Aurora Catering did an absolutely wonderful job of catering an afternoon tea party in my backyard for 75 people. Dawn was fun to work with in selecting the menu and working out the myriad details for such a large party. The day of the party, the chef and serving staff worked smoothly and efficiently to set up and serve all the food. The food itself was delicious and beautifully presented by cheerful staff. The amount of china, flatware and teacups was huge, but all of it was washed and neatly stacked before the crew left. I can not recommend Aurora catering too highly. read more

I strongly recommend Aurora catering. I found them through a quick google search, and they were located right down the street from my agency. We worked with them for a catering event for 30 people for our agencies board and leadership team. Since covid it's been hard to get a hold of companies. Especially when it's a smaller event, under 50 people. Dawn quickly picked up the phone when I called. She was so friendly and helpful right off the bat. She gave great recommendations on dishes that compliment while meeting dietary preferences. The day of the event, the company arrives right on time to set up. They were so friendly and professional. They even gave us an extra pan of chimichurri chicken! Everyone was so impressed with the food and presentation, including myself. The food was delicious, and we received many compliments and requests to share the catering company info. We will definitely be using Aurora for future events! read more

Everything was so great from start to finish with Aurora Catering. The food and service were great! Everyone we had talked with from the CEO to the chefs and servers were so kind and friendly! Very accommodating and helpful. Made my birthday a breeze where I didnt have to worry about anything but having a great time and connecting with family and friends. read more

Follow-up to Chris O's review: Working with Dawn, Marty, and their crew was a great experience, not only on the day of the party, but also during all the planning, when our guest list kept changing (in the end, we had just under 30 guests in the home). Dawn's communications were prompt, warm, and professional. Their pricing was very reasonable. All of our guests raved about the food. I don't hesitate to recommend them, and I hope I have an opportunity to work with them again. read more

Excellent food, great service, nice people. We wanted to enjoy our birthdays without fretting. Table warmly decorated. Lindsay and Nate were there when we wanted them and out of the way when they weren't needed. Really perceptive in making the party dynamics work! They left food packaged and the kitchen clean. read more

We hosted a Christmas Open House this past Saturday. I came across Aurora Catering when I was trying to help a friend find a caterer for a celebration of life event. The reviews were so outstanding that I decided to give them a try. Dawn was so very accommodating for our party of 35. She sent me menu recommendations and helped me put together an amazing feast. They delivered the food (including Chef Marty who explained the various dishes.) The presentation was spectacular as was the quality and quantity. We had lots of leftovers to send home with our guests! It was a great experience and our guests raved about everything! So happy to now have a great caterer for the future! read more

Aurora Catering - Caterers Near Me

I used Dawn & Marty for my mom's celebration of life this past Monday the 11th of November. Dawns compassion and attention to detail was remarkable.Dawn even handled everything down to renting the linens, glassware, china and flatware to setting up the tables with the centerpieces. Marty in the other hand created a masterful spread that everyone could not get enough of. This duo is spectacular and the product they put out is stellar. I highly recommend them for any occasion. Barbara Lentz read more

My nonprofit has been using Aurora Catering for many years now for our annual gala. I have always really enjoyed working with Dawn via email and her staff at the ceremony. We have never had an issue with schedule, quality of food, rentals, etc. Everyone always raves about the food, and it is beautifully presented. They really take the time to pay attention to detail, use the space well for the buffet and bar, and set up and break down quickly. We will continue to use them every year! read more

