Business Details
37 Years
experience
Your Trusted Catering Partner in Raleigh, NC
Catering Works has been a leader in off-premise catering and event planning since 1989, serving Raleigh, North Carolina, and beyond. Our dedicated team of culinary professionals combines artistic vision with decades of experience to deliver exceptional food, beverage, and event design services for weddings, corporate events, social gatherings, and cultural institutions. We prioritize sustainability through eco-friendly practices, including compostable serving ware, local ingredient sourcing, and partnerships with organizations like CompostNow. Our commitment to quality is reflected in award-winning menus, personalized service, and a track record of exceeding client expectations.Recognized for innovation and reliability, we partner with venues like the North Carolina Museum of Art to create immersive culinary experiences. With a focus on community impact, we support charitable organizations through food donations and event sponsorships. Our expertise in logistics, rental coordination, and floral design ensures seamless execution for events of any scale. From intimate celebrations to large-scale galas, Catering Works delivers unforgettable experiences rooted in culinary excellence and client-centric service.
Services
Wedding Catering
Corporate Catering
Floral Design
Event Planning
NCMA Catering
Delivery Services
Bloom Works Florals
Dessert Catering
Wedding Cakes
Specialty Menus
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of culinary expertise and event planning excellence.
- Our menus feature locally sourced ingredients and award-winning recipes.
- We implement comprehensive sustainability practices across all operations.
- Our team provides personalized service for events of any size or complexity.
- We maintain partnerships with premier cultural institutions like NCMA.
What people say
Outstanding meal
Professional staff
Flawless execution
Decadent desserts
Stress-free planning
Services
Wedding Catering
Catering Works provides turnkey wedding solutions featuring gourmet menus, exquisite cakes, and full-service event design. Our experienced planners coordinate logistics, rentals, and floral arrangements to create seamless celebrations. With customizable options for intimate gatherings or grand receptions, we ensure every detail reflects the couple's vision while maintaining exceptional food quality and service standards.
Corporate Catering
We deliver premium catering solutions for corporate functions including breakfast meetings, luncheons, and large-scale galas. Our menus feature diverse options from casual buffets to plated dinners, with delivery and setup services available. The team specializes in accommodating dietary restrictions and creating branded culinary experiences that impress professional audiences across the Triangle region.
Floral Design
Bloom Works, our dedicated floral division, creates custom arrangements for weddings and events. Designers craft centerpieces, bouquets, and venue decor using seasonal blooms and unique elements. Services include color coordination, tablescaping, and delivery setup, ensuring cohesive visual themes that complement culinary presentations and enhance overall event aesthetics.
NCMA Catering
As exclusive catering partner for the North Carolina Museum of Art, we provide venue-specific services including gallery dinners, outdoor sculpture garden receptions, and concession operations. Our team coordinates with museum staff to deliver culinary experiences that align with exhibition themes while maintaining operational excellence in this premier cultural space.
Delivery Services
We offer drop-off catering for breakfast, lunch, and dinner events with extensive menu options. The service includes packaging coordination, temperature-controlled transport, and scheduled delivery timing. Clients receive detailed setup instructions and can request add-on services like disposable serving ware or staff assistance for larger orders.
People
Jill Santa Lucia
President/CEO
Founder of Catering Works since 1989, Jill holds a Culinary Arts degree from Johnson & Wales University and has won national recipe competitions. She developed Ella's Popcorn during the pandemic and leads sustainability initiatives. With expertise in event design and community engagement, she drives the company's culinary vision.
Lorin Laxton
Vice President/Marketing Director
Co-owner since 1995, Lorin developed CaterWorks software and oversees business development. A former Navy cryptologic technician, she manages sustainability programs and has appeared on HSN promoting Ella's Popcorn. She holds Sommelier certifications and focuses on strategic growth initiatives.
Rich Carter
Executive Chef
Two-time NCRLA Chef of the Year finalist, Rich leads culinary innovation with expertise in local sourcing and sustainability. He creates themed tasting menus for NCMA's Chefs Table dinners and has competed in national cooking competitions. His background includes leadership roles at prestigious restaurants and catering operations.
Anthony Calcagno
Executive Pastry Chef
With decades of experience, Anthony specializes in wedding cakes and plated desserts. He trained at the International School of Confectionery Arts and has earned multiple pastry awards. His work has been featured in culinary publications, and he leads dessert menu development for all Catering Works events.
EW Fulcher
Floral Director
Bloom Works' floral designer since 1994, EW creates custom arrangements for events. He has won NACE Top of the Table design awards for three consecutive years. His expertise includes seasonal floral sourcing and creating cohesive visual themes that complement Catering Works' culinary presentations.
Questions
What types of events does Catering Works cater?
We cater weddings, corporate events, social gatherings, museum functions, and private parties of all sizes across Raleigh and surrounding areas.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, our team specializes in creating menus that accommodate allergies, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free requirements with advance notice.
Do you provide event planning services?
Yes, we offer full-service event planning including logistics coordination, rental management, and floral design through our Bloom Works division.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) with capabilities for events throughout North Carolina and select out-of-state locations.
Are tastings available?
Yes, we offer personalized tasting sessions to help clients experience our menu options and discuss customization possibilities with our culinary team.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking 6-12 months in advance for weddings, with corporate events requiring 3-6 months of lead time for optimal planning.
