Planning a big event is a lot of work. There are so many things to do – rent a space, pick a band or DJ, decide on decorations and then there’s the food. No matter what type of event you’re planning, whether it’s a wedding for 250 people, a work event for 50 or a small family gathering, figuring out how to feed everyone is the biggest task of all. Figuring out how to feed everyone a plant-based meal that they will love makes it even more of a challenge.

There was a time when finding a caterer who would provide vegan and vegetarian menus was a struggle. Happily, that’s changing. More and more caterers are realizing that people have all types of diets and lifestyles, and they are trying to … well, cater to their needs by providing plant-based meals. Even better, there are lots of totally vegan catering services popping up all over the country

If you’re looking for a caterer, you could always inquire with your favorite restaurants. Many of them offer catering services for special events. Another option is to look for catering companies that offer plant-based options. Here are 12 vegan-friendly catering companies from New York to Portland that can make your big event spectacular!

1. jay astafa catering

jay astafa catering is a full-catering service providing everything from the food to the staffing. They coordinate the venue, event production services, bar services, rentals, lighting, florist, cake, and more. They are based in New York and willing to travel to all major cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco and more.     

Jay Astafa is known for creating “melt-in-your-mouth, ever-memorable fare” by modernizing and veganizing traditional dishes and presenting them in unique ways. Sample dishes include Caprese pops served with his signature cashew milk mozzarella, basil and grape tomatoes, beet tartare served with a golden beet yolk and cashew chèvre, steak spiced grilled carrot with parsnip purée, creamed kale, horseradish crème fraîche and an onion ring and a variety of fish-free seafood dishes. For dessert, there is a mini pie bar as well as a milkshake and cookie bar. See more cuisine and sample menus here. To plan your event, jay astafa catering asks that you email them with your event request, and they will reply within forty-eight hours.

2. Tastee Vegan

Tastee Vegan is a vegan catering company based in New York. They serve the five boroughs as well as Long Island. They specialize in delicious, gourmet, and approachable vegan cuisine for any occasion, offering gluten-free and oil-free options. The president and chef of Tastee Vegan, Lisa Lopez, creates innovative yet approachable gourmet food with organic ingredients. They cater weddings and parties as well as corporate and organizational events.

Tastee Vegan collaborates with their clients to make the perfect menu for the event. There are sample buffet menus, breakfast and brunch menus, sandwich platters, and a dessert menu. Wedding menus and packages are also offered. Menus can be chose as they are written or dishes can be mixed and matched. Dishes include mushroom seitan bourguignon, seasonal vegetable lasagna, Greek tofu scramble, scones, rustic vegetable quiche, tempeh satay sandwiches, and salads. Desserts include cupcakes, tarts, cobblers, puddings and cookies. To get started planning your event, fill out the form on their contact page.

3. Beyond Sushi

Beyond Sushi is a plant-based eatery in New York City founded by Chef Guy Vaknin and his wife, Tali. The culinary team at Beyond Sushi fuses fruit and vegetables with whole grains to create vegan sushi, rolls, wraps, and other dishes. They bring a modern approach to traditional sushi and create dishes that are healthy, intricate and delicious. Beyond Sushi offers a unique catering experience with beautiful and flavorful bites.

There are menus for every occasion including a casual menu for informal gatherings, corporate meetings, and intimate dinner parties. Make your party like no other with a live sushi station. Beyond Sushi offers customized menus for weddings, galas, and cocktail parties with hors d’oeuvres, buffet stations, and plated meals. In addition to sushi rolls and rice paper wraps, Beyond Sushi offers full vegan menus including salads, sandwiches, noodles, legumes, and grains. Party platter menu items include Cajun seitan skewers, garlic tofu bites, and crudité. A global menu offers main dishes include lemon seitan, tofu mole, veggie tagine, edamame dumplings, spaghetti aglio olio, and BBQ maple braised seitan. Email or call them to start planning your event.

4. Two Brothers Catering

Two Brothers Catering in New Jersey offers vegetarian and vegan catering as well as a weekly food delivery service. Operated by Chef Joe Rosolen, Two Brothers Catering uses the finest and freshest ingredients to create delicious meals for a variety of events in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.