I was introduced to Aurora catering at the 2022 Oakland Ballet's annual Gala. Towards the end of the silent auction, there was a last minute live auction item added to the program, a catered dinner for 10 by Aurora Catering. I bid on this item and then someone else bided on it. We went back and forth and I won it. Weeks later I connected with Aurora Catering Manager Dawn Deardorf and we arranged a date to come to my small house to see where to have the dinner for 10 in a 826 sq ft cottage. She shared with me the suggested dinner menu and I was fine with all of Chef Marty's suggestions. Dawn offered me several dates that the dinner could happen and selected the final date, August 21st. This would allow me enough time to get what I did not have so that the dinner was a success. Between Dawn and myself, we decided to have the dinner in my main living room [see photo]. I needed some items and Dawn suggested I seek them out via Casanova Events. I ordered a Queen's table and 10 chairs along with some additional dishes and flatware that I did not have. All went really well and have to credit Dawn with her professional commitment to excellence to ensure that all my 9 guests and I would be happy with the setting, decor and, of course, the Food created by Chef Marty and his assistant Kenny. Coral was the wait server and was very professional. Coral and Dawn set the table for 10 and I observed their professional expertise in action. Upon arrival, all the guests were treated to a cheese board with crackers and wine as a welcome before the dinner al fresco in my backyard. Coral was attentive to guest's beverage requests. See photo attached Chef Marty helped Coral serve each plated course. Once everyone had their course, Chef Marty would go in detail on what the plate consisted of. One would think, there is no way you can eat all this food in one sitting. The manner in how each course was presented let your taste buds have the moment of the day to enjoy that course as it was meant to be by Chef Marty. The menu consisted of the following: Plated appetizers & first courses served at the table:  - Crudo, Cantaloupe Pearls  - see photo attached - Honeydew Basil Gazpacho - see photo attached - Mini Eggplant Ratatouille  - Tea Smoked Scallops over mixed greens, champagne vinaigrette, olive oil pearls  - see photo attached - Lamb Lollipops with Cumberland Sauce  - see photo attached Main Course:  Filet Mignon with Bernaise Carrots with Orange & Mint  Greens Beans, Lemon Zest & Tarragon Potato Gratin. --- see photo attached Palate Cleanser:  Grape Sorbet  Dessert:  Chocolate Marquise with Raspberry Coulis  - delicious I had wines from Ceja Winery to offer with the dinner. Overall it was a perfect occasion for a summer dinner. I would recommend Aurora Catering for your catering or full dinner needs. You will not be disappointed. read more

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Great Catering! Timely, fair priced, excellent food, friendly and professional staff. Presentation was very nice as well! read more

Aurora Catering - a table set for a party - Caterers Near Me

I absolutely would recommend them ! Both Martin and his wife Dawn were so pleasant, helpful and best of all delivered on time and the food was fabulous! We had a holiday luncheon and with Martins creative ideas, accommodated us completely. We are looking forward to having them again at our events. Thank you so much ! read more

It was a breeze dealing with them from start to finish. Dawn was warm, accommodating, thorough, and easy. Food were yummy and pretty!! We're glad they catered our college grad's celebration & it made it very special. Will definitely use them again in the future as needed. Thank you Aurora Catering! read more

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Aurora did a beautiful job catering my husbands Memorial Celebration, held at my home. The staff was efficient, knowledgeable , respectful , and the chef talented. The food was delicious. The set up and clean up was very well handled and my guests were very impressed with the presentation and quality of the food. Dawn was delightful to communicate with setting it all up. I highly recommend Aurora Catering. Sincerely , Patricia read more

Good morning, Dawn! Wow! This catering team is fabulous. I just don't know where to begin... Dawn's attention to my questions and calming emails made me relax knowing she had it all under control. She was so patient. The catering went seamlessly and was absolutely stunning and delicious. The clam chowder was my favorite! I have had it every night for dinner since. My sister-in-law, Michelle (she's the one that helped serve) raved about the Caesar salad and had multiple servings. Coral and Queenie are just the best and the nicest and the most fun. Everybody loved them. When they had questions for me, they stood silently nearby until I noticed them and was able to address them. They handled everything without a snag. They even asked for a mop at the end, which I was unable to locate, so said they would use a rag. Your company is so lucky to have them. Did Coral tell you our party had an ocean theme so it was funny her name was Coral !! I didn't really meet the chefs except for quick hellos and didn't realize when they left so was unable to tip them. Should I do this now? (I was able to tip the servers. I wanted to give them more than you already had to tip them.) After the party when we were cleaning up, I asked how everyone liked the catering and they loved it, too. Nothing but compliments and some people took cards. How am I so lucky to have you by my side at the most important times in my life? My wedding, my baby, and my father's milestone birthday. You are here; in my life, in my heart, and I am so grateful. I appreciate your friendship, your expertise in everything you do, and your kind spirit. read more

