Francisco Sent on 09/14/2025

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Great Catering

Renaissance Catering delivered delicious food for our guests to enjoy. Picking out appetizers and entrees was a fun process because they had many menu items and great prices. The chef explained everything we needed to know about the food during the tastings. Our guests with allergies and dietary needs gave great remarks on their separately prepared dishes. We recommend the basil cream salmon and the lemon orzo. To top it off, the catering team went above and beyond setting up the dining hall, buffet tables, and bar. The staff had a great vibe and were happy to be of service.

Michelle Sent on 10/18/2022

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Best wedding food and staff!

We're so glad we hired Renaissance Chef for our wedding! They were so responsive to all of my questions and had really great communication ahead of the wedding, which helped alleviate some of the wedding stress. The food was delicious, all of our guests were talking about how good the sirloin steak was. They made sure the bride and groom got food throughout the day and helped with the set up before dinner. The staff were attentive and fun, even teaching the guests some dance moves! Cannot recommend them enough!

Ellyn Sent on 06/08/2022

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Excellent work and service

We’ve been in contact with Jake and his assistant Erin at Renaissance Chef for more than 2 years because of 3 Covid postponements of our daughter’s wedding. They have a fairly extensive but not too overwhelming menu of a variety of appetizers and main courses, and they planned out the amounts perfectly. The food was fresh and very good; the guests raved about the appetizers we chose (crabmeat dip, baked brie, and oysters Rockefeller in particular). They had ample servers who worked hard all evening to provide the best of service and keeping the areas picked up. We had a smaller gathering than what we originally planned for and were able to upgrade the dining experience for our guests to Prime Rib, Chesapeake shrimp and Chicken Marsala—all dishes and sides were very good. They also provided the bar set up/service for the event, and the evening flowed very well. Jake and Erin made working with them easy and they were accommodating to our every wish. I am very pleased with the outcome of this dinner and food thereof, and would recommend RenChef highly.

Jessica Sent on 01/17/2022

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Wonderful food and catering service!

We found Renaissance Chef catering for our wedding in October, hosted at the Tea Room in Gambrill State Park. We had a chance to talk to Erin, and set up a take-home tasting. The food was wonderful - it was hard to decide which items to pick! They were really great about coordinating with us and the our guests who had food allergies and restrictions as well, highlighting a couple items on our plan that we didn't realize might be problematic for our guests - the attention to detail was great. I really appreciate that they had biodegradable options to serve from, though I did notice that the bamboo utensils that came with our event catering were different than the samples that came with our tasting. Overall, we had a really great experience and would definitely recommend them and use them again for future events.

Brendan Sent on 10/26/2021

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Seriously Awesome Food and People

Renaissance Chef was hands down the best vendor we chose for our wedding. They were very communicative, responsive, and professional throughout the whole process, from the generous tasting, special requests and changes, quotes and pricing, and the day of. While not the cheapest option around, there are tons of interesting menu choices, the food was absolutely delicious and we're still thinking about how great it tasted a month later! Lisa was so nice and helpful the day of. 10/10 so happy we went with Renaissance Chef

Christine Sent on 07/17/2021

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

The best catering company and staff ever!

The entire experience from hiring, menu selection, tasting the food, meetings and the reception were of the most excellent service!! Everyone that was involved were so nice and extremely helpful!! The food was amazing and all of the guests were very complimentary on our selections! In particular, I would like to thank Lisa who made us feel like royalty! They made our reception feel so welcoming and we couldn't have been more happy with Renaissance Chef!! Thank you!

Angela Sent on 05/26/2021

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Renaissance Chef

Fantastic food and a wonderful vendor to work with... Our guests raved about the food and how good it was... Everything was delicious!! They went above and beyond to make us feel special and I would highly recommend them for your next event!!

Molly Sent on 05/11/2021

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Delicious and tasty

What can I say about this caterer….AMAZING!!! They are delicious and so polite! During the whole tasting experience they were so patient with what we were choosing. Then we changed the menu the week before the wedding and they were patient with what we went with! They were amazing the day of the wedding too! Definitely will use them besides weddings!

