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivities. Because our kitchen prepares a variety of foods, we always recommend discussing specific needs in advance so we can take appropriate precautions and provide safe menu options.

Do you offer vegan menu options?
Yes. We offer a variety of vegan-friendly dishes and can incorporate plant-based options into many of our menus. Whether it’s a single guest or a fully vegan menu request, our team can help design a thoughtful and flavorful selection.

Do you offer vegetarian options?
Yes. Vegetarian dishes are available across many of our menus and can easily be incorporated into plated dinners, buffets, or stations.

Can guests with dietary restrictions receive plated meals?
Absolutely. For plated events, we can prepare special meals for guests with dietary restrictions. We simply ask that dietary needs are provided in advance so our team can prepare and coordinate service properly.

How should we notify you about dietary restrictions?
We recommend providing a list of dietary restrictions when submitting your final guest count and entrée selections. This allows our culinary team to properly prepare and label any special meals needed for the event.

Can stations or buffets include dietary-friendly options?
Yes. Many of our stations and buffet selections can include gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan options so that guests with dietary restrictions still have multiple choices available.

Do you guarantee allergen-free food preparation?
While we take great care to accommodate dietary needs and minimize cross-contact, our kitchen handles a variety of ingredients including wheat, dairy, nuts, and shellfish. Because of this, we cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment. Guests with severe allergies should notify us in advance so we can discuss the best options.

Weddings

What wedding catering packages do you offer?
We offer plated dining experiences, interactive Bars & Stations, and our Grand Experience. Each package is designed to reflect your style, guest count, and overall vision.

What is included in your all-inclusive wedding packages?
Our all-inclusive packages include curated menu selections, professional staffing, setup and breakdown, service ware (plates, flatware, water glasses, napkins), and coordination with your venue and bar partner.

Do you partner with venues and bar services?
Yes. We work closely with trusted venue partners and professional bartending services such as Mixology Mixers and Two Pour Guys to ensure a seamless, coordinated event experience.

Can we upgrade from plated to stations or vice versa?
Absolutely. Our menus are flexible and customizable. We are happy to build a hybrid or fully custom experience that suits your vision.

Do you offer rehearsal dinner or day-of breakfast options?
Yes. We offer rehearsal dinner catering and breakfast boards or brunch-style menus for the day of your wedding.

How do entrée selections work for plated dinners?
Guests may pre-select their entrée in advance or choose tableside depending on the event structure and timeline. We coordinate with you and your planner to determine the smoothest service flow.

Do you provide cake-cutting service?
Yes. Cake-cutting service is included in many of our packages or can be added to any event.

Do you coordinate timing with our planner and venue?
Absolutely. We work closely with planners and venue staff to ensure service aligns with your timeline, speeches, and special moments.

Do you offer late-night snack stations?
Yes — late-night bites and specialty stations can be added to keep the energy high and guests fueled well into the evening. These interactive additions are especially popular for weddings, galas, and milestone celebrations.

Some guest favorites include:

  • Crispy Chicken Tenders & French Fries

  • Mini Hamburgers & French Fries

  • Loaded Chili Cheese Fries

  • Walking Taco Station

  • Fresh Fried Dough Station

  • Chocolate Drizzle Popcorn & Pretzel Bites

  • Milk & Cookie Pairings

Late-night stations are fully customizable and designed to complement your original menu while creating an unforgettable guest experience.

Corporate & Nonprofit

What corporate catering styles do you offer?
We offer plated dinners, buffets, and interactive stations tailored to professional and nonprofit environments.

Can you accommodate large guest counts?
Yes. We regularly serve large-scale galas, fundraisers, and corporate celebrations and are equipped to handle high guest counts with professional staffing.

Do you offer nonprofit-friendly packages?
Yes. We understand nonprofit fundraising goals and can structure menus that balance impact, presentation, and budget considerations.

Do you provide certificates of insurance?
Yes, we can provide a certificate of insurance upon request.

Can you accommodate tight event timelines?
Yes. Our experienced team is accustomed to working within structured event schedules and will coordinate closely to ensure timely service.

