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About

On WeddingWire since 2011

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Cocina Fusion offers catering services to clients planning weddings and special events. This catering company has worked with high-end venues and exclusive kitchens throughout its tenure. Cocina Fusion's chefs specialize in Latin fusion and traditional Mexican cuisine, however, they also offer a selection of Italian dishes.

Experience

For over 20 years, the team at Cocina Fusion has been tasked with delivering delicious, mouth-watering recipes. Answering this call, Chef Anaxi Ayala has drawn inspiration from his Latino heritage to craft scrumptious meals. Combining this base with various American styles, Cocina Fusion presents new and innovative flavors.

Cuisine

Couples can choose from three styles of menus, including Latin & American fusion, traditional Mexican, or Italian. Latin & American fusion provides vegetarian options in addition to reinvented classics, like a vegetable tostada, pasilla steak, and chimichurri chicken. The traditional Mexican menu offers classic favorites as well as a customizable taco bar. Finally, the Italian menu provides a variety of pasta-based dishes, like lasagna and shrimp scampi. Couples can complete their meal offerings by adding on sweets, such as a satisfying crepe or charming churro bar.

  • Hispanic or Latinx-owned
  • Woman-owned

Frequently Asked Questions

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

$110

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

$100

What is the average catering price per person for stations?

$110

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

$50

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

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

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$30

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Open Bar
House Beer
House Wine
Champagne Toast
House Liquor
Signature Drink

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
Caribbean
Italian
Latin American
Local
Mexican
Spanish

What dietary needs can you accommodate?

Gluten Free
Lactose Free
Halal
Nut Free
Organic
Vegan
Vegetarian

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Open Bar
Champagne Toast
Signature Drink

Which of the following items can you provide?

Chairs
Tables

Which of the following items can you provide?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
illustration question

Any other questions?

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4.9 out of 5 rating
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
180 Reviews
  • Quality of service
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.9 out of 5 rating
99% Recommended by couples

57 User photos

180 Reviews See all
Matthew
Matthew G. Married on 05/26/2023
5 out of 5 rating

The Dream Caterer

You can’t get a better caterer for your wedding than Cocina Fusion. Not only does Cocina serve the kind of food you would find at a highly recommended restaurant, but Juliana is a superstar organizer that will make your wedding a breeze.

THE FOOD
Cocina Fusion’s food produces that “wow factor.” Our guests couldn’t stop raving about it, with some even requesting recipes. Several guests gushed over both our appetizers (burrata, mini chicken arepa, mini shrimp cocktail, beef empanadas) and our dinner (chef salad with strawberries, chimichurri steak, blackened chicken with mango salsa, Cajun potato wedges). My now-wife and I were not surprised. We were extremely diligent (and borderline OCD) in our search for and research of potential caterers: We read through the websites, wedding-website profiles, and reviews of at least 300 caterers in the Chicagoland areas; we spoke with dozens of recently wedded couples; we had in-depth interviews with over a dozen caterers on our short list; and we went to half a dozen taste tests. Some of the food that we tasted was equivalent to sub-part elementary cafeteria food. And most of the food we tried and heard about can best be described as “ok.” However, Cocina Fusion’s food was a revelation. It was just that much better than all the other caterers.

THE SERVICE
Cocina Fusion was incredibly flexible and gracious with all our appetizer and dinner requests, essentially making from scratch appetizers and dishes that we really wanted but that were not on its ordinary menu. Juliana was also extremely accommodating in allowing us to change our minds multiple times regarding some of the appetizer selections and entrees, as well as the table design. And perhaps most helpful, Juliana is one of those people that just has it all together. Her attention to detail and diligence gives you the invaluable comfort of knowing you are in the best of hands and simply don’t have to worry about the food service at all. She knows all the right questions to ask you, the venue, and all your other vendors. With Juliana at the helm, you know your appetizer and dinner service will run smoothly. And for the cherry on top, Juliana will go out of her way to make sure that you get to try each and every appetizer, and that you have the opportunity to eat dinner.

Exceptional food, exceptional service, and an overall first-rate experience. Unless you can hire Bobby Flay as your caterer, you would be crazy not to hire Cocina Fusion for your wedding.
R
Rachael K. Married on 07/08/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Best Caterer EVER!

Juliana and her team are absolutely spectacular and went above and beyond to ensure the food at our wedding was exquisite!

Throughout the planning process, Juliana and her staff were extremely helpful and responsive. The tasting was an absolute highlight. The mother of the bride was unable to attend the first tasting, so she offered a second tasting to accommodate her. Her willingness to accommodate just one person is a testament to how she treats every individual person she works with.