Erin Sent on 01/19/2020

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Great experience

Our venue only let us choose between 2 caterers. I reached out to both, and Renaissance was BY FAR the easiest to communicate with, discuss prices, and arrange meetings. Our tasting was a wonderful experience- it was honestly a fun date night on top of being wedding work! We would've chosen to have all the food if we could have. It was also really nice that the chef left us alone while we were eating so we could think and talk to each other without pressure. We had a buffet so we chose options we thought the most people would enjoy. A representative from Ren Chef attended our final meeting with our venue the month prior to the big day, which was a great opportunity to hammer out some smaller details we hadn't thought of, such as offering hot apple cider and flavored water at the ceremony site. They were super flexible with us regarding our guest count, as we had a few guests who had family emergencies and we didn't know if they were coming until the last minute. As for the Big Day... my mom and aunt couldn't get over how great the wait staff was. The staff helped my new husband and I with drinks and our meals and checked on us frequently to make sure we didn't need anything. And OF COURSE, the food was amazing!!! I was so sad that I didn't have much of an appetite because I wanted to eat it ALL! Luckily, they boxed up a bunch of food to send with my husband and I so we could really enjoy it at our hotel that night!

Maryann Sent on 12/15/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Great Caterer!

They did a nice job for my daughter's wedding. They were easy to work with from start to finish. The price was reasonable and the food was really good! Everything with the service went smoothly for the event.

Taylor Sent on 10/06/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing food!

I am so happy my husband and I chose Renaissance Chef to cater our wedding. They were so flexible and responsive. Erin did such a great job at getting back to be in a timely manner when I had millions of questions. The food was absolutely incredible - Jake does an amazing job! The staff on the day of our wedding were so polite and made sure we had everything we needed. I would highly recommend Renaissance Chef to anyone who is looking for a caterer for any type of event - you won’t regret it!!

Wanda Sent on 09/27/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Great Food and Service!!

We worked with Erin start to finish and were very pleased with her knowledge and customer service. She ended up working the wedding due to someone leaving and could not have been more pleasant. Jake (chef/owner) is very personable and was very responsive to the allergy meals that were required. Food was absolutely delicious. My husband said that it was much better than anticipated, even though we did a tasting a year earlier. The service staff were very attentive and took excellent care of the guests. Would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a mid price caterer. You will not be disappointed.

Susie Sent on 09/08/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Delicious and Wonderful Table Service

The food was absolutely delicious. I loved how each table had its own platters and table service so the guests didn't have to wait on a buffet line. The service was perfect and almost invisible. I never noticed when items were brought to the table or refilled, they just were! I especially appreciated that plates were not cleared before everyone at the table was finished eating. Everything tasted just as I remembered from our meeting months earlier with the chef. I would definitely choose this caterer again.

Nicolette Sent on 09/06/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing catering company!

We hired Renaissance Chef for our daughter's wedding and could not have had a better experience!! Erin was our contact person, so professional and so incredibly attentive. She helped us every step of the way, had wonderful suggestions and I truly felt she had our best interest at heart. Plus she was just about the easiest person to communicate with, so quick to respond! Emily was extremely thorough in our meeting before the wedding and everything was done exactly the way we had asked.We cannot praise Jake's cooking enough and we are not that easily pleased, having eaten great meals all over the world. From the first to the last bite, all was delicious. We had some station appetizers including the meatballs and the passed appetizers included the Maryland Crab Balls and the DaVinci Towers. We opted for family style dinner and it was important for the couple to have grass-fed beef. Jake went out of his way to accommodate and both the beef and the salmon were cooked perfectly, not easy to do for a large crowd! And the mashed potatoes were just awesome. The whole event exceeded expectations and Ren Chef was a huge reason for that! Thank you Jake, Erin and Emily!!

B & Sent on 07/09/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Best wedding decision we made

After a miserable first catering tasting with a major company in our area, we reached out to Renaissance Chef on a whim. And wow, we are so glad we did. We did a tasting with them in their Frederick base of operations -- the back entrance of a performing arts building. And though we weren't sure what to expect with that sort of location, by the time we finished the appetizers we were sure Renaissance Chef was the way to go. The owner Jake met us and walked us through everything, let us take our samples to go, and made changes on the spot to what we wanted. When we got to the wedding week, we met Chuck, our day-of manager. This guy means BUSINESS -- he oozed competence and made our event look like a piece of cake to cater. We got drinks delivered to the ceremony site right after the ceremony ended (with a range of apps, too), we managed to eat our own wedding food (delicious!), and our bartenders and service staff ensured we never ran dry with what we needed. Prices were more than fair. Holy moly, this was a six-star experience. We'd hire them again in a heartbeat.

Jeanie Sent on 06/24/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

5 stars all around; professional; delicious food and caring!

Renaissance Chef catering company was amazing! They were extremely professional, flexible and we got so many compliments on the food! They quickly responded to our emails and the tasting before our wedding was an accurate demonstration of what their food was like and what would be provided. At our wedding, we had a situation where a guest was very belligerent and then by accident, someone else got hurt. One of the caterers approached our drunk guest with compassion, kindness and professionalism instead of aggression and hostility. He helped diffuse the situation. This employee went above and beyond to make sure everyone involved (including us - bride and groom because the other people were our guests) were taken care of. We couldn't have been happier (and luckier) to have a great catering company on our special day! Thank you again!

