Service and food is amazing Fresh ingredients and very big menu to choice from Highly recommended for your private event too read more

I was selfishly sad when Max and Elisa from Zafferano and their tasty arancini, panettoni, etc moved away but was happy for them and their culinary adventures to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York. However, I'm selfishly happy they are back in San Diego! Arancini al ragù per favore!!!! Take a minute to look up the "food hall" (in reality ghost kitchens) and preorder. You can eat there but probably best to eat one there freshly made and take the rest home. It's nice you can mix and match with other locations like Ciccia and maybe throw in some Nigerian and Lebanese food from a neighbor ghost kitchen. read more

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WOW!! Seriously - look no further! Zafferano catering exceeded expectations! I can't tell you how many guests asked for their contact information after my daughter's bridal shower. Elisa, Chef Max and the entire staff really truly helped make this event memorable for us. Planning 5 stars! Punctuality 5 stars! Food quality and taste 5 stars! Service 5 stars! Professionalism 5 stars! read more

We ordered some cookies for our Thanksgiving gathering, they were soo delicious, there were various types and all were amazing, our family enjoyed them and took plenty of baggies home. The service and attention to customer is exceptional. The detail to their work is remarkable. I'm so glad I saw these cookies, because honestly they are a favorite. Great work!-May read more

they just arrived on DoorDash. And I decided to try it. It's absolutely outstanding .Their Casarecce Ragu is outstanding .You feel like you're in Florence. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! read more

If you thought you knew Italian food, you're wrong. Zafferano's offerings throw the doors wide open on what is Italian food. And so much more tasty than what I've always considered typical of Italian food. You gotta try it. read more

First and foremost: Thank you Zafferano Catering! You realized a dream! It's difficult to find specific Italian cakes in US because they are not well known and hard to make but Zafferano made my request possible and exceeded my expectations. I needed a Babà cake for the birthday of my uncle that is originally from Napoli, southern Italy. The babà is not on their menu but they told me right away that would not be a problem and that they were happy to help me. When I went to pick up the cake I was so surprised by its beauty. The cake was so delicious and fresh, you really could see the quality. My uncle was so happy that I could get one of his favorite cakes in the world. All the guests loved it and asked me where they could order one. I highly recommend Zafferano Catering! read more

Zafferano Catering - Babà cake - Personal Chefs Near Me - San Diego, California

Max and his team were there for a very important moment in our life and they made it absolutely perfect! After rescheduling our wedding due to Covid19, Paul and I wanted to honor the day we were supposed to get married in front of our family and friends and do it anyways! We couldn't be married at the venue, we couldn't have our entire family at the Airbnb we rented and we couldn't have all our friends there either but what Max and his team created for the small group of people we could celebrate with was entirely perfect in every way! He answered my emails promptly, he created a menu that was beautiful, he showed up the day before at our Airbnb to talk it over and to make sure it was done the way we wanted. He showed up early and more importantly he made the best meal for our day! I'd like to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making a day we thought we'd have to wait for a reality! It was more perfect than I ever imagined and I'm so grateful we had them cater our wedding dinner. read more

Zafferano Catering - Personal Chefs Near Me - San Diego, California

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I ordered lunch delivery for my business guests of which 2 were Italians. What we ordered: Gnocchi Pesto, Salmon Broccoli, Eggplant Parmigiana and pistachio-based desserts. My Italian guests loved and enjoyed the food, praised the quality. Thanks Zafferano read more

I hired Zafferano catering 2 days before my wedding at home when my previous caterers had to cancel. Suffice to say chef max is an expert to be able to in 2 days, pull off a 5 course meal like my original menu I designed. The food was superb and did not miss any marks in flavor and presentation! Chef Max was extremely professional, courteous and accommodated our special request for our meat to be halal which meant he had to go out of his way to source products. He also was patient in delays in timing for our dinner to start, and never made us feel stressed and in fact was so caring to my parents when they apologized for our delay in our arrival. What also impressed me about chef max is that he did leave till the kitchen was spotless. I would hire him again and again! You won't be disappointed. Thank you Chef Max from the bottom of my heart for stepping in for our big day. read more

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You can't go wrong with Chef Max Farina and Elisa! I had the pleasure of working with them for multiple events and they put so much care into everything they do to deliver the best experience to their clients. From the ideation of the menu, to the ingredients they use, and to the final execution and presentation their dedication and passion shows. All of their food is delicious and authentically Italian, and they are great at accommodating dietary restrictions too. With Zafferano we have found a team that is professional, friendly, and so easy to work with for both small and larger events. Bravi! read more

