Frequently Asked Questions
OUr Answers
Popular Questions
We have collectively put a list of questions together of our most frequently asked questions to better assist you, if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to call us: 727.365.9294.
Event Booking
Yes, we will drop off your food assuming your event is within our service area. In checkout simply choose your preferred delivery option.
Give us a call, let’s see what we can do. CALL: (727) 365-9294
During the checkout, after you’ve entered your event address and selected the service type you will be able to select your event date. We have a variable lead time, ranging from 24 hours to multiple weeks depending on how busy we are at any given time. Our current lead time is always visible in within the booking event calendar on the checkout page. The lead days will be blacked out, along with any other day we are fully booked.
Give us a call as soon as possible! (727) 365-9294
We might be able to accommodate depending on the event details. However, do NOT put your order in with the wrong date selected.
Short answer: No. Plated service events carry a higher fee as there is significantly more prep, table service and cleanup involved. Fully plated events involve each plate carefully prepared and hand-delivered to each guest. Similar to what you would expect at a five-star restaurant. Buffet-style service on the other hand is more like a buffet-style restaurant. Guests build their own plate and are also responsible for filling their own drinks.
General Event Inquiries
Kellis Catering and Events host all events. We specialize in Birthdays, Weddings, Bridal/Engagement showers, Corporate Events, Pharmaceutical Luncheons, Sporting Events/Professional Sporting Events and so much more.
It is difficult to predict when catering and event slots will fill up the fastest, but we recommend that you either call in or place your order online to reserve your date as soon as possible. We take reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis.
General Event Notice Requirements:
Corporate Events/Luncheons: *72 hours
Weddings/Parties/Events: *1 Week.
We do not guarantee these lead times. They are subject to change based on our availability.
We may also be able to accommodate shorter notice events however this is only possible by calling and booking your event over the phone.
Kelli’s Catering is located in Tampa Bay and serves the Hillsborough and Pinellas County area. While on our online system you will notice that upon reaching checkout our system will ask for your zip code. If you are outside our service area the system will inform you so.
It is possible to bypass this however you will need to call our staff to see if you qualify for services outside our primary service area.
Our trained and professional staff are attired in black pants, black polos/button-down, and black bistro aprons (if needed)
***With a given notice staff can dress to the Color Scheme, Theme, etc. of your event***
Ordering
Yes, you will need to first either log-in or create an account. In the top of this site you will see a “login” option. From there if you need to create an account, use the “register for an account” link. Once done you will see a “Save Cart” button on the cart page. Be sure to give your cart a unique name such as “Smith 2/3/4” so we can easily identify it.
Once a cart is saved our staff can view it and if preferred, we can take it over for you and complete the booking process over the phone.
From the Account page, customers can also view and load previously saved cards. Be Careful! If you load a previously saved cart it will erase/overright your current cart in its entirety.
Event fees, date and service type: These elements are not saved with your cart as they are variables subject to change on any given day.
Yes, this is a highly secure, fully e-commerce website capable of taking multiple payment methods. Simply select your service type and event date in the checkout and choose to either pay in full or pay a depost.
Our fees vary depending on the type of service your event requires. If you prefer to pick up your food and serve yourselves, there are no catering fees unless you also need plates and cutlery in which case there is a fee associated. Our full-service catering options including buffet and plated service carry higher fees based on the crafted menu and amount of people in your party.
The exact fees for your menu and party count will be visible in the checkout of this website after you’ve entered the event address and party count.
If you’d like to order and book your event online, you will have to enter your final guest count prior to placing the order. Need a more hands on approach by our expert event planning staff? We can help there too, give us a call at 727.365.9294
Yes, you may either choose to pay the full order amount or a deposit during the final step of the checkout.
If you choose to pay a deposit online you will be charged the remainder of the event fee the day before the event, automatically, on the same card you paid your deposit with.
