I found Joshua Charles Catering on Yelp and I could not have been more satisfied. He was probably the sixth caterer I had called and it was at the last minute. I had found a caterer that I was already working with but while figuring out the menu within my budget I felt like the other catering company did not care about my event. The first phone call was the only time I spoke with a person and from that point on it was all via email with someone I had never spoken with. This was unsettling and motivated me to make more feeler calls to caterers. As soon as I called Joshua Charles Catering, I felt like I was speaking with someone who cared about my event being a success. We figured out a menu and he gave me a quote. The quote was too far out of my budget but once I told him my range he was quick to offer solutions that would fit my budget and assured me it would be enough food. For me the peace of mind that I was going to have enough food for the party and the willingness to work with me made want to work with Joshua. The other catering company became flaky and before I knew it plans were solidified and payment was made through consistent email communication with Joshua. On the day of the party Joshua showed up (one of his chef's that was going to come had an injury I believe) and he felt like a part of the family while preparing the food. It was honestly a pleasure to have him there. There was more than enough food and each platter got compliments. The crab cakes were apparently exceptional (I am a vegetarian so I did not try them) which is a major feat coming from a family of Marylanders. I recommend ordering more than you expect if you choose the crab cakes. There was bruschetta with anchovies that initially scared people off but once my pregnant sister tried them and wouldn't stop devouring them after proclaiming she didn't like anchovies, the tray disappeared. People said they didn't taste like anchovies and were just delicious. The food is a little fancy so if you are going to have a lot of children guests make sure to tell Joshua to make it kid friendly looking (we only had a couple kids and my sister wanted the party to be mature). I am grateful I found Joshua Charles Catering and would use them again. Party Details Baby Shower 30+ guests Heavy appetizers (equivalent to a meal without having to sit down formally) $500 budget (We were able to get the food down to $500 but we had to pay for the chef to come. Set up. After working with Joshua over the phone I did not mind that fee at all.) read more

We hired Joshua Charles catering for a non-profit event for 175 people. After years of bad food I thought there was little hope but then I found Joshua Charles. The food was AMAZING!!! Truly, I felt like I was eating at a 5 star restaurant and not at an event for 175. Joshua was extremely professional and his staff arrived and set everything up without one question. Aside from the amazing food it was a relief to feel like a guest at an event I was in charge of. Joshua Charles took care of everything and the guests RAVED about the food. I wish I had brought a bag to bring home left overs!! read more

JCC catered our wedding reception in August 2011 and it was absolutely delicious. Weddings in San Francisco are often very expensive, and initially, we spent a lot of time trying to persuade SF caterers down in cost, to no avail. When we contacted Josh, however, was more than willing to work with our budget and was undaunted that our venue didn't have a proper kitchen. SF is a foodie town, and we knew our guests would be expecting something different and delicious. JCC delivered. For our reception, we had four appetizers: handmade pizettas, spiced lamb mini flatbreads, grilled cheese, and braised short ribs in a puff pastry. Because our reception started at 7:30pm, many guests were already hungry and were able to snack as soon as they arrived to our venue. When my husband and I walked in about 45 minutes later, JCC had set aside several apps for us to ensure we wouldn't be left out. So thoughtful and very appreciated! For the salad course, we chose the heirloom tomato salad, which was refreshing. Then, for dinner, we had pancetta-wrapped beef tenderloin and the halibut, which is some of the best halibut I've ever tasted. Both meals somehow tasted even better than they did during our tasting. We also had a few veggie/vegan guests, and the corn and chantrelle mushroom risotto was a huge hit---not the usual boring "roasted vegetables" vegetarian option. The people at JCC are professional, yet down-to-earth, and they love food---a fantastic combo. Josh was patient and his food was delicious---the servings are fresh and good-sized. Marian, Josh's assistant, is also wonderful. She replies to emails quickly, will help you find dishes/serveware to fit your budget, and is both positive and flexible (she stayed the extra hour after we decided to extend our reception to keep the party going). The staff was also excellent. They paid immediate attention to the bride and groom (and our drinks), but also to our wedding party and families. Dinner was seamless and delicious, and we could not have asked for a better caterer. read more