Most of the items on their catering menu are vegan except where noted and all of their desserts are vegan. Menu items include endive with hummus, stuffed mushrooms, Italian “sausage” and peppers, wrap platters, tofu ravioli, vegetable lasagna, and a variety of salads. Desserts include various cakes, cookies, and banana bread. To plan your event, email them or visit their contact page.

5. Miss Rachel’s Pantry

Miss Rachel’s Pantry, located in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers full-service catering for all types of special events. They offer fresh, delicious, home-style vegan food for lunch events, baby and bridal showers, cocktail parties, dinner parties, and weddings. They work in a variety of venues as well as offering their own space for private parties with up to twelve seated guests or twenty-five mingling guests.

There are several menus to see on their website for cocktail parties, dinner parties, and weddings. The menus are seasonal, and there are options for a la carte, buffet, family-style, and full-service events. Dishes for cocktail parties include truffled cashew cream tartlets, seitan cheesesteak dumplings, hearts of palm, and artichoke crab cakes, little two-bite sandwiches, vegan cheese platters, mini cupcakes, and brownie bites. Wedding menus include a cocktail hour filled with hors d’oeuvres, dinner with salad, bread, appetizer, main dish, and side dishes, dessert, and beverage options. Contact them here to start planning your event.

6. Green Plate Catering

Green Plate Catering is a catering service run by Kit Wood in Maryland that offers vegetarian and vegan menus for events in the greater Washington, D.C. region. Committed to sustainable, local and organic food sourcing, Green Plate Catering partners with local farmers and produce co-ops to create menus from range from simple to sophisticated. They also offer gluten-free dishes and artisanal baked goods. Green Plate Catering strives to meet your needs and provide delicious dining with striking presentations.

Green Plate Catering offers menus for seasonal favorites, business events, special occasions and weddings with choices that range from drop-off platters to fully serviced events. Dishes on their vegan menu include lemon couscous asparagus pinwheels, mushroom tartlets, beet ravioli, stuffed Portobello mushrooms, scalloped cauliflower, and pumpkin walnut manicotti. Desserts tea cakes, petit fours, fruit compote, and a variety of wedding cakes. To plan your event, fill out the form on the contact page.

7. The Naked Bite

The Naked Bite, run by Chef Amber Antonelli, offers catering services in Miami and South Florida. Located in Miami, The Naked Bite serves Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Focusing on local, organic, and sustainable ingredients, they create vibrant and flavorful meals that are healthy, nourishing and flavorful. The Naked Bite provides catering for small scale events (up to fifty people) including private dinner parties, luncheons, brunches, wine, and food tastings, cocktail parties, and even romantic dinners for two.

The Naked Bite provides sample menus for hors d’oeuvres, dinner and desserts and progressive multi-course dinners. They have many options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free needs. Sample vegan dishes include spinach and artichoke dip, Thai vegetable summer rolls, gazpacho shots, mushroom ceviche, roasted cauliflower steaks, tempeh Bolognese, and a host of salads, side dishes, and desserts. There is also a selection of raw dishes to choose from. To start planning your event, fill out the form on the contact page.

8. Arya Bhavan

Arya Bhavan is one of the top vegan restaurants in Chicago and offers catering of raw, vegan and gluten-free Indian fusion cuisine. Their dishes range from traditional to adventurous to appeal to every taste. Arya Bhavan caters to yoga and fitness studios, private parties, corporate and non-profit events, social gatherings and weddings with anywhere from ten to over one thousand guests. They offer drop-off delivery or full-service catering including servers. Arya Bhavan works with clients to create the best menu to satisfy the guests’ palates.

Arya Bhavan has an extensive menu that includes appetizers such as samosas, aloo tikki, mirch pakora, potato vada, and mixed assortments. Main dishes include chana masala, aloo gobi, palak paneer, baingan bharta, and tofu tikka masala. They also offer a variety of salads, soups, grains, and vegan breads including chapati, naan, and tandoori roti. The raw menu includes taco salads, veggie rolls, zucchini pasta and raw pizza. Chocolate truffles, carrot halva, lemon bars, ice cream and cake are just part of their dessert menu. Call them to start planning your event.

