Testimonials
July 6, 2010 • Yelp 5-star review
Book him... Book him now! Joshua was awesome to work with. The food was excellent and his staff was great. The best part of it all was that Joshua was a delight to work with (and his partner Marian too). The fact that he attended our rehearsal dinner and ceremony and was there as an unofficial coordinator made a world of a difference. He was very attentive to our requests and was quite easy to communicate with. Mind you his daughter was born on the week of our wedding and even with such an event as that, he was still very accessible and engaged with every detail he was held accountable for. For those of you looking for a caterer... I highly recommend Joshua for the job!
Philip I.
South San Francisco, CA
May 11, 2010 • Yelp 5-star review
I found Joshua Charles Catering on YELP and could see the same themes running through many of the reviews...attention to detail, flexibility, great follow up and follow through, love, care and pride in presentation and food—all of the things I was looking for in a caterer for my son's Bar Mitzvah. My son and I went for a tasting, met Josh and his crew, and hired them after a delicious afternoon!
Josh was completely attentive to our needs—budgetary, look and feel, and of course, food. He takes tremendous care with everything he does and takes great pride in making his clients happy. Our Bar Mitzvah planning took some twists and turns and Josh was always on top of it, always attentive, always flexible—and always with good humor! We just had our event, and everything was wonderful. Josh and his team were on the ball, on the details, and ready and willing to do whatever was necessary to make it all be what we wanted. Things were handled so well and went so smoothly at the evening event that we felt like guests at our own party—the ultimate success!
Many compliments on the food, bar service and organization—I would highly recommend JCC for any type of event and will use them again
bonnie c.
San Rafael, CA
March 5, 2010 • Yelp 5-star review
Joshua Charles Catering did a marvelous job catering for a party I had recently. The food and service was exceptionally good. All the guest thought the food and how it was displayed was top notch. The service was also very nice. The caterers were proactive, professional and attune to my needs; I would definitely use this company again!
Ingrid D.
Hillsborough, CA
March 5, 2010 • Yelp 5-star review
This is a pile on review - I'm the Brother in law in Veronica H's review.
I've had my share fine food in restaurants, catered events, and hotels. Joshua delivered a menu that had variety and choice. I was supplied with a list of options in the various courses and had options that would have appealed to a broad audience of palettes. I had expected 1 or 2 stand outs, hoping for the best during the main course. I was surprised by the quality and flavors of each morsel. Four apps - each an experience. I left the evening with a memory of the meal as an event, it was a delightful building of a meal.
I'm going to close on a personal touch of the Joshua Charles team. "Joshua" was the conductor for the evening and he ensured every aspect of the meal was perfect. Here is the nuance I would really like to share—the meal was spectacular, however, the staff made it a part of the event.
Johnny P.
Pleasanton, CA
March 1, 2010 • Yelp 5-star review
I'm a food snob, I admit it. I'm hard to impress and discerning as hell because I've been fortunate enough to have experienced fine dining on both coasts and in other countries for the past few decades.
That being said, I can't imagine a catering company doing it better than Joshua Charles — everything, from the menu planning process, to the wait staff, to the food itself (absolutely the star of the evening for my event) was conducted with a level of professionalism and class that was unparalleled -- all at a price that won't break the bank AND is infinitely more memorable than a typical night out at a nice restaurant. Joshua is also very easy to work with and responsive by phone and email.
To give you some background -- I was working with my husband's brother-in-law to plan a very special 40th birthday celebration for his wife (my sister-in-law) and 17 of her closest friends/family. He considered renting a private table in some of the Bay Area's finest dining establishments, including La Folie in SF and Manresa in Los Gatos. But given the audience (all upper middle-class professionals who are also experienced diners), we wanted something truly special and unforgettable.
So instead, we brought in JCC, who was recommended to me by my father (JCC had catered his company's holiday party -- a bunch of food scientists, who are probably even more discerning than me!) to La Honda Winery (also 5 stars!) to cater a private dinner that included passed hors d'oeuvres, a 4-course meal, dessert, coffee/tea service, and truffles.
The food was beautifully presented and well-portioned — enough to satisfy even the most voracious diner, but not so much that I left feeling stuffed. Most importantly, everything was delectable, from apps of lobster risotto w/ caviar and agnolotti of kobe beef short ribs — talk about party in your mouth with every bite (I'm getting hungry again just thinking about it). For dinner, roasted beet carpaccio w/ beef tenderloin was full of color and gorgeously-plated; the black cod had a perfect sear (crunchy on the outside, melt-in-your mouth buttery on the inside); and the steak a perfect medium rare. The dessert, a sort of deconstructed s'more with molten lava cake, marshmallow cream and homemade graham crackers, was a huge hit.