I asked Josh to cater a memorial service for 100. We served a light lunch and Hors d'oeuvres. The food was gorgeous and delicious, late summer ingredients awesome, my only complaint is that it didn't flow endlessly out of the kitchen. They were flexible and a pleasure to do business with. The staff at the event were delightful and management responsive and likable. I have already recommended them to several friends and will use them again in the future. If the Hors d'oeuvres tasted that good how would a full service meal taste! read more

Wonderful caterer. They catered a dinner party at our home and provided professional service, fabulous food, and were able to adapt to late arriving guests. Will definitely use them again. read more

Spectacular food! Professionally executed! The beignet station with choice of filling was phenomenal. The lamp chop lollipops and bacon wrapped sea scallops were a huge hit as well. Thank you Joshua for truly making our engagement party a tremendous success. read more

JCC helped us host a reception at our home after our son's baptism late last year. The food was wonderful, and we received a number of compliments from our guests. They worked with us on managing everything within our budget, and Marian was so helpful in making the event feel comfortably casual for our closest friends. I recommend them to our friends for their events! read more

Josh and his team did a fabulous job for our party. He was very easy to work with, gave us great suggestions that really made the party flow and our guests loved the food. read more

Catered a wedding I went to. Innovative, creative, and delicious. would give more stars if I could!

We had the pleasure of working with Joshua Charles for my daughter's birthday party. The staff was wonderful. With one pre-visit, they helped us plan out the set up and the timing of various courses so that we know what to expect on the day of the event. They put together a fabulous bbq menu with great kids' options (much of it eaten by the adults!) and adult options. They also dealth directly with the party rentals vendor, which saved us a lot of time. Our guests really enjoyed the food, and the service was wonderful. I would wholeheartedly recommend them! read more

We planned a small wedding only 6 weeks before the actual date, and I can't begin to tell you how many compliments we've received on Joshua Charles Catering: the food, Marian (the manager), and the staff! Not only were both Joshua and Marian responsive, but they were willing to execute the details - from arranging the rentals, to managing my "surprise" entrance, to setting the beautiful tables, to carrying amazing service through the entire evening. The staff were lovely, polite, personable, and discreet. I have complete confidence in them and I would work with this talented team again in a heartbeat! read more

Joshua Charles catered two corporate events for us during this holiday season and did an amazing job. Marian and team went above and beyond to make sure our events were a success. I had executives coming up to me the next day asking about who did the fabulous food! Thank you!! read more

Josh and his team are exceptional! We use them for most of our corporate events where catering allows. His dishes are cooked to perfection. I would highly recommend Joshua Catering for all types of corporate parties. read more

We hired Joshua to cater a small birthday party for 25 people. Charles came to our house, discussed everything from decorations, flowers, menus, rentals, staffing, and cost. He also offered good advice on the choice of wines and champagnes. On the day of the party Joshua and crew showed up right on time and went to work. Our guests were stunned by the variety and excellence of the food. The staff was competent, efficient and most importantly, open and friendly. All went as planned. I recommend Joshua and his outstanding staff, which offered to stay beyond the agreed time, if needed. Thank you all for helping make this event memorable for me, my family and my friends. read more

I have used Joshua Charles catering for the past several years and they have consistently produced excellent results. The food is spectacular (both delicious and innovative) and the service is highly skilled and professional. In addition, having used multiple caterers, I find that the Joshua Charles staff is unusually pleasant, polite and easy to deal with, even with my constantly changing needs. In sum, I give them my highest recommendation. read more

Joshua Charles did a great job with our wedding - they were easy to work with and had very helpful, knowledgeable suggestions. A certain amount of proactive follow-up was required on our part, but on the wedding day, they were capable, friendly, accommodating and the food was great. Everything went as planned and our wedding was exactly what we hoped it would be. read more

