Laurel's Catering
Category: Event Planning & Services Caterers Caterers [Edit]
Sausalito, CA 94965Serving Sausalito and surrounding area
(415) 289-1381
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 8 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
14 reviews for Laurel's Catering
14 reviews in English
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Review from Tamara H.
Fairfax, CA
11/10/2011 ROTD 1/4/2012
Yes! I love Laurel and Matt! I've used Laurel's catering twice this year -- to create the desserts for my daughter-in-law-to-be's bridal shower, and to do a complete luncheon for 20 girlfriends on my 50th birthday. Both times, everything was wonderful. For the bridal shower, was able to pick up the desserts (strawberry shortcake, and amazing chocolate truffles) the night before and bring to the party myself. For the 50th birthday, Laurel arrived at my house and assembled the entire feast for us . . . from napkins and drinks right on through to fabulous desserts. Kind, creative, wonderful service throughout the entire process. Lovely! Will use them again the next time I need catering, for certain.
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Review from Britta S.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2012
We hired Laurel for my hubby's 40th birthday party. My hubby is a foodie, so it was a tall order to find a great caterer. Laurel came recommended so I had high expectations for the food and I have to say, they were EXCEEDED. The food was amazing, people are still talking about the great party which was largely attributed to the amazing food. Laurel was great from the first phone call to the last minute of clean up. If you are looking for a great caterer and reasonable price, look no further. This is the best kept secret in town!
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Review from Tina B.
8/3/2008 1 photo
Injera to jerk pork? Spanokapita to antipasti? Mojitos and Scottish butter fudge and In-N-Outs on a platter? Oh my! Holy MK Foodness!
A moment of silence, please. Because Laurel Timms should probably be the patron saint of all caterers. Light candles even...
My needs were nominal, really. And by nominal, of course, I mean absolutely absurd:
All I needed was for her to cater two large wedding events on back-to-back days in the Marin County wilderness on a food stamp budget with almost no staff - because staff just wouldn't work for my budget.. Oh, and to battle a bayside wedding windstorm while using her arms, legs and chin to keep the food from flying away - and onto the whole bridal party. And, lastly, I needed her to represent about 15 different countries through the food AND to help me organize all of it even though I live in Chicago and couldn't meet up with her at all - even for a tasting. I'm lying, actually she had to mail the tasting - to the bride in Colorado. And the bride couldn't meet her until the day of either. In fact, the bride couldn't really even speak to her until the week before, so Laurel also was required to read the bride's mind.
For a merely mortal caterer, this might all be insane and impossible. But Laurel and chef Matt McNally did it all, ALL - ALL I tell you- with grace and total professionalism.
One of my favorites was their marinara sauce, which just seems stupid, because it is something that is usually just phoned in and unnoticed, but - Spicy, chunky, fresh - it was awesome! And get the fried risotto balls - trust me, everyone raved. Ooh, and also some kind of fig tart - Jee-zus!
I'm not a pro wedding planner. Hell, I've only even been to like two other weddings in my life - more like 1 1/2. I was just helping out a friend who couldn't plan it all herself. But I can tell you this: Laurel's Catering says they are all about "personalized service." That doesn't even come close to describing it all - This girl does miracles - AMAZING!Listed in: NorCal Round-up 2008, TomKat wedding on an alley cat…
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Review from Stew L.
Windsor, CA
7/11/2011
Laurel and Matt catered a retirement party for a friend, in our 90 year old barn. They came fully epuiped to handle the job, ready to work without the aid of a complete kitchen. Not only was the event incredable, but the barn (come on, clean a 90 year old barn?) and everything was cleaned up beyond expectations. Food was incredable and service fun and friendly.
Would definately use them again. -
Review from Adhana T.
Manhattan, KS
6/16/2009
I love Laurel Timms and Matt Nally. They are the best of the Bay Area wrapped up in one catering company. They are utterly professional, uber creative, well versed in all things food all over the world. Where else am I going to get cuban style sandwiches, injera bread, tofu skewers, and a beautiful cupcake tower sprinkled with international sweets? I trusted them with "the most important day of my life" and it was overwhelmingly above all possible expectations.
Everything that Laurel proposes is the ultimate experience of all of the great foods that I've had in the Bay Area during all of the years that I spent there.
Never hesitate. They are awesome. -
Review from Melissa Q.