Some of the most impressive cheese boards I've ever seen! Marty is a true artist with food- I'm a bbq snob from Texas and his brisket sliders are the best! Aurora manages to be both comforting, elegant, and beautiful at the same time. It's really a great excuse to throw a party. :) read more

This catering team is extraordinaire! In the planning, Dawn's attention to my questions and calming emails made me relax knowing she had it all under control. She is very patient and I was very stressed planning a 90th birthday party for my dad. I had no idea he had so many friends and all of a sudden we had 90 people coming to my dad's home (garage) for lunch. We rented a tent and tables and chairs and then needed to find a caterer quick, and on a holiday weekend. Dawn to the rescue! The catering went seamlessly and was absolutely stunning and delicious. The clam chowder was out of this world! The best I have ever had (and I have had many bowls of chowder from Sam's Chowder House). The guests raved about the food. Coral and Queenie were our servers and they were just the best; professional, nice, and fun. Everybody loved them. They just handled it all and I had no worries. When they had questions for me, they stood silently nearby until I noticed them and was able to address them. They even asked for a mop at the end of the party which I was unable to locate, so they said they would use a rag. Seriously?! Exceptional service. After the party, I asked how everyone liked the catering and there was nothing but compliments. I was so lucky to find this company. The party was a great success! I highly recommend Aurora Catering. read more

Aurora Catering - Part of the spread prepared and served by Aurora Catering, Castro Valley - Caterers Near Me

Dawn and Marty are outstanding. I've had their Holiday/Thanksgiving food 3x now and I booked them again this year. Probably the juiciest turkey I've ever had and the best sides. I still dream about the candied yams. Delivery was smooth and the spread impressed all the guests. Fantastic portions and everything paired well. This will be a tradition. read more

This catering team is amazing! Dawn was very communicative about food and services offered making the selection of what we wanted easy and enjoyable. The day of the event, they got to the venue early to set up and had everything timed perfectly for a short 2 hour ferry ride with over 100 guests for my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. From appetizers, to dinner to dessert, Dawn and her team were on it. Not once did I have to remind them of anything. Instead they were reminding me of everything and got everyone served without skipping a beat. I am so thankful I used them for such a memorable event for our family. read more

Had an an amazing meal tonight from Aurora Catering! A richly spiced phyllo dough stuffed with fragrant rice and ratatouille, French lentils, with fresh English peas and smokey grilled asparagus. Everything was balanced, vibrant and so flavorful. Dawn and Marty are gems and we can't wait to use them for our next event! Highly recommended! read more

Aurora Catering - a plate of food on a wooden table - Caterers Near Me

Aurora Catering is exceptional. Chef Marti treats his food like art, and it shows. Both he and Dawn are amazing to work with for any event. The food is not only gorgeous but also incredibly delicious! Highly recommend for your next event. read more

Aurora Catering is awesome!! I have used them for both Thanksgiving as well as my father's retirement party and I would use them again in a heartbeat. Working with Dawn to create a menu for our party was a pleasure. The service and food was outstanding. From the cheese and meat platter to the passed appetizers, cocktail hour was a hit. The buffet dinner was delicious and there was plenty of food and leftovers. All the guest loved it. We also had Aurora include a bartender and the bar was always hoppin with a smile and professional service. The workers were curteous and made the party flow so nicely, it was awesome not to have to worry about food and drink and just be able to host. I would definitely recommend Aurora for any catered party. I also should mention that the Thanksgiving turkey was some of the BEST turkey I've ever had. So moist and flavorful. The whole meal was outstanding and I loved how much time I had to enjoy the holiday with family and sit down to a wonderful meal without my feet hurting from cooking all day. read more