Rosalyn Sent on 04/26/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Great experience and delicious menu!

Planning our daughter's wedding with the help of Jake and Erin could not have been easier. They provided us with many choices to taste, making it a delicious experience and offered their honest opinion and know-how to help us choose a menu that suited the needs of a variety of guests. Everything was delicious and served at the correct temperature, receiving rave reviews from everyone! Our dinner was served family style which was greatly received by everyone! Thanks again!

Liz J. Sent on 02/04/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Delicious food and awesome staff!

We used Renaissance Chef for our wedding and the food was absolutely delicious. Their customer service was awesome - the whole team is super nice. My mom and I did the tasting at their kitchen which was stellar and we received a ton of compliments about the food at our wedding. We are so happy we went with them. Also, that crab dip!!!!!!!!!! I wish I had it now! :)

Sergio Sent on 12/21/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Complete Trust

The food was incredible, the staff was incredibly courteous and they did a tremendous job of making my wife and I feel tended to. After speaking with my guests, they confirmed that the lines at the bar were minimal and that they had nothing but good experiences with the staff. Planning and coordinating was simple and convenient considering we set up a tasting to preview the menu.

Adrienne Sent on 09/20/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Renaissance Chef Catering was the best for our Sept. 15th wedding at Thorpewood. They were so flexible and easy to work with. Food was great and so many of our guests complimented the service as well. Highly recommend this for anyone looking for a caterer!

Samantha Sent on 08/19/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Renaissance made all of our wedding dreams come true, including dreams we didn't even know we had.

From the very beginning, we were delighted with the prompt communication and vast variety of options, ranging from budget friendly to high-end. They offer both pre-set and a-la-carte options with endless opportunities for customization. The team was so respectful of our budget and vision, proposing both creative and delicious options to keep us on track. They were even able to concoct authentic Peruvian delicacies!

So many people came up to us to say how much they loved not only the stellar food, but the amazing staff, who went above and beyond to cater to every single person's needs, from special dietary requirements to beer preferences over wine. Many guests were on a first name basis with staff by the end of the night, who truly treated our guests as family. I was beyond thrilled that the staff connected so closely with our guests.

Upon entering the reception, our signature drinks were waiting for us along with full portions of every single one of our menu items. The food was served piping warm and delicious. Staff were so attentive to us that we felt like royalty the whole evening. Renaissance completely delivered on our request that all guests leave uncomfortably full, and even boxed up our leftovers for us to enjoy the following day. I wish I had a photo to share, but everyone gobbled the food up so quickly we didn't get a single one!

Not only did Renaissance provide exceptional service, somehow did so in a way that helped us to come in under budget and ensure we started our married lives together free of debt.

I can honestly say that our day would not have been the same without Renaissance, I know that a large part of the magic we felt on our wedding day was created by them. I cannot recommend Renaissance highly enough!

Maryanne Sent on 07/18/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We decided to go with Renaissance Chef for our daughter’s April 7, 2018 Wedding Reception, at the recommendation of our planner Rachel at Rachel Kendall Events. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of the wedding planning. From the tasting (which offered so much food we took a bunch home to eat that evening) to the day of the wedding, Jake and his team were so helpful and accommodating, always attentive and quick to answer emails during the planning process. Not only was the food fabulous and very reasonably priced, Jake and his team were some of the kindest people we’ve ever met. Several of our guests commented on how “nice the caterers were”. I heard one story from a guest about one of the servers offering to run and get our ’92 year young’ Gramma Cumberland’ an extra blanket during the Cocktail Hour (It turned out to be a very chilly April evening!). After my husband’s “Father of the Bride” speech one of the guy servers made a point of congratulating him and showered him with accolades for a speech well done. They really went out of their way to take each available opportunity to be pleasant and helpful. And the food… WELL, we are still hearing good things from wedding guests about the food! Just in case you need a little assistance with decision making for your own event… here’s what our daughter and son-in-law decided on for their reception: Appetizers … Maryland Style Crab Balls (these are a must!), Spinach & Artichoke dip (really good), Fresh fruit & cheese display, Cranberry Spiced Meatballs (I make a mean meatball that our family & friends love, so clearly these were a must and earned a 10 from everyone). Dinner …. Beef Burgundy, Teriyaki Glazed Salmon, Roasted redskin potatoes, green beans almandine, garden salad (we had this plated - and was a nice touch) & dinner rolls. All the left overs were sent away with us and devoured at the after party! Thank you Jake and everyone on your team for all the special care. Highest Recommendations!

