A La Carte Events & Catering

Although all staff appreciates it, they do not expect it. It’s entirely up to you.

Yes, kids’ meals are typically 50% (or more) off the adult menu.

A La Carte’s event planners share ways to save with every client. Typically, we’ll create your proposal and then discuss your budget after the first draft, suggesting alternatives to help you get the most value for your event.

No. In fact, we will calculate precisely how much alcohol you’ll need to purchase if your venue is OK with it.

Absolutely not. You’re already paying for the staff to be there taking care of your guests, so we don’t think there should be an additional fee.

Once you factor in buffet equipment and serving staff, plated and buffet meals are about the same price. We can calculate the precise difference so you can decide which style is more appropriate for your occasion.

In case of hurricanes, ice storms, Covid-19 and all of the other craziness that can throw a party off, we work with clients to minimize costs and help to reschedule the event.

Ideally, one week before your event. We want you to have the maximum amount of time to get an accurate guest count, and still give the kitchen enough time to order raw ingredients and prepare your food.

We do, and custom specialty drinks, too. We even make our own bitters, as well as create vinegar using leftover party wine.

We do, although the minimum for a private tasting is a $4,000 event to cover the chef’s and planner’s time, plus ingredients.

If by last-minute you mean two days, we’d love to. If you mean you need lunch in 30 minutes, we are simply not equipped to handle it. Unlike restaurants, we don’t keep ingredients on-hand. We source for each event and cook from scratch.

Yes, we expect dietary restrictions and are happy to work with you. In the past we’ve created gluten-free bat mitzvahs, all vegetarian weddings, orange-and-white food only menus, whiskey pairings, and vertical champagne tastings, to name a few. We love a creative challenge!

Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it. Our standard process is to learn about you and the occasion before sending you a sample menu. We love to customize every menu, and why not? The chefs are making every item fresh - and from scratch - for you.

Our standard uniform is black from head to toe, including long-sleeve oxfords. However, we can adapt to fit your event’s style as well as the weather.

Yes, and your event specialist will work with you to design a menu that will be just as delicious whether you have a chef there to finish it or not.

To get things started, you’ll find price ranges for different types of occasions on our website. To give you a specific, all-inclusive proposal, your A La Carte event planner will need to get more details from you. After your first draft, we’ll suggest ways you can save. Each month half of our events are for existing clients. We really do work to become your go-to Houston event partner.

If you’re interested in booking in December or a popular Saturday night, the sooner the better so we can save your date. We limit the number of events we do in a given date to ensure you receive exquisite food and service every time. Otherwise, we strive to be as flexible as possible since sometimes last-minute events pop up.

Passed and stationary hors d’oeuvres, plated, buffets, family style and action stations. We adapt the service style to fit your event and will share all the ends and outs of the different styles with you to help you make the best choice.

All kinds! Corporate, social, weddings, non-profit, virtual, you name it. We’ve done it all.

A La Carte was founded in 2011 and has catered events ranging from an intimate Valentine’s dinner for 2 to 7,500 Super Bowl guests. Most of the events we do are for 50 - 250 guests.