Social Events & Milestones

Do you offer brunch and tea party menus?
Yes. We offer curated brunch, shower, and tea party menus featuring light fare, pastries, and beautifully presented displays.

Can we host smaller guest counts?
Yes. We accommodate both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations.

Do you provide themed stations?
Yes. We can customize stations to reflect event themes, cuisines, or seasonal concepts.

What menu styles work best for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs?
Interactive stations and elevated buffet-style menus are popular for mitzvah celebrations, offering flexibility for guests of all ages.

Can we customize appetizer-only events?
Absolutely. We can create fully curated appetizer receptions or dessert-forward events.

School Events & Teen Celebrations

Do you cater proms, homecoming events, and school dances?
Yes. Kelli’s Kitchen provides catering for proms, homecoming celebrations, school dances, and other student events. We offer flexible menu styles including buffet service, stations, and passed appetizers that work well for large groups and energetic events.

What types of menus work best for prom or homecoming events?
Many schools choose buffet-style service or interactive stations because they allow guests to eat quickly and return to the dance floor. Popular options include sliders, pasta stations, taco bars, grazing displays, and dessert tables.

Can you accommodate large school events?
Yes. Our team regularly serves large-scale celebrations and can accommodate high guest counts with professional staffing and efficient service setups designed for school venues.

Do you offer teen-friendly menu options?
Absolutely. We offer a variety of menu options that appeal to younger guests while still maintaining the quality and presentation Kelli’s Kitchen is known for. Popular choices include comfort-food favorites, fun stations, and dessert displays.

Can schools customize the menu based on budget?
Yes. We are happy to work with schools and event organizers to design menus that balance guest experience and budget while still delivering delicious, high-quality food.

Do you coordinate with schools or event planners?
Yes. Our team works closely with school event coordinators, PTO groups, and venue staff to ensure a smooth event timeline, proper setup, and seamless service.

Do you provide staffing for school events?
Yes. Kelli’s Kitchen provides professional service staff to assist with setup, food service, and cleanup so organizers can focus on the event itself.

What types of school events do you cater?
We cater a variety of school-related celebrations, including prom, homecoming, senior banquets, school fundraisers, awards dinners, graduation celebrations, PTO and faculty events, and more.

Specialty Food Stations

What are the most popular station options?
Our most popular stations include pasta bars, taco stations, grazing displays, slider stations, and comfort food experiences.

How much space is required for stations?
Station layouts depend on guest count and venue configuration. We coordinate with your venue to ensure proper spacing and flow.

Are stations staffed?
Yes. Stations are professionally staffed to maintain presentation, quality, and guest experience.

How do stations compare to buffet service?
Stations provide a more interactive and visually elevated alternative to traditional buffet service, encouraging guest movement and engagement.

Can stations replace a full plated dinner?
Yes. Many clients choose stations as their primary dining experience, especially for social and cocktail-style events.

All-Inclusive Packages

What makes your all-inclusive packages different?
Our all-inclusive packages combine catering, professional staffing, venue coordination, and trusted bar partnerships into one cohesive experience — reducing stress and simplifying planning.

What vendors are included?
We partner with select venues and professional bartending services depending on the event. Specific partnerships vary by package.

Do you coordinate directly with the venue?
Yes. We communicate directly with venue teams to manage logistics, timing, and setup.

Are bar services included?
Bar services are coordinated through trusted partners and can be integrated into your package.

Can all-inclusive packages be customized?
Yes. All packages serve as a foundation and can be tailored to your needs.

Pricing & Policies

What is your starting price per guest?
Pricing varies based on menu style, guest count, and service level. We are happy to provide a customized proposal after discussing your event details.

Is gratuity included?
Gratuity is not included in the package price and is left to the client’s discretion. It is customary and always appreciated.

Are vendor meals included?
We provide vendor meals as a courtesy; please provide the vendor headcount in advance.

What is your cancellation policy?
Deposits are non-refundable, as they secure your date and staffing.

Do you carry insurance?
Yes. Kelli’s Kitchen is fully insured and can provide documentation upon request.

Still have questions? We’re here to help.

If you didn’t find what you’re looking for, we’re happy to help. Reach out with your questions and we’ll get back to you with the information you need.

Contact Kelli