Clay Sent on 06/27/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We were married this past May 2018, but believe it or not we had originally reached out to Renaissance in October of 2016 to get the ball rolling with our wedding planning. Not only are the staff at Renaissance extremely responsive, friendly, and personable, but they make sure that you feel like the most important person for whatever your occasion. I remember we went for our tasting and we were treated like royalty. We worked the most with Steve and Jake and cannot say enough just how truly kind and skilled they are at what they do. All of the food we ordered was fabulous and our guests were raving about it all evening. We did the BBQ buffet dinner with brisket, grilled chicken, roasted rosemary potatoes, mac n' cheese, baked beans and for appetizers, the veggie spring roles, meatball marinara, and pigs in a blanket. The food tasted just as good on our wedding day. We also had some guests with food restrictions, and not only did they accommodate, but they had made sure to have the plates made and served to the guests that needed them so there was no confusion, and they were just as fresh!

The staff at Renaissance also includes all of their workers that helped set-up our tables, kept the buffet fresh, and the bartending service. Everyone was just so professional and interacted with our guests to make them all feel special. Lisa especially made sure to find us throughout the night to make sure we taken care of, and also brought us our own appetizer tray once we finished our photos.

There is a lot to choose from as far as types of cutlery and tupperware, napkins, tableclothes etc and they make sure to sit down with you to review every single detail to match your theme or style. Never would we have imagined that we would be so impressed with everything that comes with working with our caterer. Renaissance should always be your #1 go-to for any catering needs. To Jake, Steve, Lisa, Erin and the rest of your staff, we truly thank you for everything!!

Kelly Sent on 06/23/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Jake and the staff at Renaissance were so flexible and such a delight to work with!

More than a year before the wedding, we had a tasting and determined our menu. Six months later, we realized we wanted to invite more people without a huge expansion to the budget, so we held a second tasting and changed the menu around -- and Renaissance was so helpful and gracious and full of good ideas to help us do so.

They worked with us on some special requests like:
- Food for vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free folks, people with allergies, and people with combinations of all of these dietary restrictions
- Providing all the non-alcoholic components of our speciality mixed drinks
- Acquiring a special type of cherry that my husband likes in his Manhattan

The day of the wedding, their service was impeccable and truly almost invisible -- their team worked together seamlessly to have all the right food in the right place at the right time. They even boxed up leftovers for us as a surprise to nosh on during our honeymoon.

The best part was the guests raving about the food. Thanks, Jake and team! Really appreciate all the work that you put in to making our day amazing.

Ben Sent on 06/22/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We were very happy with the catering services provided by Renaissance Chef! We used their services for both our rehearsal dinner and our ceremony. The food was delicious! Our guests raved about the teriyaki salmon, chicken a la renaissance, and the crab dip! We did a BBQ style rehearsal dinner and it was perfect for Memorial Day weekend with our families. Jake, Steve, and all of their staff were very helpful and responsive throughout the process. The tasting was great and very informative. We went with the bamboo plates and silverware and were pleased with the durability, eco-friendly use, and rustic feel. We had ~140 guests and the food came out quickly to everyone. If you are getting married in the Frederick area, we highly recommend using Renaissance Chef!!

Katherine Sent on 02/20/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

My husband and I are foodies from very different foodie backgrounds who wanted to showcase that at our ThorpeWood winter wedding. After meeting with both of ThorpeWood's recommended caterers, we decided on Renaissance Chef first because of their willingness to work with our menu on a limited budget and afterward because they were amazing!

Jake Sgueo and his staff did a fantastic job combining my South Louisiana cuisine and my husband's Maryland menu with a sprinkling of our personal family recipes on top. From our first tasting through the wedding itself, Jake's friendliness, adaptability, and effortless skill allowed us to have fun playing with the food!

Even now, our guests can't stop talking about the food: best at a wedding by far, we were told. We were able to have the menu we wanted while making accommodations for all kinds of allergies and palates. My husband's aunt, who is gluten free among other dietary needs, was thrilled that she could eat absolutely everything: something she has never been able to do at a wedding. And the staff was so attentive and wonderful; my wine glass was never empty for long with Renaissance Chef's fantastic servers.

Working with Jake and Renaissance Chef was great all around. I highly recommend them.

