Guide To Great Caterers in Fairfield County: Holiday Catering Made Easy

A stack of gifts. Cards with cute holiday stamps. Family parties. Work parties. Kids’ parties. Cocktail parties. Concerts. Shopping. Even more shopping. And now you want me to host a party of my own or host eighteen relatives?? Your holiday to-do list is quickly making the song “The 12 Days of Christmas” look like a lullaby with all the items that are mentioned-that partridge atop that pear tree has nothin’ on you and your list. So...save yourself some gray hairs and a freak-out by booking one of these delightful, highly capable, and creative caterers to take over the food-portion of your entertaining obligations this season. They will do you proud and you can actually relax and enjoy an evening before you have to wrap that 200th gift. And with that, may there be peace on earth. + CTbites readers get special discounts. See below.

 Here is our Guide To 9 Great Caterers in Fairfield County:

AMG Catering, Wilton, CT

Serving Fairfield County, Westchester, and New York City for over 18 years, AMG Catering based in Wilton, CT and led by award-winning chef Alison Milwe-Grace, offers a full service approach to its catering affairs. With their full-time event coordinator on staff and a team of expertly train floor captains, servers, bartenders, and sous-chefs, every gathering of yours will be seamlessly executed. Having their own in-house event planner really sets AMG apart, as they have two sets of eyes on every detail and all from food to rental aspects of your party can be handled by the team. Presenting their creations with beautiful garnishes and in unusual vessels adds to the enjoyment of the seasonal dishes that you and the AMG team choose for your event. On a more immediate note, their Thanksgiving feasts can be delivered or picked up at their kitchen and they also have experience with Jewish holiday catering as well. Everyone will be happy! Assorted chocolates, mini-desserts, petite fours, tasting spoons...how about a signature cocktail such as a Lemon-Basil Martini (the AMG crew likes lots of fresh herbs) or a Pumpkin Old Fashioned. Dealing with the slew of relatives will be much easier-guaranteed. If you mention CT Bites at your next catering booking, 10% off of food costs is a holiday treat for you. www.amgcatering.com

Book-a-Cook, Fairfield, CT

Whether it is a casual dinner for family, a festive cocktail party, or weekly meals to help get you through the holiday crunch (gah!), Book-a-Cook has you blissfully covered. They work a little differently than most caterers in that you get direct access to some of the areas top chefs who come to you! Their carefully curated team of chefs boast resumes featuring experience at acclaimed restaurants and with celebrity chefs including Martha Stewart, Jacques Pepin, Tyler Florence, and Nigella Lawson, to name a few. And the really cool part? There is no ordering off of any menu-every meal is customized and made using local and sustainable ingredients (whenever possible). Therefore, what is coming out of your very own kitchen is something mighty special and totally unique. For this upcoming holiday season, they have some great things cookin’, including a Wine Cellar Pairing Dinner, where you work with a chef and a master sommelier to create a perfect menu with wine pairings. Interested in hosting a cocktail party but the actual thought of doing so makes you woozy? Book-a-Cook will create “small bites” party fare, including Brie and Caramelized Onion Tartlets, Truffled Risotto Bites with Wild Mushrooms, Roasted Butternut Squash Croustade and top it off with a Caramel Apple station. The holidays sound tasty and easy now, don’t they? For our CT Bites readers, “Like” Book-a-Cook Facebook page before November 20 and receive a 15% gift certificate. www.bookacookct.com

Collyer Catering, Westport, CT

As Collyer proclaims: “foods to impress, no matter what the dress.” From corporate to weddings and social events or even if you simply need good take-away food to glam up your table, Collyer can supply what you need. Serving Fairfield and Westchester counties as well as Manhattan, they are a boutique catering firm that has a menu for you, no matter the size or scope of the event! As we head into holiday seasons, consider the many options that they offer...Cocktail Party Packages, featuring classic cocktails and little bites for large to intimate groups...an extensive Hors D’oeuvres list with delights such as lobster spring rolls and herbed gruyere tartlets. They also have a sweeping Fall and Winter menu (pork loin with cherry compote, anyone? pepper-crusted flank steak?) and their Thanksgiving Take-Away menu will have you wishing the holiday were sooner on the calendar. Roasted Pumpkin Bisque, Turkeys from Ekonk Hill Farm and Jumbleberry Pie will complete your holiday table beautifully. www.collyercatering.com

