Here are many of the Frequently Asked Questions that we often receive. We hope this information will allow you to make choices about your Portland-area catered event with confidence!
Do you provide tasting packages so we can sample your menu?
Yes, we do! Our tasting packages are a great way to experience the Art de Cuisine menu, flavors and presentation. Please note that tasting packages are only available for events with an estimated minimum of $2,000.
How it Works: We'll set you up on one of our next delivery routes and provide a sample package of appetizers, salads and entrees dropped off to your door. All foods are packaged, labeled and oven-ready! Be sure to let us know if you have any food allergies or dietary preferences.
The catering tasting package is a "chef's selection" assortment of appetizers, hors d'oeuvres, salads, entrees and sides for two people. If there is anything in particular you do (or don't) want to try, just let us know and we’ll do our best to include that in the package.
Limited to Portland, OR + Vancouver, WA area
$100 for a variety of hors d'oeuvres, salads, entrees and side dishes + desserts (if a dessert bar would be included in your order)
Can I also sample your dessert bar?
Absolutely! Our catered dessert bar is a chef’s choice sampling of delicious in-season tastes and textures. Similarly, our dessert bar tasting sample will be a whimsical preview of bite-sized sweets covering all flavors from chocolate, nuts, berries and citrus to seasonal highlights. You’ll get an idea of our style of food, flavors and presentation so you know what to expect from the dessert bar on the day of your event.
How do I select menu options?
You can select your own custom items from our menus listed online at any time. We’ll also have a prix fixe (set) seasonal menu available a little closer to the date. You can always take a look at the seasonal menu at that time and decide if you'd like to opt for that (set) featured harvest menu or if you'd like to keep your original menu choices.
What kinds of local foods are available?
We believe in sourcing foods sustainably and supporting local farmers. We enjoy fresh produce in season from Zenger Farmand Sun Love Farm, receiving weekly deliveries from their newest harvest when in season. We love to create inventive seasonal menus based on the variety of their best produce that arrives to us from their fresh bounty.
Art de Cuisine also grows much of our own fresh herbs and edible flowers. We are inspired to artfully design botanical aesthetics with the natural beauty of colorful flowers and plants available to us throughout varying seasons in the Pacific Northwest.
Can I DIY certain parts of my event, like hiring a friend to be the bartender?
No, sorry! When you hire Art de Cuisine, our job is to coordinate ALL food, beverage and service components of your event to ensure that everything runs smoothly in a cohesive and organized way. Due to liability reasons and professional integrity/consistency, Art de Cuisine will not serve outside/homemade food or work with servers outside of our own team. However, we're happy to work in tandem with other professionally licensed vendors such as bakeries.
Big events like weddings are hectic behind the scenes and require a finely oiled machine to appear effortless and elegant. No friends or family members should have the burden of last-minute stress thrust upon them when well-intentioned ideas do not work or are poorly planned. If you want to DIY party favors or take away treats, we’re all for it. But the critical functions of your actual wedding day should remain flawless and professional. Trust us, we’ve seen it all and we want you to be beyond delighted on your special day!
How do I book and pay for my event?
Once you decide to book your date, we require a 50% non-refundable deposit and contract. We can easily work together over email, text, phone and/or Zoom to dial in catering logistics as you continue with your planning process. With over 18 years in business, we are a wealth of knowledge on all components of event planning and are happy to answer questions and make suggestions as needed.
Your final guest count is due 1 week before your date. The remaining balance will be recalculated based on whatever your final count is. The final invoice will be due at that time.
What if I have special requested plates/dietary needs?
When hosting a group of any size, chances are you may have a few guests with special dietary needs. However, there is no need to select your entire menu based on the few restrictions. Simply give us a count of names and their dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc) and we'll make a complete and separate meal that will be delivered directly to that guest. Just be sure to let us know the count when providing your final guest count 1 week before your event date.
Additional $10 per person applies to each plate ordered.
Art de Cuisine's commercial kitchen facilities are not a dedicated allergen free facility.
How do I tally my guest count to make sure there is enough food for everyone?
All we need is your total guest count, including yourself (the host) and any vendors you may wish to provide meals for. (No need to include our catering staff.) There is no need to ask guests for choices of anything, there will be enough food for all guests to enjoy the complete menu.
We will have kids attending our event. Should I include them in my guest count?
The general rule of whether or not to include kids in the guest count is the following: if they are old enough to serve themselves a plate of food and require a full table setting with plates, napkin, glasses, flatware, etc, do include them.
If your very young guests do not require a full setting, there is no need to count them. If you'd like to offer kids meals, each $10 plate will be provided with a variation of simple grilled chicken, mac n' cheese and steamed broccoli or green beans. Just be sure to let us know the count when providing your final guest count 1 week before your event date.
What happens if there is food left over?
Art de Cuisine Catering gladly packages all your leftover foods to send home with you or whomever you may designate. Any foods not claimed are packed into individual meal kits that we personally hand deliver to our houseless neighbors within our Portland community.
How do you manage waste removal?
Many venues have updated their policies to state that they no longer manage waste removal on location, making caterers responsible for this task. Though we are vigilant about minimizing waste, packaging, composting all food materials and recycling all bottles/cans, event waste is inevitable. In the event that your chosen venue requires us to independently manage waste removal, a $150 fee will be charged for this service. This feel includes staff handling, loading and responsible disposal of waste to the appropriate trash, recycling and composting locations. Thank you for your understanding!
Do you travel?
Yes, we do! We love to travel to your gorgeous location to help bring your exquisite vision to life. A $2,000 travel & accommodation fee applies for events more than 100 miles outside of Portland, OR.
Can I pick up food directly from your kitchen?
No, sorry! Art de Cuisine Catering is exclusively off-premise and does not offer customer pick-up services
Are you LGBTQIA+ friendly?
Absolutely. We're honored to work with queer and nonbinary clients and we always seek to broaden our knowledge of inclusivity in our best practices. Growth and awareness always takes intentional practice, and we're privileged to serve all representations of love in our communities and pour our hearts into equitable contributions for all inclusiveness.
We are supremely passionate about quality food, community connection and the art of hospitality. Our team is honored to have the opportunity to help create your most special celebration!