Vendor of the Week: D'amico Catering

From 20 guests to 20,000, French cuisine to French fries, artisan to organizing, D’Amico Catering has done it all! It all began 30 years ago as full-service restaurants and they aim to bring the same exceptional restaurant-style quality to your wedding day. This week, we spoke with Rachel Bruzek, D’Amico’s Senior Creative Events and Trend Specialist to learn more about what they can bring to your big day!

Q: What does D’Amico Catering specialize in?

A. Providing restaurant-quality food and service in a catered setting. D’Amico Catering is known for its custom menus and flexibility in accommodating Bridal couple’s wishes. We have years of experience in the industry and are the leader in innovative cuisine. We have been providing exceptional food and service for over 25 years.

Q: What makes D’Amico Catering stand out in terms of wedding catering options couples have in the Twin Cities area?

A: D’Amico Catering provides impeccable service. Our expert chefs, food designers and event service team will ensure your celebration is a success that will be raved about for years to come. We offer an experience you can count on. Our cuisine is imaginative. From 20 guests to 20,000, corporate meetings to social parties, French vegetarian to gluten-free, artisan to organic, grand affairs to casual shindigs, D’Amico Catering has catering options to fit all of your event needs. D’Amico Catering offers exclusive access to the Twin Cities’ most elite and intriguing venues.

We provide so much at no additional charge to our clients, including child, flatware, glassware, linen napkins from a large color selection, white lap-length table linens, all buffet serving pieces, and votive candles (where permitted), table numbers, and standard table sets. We bring everything in and take it all away.

We provide full-service catering. This means we can do all styles of food service, full bar service, wedding cakes, late-night buffets and we have all the staff to successfully execute the events.

Q: When did D’Amico Catering begin?

A: D’Amico Catering began 25 years ago. We started from full-service restaurants. Our goal is to provide restaurant-style service in a catered setting.

Q: What are some of your favorite wedding dishes to serve?

A: Sea Bass, Beef Tenderloin in any style, Balsamic Glazed Short Ribs, French Fries, and Sliders for Late night. I love weddings that opt for something different and off the menu. We love to customize a menu to include family recipes that really highlight the personality of the couple.

Q: What do you love about working in the wedding industry?

I love creating a food and beverage experience for bridal couples. My goal is to complete their dream day with dream food, fun beverages and outstanding service.

Q: What’s an average (wedding day) like for D’Amico Catering?

A: The kitchen is very busy getting the food prepared. They are focused, yet having fun. Our service staff is busy pulling equipment and getting everything ready for the event. Some are loading trucks if they are going off-site, and some are setting tables and tending to a bridal party in our bridal rooms. The tables are being set. The vendors are arriving. Things are moving along. It is busy but smooth. Guests arrive and the fun begins. Butler passing, scrumptious bites and signature cocktails, toasts, tasty beautiful entrée’s, delicious cakes being served. The wine is poured. Guests are smiling. Everyone is delighted with their food and service.

Q: What would you want a couple in the wedding planning process to know about choosing the perfect caterer?

A: Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. There are caterers who come in at a lower price than others but may not provide the same services. What services does the caterer provide at no additional charge? The plates, linens, linen napkins, flatware, glassware, ice, barware, buffet serving pieces may be an additional charge. Check to see if they have service staff or if they use contract service staff. Ask what the service ratio. Ask what the bartender ratios and chef ratio is too. Also ask if the caterer can accommodate dietary concerns. Ask if they make the food from scratch? Do they provide bar service? Do they provide wine service? Do they provide planning services? Find out if there is a manager on-site the day of. Find out where the kitchen is located (for off-premise catering). How do they keep their food hot? Do you have to rent that equipment? Who does the clean-up at the end of the night? What tables, chairs, equipment (in house) is provided? Who sets it up and tears it down?

Q: Have you served/coordinated any unique wedding receptions or events that stand out?

A: I catered a 12-course tasting menu, kitchen on a stage, in front of 200 guests. The food was fun, interesting and delicious. It was totally interactive between the guests, the servers and the chefs. We coordinated a music play list to go along with it. It was a corporate event.

I have catered amazing weddings at D’Amico Catering. One wedding in particular that stands out is a wedding held at a beautiful home near Winona, MN. It was a reception for about 175 guests of Adalusian food, completely butler passed, small plates to small bites, to satisfy a dinner appetite. It was so fun and delicious! The guests were so pleased.

Q: Anything else you want couples to know about D’Amico Catering or choosing their wedding menu?

A: D’Amico Catering has amazing food, service and beverage service. We make amazing tasting cakes. We are not D’Amico & Sons, which is a big misconception. We serve more than cold pasta salads, that is for sure. We have done so many styles of ethnic cuisine. Our primary cuisine is classic American. We can cater any style of event. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, hors d’oeuvres, dessert, picnic fare and more.

When choosing a menu, don’t rely on Pinterest. Pinterest is a photo site, which may have staged photographs of food. It is not always realistic to catering events.