One word will summarize this review: WOW! The artistry and love that go into Aurora's culinary creations are palpable--and delectable! The flavors, composition, presentation and service are simply masterful. Drawing from a rich palette of fresh local ingredients, Marty and Dawn paint a culinary landscape that is bold, beautiful, and nuanced, grounded perhaps in a Mediterrranean tradition but dotted with colorful ethnic allusions. Their bite sized delicacies are esculent little bombs waiting to explode in your mouth in their full gustatory glory. We started with succulent grape tomatoes complemented by highly comestible lamb empanadas. An amuse-bouche of buttery cheese atop fresh figs was then served. Succulent pancetta-wrapped dates followed. These were served with tiny cakes of polenta which allowed a gentle reset of the already thoroughly tickled palette. An entremet mid tiny black bean cakes dabbed with green olive sauce followed. The hearty but nuanced hors d'oeuvres of lamb merguez that came next were absolute show-stoppers. (Quite fittingly, iOS autocorrects "lamb merguez" to "lamb mercies", which they absolutely were! After a long day's work, these little comestables were welcome little mercies.) A lighter but substantial trout served over perfectly toasted costinis followed. There was also an assortment of delicious wines and desserts. But frankly at this point I was so thoroughly engrossed in my dining adventure that I needed to "just put the phone down and EAT!" so I don't have any additional pics. And so I leave the rest to your imagination and encourage you to experience Aurora firsthand! read more

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We ordered 2 dinners for 2 for our family of 4 (including a 17 year old and a 19 year old). The amount was very generous and the food was delicious. We wanted to try both entrees this week, since this was the first time we'd used Aurora Catering. The food arrived on time, with contact-less delivery. It was well packed with excellent heating directions. We had pork tenderloin with an apricot sauce, which was outstanding. The other entree was flank steak. It also came with a yummy sauce. Everyone agreed that the meat for both entrees was tender and delicious. The sides included a very generous and tasty green salad, broccoli and mashed potatoes. My son LOVED the broccoli, saying that it was perfectly cooked (a great compliment from a picky teenager). For dessert, there were chocolate brownies that were super rich and chocolaty. We definitely recommend Aurora Catering and plan to use them again in the future. read more

Dawn was incredibly helpful and supportive in pulling together two receptions at the Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland over the weekend. She and her staff went above and beyond to serve over 150 people in a bitterly cold windy location that day outside the Chimes Chapel. It seemed effortless and very professional. Lindsey was wonderful managing the inurnment service the following day. The food was perfect and the coffee hot! I will always remember their kindness and much needed guidance on managing the events. read more

Aurora Catering is top notch! Dawn and her team are stellar. Every step of the way, the whole team was delightful. Dawn guided the way to a fabulous menu. The team created a beautiful presentation of a wide variety of items. Aurora Catering's team members were helpful, patient, and kind to all of our guests. I would recommended Aurora Catering for everyone's next event! We will be using them again! read more

Fantastic experience with Aurora catering! Everything from coordination, setup, and logistics all were very easy and smooth when working with Dawn! And the food was delicious! Aurora took care of everything and made sure we had a lovely party! Dawn's team is very courteous, respectful, and helpful. They brought great energy to our event and made sure everything went smooth. A huge thank you to the entire Aurora team!! We truly appreciate all that you did to ensure we had a wonderful event. Thank you!! read more

Aurora Catering has been the corner stone of every important event in our families life for many years. Marty and Dawn's care, devotion and passion is unparalleled. So much so that we flew them out to the Virgin Islands to continue the magic for our daughters wedding. They did not disappoint! These amazing people do everything from the heart! We can't thank them enough! Until next time Marty and Dawn! We love you! read more

