Business Details
Authentic Caribbean Catering Services
Taste Buds Required is a woman-owned catering company rooted in Haitian culinary traditions, delivering bold Caribbean flavors with modern presentation. Founded by Martine Dardignac, our approach blends cultural heritage with intentional styling to create memorable dining experiences for weddings, corporate events, and family gatherings. We specialize in customizable packages, including drop-off catering, styled grazing tables, and full-service events, serving clients across New York City, the Hudson Valley, and beyond. Our menus feature authentic dishes like griot, Haitian patties, and djon djon rice, crafted with locally sourced ingredients and presented to elevate every occasion. With nearly two decades of project management expertise, we ensure seamless execution while honoring the richness of Caribbean cuisine.Our commitment to quality, creativity, and client satisfaction has earned us recognition as a trusted partner for multicultural celebrations and corporate functions. We pride ourselves on offering flexible service options, from casual office lunches to luxury weddings, all while maintaining the integrity of traditional flavors. Our teams dedication to excellence is reflected in our meticulous attention to detail, from menu curation to event styling, ensuring each clients vision comes to life. As a certified minority- and woman-owned business, we bring both cultural authenticity and professional rigor to every event we cater.
Services
Drop-Off Catering
Styled Grazing Tables
Full-Service Catering
Wedding Catering
Corporate Catering
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of expertise in Haitian culinary traditions and event management.
- Our menus blend cultural authenticity with modern presentation for memorable events.
- We provide customizable catering solutions for weddings, corporate functions, and family gatherings.
- Our team ensures seamless execution with professional staffing and premium rentals.
- We are certified as a minority- and woman-owned business enterprise.
Associations and certifications
- MWBE Certified
What people say
Best food ever
Show-stopping presentation
Top-tier experience
Delicious authentic flavors
Professional and attentive team
Services
Drop-Off Catering
Our drop-off catering delivers fully prepared Haitian meals directly to your location. Perfect for office lunches or casual gatherings, this service includes hot, ready-to-serve dishes with disposable serving ware. Clients appreciate the convenience of our curated multi-course meals featuring options like chicken creole, fried plantains, and baked macaroni au gratin.
Styled Grazing Tables
Elevate your event with our artfully arranged grazing tables featuring Caribbean-inspired small plates. Ideal for weddings or corporate mixers, these self-serve spreads include items like griot, plantain cups, and pikliz, presented on tiered trays with premium disposables. Our team handles setup to create visually striking centerpieces that encourage guest interaction.
Full-Service Catering
Our comprehensive full-service catering handles every detail from setup to cleanup. This premium option includes professional staff, elegant rentals, and customizable menus for plated dinners or buffets. Clients receive complete event management with offerings like cocktail hour hors d'oeuvres, multi-course meals, and signature Caribbean desserts for weddings and high-end corporate functions.
Wedding Catering
Specializing in multicultural weddings, we create menus that honor traditional Haitian dishes while accommodating modern preferences. Services include tasting sessions, menu customization, and coordination with planners. Our offerings range from intimate family dinners to grand receptions, featuring signature items like lambi in creole sauce and Haitian wedding cake.
Corporate Catering
We provide professional catering solutions for corporate functions from boardroom lunches to large conferences. Our menus feature elevated Caribbean flavors in convenient formats, including boxed meals and grazing stations. Clients benefit from MWBE certification advantages and our experience managing events for organizations like the New York Hall of Science.
People
Martine Dardignac
Owner + Culinary Director
Haitian heritage chef with 20 years of project management experience. Founded Taste Buds Required to celebrate Caribbean culture through food. Combines corporate leadership skills with culinary expertise to create exceptional catering experiences.
Questions
What areas do you cater to?
We serve New York City, Hudson Valley, Westchester, and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut with travel fees based on distance.
Do you offer menu customization?
Yes, we customize menus for dietary needs and cultural preferences, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and multicultural options.
Can we schedule a tasting?
Private tastings are available by appointment for weddings and large events to sample our signature Caribbean dishes.
Are you licensed and insured?
We maintain full liability insurance and provide Certificates of Insurance upon request for venue requirements.
What service options do you offer?
We provide drop-off catering, styled grazing tables, and full-service events with staffing and premium rentals.
