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Weddings

About

WHO IS A LIVELY CHEF

A Lively Chef is a caterer based in Garden City, Idaho. Founded in 1991, this family- and woman-owned business is run by Gary and Dee Hanes. Their passionate love for exquisite food combined with luxurious catering services has earned them an excellent reputation in the locality serving prestigious organizations and across the country to include Restaurant Impossible and Food Network. Whatever way you prefer to dine, our team of professional chefs will make sure your meal is delicious, carefully prepared, and unforgettable.

SERVICES OFFERED

The Following Services Offered by A Lively Chef Catering:

Full-Service Buffet

Stylized Buffets are specialized and themed buffets to coordinate with the event where all entrees are served. Services also include the company bringing their own buffet tables, buffet tablecloths, buffet service ware, re-stocking food / beverages, bussing, cleaning, and garbage removal.

Plated and Family Style Dinners

Plated and Family Style events feature The Chef and Kitchen team onsite to prepare and plate food for the Catering Manager and Team to serve to the guests at their tables. The Catering Manager onsite will lead the entire team to orchestrate the time and accuracy to ensure a wonderful dining experience for the guests.

Plated dinners require a full China package which can include Salad Plate, Dinner Plate, Dessert Plate, Salad Fork, Dinner Fork, Dessert Fork, Dinner Knife, Steak Knife, Water Goblets, and (2) 1-Litre Water Carafes. Napkins, tablecloths, tables, chairs, and more are handled separately.

Our catering team can assist presetting tables which means setting the table with plates, utensils, goblets, napkins, etc. During a plated, China plates will be pre-staged in the designated kitchen area for plating along with the water carafes for water service to the tables.

Our team will bus, refill carafes, clean, scrape and stage China, etc. for rental pick up. Depending on the rental company, please note, our team does not wash dishes.

Delivery Drop Off Buffet on Service Wares and Disposables

Passed and Stationed Appetizers and Desserts

Pick up Options

  • Native American-owned
  • Woman-owned
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Frequently asked questions

What is the average catering price per person for plated service?

$70

What is the average catering price per person for buffet service?

$35

What is the average catering price per person for stations?

$30

What is the average catering price per person for hors d'oeuvres?

$30

Which of the following are included in the cost of your full service wedding catering?

Delivery
Set Up
Clean Up
Cake Cutting
Dessert
Cocktail Reception
Server(s)
Tastings
Chairs
Tables
China
Linens
Flatware
Glassware

What event services do you provide?

Delivery
Set Up
Clean Up

What catering services do you provide?

Breakfast / Brunch
Buffet
Cake Cutting
Cocktail Reception
Custom Menu
Hors d'oeuvres
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What types of cuisine do you cater?

American
Asian
BBQ
French
Italian
Local
Mediterranean
Mexican
Southern
Spanish

What dietary needs can you accommodate?

Gluten Free
Lactose Free
Nut Free
Organic
Vegan
Vegetarian

Which of the following items can you provide?

Chairs
Tables

Which of the following items can you provide?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

Reviews of A Lively Chef Catering

Elena
Elena Sent on 10/22/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Yummy food

Having there help with the food set up and take down was super helpful and being able to rent everything through them too. The food was super yummy too. Thank you for the service.
Liz
Liz S. Sent on 07/11/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Excellent Service, Even Better Food!

If I could give more than 5 stars I would. We used A Lively Chef to cater our wedding and they did not disappoint! Our photographer recommended them, and they were professional and responsive during the whole planning process. The tasting was amazing and guaranteed that our food would be just what we were looking for. We were able to book our tents, tables, and chairs through a third party with them as well which made our planning process so much easier! We asked so many questions, and they all were answered without hesitation. They were able to accommodate different dietary restrictions as well which was a plus! Through this crazy time, we could always count on them to provide exceptional service. I would highly recommend their services for any events!
Caine
Caine Sent on 09/21/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Tritip and Cod

They went above and beyond!! The food was delicious! They set up the table and decorated it with their own supplies just how we wanted it. They did a great job and we will use them again if we ever need a caterer!
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

117
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2014 Winner

Professional Network & Endorsements

8 Endorsements
Fox Canyon Vineyards Fox Canyon Vineyards Winery Weddings

5 Star caterer, great food , wonderful staff , they have been to our venue many times and always first class..

Ampersand Studios Ampersand Studios Wedding Photographers

A Lively Chef is our VERY FAVORITE caterer, and the ones that we always choose to cater our own events. Gary and his team are always extremely professional, presentable, and their food is incredible with beautiful presentation. They are a great value as you will get so much more than you expect and the best of the best customer service. We absolutely love this crew and we've been working with them on events for almost a decade.

Fourth Street Gardens Fourth Street Gardens Park & Outdoor Weddings

We allow brides to choose their own caterers and we are always excited to have A Lively Chef out here. While we don't crash the receptions, we always want to when we see his food. Yummy.

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