San Francisco, CA
2/23/2009
I plan monthly happy hours for my company. We do a different theme each month, featuring a spirit from our portfolio (I work for an alcohol distributor). Every month, Laurel amazes me with her creativity! She created a Midori Margarita frosting for a cake and Flor de Cana Rum dipping sauce for her specialty Coconut Shrimp. This month she is undertaking the task of my newest special request--Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes! Her proposed menus always look fabulous! If I ever need to tweak the menu, she is more than responsive.
I must be honest and tell you that I have never used her staff on-site for service. Our parties are standing appetizers and do not require much attention. However, Laurel always arrives prepared and on time, and sets the area up beautifully. I know that once she's arrived, I can turn my attention to other areas of the event because she has got her part under control. I swing past her as she's finishing for last minute instructions and I'm set. She returns to pick up any platters, chafing dishes, etc and is always eager to hear our response. I have had nothing to report except rave reviews!
She and her partner, Matt, are so friendly and down-to-earth. They know good food, enjoy good food, and prepare good food. The quality, originality, and obvious care that goes into their work makes recommending Laurel's Catering a pleasure. I can't wait until our next party.... Those cupcakes and some more Coconut Shrimp! -
Review from WAGES C.
Oakland, CA
12/29/2010
We hired Laurel to cater our 15th Anniversary Celebration on October 27th, 2010 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. The event was a fundraiser with appetizers during reception, a family-style meal preceding our presentation, and dessert and coffee served during the program. The event was attended by nearly 200 people. We chose Laurel because she had catered a smaller dinner party fundraising event hosted by our partners at Seventh Generation.
Laurel was great to work with. Some of our priorities in choosing a caterer included price, flexibility of services, and sustainable business practices, and Laurel's Catering fit all three categories. Laurel went above and beyond to serve the highest quality food, and also helped us connect with vendors for other aspects of our event. She worked closely with us on the menu, and the meal was amazing.
We had a somewhat complex set up because we did not want to interrupt our program with dinner and we wanted the event to feel elegant so we nixed the idea of a buffet from the start. Laurel was great and worked with us every step of the way. On the night of the event her staff was excellent and professional, and her Chef Pierre was a sweetheart and a joy to meet.
I don't think that Laurel's Catering had catered an event this large and complex before, and the dinner was served later than we had scheduled. This was inconvenient, but I would still not hesitate to recommend Laurel's Catering for any event.
You can see photos from our beautiful 15th Aniversary event here: http://picasaweb.googl...
WAGES' mission is to build worker-owned green businesses that create healthy, dignified jobs for low-income women. We launch cooperatives where women develop personal and professional skills, become leaders, and gain economic security. -
Review from foodbot c.
San Francisco, CA
10/5/2009
Laurel helped create a menu for my sisters baby shower (15 people) and everything turned out really delicious! I would recommend her to anyone. Her prices were fair and the servings were very generous. Definitely plan on using her again for my next event.
Menu:
Fried chicken
Mac and Cheese bars
Buttermilk biscuits
French fries with 3 kinds of dipping sauces
Necatrines with cinnamon sugar glaze
Delish! -
Review from Michael W.
Sonoma, CA
10/15/2008
Delicious creativity is a key to Laurel's success.
Crispy duck rolls with a raspberry chipotle dipping sauce.
Guatemalan elotes.
Leek caramelized onion & fig tarts.
But Laurel's ability to cook up wonders is only one benefit you get from working with Ms. Timms, or at least attending an event that she's catered.
Having a behind-the-scenes look at Laurel working on a wedding, I saw this caterer beyond compare in action: scheduling, planning but above all, listening.
Laurel listened to both the wedding planner's and the bride's wants and needs. She helped shape a menu with original creations and local California staples for a wedding party largely from out-of-town.
Laurel understood the drama that comes with a wedding & met our group's needs and diffused situations with spontaneous solutions. Even in what could've been stressful situations, Laurel was always professional.
Some of the food offerings were welcome firsts for me.
Others were familiar combinations that nourished my soul: blue cheese and bacon scones, meatballs and steak-on-a-stick.
The wedding was a success, thanks to great people, wonderful weather & most of all, Laurel. -
Review from David A.
Palo Alto, CA
10/5/2010
I hired Laurel's Catering for a company party in SF. I was traveling from the east coast and needed someone reliable to help me pull this off. They not only cooked up some amazing food (best ribs ever), but they paid so much attention to detail. The party was a huge success, in large part to Laurel and Matt's help. I need my rib fix!!! Thx guys.