9. Plum Vegan

Plum Vegan is a premier catering company serving Houston, Texas. They specialize in delicious gourmet and approachable vegan cuisine for any occasion, big or small. Plum vegan uses the freshest ingredients, supporting local businesses and farmers whenever possible, to create beautiful and delicious vegan and vegetarian meals. They collaborate with clients to create the perfect menu for the occasion. Plum Vegan offers catering for corporate events, parties, brunch, fundraisers, and weddings.

Plum Vegan offers a variety of menus including an American, Asian, Italian, Tex-Mex, and Mediterranean menu plus a breakfast/brunch menu. They are also willing to create a custom menu to suit the client’s needs. In addition to the many different menu options they offer, Chef Christie Hammond can often take your favorite recipes and “veganize” them for your event. Their menus have items such as veggie burgers, sloppy joes, kale salads, mock duck, pot stickers, Thai noodles with spicy peanut sauce, vegetable lasagna, risotto, tamales, and vegan omelets. To plan your event, email or call.

10. Veganics Catering

Veganic Catering offers affordable organic vegan catering in the greater Los Angeles area. They use the highest quality ingredients to create beautiful and delicious vegan dishes. Veganics caters small and large events, parties, bar mitzvahs, weddings, fundraisers, and business events. Veganics offers several catering packages plus they are willing to customize one to fit your needs. Services can be drop-off delivery, buffet service, family-style or full-service with staff.

The catering menu is extensive with appetizers, salads, entreés, sides, beverages, and desserts. Menu items include chickpea and curried cucumber salad, tomato pesto crostini, cashew cheeze balls with arugula, mini-quiches, spanakopita, vegetable lasagna, fajitas, stir-fries, fettuccine alfredo, and seitan stroganoff. Desserts include a wide selection of cakes, pies, cookies, muffins, and truffles. Call or email to start planning your event.

11. Vegetarian Gourmet

The Vegetarian Gourmet, located in Oakland, California, specializes in elegant gourmet vegetarian and vegan global cuisines. They offer full-service catering as well as delivery of platters for all types of events. The Vegetarian Gourmet is willing to cater to your needs and they will customize menus to suit your occasion, taste, and budget. They use locally sourced, seasonal and organic ingredients, and offer many gluten-free options.

There are several sample menus offered by The Vegetarian Gourmet including Asia and The Silk Road, California and the Americas, Morocco and North Africa, and specialty events such as B’Nai Mitzvahs, Retreats, and Tea Parties. Dishes include vegetable samosas, saag paneer, quesadilla bar, Cuban black bean stew, meze platters, Moroccan tagines, tea sandwiches, and scones as well as breakfast, brunch and lunch options. To plan your ideal menu, fill out the form on their contact page.

12. The (vegan) Caterer

If your event is in the Northwest, The (vegan) Caterer in Portland is the premier vegan catering company. Owned by ­Josh Raymond, a native of New Jersey, The (vegan) Caterer offers full-service catering as well as weekly meal delivery and private chef services. Each event menu is custom created to suit the client’s needs. They Support local businesses and farmers whenever possible and are committed to sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.

The (vegan) Caterer offers five sample menus for various themes including comfort food, Tex-Mex, Far East, Italian, and Summer BBQ. Sample dishes include spinach artichoke dip, Hawaiian kabobs, BBQ soy curls sandwiches, savory pot pies, Thai spring rolls, jailhouse chili, vegetable lasagna, and penne with pesto sauce. Desserts include various pies, scones, cookies, and more. For weddings, they offer several packages at different price ranges as well as a cocktail menu. To plan your event, fill out the form on their contact page.

When an event is special, you want to be sure that everything is perfect. Hiring a caterer that is willing to work with you to make sure your guests are happy and well-fed takes a lot of worry out of the planning, and that is pricelss.

Lead image source: Beyond Sushi