Our wedding had around 260 guests and everyone RAVED about the food! We got the bacon wrapped dates, goat cheese mushroom cups, steak skewers, chicken empanadas, and had a guacamole bar. Everything was amazing!! The guest said it was the best guacamole they’ve ever had! The dinner was just as delicious. We had a chimichurri steak and chicken duet plate with roasted vegetables and a twice baked potato cup. Everything was as incredible as the tasting!!!! They accommodated every guests allergy or special request we had. We are so grateful we got to work with cocina fusion!!

Look no further! Hire cocina fusion as your caterer! They are the BEST of the BEST!

-Rachael & Scott
7/8/23
A
Amber S. Married on 06/09/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Exquisite food & marvelous service!

My husband and I got married on June 9th, 2023. Cocina Fusion was listed on a recommended vendors list for our venue, Fairlie. As soon as we googled their services and menu, we knew we were interested! We reached out to Juliana immediately, and we were thoroughly impressed with her customer service. We signed our contract and booked our tasting months later. Juliana and her husband went above and beyond with the tasting - it was one of our favorite events leading up to our special day! The process to select menu items was user friendly, and her staff offered suggestions to us when needed. Juliana cared deeply about the experience we wanted to provide our guests, and even helped us to decide to offer the duo plate to guests so they could have an opportunity to try all of the delicious food we had selected! Cocina Fusion also perfectly executed two specialty cocktails, and provided the extra ingredients needed to create them.

Furthermore, the service received as far as seating arrangements, floor plan, logistics, and day of services was unmatched! We were so impressed with the Cocina Fusion staff, we walked around during the wedding and personally thanked each staff member. All staff was friendly, engaging, attentive and happy to be a part of our day! The food was immaculate, and all guests have continued to compliment the food even two months later. I would highly recommend Cocina Fusion to anyone who is looking to have cuisine and cocktails at their wedding that will impress! We almost want to get married all over again so that we could eat our meal another time!
Thank you Cocina Fusion!!!
-Tyler & Amber Siebert
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Awards

180
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2022 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner
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 2015 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2014 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2013 Winner

Real Weddings

Angela & Justin
25 photos · 02/23/2020
TIFFANY & ALEX
20 photos · 10/14/2017

Professional Network & Endorsements

3 Endorsements
Urban Allure Events Urban Allure Events Wedding Planners

Cocina Fusion is so amazing to work with! They have everything you want in a caterer in Chicago - amazing food, and even better service. I love that the owners are the ones who actually create your menu AND cook your food. It really gives them something special compared to everyone else. They have a fun flair and unique menu items but they will also CUSTOMIZE a menu to anything you want. I have seen them make blackened catfish and a biscuit bar (which was totally off menu for them!) for one of my clients and it was still incredible. I highly recommend them!

Room 1520 Room 1520 Rooftop Weddings

Excellent food and service! And wonderful people:)

Stan Mansion Stan Mansion Mansion Weddings

Juliana and her team are incredible to work with! Always a seem less perfect event when Cocina Fusion is catering! Stan Mansion loves having you here and your food is awesome! Hats off to the Chef!

Preferred Vendors

Juancho SC Photography
5.0 out of 5 rating , 101 Reviews
· Wedding Photographers

Map

Cocina Fusion frequently asked questions

At Cocina Fusion, the cost of the full wedding catering service includes:
  • Delivery
  • Set Up
  • Clean Up
  • Cake Cutting
  • Cocktail Reception
  • Server(s)
  • Tastings
  • China
  • Linens
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
The bar service starting price at Cocina Fusion includes:
  • Open Bar
  • House Beer
  • House Wine
  • Champagne Toast
  • House Liquor
  • Signature Drink
Cocina Fusion offers the following event services for weddings:
  • Delivery
  • Set Up
  • Clean Up
Cocina Fusion offers the following catering services for weddings:
  • Breakfast / Brunch
  • Buffet
  • Cake Cutting
  • Cocktail Reception
  • Custom Menu
  • Hors d'oeuvres
  • Plated
  • Server(s)
  • Stations
  • Tastings
At Cocina Fusion, you can find the following types of cuisine:
  • American
  • Caribbean
  • Italian
  • Latin American
  • Local
  • Mexican
  • Spanish
At Cocina Fusion, the following dietary needs can be accomodated:
  • Gluten Free
  • Lactose Free
  • Halal
  • Nut Free
  • Organic
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
Cocina Fusion provides the following bar and beverage services for wedding events:
  • Bartender(s)
  • Open Bar
  • Champagne Toast
  • Signature Drink
To cater to all tastes, Cocina Fusion offers the following food and beverage items:
  • Barware
  • China
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
Cocina Fusion is recommended by 99% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.9 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.9 in quality of service, 4.9 in average response time, 4.9 in flexibility, 4.9 in professionalism and 4.9 in value.

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