Finally, the wait staff was extremely pleasant, responsive to every request, and unobtrusive.
It's obvious that JCC takes great pride in its work, and after last Saturday's event, I'm already looking for another excuse to hire them. I would recommend them in a heartbeat, whether for a small private dinner like mine, or for a larger event, like a wedding (wish I knew about them for my wedding!).
Veronica H.
San Francisco, CA
February 27, 2010 • Yelp 5-star review
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.
M B.
Belmont, CA
January 1, 2010 • Yelp 5-star review
Joshua Charles Catering catered our wedding at Thomas Fogarty winery this past July. We are very happy with their food and service! It was on par with the beautiful scenery at the winery.
We had our food requirements: one side of the family is Chinese, and another side is Jewish, and there were vegetarians and vegans among the guests, many of whom were coming from out of the state and even out of the country. We wanted food that highlights fresh California produce, that is western style but also pleases the Chinese palate. We also needed enough variety to meet the different diet requirements. Josh's food was delicious and exciting, and exceeded our expectations. We had flat-iron steak, Chilean sea bass, and polenta with mushrooms as the main entrees. They were delicious and beautifully presented. Josh used interesting and top-quality ingredients such as forbidden rice, fig with cambazola cheese, feta with baby artichoke. We also loved the heirloom tomato salad. Many of our guests also told us afterward the food was excellent!
Josh, the owner, was very pleasurable to work with. He has a great sense of humor and really seems to enjoy what he does. He was very easy to communicate with and was extremely quick to grasp and resolve any concerns we had before and during the wedding.
He has a really good understanding of people, which is important in this business. I (the groom) was quite nervous on the wedding day, not because of any doubts or fears (we were actually already legally married and the event was more for the family and friends) but because I kept worrying about the details of the day, trying to make sure everything went smoothly. At some point Josh came by and simply whispered "Smile. Otherwise people think you're not happy." Thanks for that, Josh! I think it really helped me.
Although we hired Josh as the caterer not a wedding planner, he went above and beyond his duties in making sure everything at the wedding went as planned. He drove out to the venue, did a walk-through and a rehearsal with us. He asked in advance for the contact information of all the vendors, contacted them, coordinated the wedding schedule with them, even informed them of driving directions to the venue (!). He gave us a clear explanation of what the day would look like, what our options were, what to expect. On the actual day he was fully synchronized with everyone and saved us a lot of worries. Looking at the wedding photos, we notice him and his staff were stationed throughout the venue, attentive to every detail of the party.
Roy F.
Palo Alto, CA
December 13, 2009 • Yelp 5-star review
Delicious, divine, decadent. Our son's Bar Mitzvah was a "wow" & Josh & co. were a huge part of the success. He's organized, attentive, cost effective — and his food is yummy. He will work within your budget, listen to you, and go the extra mile to make your event a success. He also listened to our son, and treated him with great respect.
Josh was on site the entire time for both our Shabbat dinner & the Bar Mitzvah, something I really appreciated. I would highly recommend Josh & would work with him again without hesitation. If only we had more than one child we'd be rebooking for the next Bar Mitzvah right now!
Dina J.
Los Altos, CA
December 8, 2009 • Yelp 5-star review
My company recently moved to the Bay Area and needed a caterer for two events. The first was a cocktail reception for industry folks, and the other was our company's Christmas party. We hired JCC for both events and were thrilled at the food, service and attention we received.Josh did a walk through at our office prior to the first event and made sure we had a good flow for the parties. He then coordinated the entire event for us, from rentals to the menu and staffing. His staff set up, tore down, and cleaned up perfectly. I was so thankful to have all of the logistics just handled by his team - as the hostess, I didn't have to worry about anything! Plus, Josh made sure that I got to eat during the event between running around and greeting people. When he noticed there was no music, he kindly reminded me that we had forgotten to turn on the speakers, helping us get the party revitalized.
The food was excellent for both parties. It was fresh, flavorful and received many compliments from guests. Both hot and cold foods were excellent, and the handmade desserts were amazing.