Menu
Kelli’s Catering offers two primary options when selecting the food courses for events. The primary difference among the two options is our ‘catering packages’ always include more than a single dish (or pan). These packages are fully curated menus and have been created to make the ordering process simple and seamless.
Meanwhile, our ‘Á La Carte’ ordering options are much more simplified. An item from this menu will likely be a simple pan or half pan of a particular dish.
Example of a catering package: Salmon Piccata with Alfredo Pasta. This package is served with “Basil Alfredo Pasta, Seasonal Veggies, Italian Salad, Garlic Herb Rolls, and Fresh Baked Cookies”
Example of an ‘Á La Carte’ menu item: Salmon Piccata half pan.
*Note: These two different types of catering options can be mixed. In fact, after adding a catering package to your cart you will be redirected to the Á La Carte menu of the website.
Our Packages are fully curated menu selections, including multiple dishes. They often include bread and salad. These prices are based on the number of people you’d like to serve with a 10-person minimum. The average price per person is about $25.
On the other hand, our Á La Carte options are “pan-based” servings and priced accordingly. A half pan most often serves 8-10 people and a full pan 18 to 20. Order a quantity of 2 full pans to serve upwards of 40 people. The average price per person when ordering a single pan is $10. However, that assumes you would only be feeding your party a single dish such as chicken with no carbohydrates. Once you add a few pans you’ll be closer to the $25 or $30 per person mark.
Currently, the only way to add a wine or liquor bar to your catered event is via calling us at 727-365-9294
Kelli’s Catering and Events are currently doing To-Go Tastings. Tastings are offered for large events and celebrations such as Engagements, Weddings, Showers, Large Parties, ETC. Menu tastings must be requested prior to booking your event online.
We are more than happy to work with you to accommodate any special dietary needs. (GF, V, DF, Pescatarian, Kosher-style) – Let us know what you/your guest restrictions are and we will create the right menu for that event. If there are any known allergies that need to be considered we will make sure to ensure the safety of you and your guest
Currently, the only way to change the menu for your catered event is via calling us at 727-365-9294. If your event is less than a week away we may not be able to fully accommodate large changes to your menu or you may incur fees beyond our normal menu prices.
Absolutely! Chef Kelli loves hearing and creating new menu ideas and is always willing to work with our clients. When a “menu estimate” is sent to you it is NOT finalized, you are able to make any changes or add on as you wish. However, if you are confident that the menu you’ve crafted here on our website is accurate, and place your order, it may become costly to change options afterward. This is especially true if your book your event for a date in the very near future.
Yes, however currently, the only way to add a wine or liquor bar to your catered event is via calling us at 727-365-9294
Yes, you can combine the two. When combining the two be sure to know that the quantity of people you selected for your all-inclusive menu package will not carry over to your future selections. Á La Carte servings are based entirely off the amount of pans/products ordered.
Misc
We have been proudly serving the Tampa Bay for the last 21 years, since 2003.
All Events must be canceled 72 hours prior to the event. Any cancellation after 72 hours will forfeit the 20% deposit.
Catering companies are essentially creating a restaurant for you. Catering cost includes many things such as -Delivery: Driver and Travel Time
-Set-up and Break Down- Food set-up, display, decor, linens, dishes, glassware, etc. The wait staff is there to maintain the cleanness of the event space, make sure all plates/cups are cleared and leave nothing behind.
-Chef and Waitstaff on that day is just for you and your guest
As simple as it seems cutting a cake can be quite tedious. The fee is $1.50 per person at your event. Please let us know in advance if this is a service you are looking for or if dessert plates or spoons are needed.
Gratuities are not included in your bill unless you direct us to do so. However, servers graciously accept tips for a job well done and their services. We suggest 18 – 20% of the food and beverage portions of your invoice, which can be included in your final payment and we will be more than happy to pass it along to the staff.
For full-service catered events; we provide to-go boxes so as you and your guest may take a delicious meal to go.