What an incredible experience! My husband just turned 40 and wanted to celebrate with friends in a fashion that would allow him to share good food, fine wine and great conversation - but at home. I cannot believe how a chance perusal of Yelp yielded the gift of Joshua Charles Catering and Joshua Feinbloom to me. What a treasure he and his entire team were from the moment of first contact right the way through our birthday celebration, and through the aftermath. FIrstly, Josh was hugely helpful in selection of menu providing a sample selection for all courses in advance of his walk through of our home. He was invaluable in our wine pairing exercise, selecting several choices for us to choose between. He had no objection to my fine tooth combing the order from the Party suppliers and in fact sent their representative to our home to make sure the tables and chairs would all fit our space and to help with linen choices. (BTW the final order was absolutely perfect!). He and his team were always punctual but that did not prepare us for the evening we ultimately experienced. Josh, his chef and a team of 4 (barman, two servers and sous chef) arrived 21/2 hours before our first guests arrived. They literally became our staff for the evening, taking over every aspect of the preparation from lighting the candles to final table settings, to locating the drinks bar appropriately, to setting up the plating section out of sight of the guests. Once guests arrived, they took coats and presents and whisked them away seamlessly, poured the champagne/wine/beer/water as needed, always present but almost invisible. They passed the most delicious hors d'oeuvres (the kobe beef shortribs were the talk of the pre dinner drinks). They kept us on schedule reminding both of us what guests were still awaited and when they arrived, encouraged gently the move from the reception area to the dining area. The meal was exquisite. One foodie guest remarked particularly on the parma ham and pear appetizer, though my personal favorite touch was the unplanned amuse bouche with which the chef surprised us at the outset. The entree was pancetta wrapped tenderloin of beef on a bed of risotto with the most exquisite baby brussels sprouts I have ever tasted. I had worried about whether beef was special enough initially and Josh and the chef came up with such an interesting take on beef once I expressed concern that New York steak might not be in keeping with the special evening we had in mind. The dessert was my husband's favorite and his particular request - tiramisu (light airy and yet with enough of a hint of alcohol to remind one of its true nature). The wine pairings were wonderful. They completely complemented each course of the meal- to the extent that they were intimately part of the food itself. I don't imbibe very much and usually if I do I know I have the following morning, but this was so delicately and finely balanced with the menu that I felt no morning after effects. To me, that is the epitome of good food/wine pairing. Josh played a wonderful role throughout the evening, managing every aspect of the event, reminding us when it would be appropriate to serve cake/ have speeches or toasts/ turning the lights up or down as needed/ and directing the team to any empty glass or plate as needed. I believe one guest had a slight accident with the cabernet sauvignon but unbelievably in a small enough venue, the incident passed unnoticed by almost everyone, so discreet and prompt were the reparative actions of the servers. The evening evolved and we moved from the table and before I knew it the entire room was cleared and packed away, crated and deposited in our garage awaiting the pick up the following day by the party suppliers. The staff remained until the very end - almost all our guests had left by 2am, and we were having a final glass with some overnight guests when they finally took their leave of us, with (and this says so much about how into the spirit of the celebrations they entered) a hug for me. They were an absolute joy to work with, a dream evening was had by all, and I have one absolutely happy husband following our wonderful dealings with Joshua Charles Catering. Thank you Josh and team. I am just waiting to invent the next occasion for which I will absolutely have to have you on board. read more

We hired Joshua Charles for our high school prom this year. They worked with us for months in advance, customizing a delicious menu to fit our event and budget. I was impressed by all of the options they presented us, even though we had limited funds. While we struggled to select choices (they all looked too tasty to choose!), we ultimately decided on dishes such as the brie burger and pork belly lettuce cups. Every appetizer, entree, and drink they made exceeded all of my expectations. And, judging by all the complements I've heard from students, their delicious food was a large factor in the success of our prom. The night of the prom, Joshua Charles set up all of our furniture even though it wasn't in their contract. That is just one example of their professional and helpful attitude throughout our time working with them. I would definitely recommend Joshua Charles Catering to anyone in need of great food and service. read more

Josh and his team catered a 50 person surprise party I threw for my husband for his 40th birthday. They did an amazing job and I will use them on any future event, whether it be for work or personal. The food was incredible and his whole team was outstanding. They were fully booked the Saturday night I needed him, but he found a way to fit us in. Despite being fit in, his team made me feel like my event was their most important one of the night. I'll recommend them to all my friends and colleagues. They really took care of everything. read more

We just had a company event at East Bay BMW in which Joshua Charles Catering did their magic. The food was amazing and the service was excellent. Very friendly staff. Extremely organized. I am sure we will see them again! read more