Josh worked within our budget so that we knew what we were getting into. Unlike other caterers I've worked with, Josh never pressured us to do anything we didn't want, and never tried to up sell us on something unnecessary. He was a true gentleman and someone that we trusted to do the job right. We're really picky, detail oriented people, so we appreciated Josh's immaculate attention to detail.
We will hire Josh for all of our events in the future, hands down.
Carrie Y.
San Francisco, CA
November 5, 2009 • Satisfied Client
Hi Josh,
I wanted to reach out and thank you for your excellent food and service on Monday night. I've been at a tradeshow since then, so I haven't been able to email until now.
Your food was amazing, your staff was smiling and courteous, and you were personally extremely helpful not only in getting things where they needed to be, but in making sure that the music was on, and that the "working" staff was well-fed. And, you were ready on time, and your team cleaned everything up beautifully - making my life so much easier.
We couldn't be happier, and we look forward to working with you on our holiday party. We will also gladly pass your name along to our VC firm and anyone that needs a good caterer. Being an entrepreneurial group ourselves, we really respect and value the partnership with companies such as yours that you have built from the ground up.
Thank you again and I look forward to working with you in the future! If you ever need a reference for other clients, I'm happy to provide one.
Best,
Carrie
San Francisco, CA
October 28, 2009 • Yelp 5-star review
I recently arranged a surprise birthday party and used Yelp to find Joshua Charles Catering. In interviewing three companies, I arrived at using Joshua due to his creativity, professionalism, and willingness to work through details with us in planning this party.
The day of the party, they arrived on time, set up for everything (according to our agreement), prepared a fantastic menu, and could not have been [more] professional during the entire event. We circulated appetizers with cocktails, then a sit-down dinner followed by desserts.
OUTSTANDING EVENT - everyone loved the tasty menu-- I would recommend this company to anyone looking for a true class event.
Greg D.
San Mateo, CA
October 16, 2009 • Yelp 5-star review
You will not be disappointed with Joshua Charles Catering! They catered our August wedding and were wonderful to work with. Josh and team genuinely cared about providing us with a memorable event!
We had a cocktail hour where hors d'oeuvres were passed and a sit down reception for 260+ people. It is a high achievement to be able to serve such a large crowd with consistently excellent food and service, but our family and friends have continued to rave about the amazing food as one of the highlights of the evening. I'm still dreaming about the Caribbean braised beef short ribs in the mini puff pastry cup (one of our appetizers)...my favorite. But seriously, I am not exaggerating that everything was delicious, on top of being beautifully presented!
I highly recommend JCC to anyone looking to make an event special, as well as reduce the overall stress of planning. Josh worked hard for us on a menu/event that was beautiful and unforgettable. Check them out!
Jenie C.
Los Angeles, CA
September 3, 2009 • Yelp 5-star review
Apologies for the delayed update: our organization used JCC for the 2nd year in a row to cater our mondo annual event of 200+. Like Lauren L. said, this isn't just an outdoors shindig, it's outdoors tucked away off winding dirt roads, without power, and without running water. Yet despite those challenges, the food is stellar. Really, we're talking magical here.
JCC pulled it off again (was there ever any doubt?) beautifully, professionally, tastefully... I have received nothing but compliments on the food and yes, the service of his entire staff is top of the line: ultra friendly, super helpful, genuine and sincere... simply above and beyond. Clearly, Josh knows his sh-t, demands the best, and that's what he and his entire staff delivers... consistently.
Goodbers G.
San Mateo, CA
August 22, 2009 • Yelp 5-star review
I recently experienced JC's handiwork at an outdoor event for a nonprofit organization. I should emphasize that this was not just an outdoor event, but an outdoor event in a remote location on an open space preserve off Skyline Blvd, with no cooking, refrigeration, or other facilities available to the crew.
The food was fresh and delicious--even though, given the above, they would have had to have made it a bit in advance of arriving at the event site. Salads were lightly dressed (which is a huge + in my book) and delicious; mains were flavorful and well-presented.
What really pushed me to Star Number Five, though, was the amazing service. Each of JC's staff members was amazing. I was impressed when they used my name (okay, so I was wearing a nametag, but still) and when they asked--upon my taking of a small portion--if I wanted more. They handled us all professionally and with a smile.
If I were hosting a wedding or other large party, I would definitely give these guys a look. That they were able to pull off delicious food for several hundred (ravenously hungry, fresh from hiking/biking/horse-riding) people on a hot day in August in a very remote location was itself an incredible feat.
Lauren L.