David’s Soundview Catering, Stamford, CT 

David’s Soundview Catering, located in Stamford, CT, is a premiere gourmet catering company that has been serving Connecticut and New York since 1988. From sophisticated weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, and family celebrations to being the business communities culinary go-to company for all corporate, Non-Profit, academic, private functions and business food deliveries, David’s expertly creates memorable events that are punctuated with beautiful, delicious culinary creations and exceptional service. They are here to help you celebrate the moments that matter most in your life! Chef/Owner David Cingari, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, and his team are committed to serving the unique needs of every client, whether they are attending to a small office meeting or an extravagant wedding. Their Culinary Trained Chefs and Food Safety Certified staff prepare exceptional culinary treats that delight the eye and satisfy the most discriminating palates. And how would your palate like some of these holiday delights that David’s is cooking up? A roving hot pretzel bar (stationary pretzels are good, roving ones are better!) with a variety of sauces and 4 oz. beers, a roving hot chocolate bar (follow that drink!), a Christmas tree dessert station featuring cake pops that are hung like ornaments and “presents” beneath the tree are desserts, custom cocktails, a Christmas Cookie Bar or a Make-Your-Own Caramel Apple station. Do we need to say any more? www.davidscatering.com

Festivities Catering, Norwalk, CT  

From bar to buche de noel, celebrate the season with Festivities! From global traditions to home traditions including regional favorites, their holiday offerings will make for a wonderfully festive time. “Room to Room”, “Roving Foods”, or “Food Truck Parked in the Kitchen” parties make the holiday get-togethers spirited! Join them for “Holiday Artful Foods” in favorite galleries or “Culinary Concerts.” Whether in the office, at home, or in one of their venues, your holiday gatherings will be unique and well-remembered. For those who love to cook and entertain, Festivities “Party Express” is simply a phone call away-small batch cooking from the freshest seasonal ingredients will be welcome additions to your repertoire or order a complete menu “incognito” (we won’t tell). Delivered to your door, Party Express makes entertaining family and friends an ease. Pre-season, join Executive Chef, Bill Kaliff, For “Holiday Entertaining Styles” at The Lillian August Café with Foods by Festivities.  Explore your entertaining style with Chef Bill...recipes, food demos, and entertaining tips from 30 years of setting the holiday table. For CT Bites readers, there is 20% off of any Party Express Holiday order. For dates and times: email info@Festivitiesevents.com or 203-847-7774, as well as for info and party consultations. Eemail at Rosinne.Chlala@Festivitiesevents.com 

Garelick & Herbs; Westport, New Canaan, Greenwich, Saugatuck

Paula and Jason Garelick have been the driving creative and culinary force behind Garelick & Herbs since 1993 and they believe in celebrating deliciously. And what a wonderful way to celebrate...with a passion for making celebrations and food perfect in every way! They are the exclusive caterers for MORA MORA the Spot for Parties, which has 7,000 square feet of fabulousness, offering a club atmosphere in the heart of SoNo. They are also the exclusive caterers of the Westport Inn, an elegant ballroom setting with a panoramic, landscaped view. Offering fresh and modern takes on food, presentation and service, their menus focus on seasonal and innovative creations that are tailored to your individual taste and gatherings of all sizes. With G&H’s team of specialized Event Orchestrators, every step of your smashing event is made easy and enjoyable and your vision will be come your reality. Those are magical words when planning an event, indeed! Consider enticing your guests this season with some of these creations...Candy Cane cocktails, Pomegranate Vodka punch, Pear and Sparkling Cider cocktails alongside Braised Short Ribs with a Dried Cherry Madeira Sauce or Mini-Lamb burgers served on a pita flat with Tzatziki Sauce. Oh my. Good food puts you in a good mood, now doesn’t it? Stores in Westport, New Canaan, Greenwich and their latest addition in Saugatuck. Coming in Spring of 2015, Southport!

