Business Details
18 Years
experience
Your Trusted Catering Partner in the Bay Area
Aurora Catering has been serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 2008, delivering exceptional culinary experiences through personalized menus and a commitment to fresh, seasonal ingredients. Founded by Chef Marty and Dawn Deardorf, our husband-and-wife team combines decades of industry expertise with a passion for creating dishes that blend California, Mediterranean, and French influences. We specialize in crafting unforgettable events for weddings, corporate gatherings, and social occasions, accommodating up to 200 guests with tailored service. Our dedication to quality extends to dietary inclusivity, offering gluten-free, vegan, and other specialized menu options. With a proven track record of repeat clients and glowing testimonials, we prioritize client collaboration, ensuring every event reflects individual preferences while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and care.Our team of skilled chefs and staff brings both technical precision and warm hospitality to every occasion, from intimate dinners to large-scale celebrations. We adhere to rigorous safety protocols, including contactless service during the pandemic, and maintain partnerships with trusted vendors to provide comprehensive event solutions. Our philosophy centers on treating clients as partners, ensuring their vision is realized with creativity, attention to detail, and a personal touch that sets us apart in the catering industry.
Services
Wedding Catering
Corporate Events
Social Occasions
Menu Planning
Delivery Service
Event Coordination
Dietary Accommodations
Venue Partnerships
Memorial Services
Holiday Catering
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- We have over 15 years of combined experience in the catering industry.
- Our menus feature fresh, seasonal ingredients with dietary inclusivity options.
- We provide personalized service for events up to 200 guests.
- Our team includes certified chefs with training from top culinary institutions.
- We maintain partnerships with trusted vendors for comprehensive event planning.
What people say
Exceptional care
Delicious food
Professional staff
Creative menus
Seamless planning
Services
Wedding Catering
Aurora Catering offers full-service wedding catering with personalized menus, venue coordination, and vendor partnerships. Our team creates custom culinary experiences from engagement parties to receptions, accommodating dietary needs and event sizes from intimate gatherings to 200 guests. Chef Marty collaborates directly with couples to design menus reflecting their unique tastes and cultural traditions.
Corporate Events
We provide comprehensive catering solutions for corporate functions including conferences, team-building events, and office celebrations. Our services range from breakfast meetings to multi-day workshops, featuring interactive food stations, dietary accommodations, and professional service staff. We maintain preferred vendor status at major Bay Area venues and serve clients like Second Harvest Food Bank and UC Cooperative Extensions.
Social Occasions
Our social event catering covers milestone birthdays, anniversaries, holiday parties, and memorial services. The team handles all details from menu design to cleanup, offering flexible service formats including buffet, plated dinners, and appetizer stations. We specialize in creating warm, memorable experiences while accommodating last-minute planning needs and special dietary requirements.
Menu Planning
Chef Marty leads personalized menu consultations to create customized dining experiences. We offer diverse options including Mediterranean-inspired dishes, seasonal ingredients, and specialized menus for dietary restrictions. Our planning process includes detailed proposals, taste testing, and coordination with venue requirements to ensure every dish aligns with the client's vision and event theme.
Event Coordination
Dawn Deardorf oversees comprehensive event coordination, managing logistics from rental arrangements to staff deployment. Our services include site visits, timeline creation, and vendor referrals for photography, florals, and entertainment. We provide written proposals detailing all event specifications and maintain communication throughout the planning process to ensure flawless execution.
People
Chef Marty Deardorf
Executive Chef
Chef Marty trained at the San Francisco Culinary Institute and worked with renowned chefs before co-founding Aurora Catering. He specializes in California-Mediterranean fusion cuisine, emphasizing fresh ingredients and dietary inclusivity. With over 15 years in the industry, he personally designs menus and consults with clients on culinary vision.
Dawn Deardorf
CEO & Catering Coordinator
Dawn combines her wedding photography background and legal expertise to manage event logistics. She oversees client consultations, vendor partnerships, and operational details. With 15 years of catering experience, she ensures seamless event execution while maintaining personal client relationships and quality control standards.
Questions
What types of events do you cater?
We cater weddings, corporate events, social occasions, memorials, and holiday gatherings for 12-200 guests across the San Francisco Bay Area.
Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, we offer gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, and vegetarian options for all events with advance notice.
Can you cater outside the Bay Area?
While based in the East Bay, we've catered events as far as St. Thomas, USVI, and will travel for destination weddings or special events.
What service styles do you offer?
We provide buffet service, plated dinners, appetizer stations, and cocktail receptions with full-service staff including servers and bartenders.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking 6-12 months ahead for weddings, but accommodate last-minute events when possible with 48-hour notice for smaller gatherings.
Do you provide rentals and staffing?
We coordinate rentals through partner vendors and provide full staffing including chefs, servers, and event coordinators for all events.
