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Weddings

About

Zen Creative Catering, formerly known as Taste Elegant Catering, is the fastest growing Catering Operation in Gainesville, Florida. We really pack a punch with our amazing displays, food quality, flexible menu options, and service! We do have a Catering Liqour License as well as a professional staff of Bartenders. We treat no wedding catering the same...each one is customized to your special day! We aim to provide a pleasureble experience and relieve the stress that you have in dealing with vendors. Once the menu is determined, a quote is submitted, and then we have a complimentary menu tasting for up to 4 guests. We want you to experience the quality, get to know us, and we get to learn about you and your special event!

We also offer a private venue... great to host smaller events from 20 - 120 people. Perfect for Rehearsal Dinners & Showers. Complete with a Bar, Sound System, & Dining Options.

Cuisine

Zen Creative Catering, features and excels in all types of cuisines ranging from Southern/Homestyle favorites like Sliced Angus Brisket, Marinated Oven Roasted Chicken, Homemade Macaroni & Cheese, and Creamy Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes to Cuban Favorites like Picadillo, Mojo Pork, Cilantro Chicken, Sweet Plantains, & Black Beans and Rice. We cook Italian favorites and specialize in Asian Items that are featured in 2 of our Asian Restaurant locations. Our Lobster Bisque has won many awards and is considered a local favorite. We also specialize in Heavy Hors D'Oeuvres & Appetizer packages!

We are known for our magnificent Sushi Boat Displays & Grand Charcuterie Boards. Either or both of this Statement Displays are sure to have your guest snapping photos and tagging your special day to their social media! They really bring "The WOW" to your event!

Services Provided

* Full Service Catering

* Buffet or Plated Meal Options

* Real or Disposable Dinnerware Packages

* Linen, Floral, Decor, Tables & Chairs Options

* Rehearsal Dinners, Day of Lunch Delivery, Wedding Reception Dinner & Cocktail Hours, and Day After Brunch

* Liquor License & Bar Tending

* On-site Cooking Options

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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?

$35

What is the average catering price per person for stations?

$40

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?

Set Up
Clean Up
Server(s)
Flatware

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$20

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

Bartender(s)
House Beer
House Wine

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
Caribbean
Greek
Indian
Italian
Latin American
Mediterranean
Mexican
Seafood
Southern
Spanish

What dietary needs can you accommodate?

Gluten Free
Lactose Free
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
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Reviews of Taste Elegant Catering

4.8 out of 5 rating
4.8 out of 5 rating
12 Reviews
96% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.6 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.8 out of 5 rating
D
Debi L. Sent on 05/20/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Christ from Taste saved our wedding.

Chris is absolutely amazing and creative with food and presentation in a pinch. We had to change the date, location, and guest count in 3 weeks time due to covid. He not only pulled it together but with excellence in every way. He will do every catering we now have.
M
Matthew B. Sent on 06/25/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Just Perfect

The service and food was amazing. My wedding was just a few weeks ago and we are still getting contacted by friends and family letting us know how great it was. Chris over at Taste definitely knows what he is doing!
Kathryn
Kathryn K. Sent on 10/27/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Delicious Food

We met Chris Shindle, Taste Elegant Catering, at a Bridal Expo a year before our wedding date. We were intrigued with his southern style brunch buffet options (the groom loves biscuits & gravy) and experience with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. We found Chris to be very personable and took him up on an offer to do a “tasting.” We had 8 family members there, but no bride and groom who had moved out of state. But the tasting was fun and the food excellent. We planned a church venue for the wedding and reception for 75+, but COVID’s impact changed this to a small 21 guest backyard wedding. Chris cheerfully met with us in our backyard to make the drastic revisions. The day of the outdoor wedding was spectacular and Chris and his staff’s professional set-up and service with the delicious, unique food was a big hit. You can’t go wrong with Taste Elegant Catering! Gainesville. FL; 352.339-0713; tastegainesville.com/catering
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Awards

12
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner

Team

Hung Nguyen
Hung Nguyen
Owner/ Operator

Hung is a talented chef & hardworker. Other than running 3 restaurants, he also assists his talents with his catering company. Hung can "make & create" many yummy things! He specializes in Sushi Displays, Charcuterie Boards, & Varieties of Cuisines...including Asian, Indian, Cuban, Italian, etc... He focuses on quality, presentation, and attention to detail...these qualities is how he makes his magic!

Mariannie Howard
Mariannie Howard
Operation Manager

Mariannie is the organization of the operation! She handles the checklist, the itinarary, and the equipment! She makes sure we have everything that is needed to make sure the event is a success! She can decorate, bartend,& serve...while maintaining a genuine smile! She creates the map with her pre-planning that leads the catering to the gold of executing a succesful catering event!

The Taste Team
The Taste Team
Staffing

From Cooks to Servers to Bartenders...we know that the people are who make the difference! We make sure to staff your event with people that we would trust to staff our own important functions. It is your special event and we want our staff to make your guests feel special!

Map

Taste Elegant Catering frequently asked questions

At Taste Elegant Catering, the cost of the full wedding catering service includes:
  • Set Up
  • Clean Up
  • Server(s)
  • Flatware
The bar service starting price at Taste Elegant Catering includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • House Beer
  • House Wine
Taste Elegant Catering offers the following event services for weddings:
  • Delivery
  • Set Up
  • Clean Up
Taste Elegant Catering 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 Taste Elegant Catering, you can find the following types of cuisine:
  • American
  • Asian
  • BBQ
  • Caribbean
  • Greek
  • Indian
  • Italian
  • Latin American
  • Mediterranean
  • Mexican
  • Seafood
  • Southern
  • Spanish
At Taste Elegant Catering, the following dietary needs can be accomodated:
  • Gluten Free
  • Lactose Free
  • Nut Free
  • Organic
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
Taste Elegant Catering provides the following bar and beverage services for wedding events:
  • Bartender(s)
  • Open Bar
  • Champagne Toast
  • Signature Drink
To cater to all tastes, Taste Elegant Catering offers the following food and beverage items:
  • Barware
  • China
  • Chocolate Fountain
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
Taste Elegant Catering is recommended by 96% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.8 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 5 in value, 4.8 in quality of service, 4.8 in flexibility, 4.8 in professionalism and 4.6 in average response time.

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