My husband and I chose Napa Valley Crust to cater our recent wedding at Triple S Ranch in Calistoga. We intentionally selected very few vendors to keep things as simple as possible and avoid issues. Napa Valley Crust was the only vendor we had issues with.
We were very excited about the vintage food truck option NVC offered, and it was the reason we chose them. We spoke with Betty twice about it over the phone. Both times she let us know there may be an extra charge to bring the truck down the bumpy road, as it requires a special tow truck. We agreed to pay the fee, and were happy when she let us know she would waive it due to our number of guests. Betty also mentioned that there was an option to bring a small pizza oven instead of the truck, but we both let her know we chose them specifically because of the food truck option and did NOT want the small oven.
After our ceremony at a local church we arrived to the reception venue to find that there was no food truck. They had brought the small pizza oven, towed by a large SUV. Literally just a small oven on a trailer. They were also using the ranch's pizza oven to cook. It was incredibly disappointing and I was on the verge of tears. As anyone planning a wedding knows there are many options for food. The sole reason we went with Napa Valley Crust was the beautiful food truck and the rustic vibe it would bring to the wedding. We thought it would be unique and cool. I would definitely not have paid over $3,000 for a pizza oven pulled by an SUV.
Initially (mind you this is at our reception), Betty told us it they didn't bring the truck because we had waited so long to turn in our contract. There is no spot on the contract to specify what type of truck you want. We had to remind her of our multiple phone conversations where we told her we specifically wanted the food truck. Our mistake was trusting conversations rather than putting everything in writing. Eventually she apologized but initially the blame was put on us. We tried to convince them to bring the truck but they said they called the tow truck driver and he was out of town and is the only person they work with. We were lucky our family had prepared a side feast and our guests didn't complain.
The pizza was fine which is why we are giving two stars instead of one. Betty carried food upstairs to the guests and offered to remove their trash to make up for it. She also gave us a $322 discount. Honestly though I am torn on whether or not that is enough. We are more than happy to pay for services rendered (of course) and all of our vendors were paid in full with no issues. But with an automatic gratuity of $552 I think it would have made more sense to waive the gratuity when they didn't provide the services agreed upon. Who would pay $3,000 for a pizza oven on a trailer? I am including a pic of the type of oven that was there versus the truck we had asked for were told would be there.
The only other unexpected aspect was one of their employees was sitting downstairs at the venue in a chair by the fireplace, with his feet up, reading a book for the majority of the time they were there. Of course we all need breaks but I found that slightly unprofessional. It was a spot for guests. Especially with an automatic 20% gratuity and the fact that they are only there a few hours, combined with the lack of a food truck. I think gratuity should be optional when things go awry
If you choose NVC for your event I would say get every detail in writing and do not trust any phone conversations. I personally would not use them again nor would I recommend them.
Changed to one Star when owners refused to refund the charge for five guests who did not show up in spite of Betty telling me over the phone that the number on the contract can be changed. At $40 a person that was an extra $200 they feel they deserve to keep for services they didn't render, on top of not bringing the food truck they promised. Shows the level of customer service and integrity they have. He also said in his voicemail they couldn't have brought the truck that day due to weather. There was not a drop of rain that day. And he told us at the reception he tried to get the truck. So which is it? No truck due to nonexistent rain or you guys forgot the food truck the tow truck driver was out of town? If food is an important aspect of your event, don't trust this company. read more