Best Wedding Caterers in Nevada County (Grass Valley & Nevada City)
If you’re getting married in Nevada County—especially at a winery or estate—you need a caterer who can handle hills, heat, timelines, rentals, and 150 relatives who “don’t usually drink this much wine.”
Here’s an editorial-style roundup of strong wedding catering options serving Grass Valley, Nevada City, and the Sierra Foothills. Always confirm current menus, pricing, licensing, and insurance directly.
1. Antonio Ayestarán Custom Catering (Grass Valley)
If Nevada County had a “default setting” for full-service wedding catering, it’d be Antonio.
Why couples book them:
Longtime Nevada County operation with deep venue experience and logistics dialed. AntoniotheCaterer
One-event-per-day model = focused staff and cleaner execution.
Handles staffing, rentals, setup, breakdown—exactly what you want at a winery.
Best fit: Classic plated or buffet dinners, couples who want zero drama and pro service.
2. Emily’s Catering & Cakes (Grass Valley)
Full-service catering + legit bakery under one roof.
Why they’re on the list:
Marketed as “Nevada County’s finest full service caterer” with wedding-specific menus.
Can handle everything from appetizers to full dinner to wedding cake/desserts.
Good for couples who want one vendor for food and sweets.
Best fit: Traditional receptions, dessert people, anyone who likes one contract instead of five.
3. Feast & Gather Organic Catering (Nevada City)
Farm-to-table, seasonal, very “Sierra Foothills” in the best way.
Why consider them:
Based in Nevada City with an organic, locally-sourced approach.
Great grazing tables, fresh-forward menus, and presentation that doesn’t look like a conference buffet.
Best fit: Winery couples who care about ingredients, aesthetics, and a California-casual feel.
4. Farm to Table Catering (Grass Valley / Regional)
Name is on the nose and they back it up.
Highlights:
Focus on locally sourced, seasonal menus for weddings in Nevada City, Grass Valley, Sacramento, Tahoe and beyond.
Full-service options: delivery, setup, clean-up, staff.
Best fit: Couples who want an elevated but unfussy menu that fits a vineyard setting.
5. Savor the Flavor BBQ (Grass Valley)
For couples who hear “tri-tip and ribs” and think “ideal marriage.”
Why they work:
Nevada County-based, specializing in authentic Santa Maria-style BBQ, with wedding catering offerings.
Perfect for rustic, outdoor, buffet-style receptions at barns, estates, and wineries.
Best fit: Laid-back receptions, welcome parties, rehearsal dinners, or full-on BBQ wedding feasts.
How to Choose a Wedding Caterer in Nevada County (Without Losing Your Mind)
Use this as the sanity filter before you sign anything:
Local experience with foothill venues
Ask: “How many weddings have you done in Nevada County in the last 12–24 months? Which venues?”
Bonus if they already know site rules, kitchens, power, lighting, and access roads.
Comfort with winery rules
Many wineries (including you) are wine-only for alcohol; caterer must play nice with that.
Confirm they’re fine working with on-site bar rules instead of trying to sneak in their own.
Licensing, insurance & staff
Non-negotiable: licensed, insured, can provide a Certificate of Insurance naming the venue as additional insured.
Look for real staffing plans, not “we’ll figure it out.”
Menu that fits the setting
Hot day + long buffet line + cream sauce = regret.
Prioritize menus that hold well outdoors and plate cleanly in a vineyard environment.
Rentals & logistics
Ask who’s handling:
Rentals (plates, glassware, flatware, linens)
Setup / breakdown
Trash & bussing
If the answer is “uh, the couple?”—no.
Transparency on pricing
Get a written per-person range that includes: food, staff, service charge, tax, and any travel.
Compare total cost, not just the sexy “starting at” number.