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Review from Charlie S.
San Francisco, CA
3/2/2010
My roommate and I used Laurel and Matt for a very last-minute catering job for our housewarming party of about 70 people when the previous caterer backed out at the last minute. They created and served a wonderful menu with total professionalism, a great attitude, flair, and excellence. I highly recommend them.
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Review from Bethanie B.
San Rafael, CA
11/7/2009
Laurel recently catered a halloween party (a huge splurge for us to have a catered party) and it was awesome. I may never go back. We had 45 people, so asked Laurel to provide one helper/bartender (thinking we would still have to do a lot of the work). Well, once Laurel, Matt and Martin arrived (1 1/2 hrs before the party) we were done with the work. We literally did not have to lift a finger the entire night. We felt like guests at our own party! Martin did the work of two people, even lit the candles in every room beforehand! The food was AMAZING, (try the lollipop lamb chops) beautifully presented, and way more than enough for our guests. Laurel and Matt are so relaxed and professional and friendly and REAL, my stress level went down as soon as they arrived. Their prices are reasonable and they are philanthropic to boot. If I could give them 6 stars, I would.
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Review from Elizabeth S.
Santa Rosa, CA
Updated - 3/12/2010
Laurel's Catering continues to delight and amaze my friends and associates . . . with ultra-creative, subtly balanced menus, always orchestrated/presented with impeccable flair. We have hired Laurel's on many occasions these past four+ years (at least 3 per year). Culinary highlights include B&B grilled lamb, swordfish Tuscan style, and sockeye salmon Wellington stuffed with marscapone, lox, and shredded peppercini en croute . . . (managed to wow foodie friends from New York with the salmon). Most memorable dessert was fresh-picked Ranier cherry and Santa Rosa plum pie bursting with tapioca, achieving the perfect tart-sweet, topped with vanilla bean ice cream--homemade of course. For a brunch on my mother's 90th birthday, Laurel's easily fed 60+ with pecan-studded creme brulee French toast drizzled with organic maple-pecan syrup, and spongy-creamy spinach strata made with imported chevre and slivered almonds. We recently attended a high-end fundraiser for 400, featuring Laurel's unique canapes, fresh fruits and cheeses, plus Matt's magical "grillwork". I have booked them for my husband's upcoming 65th birthday. Picture Kobe-style filets topped with shaved artichoke heart-stuffed mushrooms drizzled with Matt's 'sauce du jour' (haven't decided yet between tawny port and Madeira reduction) and crisp, cajun-style lobster tails grill-tendered to perfection. Not to mention stir fried Brussels sprouts with garlic, pinions and sage, and THE perfect butter-seared giant scallop. (These are my husband's favorite foods, BTW)
Only good things to say about the entire organization including Laurel's friendly, efficient staff. These people aim to please. A word of advice: Give Laurel's lots of leeway, and a beautiful event will unfold . . . down to the smallest thoughtful detail. Learned long ago to "180" stress, savor the flavor and relish the people in my life . . . i.e. replace entertainment stress with Laurel's finesse. We have thoroughly enjoyed every Laurel's party .1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/11/2009
Laurel and Matt have helped me with several events in the last 2-3 years--a baby shower for 35, a… Read more »
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Review from Ronald H.
San Francisco, CA
1/7/2009
We contacted Laurel Timms on December 22 asking her if they could cater our New Year's Eve party for 20 of our close friends and family at our home. She was extremely professional, responsive and demonstrated a "sure we can" positively refreshing approach from the initial phone call throughout. Laurel, Matt and their team designe, executed and served a gourmet 4-course seated dinner on Dec 31st worthy of the best Michelin rated outfit anywhere in the nation. We are well traveled and demanding: they EXCEEDED our expectations from beginning to end. The passed hors d'oeuvres consisted of spooned tuna tartare and a crusted brie/walnut on crackers, dinner started with the best fresh lobster bisque (truly "to die for"), a pear and butter lettuce salad, filet and shrimp with bearnaise sauce and wonderful seasonal vegetables and topped off with the most wonderful decadent chocolate cake and fresh berries. The amazing food was only surpassed by the great presentation, fantastic service and professionalism. They made our party memorable and enjoyable. We have already referred them to 3 of our friends and can't wait for the next 'excuse" to use them.