Based on great Yelp reviews I hired Joshua Charles sight unseen. I had a sense that they had a wonderful aesthetic based on the design of their website and the descriptions of menu items. I called other caterers at the same time who did not get back to me as quickly as JCC. I was thrilled that they could accommodate my party without months of advance booking. Every item I picked from the menus was just right. All the guests raved and I, who can be pretty damn picky, was impressed as well. The staff was quick, unobtrusive and thorough. The chef and sous chef took over my kitchen and whipped everything up in record time. Just as the last guests were hanging out around the fire table, the JCC staff quietly pulled out with not a hint of party anywhere--reminded me of the ending to the 'Cat in the Hat' !! The trick now is coming up with a reason to hire them again very soon! read more

We just used Joshua Charles for a small (30+ people) cocktail party (heavy apps and drinks). The lead-up to the event was very professional, and the menu suggestions were terrific. On the date, the food was fabulous--varied, inventive, tasty--and the service was efficient and friendly. We'll definitely come back for our next event. Thank you, JC! read more

I'm a true foodie and rarely give anyone 5 stars. However, Joshua Charles is one of those exceptions. I attended a party over the holidays in which every body raved about the delicious bites which were presented buffet style at a cocktail party. Every bite I sampled was remarkably tasty compared to the usual catered, "grown up" party. The truffle popcorn with param cheese was a wonderful surprise paired with great wine. When asked to plan my friend's 50th at my house, I tracked down Joshua Charles and was sold the minute I met Josh and staff as well as the Winter tasting menu available on their website. The party was beautifully executed. It was a formal sit down dinner for 40. The evening began with appetizer plates followed by a 4 course wine tasting dinner. My guest were delighted at each beautifully presented dish. Everything was plated beautifully and was fresh, seasoned just right, and tasted as good or better than any farm to table type restaurant. The Sturgeon fish floating in an aromatic broth delicately scented with African spices over pear size couscous followed by a duo of roasted lamb and white bean and sausage served by a professional staff, made the entire evening memorable. The cheese course with homemade chutney was just enough to leave you wanting just one more bite. I received so many thank you notes from guest who continued on commenting how wonderful the food was. It was so much better than attempting to go to a high end restaurant. Another huge bonus, the party took very little effort to pull off thanks to Joshua Charles and his staff who thought of every detail. From bread baskets to how to handle a last minute dietary request and a few hungry kids we had forgot to feed. Can't wait to plan another party with Josh and his crew. read more

Use Josh Charles for your next event! My wedding was one month ago and Joshua Charles catered the reception and they did an absolutely incredible job. I don't know where to begin because everything from every step along the way and every detail were amazing. And they are more than just delicious beautiful food, the event coordinating service was my life saver! Thank you, Marian! Starting with the tasting, my now-husband and I were sold. What Josh told us about his philosophy of food, cooking and presentation let us know that we would be in good hands and working with like-minded food lovers. Just make sure you don't miss their almost hidden entrance. Marian was my event coordinator and she helped me plan the whole thing which was no small feat for me who has zero experience in planning a party for 170 people. After many many meetings, emails and phone calls, we had everything set to go the week of the wedding and by the day of the wedding, I had relinquished all control of the execution of all of the details and Marian carried everything off without a hitch. If there were any hitches, I was blissfully unaware and felt totally taken care of and able to enjoy my party without worrying about a thing! Due to our formal picture obligations, we missed out on the passed hors d'hoeuvres but everyone said they were great. And the dinner was so delicious that we actually broke tradition and ate every last bite of food instead of talking to all of the tables. Seriously, they helped make my wedding day the best day of my life. Hire them immediately for your next event!! read more

Josh recently catered a small birthday dinner for me. We chose Josh because his menus online looked amazing and the pricing seemed reasonable, and we do not regret our choice. I cannot say enough good things about Josh and his team as well as the food experience. Everyone who worked with me was great - Josh himself, Marian who did the site visit, and our chef Scott. Josh was so responsive and organized! Every time I contacted him by phone or email, he got back to me within minutes! After my initial request for proposal, he sent over a sample menu and pricing right away. Our chef was also great - he executed every dish perfectly. The presentation as well as the taste were impeccable. A 5-star dining experience at home! Thank you, Josh! Would definitely use them again! read more

I have experience nothing but excellent service and delicious food from Joshua Charles catering. He has catered two dinners for me, and each time my guests were so impressed with the presentation, taste and overall service provided by Josh and his staff. It was a very smooth process to work with him regarding the type of food I was looking for as well as presentation (heavy hors d'oeuvres and small bite desserts to accompany a wine tasting party). I will definitely use him again and again. read more

My husband and I have attended two events catered by Joshua Charles and we were extremely happy with the food quality.