Charlene Sent on 01/08/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

OMG the food was GREAT - Meatballs the best we have ever Had - OMG the Mac and Cheese
They did a wonderful job for my Daughters Wedding and would Highly Recommend to anyone
Staff Very attentive during the wedding - wanted for nothing - Great to work with every step of the way

Adam Sent on 11/18/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Renaissance Chef catered our wedding at ThorpeWood in early November. The staff was fantastic and attentive to my husband, myself, and our guests throughout the night. Jake, the owner, was always available for questions and helped put together a wonderful and tasty autumn menu for our big day. Jake and his team also accommodated our guests with allergies or vegans. We had stationed hors d'oeuvres, which the crab dip and the meatballs were amazing! For dinner, we had a number of menu items, but the beef burgundy was delish. My husband and I enjoyed working with Renaissance Chef and they helped add to a perfect day!

Megan Sent on 11/14/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We had our wedding at Thorpewood in Thurmont and RenChef was a preferred vendor for catering. Honestly, I can't say enough about Jake and his team. Picking the menu was super fun and laid back. Jake is amazing and his food is awesome!!! We did a family style serving which was so fun and perfect for our venue. We had the beef, chicken parm, and caprese tortellini. So ridiculously good. All guests were raving about the food! Steven ran the show on the day of. His set up for our cocktail hour was beautiful. The staff was so helpful and really took care of all our guests. My husband's grandmother was hospitalized earlier in the day and was unable to attend and they packed up a plate of food and cupcakes to take home for her!! Also just need to give a special shout out to Dee, one of the amazing wait staff! She was so professional and personable and made it her job to make sure that dinner went well. Thanks so much RenChef for the amazing job!!!!! Highly recommend!!!!

Christina Sent on 11/12/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

One of my top priority's for my wedding was having great food for the guests and Renaissance Chef was perfect. We selected the "Family Style" catering and had the Chicken Parmesan and Salmon. Additionally, I gave a Peruvian family recipe and the chef was super accommodating and made it (perfectly) for the wedding day and we served it as a third entree choice. The staff was all very professional, accommodating, knowledgeable, and helped make our day run perfectly smoothly. We are so thankful that they were also very accommodating to the many allergy safe requirements and adjustments we needed for different guests. I would recommend Renaissance Chef over and over again!

Robin Sent on 10/22/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Jake, Steven and the staff at Renaissance were simply wonderful to work with. They provide extensive menu options, arrangements and configurations. We used them for a wedding and they were more than happy to recreate a few of our favorite dishes. The tasting was wonderful and there was so much food left over we had it for lunch the next day. Jake always made us feel special and not like just another wedding.
Steven met with us at the venue and explained how the day would proceed. He and Jake answered any and all questions we had. I never once felt like I didn’t know or understand what Renaissance’s plan was for the day. I felt fully confidence in them and they met and exceeded my expectations. Everything was absolutely perfect!! The food was even better then I remembered from the tasting, everything ran on schedule, the wait staff were courteous, polite, attentive and so accommodating. They accommodated the children and special diet needs. I can’t remember the last time I have dealt with such wonderful staff. They truly made us feel special. We even had Bride/Groom leftover containers prepared which we ate the next day. Numerous guests remarked about how impressed they were with the food and the catering staff. I can’t praise them enough except to say thank you for everything they did and for making us feel so very special.

Jessica Sent on 09/17/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I can't even begin to describe how much I love Renaissance Chef - who catered my wedding day this August. From our very first meeting, to the tasting, to my millions of emails, requests for quotes, changes of menu, etc. etc. they were so incredibly flexible, accommodating, friendly, down-to-earth, and prompt at communicating. Then to top it all off their food is amazing!! Tasty and also beautiful displays. I received so many compliments from my guests! If you're reading this and wedding planning, I know you're stressed - and that's why you need to go with Renaissance Chef for your catering. They actually alleviate your stress just by planning with them. Their attitude and caring demeanor and their relaxed pricing and flexibility is what every bride and family needs. Jake, Steven, and truly the entire staff were amazing - and their warmth and good food is exactly what you need for your event! :)

Shaina Sent on 07/27/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

From the moment we went for a tasting, we knew that we wanted Renaissance Chef to cater our wedding at ThorpeWood. They were fun, personable, and made delicious food at a reasonable price! They let you combine any of their menus and come up with a customized meal plan. However, we were blown away at the services they offered on our wedding day. They had a whole team preparing the food, serving, and bartending, and they always took time to make sure that my husband and I had some food and a drink in our hand. We left our wedding full, which was an awesome surprise. Everything was beyond our expectations, and they even sent us back with goody bags of leftover food that we were able to enjoy. They were able to accommodate everyone with food allergies, and were extremely kind to all of our guests. If you're looking for a caterer, go with Renaissance Chef- they truly do take care of you and your own! I hope to have other events planned in the future just so I can order food from these guys!