And yes, a bonus for CT Bites readers: a free side dish (feeds 2) with any $20 food purchase for those commuters coming off of the Saugatuck train! Expires 12/31/14 www.garelickandherbs.com 

The Granola Bar, Westport, CT

The Granola Bar is heading into their first anniversary-woot!-and with that, launching a catering menu! Your holiday gift just came early. Their unique take on simple, fresh, organic food - made fresh-to-order, of course - is now available for catering, and we are all the better for it! From wraps and large salads, to entrees and sides - their chef can create your perfect menu that will allow your guests to indulge in a healthful way. Hey, there’s a good concept! Avocado or candied turkey bacon deviled eggs (I had you at “candied”, didn’t I?), kale and quinoa salads...their catering staff can help make your event memorable and truly delish. Kale will quickly become the holiday greenery everyone is talking about. The Granola Bar Food Truck is also available for rent, did you know that? This handy-dandy truck can create ANY menu-coffee, desserts, full lunch or dinner. Now *this* is our kind of transportation. If you don’t want your catered foods via truck or take-away, consider holding your event at the atmospheric, cozy, and chic restaurant. Sit with the catering staff and build your dreamiest event for the holiday season...espresso bar, paleo and gluten-free options, you name it, they are fully customizable. The Granola Bar’s amazing staff, menu and vibe will give your event the perfect energy.  info@thegranolabarct.com

Marcia Selden Catering, Stamford, CT

For over 30 years, Marcia Selden Catering has been creating amazing celebrations with delightful food prepared by an innovative team of chefs from around the world. A true family affair, the team consists of Marcia, her daughter Robin, son Jeffrey, and a dedicated team of creative and experienced party planners and chefs who work together to deliver extraordinary food for every occasion. With the recent addition of their new executive chef, Gary Fanning, the holiday menus offer an array of festive cuisine. This fall, the holiday menu may include cedar-planked and apple-roasted salmon, Pear Marzipan tarts, and whimsical gingerbread houses. Big yum there! Winter Wonderland treats include butternut squash biscotti with a surprising chili-spiked chocolate sauce, as well as Marcia’s decadent cake bites that will have you licking your fingers and wishing for more! Inspired by a love of food and history of creating unique and memorable events, the team at Marcia Selden Catering looks forward to helping you celebrate the season in style and with panache! Everyone needs some panache, right? Yes! To book your next party, call 203-353-8000. www.marciaselden.com

Sheila Barton Catering

About five years ago, Sheila Barton of Sheila Barton Events celebrated her mother’s 60th birthday with a clambake on Compo beach with a picnic table completely disguised under white linens and centerpieces of driftwood planks with bouquets of white flowers, seashells and silver candelabras. At this celebration, Sheila realized that she had a talent, not only in food, but in creating unique event style. Insistence upon putting as much attention and detail into an intimate dinner party for ten as she does for a neighborhood bash for a hundred defines Sheila Barton Events. A self-proclaimed “DIY caterer”, you can give her a single idea, theme or color and she will build an entire menu and venue around it, and if she can't find what she needs, she will make it! If your guests have allergies or food restrictions, Sheila will also customize menus to accommodate and satisfy everyone. Sheila and her team are relentless in wanting to give the client and the client's guests the perfect experience. From the beginning planning phase and the moment when the first guest walks through the door and is offered a signature craft cocktail to the moment the last guest leaves with happy memories, every detail is thoroughly crafted to create an artistic and uncommon event. And lucky you...a special for CT Bites readers! A free signature craft cocktail when you book an event (depending on size of party, a $150-200 value). www.sheilabartonevents.com or email sheila@sheilabartonevents.com