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This incredible mousse cake was as delicious as it was beautiful! Thank you Max and Elisa for making this a perfect birthday celebration. Everything we have tried from the menu is delicious, but the desserts are tops for being special and beautiful. read more

Zafferano Catering - Mango and raspberry mousse with coconut flakes - Personal Chefs Near Me - San Diego, California

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Chef Max and his perfect partner delivered as promised. We had a baby shower for 18 ladies and his food was delicious and looked exactly like the pictures. Friendly, professional and perfectly on time. I can highly recommend him :) read more

Let me start off by saying that Chef Max and Fabrizio are AMAZING! We had them cater our appetizers and desserts for our wedding in Coronado Island (250/275 guests), and they surpassed all my expectations. All of our guests were impressed with the presentation of their food and most importantly how awesome everything tasted. Very authentic, everything hand made and we had no complaints at all. Of course with all wedding planning there is lots of stress and a lot of moving pieces, but I assure you that Zafferano catering will take VERY GOOD care of you. We were so glad that we found this company. They went above and beyond anything I expected or even what we agreed on, that's how generous they were. Would highly recommend to anyone having a wedding in the San Diego area. You will not be disappointed and your guests will love everything! Thank you again!! read more

How enjoyable it is to feel this great Chef's passion for preparing food. I like seeing people enjoying his tasteful and elaborated creations, including myself. Everything is served as part of a nicely decorated banquet. Service and courtesy are outstanding. Everything is flavorful and their desserts are fantastic! read more

Finally food that tastes like home. I'm from Italy and as much as I do appreciate certain traditional Italian restaurants in SD, at the end of the day they do have to cater to the american palate. Shout out to Zafferano's team for bringing the true Italian flavors to SD! read more

My wife and I participate at Zafferano's private dinner cooking class. It was all we were hoping for, and more! Chef Max does an incredible job of teaching, while also entertaining the class on their quest to make pasta from scratch. The night finishes with an incredible dinner that we help to make, where we enjoyed salad, the just made pasta, and the grand finale: making your own Panna Cotta dessert followed by Elisa's almond paste cookies! Highly recommended for any date night or special occasion. You will not be disappointed! read more

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Awesome spot if you are looking for a small gathering or even a large wedding! Great food, customer service and amazing food!

Awesome company delivering authentic Italian food with a smile. Super professional, friendly and amazing food. Personally the best Italian food in San Diego period ! Give Max Farina and team a try and you will not be disappointed. Catering menu was super nice from a variety of focaccia bread topped with Parma prosciutto and burrata to vibrant salads, baked salmon, ribs, homemade pasta and yes delicious Tiramisu and more. Wish they had a restaurant !!!! read more

Fantastic!! We used Zafferano for catering a Memorial Service for my father which we hosted at my house. Fabrizio and Chef Max came by prior to the event to assist with how the layout should be and in ordering appropriate tables, chairs, glasses, etc. They were incredibly professional and a pleasure to work with. The food was spectacular and Chef Max was able to accommodate my vegan guest's requests with a phenomenal pasta dish that we're still enjoying days after the event. Their pricing is very reasonable, so I would highly recommend using them for any type of event. Molto Grazie Fabrizio and Chef Max for making my father's Memorial Service so special! read more

Zafferano Catering - Thank you Chef Max! - Personal Chefs Near Me - San Diego, California

We ordered a New Year's Eve dinner and it was excellente. Tender swordfish, perfect pesto, tasty caprese salad, and a lovely cassata for dessert. Home delivery. Aguri a tutti read more

Zafferano Catering - Sicilian cassata - Personal Chefs Near Me - San Diego, California

I am Italian and I found about Zafferano Catering on an Italians in San Diego social media page. I can say it has been a wonderful discovery. The Italian food was delicious and 100% authentic. Every single dish was flavorful, well presented and well prepared. The food came perfectly on time. The service and professionalism were excellent. I had some friends over and I was really proud to allow them to taste some authentic Italian cuisine. This is definitely a place for great Italian food. read more

We had a great time working with them. Profession and efficient. They catered a business lunch for 30-33 people, and everyone enjoyed the food. The presentation was delightful. Will use again and I highly recommend. read more

Nothing ordinary about Zafferano Catering. Chef Max has a creative and inspiring approach to his preparation, presentation and selection of dishes. I can honestly say that I have never had beef cheek before. At his event last Saturday at Gianni Buonomo Vintners in OB, he knocked it out of the park. His three course dinner culminated with an intensely rich beef cheek braised for 24 hours. It was so delicious that it momentarily stopped the conversation at the table while we all savored our first bite. He brings his kitchen staff to you for an unforgettable event. read more