Melanie Sent on 05/30/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

What an amazing company!!
From start to finish, both Jake and Stephen were so accommodating to our needs - whether they were budget, allergy, or guest number related, they took care of everything with a smile!!
After two separate tastings, my fiance and I were unsure of exactly what menu to choose, so Jake allowed us to create our own menu for the evening. This included a large number of pescatarian and gluten free meals. I was especially please to find that at our reception, I (the bride) was given a special gluten free plate of crab balls (our appetizers); this wasn't discussed, but was a very happy and welcome surprise. Our guests loved the food, and especially had a great time with the staff. They made themselves apart of the party, instead of just working it. As a few other reviews have stated, whatever food you do not eat, they package up for you to take home! Who does that?!
We are so pleased with our decision to go with Renaissance Chef, and would definitely use them again if we needed an event catered!

Roger Sent on 05/10/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

This was our second time hiring Renaissance within one year. So that provides some insight into our confidence with this caterer. This time we threw Jake the proprietor a curve ball with a new Mediterranean-style menu that had never before been requested of him. He exceeded our expectations, first with a tasting event, and then with the complete buffet-style meal. The guests loved the diverse, tasty, and healthy meal! Steve's attractive presentation enhanced the dining experience. Their staff was so friendly and helpful, they all felt like family by the end of the evening. And the price/value equation made it an affordable option for us. In summary, we heartily recommend Renaissance Chef!

Dawn Sent on 05/10/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

In considering catering options for our wedding, my husband and I were a little apprehensive. That was short-lived, however, until we met Jake and Stephen with Renaissance Chef! Our initial contact was through e-mail, and Jake responded quickly, sending several documents with an expansive array of food, beverage, and service choices. When we saw the diverse menu selections, the flexible service options, and the wide range of pricing availability, we felt confident that we'd be able to customize exactly what we were hoping for our reception. But then, once we made our initial selections, scheduled our tasting, and met Jake and Stephen in person (and tasted the food), we knew we'd found out caterer! They managed to turn our tasting into a fun little "date" with a FULL MEAL of all of the really delicious things we'd selected from the menus provided. And what we didn't eat during the tasting, they packaged up for us to take along home - so we were able to share it with our family as well!! But that was only the beginning. Throughout our planning, Jake answered all of our questions and was entirely flexible as changes came up - with guest numbers, additions to the menu, etc. And when we ran into Stephen at a wedding Open House event a week before our wedding, he not only remembered us and our wedding theme, but talked about the upcoming event!
The day of our wedding, the food was delicious, the service was outstanding, the staff was professional, and our guests are still raving about several of the menu items! Glasses were always full, food was fresh and plentiful, but most importantly, every member of the team was professional, friendly, kind, and helpful! They even took the time to explain ingredients of each of the menu items to my daughter, who is pregnant, to alleviate her concerns about what she should/shouldn't eat! We will definitely use Renaissance Chef for any future catering needs and will highly recommend them to others!

Liz Sent on 05/02/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

The wedding was catered by Renaissance Caterers. The chef really out did himself and served a variety of delicacies. Everything we tasted was yummier that the previous bite. The wait staff was phenomenal. My water glass was never empty and our waiter was eager serve. I highly recommend Renaissance Caterers.

Megan Sent on 01/02/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We could not have dreamed up a better caterer for our special day. From the food to the service, Renaissance Chef exceeded all expectations. The food (cooked for 125 guests) was out of this world - our guests are still raving that it's the best wedding food they've ever had! And the staff took complete care of all our guests.

Jake and Stephen made the whole day (and all the planning leading up to it) feel like a breeze. They answered our questions and accommodated our requests with a smile and "Absolutely, we can do that!" So fairly priced, and even offered us great advice on how to save money, giving an honest opinion on whether add-on options were necessary.

We only hope we have another reason/occasion to use Renaissance Chef soon!!! Thank you!!!!

Ally Sent on 11/02/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I can not say enough about Renaissance Chef. I had a two story venue and the bar was downstairs while the dinner was upstairs, the staff came to every table to refill alcohol and drink orders as well as making sure no one needed anything. My husband had one request for the wedding he needed cobbler for dessert. I mentioned what the baker was making and they immediately said no problem we will heat it and store everything do you need ice cream and we will provide all the plaves and cake stand as well as slice and set out everything. This was amazing especially considering they did not do the desserts. I had one request, a mashed potato bar and it was amazing. All of the food was so delicious! As the bride and groom my husband and I were given appetizers and drinks of our choice in a little area away from the group to ensure we got to eat. We also got served our plates and mashed potatoes made up from the buffet specifically to our order to make sure we could eat before we greeted all our guests. They were amazing and I hope I can work with them for an event again in the future.