We had a tasting with Dawn and her chef husband Marty. The tasting was with other couples ($35 per person I believe). They provided plenty of appetizers, entrees, and sides to try! I imagine they'd be generous in their portions for a wedding. Alcohol and beer was included at the tasting as well. The couple was very friendly and professional. They are decently priced, but simply weren't within our limited budget. Nonetheless, I would still recommend them because they are timely, friendly, professional, serve tasty food, and are pretty flexible in accommodating couples' needs. They were one of our top choices when narrowing down caterers. read more

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We've always been a huge fan of their catering for large events. Since there are no such events right now they are doing family dinners and they are fantastic. This is our third week in a row and the meals keep getting better. Last nights lasagna was, without exaggeration, simply amazing. Everyone had seconds. If you're looking for a great solution for prepared dinners during the shelter in place I highly recommend! read more

We had a most perfect Christmas dinner thanks to Chef Marty...mouth watering prime rib, perfectly smashed potatoes, delicious creamed spinach and sweet carrots topped off with a pumpkin pie!!! Everything was absolutely ideal from the simplicity in ordering on line to the quick pick-up and ultimately easy to heat instructions!!! The family was able to enjoy each other's company rather than being stuck in the kitchen most of the day! THANK YOU Aurora Catering - we will definitely repeat this process for family meals again! read more

Aurora Catering - Caterers Near Me

Not having much takeout during the pandemic, I really looked forward to the Valentine's dinner from Aurora. It did not disappoint. It included an appetizer, salad, 4 sides, entree, and dessert. The portions were not too small or too big, which I really appreciated. We have set aside the dessert until tonight because we were past satiated from the beautiful dinner. In addition, the value of the meal was excellent. I hope to order from Aurora for every Valentine's dinner. Going out to eat on Valentine's was a drag in pre-COVID times. We often had to wait for our table even with a reservation. Last night, we ate at our leisure. Neither of us was worn out from cooking. The heating instructions were sufficiently detailed. The service was courteous prior to delivery. Professional all the way. Highly recommend! read more

I had an amazing experience with Aurora Catering. Everything, I mean everything was perfect. From response time to menu planning to being on time to professionalism to beautiful set-up and most importantly, incredible food. I was able to relax and enjoy my bridal shower and let them take care of all the details so I could be present with my guests. I am so happy with my experience and highly recommend them. If you are considering catering, you should give them a call. read more

Aurora Catering - Caterers Near Me

We had the opportunity to use Aurora Catering for a small outside work event. Dawn and Chef Marty were so great to work with, making suggestions and being flexible with our needs. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. We were very happy we selected Aurora Catering and would highly recommend them to others. Kim P. read more

We have had many parties at our house but our most recent party for which we hired Aurora to cater, was the best! I was able to relax and really enjoy and really enjoy the entire evening!. Their team provided and served appetizers and dinner as per our requested menu. Everything was delicious and abundant. They had a bartender who served drinks during the evening. When they left the kitchen was very clean AND we had left-overs which saved me from cooking the next day. I highly recommend Aurora Catering! read more

My experience with Dawn, Marty, Josh, and the wonderful staff of Aurora Catering is like if I had my wedding in my hometown in the Philippines and the reception was taken care of by my family, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. They are such nice people that no request is too great and they made my DIY wedding so beautiful that I am eternally grateful. They well exceeded our expectations. Aurora catering made us feel well taken care of. The food was super good that 2 weeks after the wedding, I still regret not eating more of the Vietnamese meatballs or the mini-cheesecakes! Our vegan guests have nothing but positive reviews of the vegan terrine they served. Josh executed our vision of the wedding reception so well with the papel picados and the centerpieces. The kitchen and service staff were so pleasant and efficient. Most of all, I couldn't have had such a laid back and fun experience of planning my own wedding if not for Dawn. She is like a fairy godmother - if I ever had one. She made all these little suggestions here and there that makes your vision of your wedding come together. So unbelievable how good she is! Thank you so much, Dawn. For the quality of the food, the service, and the overall assistance with planning our wedding ourselves, I would say, Aurora Catering should charge more.. (but I'm glad they don't coz, then were able to afford our wedding). I couldn't recommend them more and will definitely book them again for any other event. read more