JCC catered our film shoot recently and we had a fantastic experience from beginning to end. They were very helpful in assisting us to create a great menu that worked within our budget and also that everyone would enjoy. We found the team to be efficient, reliable, prompt and most of all, the food was absolutely delicious. We'd recommend JCC to anyone looking for an excellent caterer. read more

This is easily the best catering service in the Bay Area. From the initial phone call to the event, they were superb. I initially called about hosting our little one's first birthday celebration (which had admittedly gotten a bit out of control) and was somewhat apprehensive that it may be below what they were used to catering but Josh could not have been nicer. He helped me put together the perfect menu and even added a few extras for no additional charge. It is worth mentioning that money was almost an afterthought in our discussions, he was more concerned about the execution of the event. The day of, everything was perfect: their delicious food was ready for pick-up on time, everything was beautifully arranged and there was far more food than I anticipated. It was literally a stunning display and his Redwood City Staff could not have been more helpful-offering tips on presentation and last minute preparations. Chef Mark and company's attention to excellence was truly inspiring and their assistance/nuanced advice was invaluable and a gift from Heaven. In addition to the quality of the food and service, I cannot sufficiently praise their level of professionalism and frank kindness. They are truly a gem on the peninsula. read more

look out for the fake write-ups on this company..my experiance was quite different. they took for ever to send me my estmate, and responded with very rude words when asked about it. read more

My husband and I hired Joshua Charles Catering for our recent wedding at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco. We owe much credit to Josh and his staff including Marian Ashworth and Lisa Tresmontan for pulling off a flawless wedding. We spent countless hours researching, meeting, and negotiating with different caterers, and no one came close to treating us with the level of customer service and respect that Joshua Feinbloom (owner) did. Joshua Charles provided us with a classic yet contemporary menu that we are still getting complements on from our guests. We also used his company for day of coordination, and we worked specifically with Marian and Lisa. Marian oversaw the execution of setup and coordinating with our 10+ vendors; she was so professional, easy to work with, and kept us at ease throughout the planning process. She was extremely patient through all our questions and the level and stage at which she became seriously involved in the process really pleasantly surprised us (months before the wedding). Lisa managed all aspects related to the bridal party, making sure everyone was where they needed to be during the different parts of the day, coordinated my [the bride's] multiple wardrobe changes, and saw to many other activities that needed to take place. I don't think I've ever seen someone so calm yet in control every minute of the way. Because of Josh and his team, we had an entirely worry-free wedding. None of our family or friends had to break away to manage any issues and instead everyone could focus on being with one another and enjoying themselves. We are so glad to recommend Joshua Charles Catering for your event. You will get amazing food, and if your experience is anything like ours was, they will be reliable, super friendly, and enjoyable to work with. read more

We reached out to a few caterers for our wedding and Joshua Charles Catering was the most friendly and responsive, and also more affordable than many of the other caterers we researched. We immediately had a great feeling about them. Our tasting was delicious! However, I know that when it comes to cooking in bulk, the food never tastes as good as it does at the tasting. And having a bunch of foodie friends from NYC, SF and LA, I figured we wouldn't win the award for best wedding food but as long as we gave them variety and kept them full, then I would be okay with that. Turns out, throughout the night, a lot of people kept raving about how good the food was. One friend told me that he never expects wedding food to be that good, but that our food was really great. People went on and on about the chicken pot pie (which ironically was something we just added as an afterthought). And my personal fav was the savory bread pudding. I was so pleasantly surprised and happy to hear that our guests enjoyed the food that much. And the most impressive part is that they did all this in a makeshift kitchen that they set up outside the event space. AMAZING! read more