Robert Sent on 10/06/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Jake and his staff did an outstanding job helping bride and groom select menu for cocktail hour and main plated meal (tasting, budget, etc.), organizing the event, and conducting the event. Everything was perfect, staff was helpful and attentive, Renaissance worked seamlessly with the venue (Thorpewood) to put on an excellent event. Father of the Bride

Lauren Sent on 09/30/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Professional, accommodating, delicious are only a few of the words I would use to describe this vendor. Jake, the owner was present through every aspect of the process from the tasting, meetings, and reception. His staff was polite, attentive, responsive and good natured. And most importantly his food is delicious. Our guest are still talking about the delicious crab ball appetizers and beef burgundy. Even the mashed potatoes were impeccable at the mashed potato bar. All guests were greeted by Jake in the buffet line at my daughters wedding to answer any questions and assist where needed. We highly recommend this vendor as you will not be disappointed and I am sure that our guests will use him for their events as they were all highly impressed

Alex Sent on 08/24/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Jake, Steven and the whole team at Renaissance Chef were amazing to work with for our wedding. They took our menu, which had a couple things they'd never made before, and enthusiastically ran with it. Not only was the food delicious but the whole staff were wonderful and attentive to us and our guests on the day of. I got many compliments on the food, even among some tough foodie critics. Everything about the process was a pleasure and I wholeheartedly recommend them.

Karissa Sent on 08/09/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Renaissance catering was the perfect choice for our Thorpewood wedding - we cannot express enough how thankful we are for their exceptional service. Jake, Steve and their team were so much fun to work with and went above and beyond to ensure we and our friends/family felt so cared for that evening. The food was delicious and we were able to customize it for our budget. We received so many compliments that evening on how wonderful and attentive the catering staff was. Renaissance was the perfect choice for our wedding!

Vicky Sent on 07/11/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Renaissance Chef Catering was a joy to work with. Not only do they serve delicious food but their prices are reasonable and their staff is so friendly. I used them for my summer 2016 wedding and I'm so glad I did. Jake was willing to answer the millions of questions I had and responded to my emails promptly. The staff at the wedding was extremely pleasant and so willing to help with whatever anyone asked. Not only was the service good but the food was delicious! I had tons of guests raving about the food. You couldn't ask for a better catering service.

Lauren Sent on 10/03/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Renaissance Chef catered our Sept. 2014 wedding and my husband and I could not have been happier with the quality of service and food they provided! From the initial tasting to the reception, Jake and his staff were professional and fun to work with. Jake worked with us to make a menu to fit our tastes and our budget. We received countless compliments on the food ("Best wedding food ever!"). Chuck and Steve were amazing during the reception - getting us food and drinks and making sure we actually got to sit down and eat. I cannot say enough great things about Renaissance Chef...thank you!

User1409857 Sent on 10/28/2013

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Renaissance Chef was wonderful to work with. Great prices, service, and food. My family has worked with them several times, and both times we were very pleased. I would recommend them to anyone!

Jeni Sent on 10/07/2013

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Renaissance Catering did an amazing job at our wedding! Jake was quick to answer all of my millions of questions leading up to the event. They arrived on time, and like promised, had everything beautifully set up before the guests arrived. The food (appetizers and dinner) were great and we received several compliments from our guests that this " wedding food" was one of the best they've had. Chuck was very friendly and made sure that my husband and I were able to sit down and eat something. (which we both were very appreciative of) The service, food and staff were outstanding, I would recommend this company to anyone planning a wedding or event!!

User1290784 Sent on 08/17/2013

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Renaissance Chef Catering did a fantastic job with our wedding reception and cocktail hour. They were extremely flexible and more accommodating than many of other catering companies that we met with in the Frederick area. From the start, they listened attentively, treated us with respect, and went above and beyond to meet our needs/requests. For example, my husband’s family is from the Caribbean and so we wanted some of our food served to have a Caribbean influence, without hesitation head chef Jake developed a creative and delicious cocktail hour menu with authentic Caribbean flavor that impressed our guests. Throughout the planning process, we had no problems or stress communicating with their staff. On our wedding day, they delivered impeccably. The food and drinks were outstanding and the service was smooth and seamless. Our only regret is that we did not find them earlier in the planning process. We would not hesitate to recommend Renaissance Chef Catering for any wedding or event!

