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Happy Cardinal Catering & Events
Happy Cardinal Catering & Events
Buffet station
Buffet station
Delectable vegetable dish
Delectable vegetable dish
Exquisite catering
Exquisite catering
Chicken dish
Chicken dish
Spaghetti and meatballs
Spaghetti and meatballs
Gorgeous menu option
Gorgeous menu option
Cocktail catering
Cocktail catering
Hors d'oeuvres
Hors d'oeuvres
Refreshing cocktail
Refreshing cocktail
Finger foods
Finger foods

Interested in this vendor?

Family style

About

Happy Cardinal Catering is an exceptional wedding catering company based in Durham, North Carolina. This team of culinary artists, led by Head Chef Rob Kinneen, offers couples a plethora of carefully crafted dishes using the freshest ingredients possible. Happy Cardinal Catering has mastered their ability to prepare delectable cuisine stemming from a wide variety of traditions. They also offer couples the ability to customize their menu with a number of tantalizing options.

Cuisine
Happy Cardinal Catering offers couples a variety of exotic dishes hailing from an array of international traditions. Whether you’re seeking American BBQ and Mediterranean, Japanese and Italian, French, Chinese, Spanish, or Southwestern cuisine - this team has got you covered. Happy Cardinal Catering also accommodates a number of dietary needs, including:

  • Gluten-free
  • Nut-free
  • Lactose-free
  • Pork-free
  • Halal
  • Kosher
  • Organic
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian

Services Offered
Happy Cardinal Catering offers the choice between plated, family style, and buffet dining styles, depending on your particular preferences. This team also offers couples a number of special additional services in order to further enhance their wedding catering experience, including:

  • Delivery
  • Setup
  • Cleanup
  • Servers/bartenders
  • Specialty/house beer
  • Specialty/house wine
  • Premium/house liquor
  • Champagne toast
  • Barware/glassware
  • China/flatware
  • Tables/chairs
illustration popular

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Frequently asked questions

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

$55

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

$36

What is the average catering price per person for stations?

$45

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

$25

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

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

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$10

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

Bartender(s)
Limited Bar
Open Bar
House Beer
Specialty Beer
House Wine
Specialty Wine
Champagne Toast
House Liquor
Premium 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
Asian
BBQ
French
Italian
Local
Mediterranean
Seafood
Southern
Spanish

What dietary needs can you accommodate?

Gluten Free
Lactose Free
Halal
Kosher
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
Chocolate Fountain
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