Amazing experience! We hired Max for our wedding night and he and his team did an amazing job. The food was delicious and presentation was great! He has a very nice and professional team. They truly go above and beyond to make you satisfied. read more

I'm writing the review while I'm eating their superb lasagna. I could easily say the best in San Diego. The arancini are phenomenal too. My belly is very happy. Thanks read more

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Planning a party is difficult enough - but then you have to worry about the food! You need multiple options to appease all your guests, but won't have time to set up, serve, and entertain! Chef Max will help make your party a success! Everyone loves Italian food - and his dishes are simple and well-made, with options for everyone! He was great at communicating, and helped deliver and set up his creations. Our family and friends enjoyed fresh caprese salad, bruschetta, meatballs, pastas and more! I would highly recommend using Zafferano Catering for your next event. read more

Zafferano Catering and Max are terrific! We have used their catering service twice at our office and once for a personal party. The food is beautiful and delicious, the displays and decorations are perfect for each event, and Max and his partner are sincerely delightful to work with. I highly recommend their catering services for your next function. You won't be disappointed! read more

We attended a Christmas event catered by Max and his crew at Gianni Buonomo Winery in Ocean Beach. It was so much more than expected. Absolutely over-the-top. Gastronomically, we loved the lamb/pasta and perfectly cooked sous vide beef. We don't eat desserts but all those around us said it was the greatest. The price was very reasonable. Zefferano is an excellent find. And if you haven't been to Gianni Buonomo, you're in for another wonderful discovery. read more

The best Italian catering in town! Chef Max has been feeding us through the quarantine and we couldn't be any happier! Everything we have ordered has been amazing. We have been eating restaurant style Italian food at the comfort of our home and all thanks to Chef Max. read more

Amazing! Everything from the booking, through the extensive menu selection, to the party, the organization, on-site cooking/preparation, and the clean up...Chef Max delivered for my wife's birthday party. With our 10 guest party, the freshest authentic Sicilian meal was made right in our kitchen. What a treat Zafferano Catering gave all of us. A richly delicious cheese/cracker/nuts/fruit tray to start, then tender beef carpaccio, perfect Fettuccine Bolognese Ragu, succulent Involltino di Pollo (oh man, that prosciutto stuffed in the most moist chicken breast!), and a Chef Max masterpiece Cannolo a Modo Mio (a homemade deconstructed cannoli, for people like me that don't know the appropriate descriptive dish terms)...everything so professionally plated and served to delight all of our guests. He even made 3 kids meals for our tykes (ages 7, 7, and 2)...pasta and meatballs that made my mouth water (even though the "adult food" was WAY beyond crazy good!). It's an experience I'm so glad we tried, and I would recommend them to anybody. His pricing is worth it, he was available for the exact date we wanted, and they were the most delightful team that truly wants to make their customers happy. SUCCESS! read more

We have ordered from Zafferano Catering on a few occasions and each time has been outstanding. Hands down the best italian and desserts in San Diego. Max is very accommodating and his food is delicious. I highly recommend Zafferano Catering! read more

We had the honor of working with Zafferano Catering for an exclusive catered dinner for 30 guests during our Annual Leadership Retreat at a private residence. The Zafferano team was extremely responsive and helpful from the first point of contact onward! They thought of everything beforehand and were punctual, efficient, pleasant, FUN and INCREDIBLY TALENTED CHEFS!!! We all felt like we had been transported to Milan, Italy for the night! The experience and passion behind this Italian inspired catering company are second to none in San Diego! Lastly, we had several people with specific allergies (such as gluten and dairy), and they made special delicious dishes for them! Needless to say, I would recommend Zafferano Catering to any event big or small! We will be using them again! read more

I attended a cooking class conducted by Max Farina of Zafferano Catering. What a fun experience! Max did a great job of sharing the history of the dishes we made, showed us some great tips, fed us a wonderful meal and was an all around gracious host. I've also attended larger dinners catered by his team that were delicious and well presented. I highly recommend Max and his team for your event, large or small. read more

Wow! simply wow! After meeting Zafferano Catering at a Pop-up dinner I decided to use their services for a private dinner at my house. The team of Zafferano Catering was incedibile! From start to finish! The food, the level of service, the attention to details... they made the evening special and my guests were all extremely impressed. I strongly recommend them. There is nothing more beautiful that having a full dinner catered in the coziness of your own home. And they can really deliver you a great experience. read more