User1283095 Sent on 08/12/2013

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

My husband and I used Renaissance Chef for our rehearsal dinner in Frederick, May 2013. We could not have asked for a better company. The initial catering quote was half of what the other caterer's were going to charge me. They were extremely flexible, seeing as how our venue was at a flower nursery and grilling was not allowed on site. Renaissance Chef worked with me every step of the way, and made sure my rehearsal dinner was perfect. They were on time, polite, friendly, and the food was delicious - couldn't ask for anything more. They stayed and cleared off the tables, and wrapped everything up for me to go.

Overall, great price, delicious food, excellent customer service.

Jan Sent on 06/27/2013

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

From beginning to end, Renaissance Chef Catering treated us like we were family. After the interview and tasting, my daughter (the bride-to-be) wanted to hire Renaissance because they were friendly, accommodating, and reasonable in price. Every email or call that we made prior to the wedding was answered promptly and cordially. The food at the reception was delicious and beautifully displayed, but our favorite part of the day was the way we were treated---like family! Servers offered to get us drinks, encouraged us about how well the reception was going, and worked tirelessly throughout the evening with smiles on their faces. Many of our guests complimented us on our choice of Caterers. We recommend them without reservation!

Michelle Sent on 11/07/2022

4.8 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
4 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Loved working with them!

We loved working with Renaissance Chef for our October wedding this year. Erin was super responsive throughout the process and was very helpful when it came to designing the menu. Jake made the tasting experience so much fun and relaxing. All of our guests raved about the food provided (the crab dip especially was outstanding!). All of the staff made it so easy to work with.
The only issue we had regarded a miscommunication with service at the bar, where some staff told guests they could not receive the signature cocktails until after dinner. We weren't aware that this would be the case and it caused some confusion among guests and the bartending staff. However, with so many vendors involved in a wedding, I wouldn't be surprised if this issue just accidentally came up for any number of reasons.

Sarah Sent on 08/17/2017

4.8 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Renaissance chef catering was exemplary for our wedding day!! We opted for a mixed menu including many appetizers for cocktail hour and then a barbecue style dinner. They cooked everything on site and the food tasted fresh and delicious. We chose to serve the meal family style which prompted more interaction between guests. They provided a bartender and all of the mixers. Steve was so responsive when I emailed (the week of the wedding!!) to ask if they could make a signature drink. We were so happy with Renaissance and would highly recommend them!

Kelsey Sent on 08/04/2019

4.6 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4 out of 5 rating

Casual wedding fare

We worked with Renaissance for our recent wedding at ThorpeWood. Renaissance was one of the select caterers that ThorpeWood works with, and we chose them due to their menu flexibility and price point.

The Renaissance team worked with us to create a casual, family-style bbq dinner for our reception. The tasting was awesome - we were able to try a lot of different options and went home with tons of leftovers. They also worked with us to have a special toast during the dinner speeches.

Overall, the food and service were great; we received many compliments from our guests.

Amanda Sent on 10/04/2016

4.5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
4 out of 5 rating
Value
4.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

If I based my review on the food and managers I'd give them five stars for everything. They were great. The tasting was fun and tasty. They were very responsive to my emails and were super flexible with the menu. We ended up choosing bacon wrapped chicken (wasn't on the menu), cheese and fruit, and crab balls for appetizers. We also allowed to bring in a special pate we wanted. For dinners we had cajun salmon (again- not on the menu but we requested the cajun seasoning), sliced flank steak, and chicken stir fry (which was from a the stations menu I believe but they let us mix and match for our plated dinner). All the food was delicious. I wasn't focused on the service to be honest, I was more focused on making my rounds at the tables, but our guests said that the service was great and they were well attended to.
What I had to deduct stars for is the bartender service. We were allowed to provide our own alcohol which helped cut down costs. Unfortunately, the bartenders were not good employees. At our final meeting with the vendor we specifically asked that no shots be served because we didn't want to deal with sloppy drunk people. They assured us that their policy was to not serve shots anyway. The bartenders disregarded this and served many shots throughout the night, sometimes two in a row to the same person. As we feared, we ended up with drunk guests who caused a lot of stressful and unnecessary drama. Not a great way to end the evening. The manager Jake was very apologetic/sincere, refunded us some of the bartender fee, and offered to supply appetizers for a party in the future to try to help make up for it. He assured me that the bartender issue would be taken care of and that nothing like this had happened before. It was disappointing though. Besides that, we were very satisfied with Ren Chef and would still recommend them.

Renaissance Chef Catering Company Reviews

Reviews

Renaissance Chef Catering Company