Reviews of Happy Cardinal Catering & Events

Write a review
Write a review
D
Diana Sent on 10/01/2018
5 out of 5 rating
We had an amazing experience with Happy Cardinal! Our food was absolutely delicious and Carolyn, Rob, and their team were incredibly accommodating, respectful, and professional. They took our guests' dietary restrictions into account and made sure everyone had delicious food throughout the evening. The servers were so attentive, making sure that my husband and I always had something to eat and fresh drinks throughout the evening. Happy Cardinal also provided our bar services. Drinks were plentiful, and everyone had a great time. Food and drink are two things your guests care a lot about, and all of our guests were very, very happy with Happy Cardinal!
J
Josephine Sent on 08/21/2018
5 out of 5 rating
Carolyn and Rob did an awesome job catering our wedding. They are so good at what they do - their excitement over flavors and presentation is infectious! They were flexible and capable and were happy to work with a uniquely shaped venue to make sure everything flowed well. We would definitely recommend Happy Cardinal to anyone.
C
Caitlin Sent on 04/15/2018
5 out of 5 rating
Happy Cardinal was AMAZING to work with as our wedding caterer. Carolyn talked to us SO many times throughout the process and was extremely accommodating, flexible, and easy to work with when we made changes or had questions. The food was delicious on the day and we got tons of positive feedback (including from my grandma, who notices these things) about the quality of service during the event. From my and Kevin's perspective, we basically didn't have to worry about anything. They even went and got us more wine when we were running out (after checking with us, of course) without making us feel dumb for our poor planning (they were bartending but we purchased the alcohol). They were flexible with our plans to have groomsmen provide homebrewed kegs in addition to other beer. Basically, they were super flexible and easy to work with throughout. On top of all that, the food was DELICIOUS. I wasn't really hungry at all, but knew we should eat, but I ate enough to be more than full after tasting the plate! Carolyn made sure we each got plates full of everything we wanted before anyone else was served. I just can't say enough about how easy they made it for us. I also feel like they are an incredible value and Carolyn really helped us work to keep our costs down. We are so thankful to have had them as our caterer and highly recommend them!
D
Diana Sent on 09/28/2017
5 out of 5 rating
We looked at several vendors, but Carolyn and Rob were the best. They went out of their way to make sure our wedding went off without a hitch and fit within our budget. Their food is amazing, their staff are professional and helpful, they were always easy to reach, and so incredibly helpful accommodating a few last minute changes. We couldn't recommend anyone more highly.
A
Amy Sent on 02/28/2017
5 out of 5 rating
When everyone at a rehearsal dinner keeps talking about the DINNER, you can guess that Happy Cardinal created & served your event! Don't hesitate b/c Happy Cardinal will contribute THE MOST DELISH, FUN, EASY BREEZY, & MEMORABLE CATERING to your wedding, rehearsal dinner, anniversary, family reunion, birthday, or absolutely whatever event you are celebrating!!!! When it comes to Happy Cardinal as the caterer for your function, the only possible mistake would be failing to book your special event w/them!!!! We even needed a gourmet dinner for 30+ that was completely gluten-free fare from start to finish w/some extra-detailed-dietary demands for the kids table--which wound up super-satisfied! Remember that Happy Cardinal comes from The Boot Italian Restaurant in Rockwood, Durham, so you can relive your palate-paradise experience even after the catering is finished--let the YUM live on!!!!
B
Breanna Sent on 11/23/2016
5 out of 5 rating
The team at Happy Cardinal Catering is amazing! Everyone involved is very professional, friendly and super knowledgeable about their products. They are able to customize everything to fit my needs. They will be my go to catering services and I will always highly recommend them!!
L
Leah Sent on 01/17/2017
4.8 out of 5 rating
The Happy Cardinal Catering team was very professional, responsive, warm, and kind. Their servers were excellent and their food was delicious. Would highly recommend!
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

7

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Professional Network & Endorsements

2 Endorsements
A&A Weddings A&A Weddings Wedding Photographers

I only have wonderful things to say about these people and their food. Nothing but excellent from service to what your guests will enjoy. Many of my clients have had an exceptional experience working with Happy Cardinal Catering. They are attentive to every detail - dietary needs etc. and everything tastes amazing and looks delicious every single time. Please make Happy Cardinal Catering a part of your special day!

Exceptional Events Exceptional Events Wedding Planners

I am a wedding coordinator, and Happy Cardinal Catering is going on my recommended vendors list! They were on top of everything and constantly ready for the next event during the reception. Plus, the food was amazing! They even catered to people's dietary restrictions. I'm still craving the red pepper hummus!! I definitely recommended them!

Map

Addresses map
Catering Raleigh
Catering Durham

Happy Cardinal Catering & Events frequently asked questions

At Happy Cardinal Catering & Events, the cost of the full wedding catering service includes:
  • Delivery
  • Set Up
  • Clean Up
  • Cake
  • Cake Cutting
  • Dessert
  • Cocktail Reception
  • Server(s)
  • Tastings
  • Chairs
  • Tables
  • China
  • Linens
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
The bar service starting price at Happy Cardinal Catering & Events includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • Limited Bar
  • Open Bar
  • House Beer
  • Specialty Beer
  • House Wine
  • Specialty Wine
  • Champagne Toast
  • House Liquor
  • Premium Liquor
  • Signature Drink
Happy Cardinal Catering & Events offers the following event services for weddings:
  • Delivery
  • Set Up
  • Clean Up
Happy Cardinal Catering & Events 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 Happy Cardinal Catering & Events, you can find the following types of cuisine:
  • American
  • Asian
  • BBQ
  • French
  • Italian
  • Local
  • Mediterranean
  • Seafood
  • Southern
  • Spanish
At Happy Cardinal Catering & Events, the following dietary needs can be accomodated:
  • Gluten Free
  • Lactose Free
  • Halal
  • Kosher
  • Nut Free
  • Organic
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
Happy Cardinal Catering & Events provides the following bar and beverage services for wedding events:
  • Bartender(s)
  • Open Bar
  • Champagne Toast
  • Signature Drink
To cater to all tastes, Happy Cardinal Catering & Events offers the following food and beverage items:
  • Barware
  • China
  • Chocolate Fountain
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
Happy Cardinal Catering & Events is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.
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