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Amazing customer service with even more amazing home cooked meals with all the fixings, including dessert!! My favorite is the short ribs! Yum yum yum!! I had the pleasure of trying Aurora Catering 2 years ago at our holiday party and have recommended them ever since! Price is awesome, portions are plentiful and quality is spot on! The flavor that jumps out of their spring salad with the most delicious dressing is the best start for the meal that follows! I highly recommend them! Marty and Dawn are the absolute sweetest! Give them a try, your taste buds will thank you! ;) As a local Realtor in Castro Valley, I always look for recommendations for clients and they are on my list! read more

I am shouting this from the rooftops, "I LOVE AURORA CATERING!" Both Marty and Dawn were amazing from my first contact to the conclusion of my party. Dawn is SUCH a pro. My husband and I were celebrating a joint birthday party milestone together and I was completely stressing over planning all the details. I am a completely inept party planner and she held my hand and guided me all the way through. Additionally, I have really crazy food allergies to most fruit - which includes bell peppers, chili peppers and their derivatives, like paprika and cayenne seasonings. Marty was not daunted! He was almost giddy as I listed off all the foods I couldn't eat. He told me he loves a challenge. We attended their tasting in Oakland and he was 100% correct. I was able to taste most of the items and choose our menu for the party! Marty's Famous Cheese Board - you will not lose if you order this. It is as amazing as described. The Party: Oh, for the love of Sam. Aurora Catering staff was AMAZING! My guests were all impressed with their professionalism, courtesy and attentiveness. I just wanted to hug each of them! It is no hyperbole to say that without Aurora Catering, my party would not have been as successful. Thank you Dawn and Marty and Wonderful Staff! If we ever have another big party, you are going to be the first people I call! read more

I have nothing but phenomenal things about Aurora Catering. From my very first inquiry for my company's thanksgiving luncheon, I had a gut feeling we were going to book Dawn for the event. We were on a tight budget and Dawn worked her magic to make sure we got everything we wanted for the event without breaking the bank. She was personable, attentive, and overall just a dream to work with. The day of the event went swimmingly! Unfortunately I can't recall the name of the gentleman that came by our office for the delivery and set up for the event. But he was so great! He wasn't on time, he was early -- which is my favorite thing ever. Nobody likes a late delivery. Especially not anxious people like myself that are perpetually early for everything. He was very sweet and was so accommodating! He gave us instructions on how to lay out and prep the 2nd servings of food and made sure we were prepped for success to feed 50+ hungry staffers. And to top everything off, the food was to die for. I've catered a lot of lunches for my company and there are always left overs, ALWAYS! There were no left overs at the end of the session because everyone went back for 2nds, 3rds, and to-go boxes for home. Usually I'm spamming their inboxes begging them to take food home so I don't have to store it over night. That was not the case with the food Aurora prepared for us. Overall they made our annual event a smash. I can't thank the Aurora catering team enough for taking such good care of us this holiday season! I can't wait to order from them again! read more

I am so impressed with everything about Aurora Catering. The food was absolutely delicious (especially the fried chicken sliders), the serving staff was on point, and the presentation was beautiful - all around they did a phenomenal job. Dawn, Chef Marty and their entire team are a dream to work with - they are friendly, accommodating/flexible, responsive, and have amazing ideas. Needless to say, I highly recommend Aurora Catering :) read more

Dawn and Marty and their team catered my birthday party at the Pacific Pinball Museum. They did a great job -- easy to work with, great food, beautiful setup. Would definitely recommend them if you need Bay Area catering. read more