La Honda, CA
July 26, 2009 • Yelp 5-star review
My wife and I had been in search of a caterer for our upcoming wedding for several months to no avail. Tasting after tasting, we left with a feeling that the food was "okay", not awful, but far from fantastic. Patricia and I are foodies, in fact, you could call us food snobs. We appreciate and value fine cuisine. Our wedding was a mere 5 months away and the pressure was mounting. Needless to say, we were becoming disheartened and worried. We stumbled across Joshua Charles Catering at a wedding faire held at the Four Seasons in San Francisco. We scheduled a tasting, after which all of our fears and concerns were laid to rest. My review of the performance of Joshua Charles Catering is without hyperbole. From timeliness, to preparation, to presentation, to quality their performance was exceptional. After the tasting, we knew we had found a great set of chefs and that the food would be delicious. Yet, on the day my wife and I and our guest were blown away by the phenomenal quality of the food. Moreover, the design and creation of the dishes took our personality and taste into account. As such, the food was absent of any cookie cutter type of feeling. For example, some of the favorite dishes were the following: - Glazed Suckling Pig served with forbidden rice and Szechuan green beans - Thai Seafood Salad, fresh calamari and prawns, steamed with lemongrass and ginger dressed with mint and Serrano chili oil - Herb Crusted Lamb Loin served with creamy polenta and braised chanterelle mushrooms - Scallop Ceviche spoons, with Annaheim pepper salad and white truffle oil These items are is just a portion of the incredible dishes created. We were left wanting more. If quality food is the prerequisite for an event you are planning, you can not go wrong by using the services of Joshua Charles Catering.
William S.
San Francisco, CA
July 2, 2009 • Yelp 5-star review
I recently attended a wedding catered by Joshua Charles and was blown away by the taste, the presentation, and the variety. The style and presentation of the food was casually elegant, keeping in perfect harmony with the wedding which was held at the beautiful Jeriko Winery in Hopland. Each dish was served individually allowing for perfect presentation. There are too many dishes to mention so I will highlight my favorites - garlicky noodles served in Chinese "to go" boxes, perfectly cooked ravioli, polenta with duck, pulled pork over black rice. In addition to amazing food, the service was impeccable. I highly recommend Joshua Charles Catering for any event.
Laura L.
San Francisco, CA
March 9, 2009 • Yelp 5-star review
They were great last time I worked with him, so I hired Joshua Charles Catering to cater another party for me. As before, arranging the event was easy and everything went according to plan. Josh was easy to set things up with, he was responsive, getting me a proposed menu right away and working with me on my suggested adjustments. The entire process of contacting them to getting a final menu and other details worked out took perhaps two days. He and his assistant showed up early, set up in the kitchen, and over the next two hours served a great selection of apps, mains, and desserts. It was easy to arrange, reasonably priced, and the service totally professional. The presentation of the dishes was very nice and most importantly - the food was fantastic. After using them for two events, I still highly recommend Joshua Charles Catering!p>
Chris C.
CA
February 25, 2009 • Yelp 5-star review
I've had a Yelp account for many years, but never felt compelled to write a review until now. Joshua Charles Catering gets my FIRST posting! Very well deserved... I attended an event they catered a few weeks prior, and thought the food was absolutely spectacular. My girlfriends and I found ourselves hanging out near the kitchen entrance, waiting to see what new creations came out. The pulled pork was so yummy! I met Josh, and told him how delicious everything was. The dishes were unique and so, so tasty! He invited me to their Winter Tasting-- as I hold private client events every so often, and thought I would check out the menu. During the car ride down, I was talking to my friends about another gourmet caterer that had done an absolutely awesome job with a friend's pre-Thanksgiving party in Nob Hill last year. In fact, I thought that was the BEST catering I'd ever had. We were remembering how juicy the turkey was, and how it melted in your mouth. We just couldn't remember the name of the caterer, but we were hoping that JCC would be just as good. To my surprise--- I ran into that same friend who hosted the pre-Thanksgiving dinner at the Winter Tasting event! You guessed it... he had used Joshua Charles Catering! What a small world, to find out that they were one in the same. 5 Stars just isn't enough to rate their food and wonderful service!p>
Lada E.
CA
February 25, 2009 • Yelp 5-star review
The hubby and I went to JCC's winter tasting event this evening. Wow, what breadth! Seriously, Josh's range is phenomenal: we tasted arctic char, sturgeon, venison, rabbit... and those were just the appetizers! For the buffet, we had beet salad, lamb chops, brisket, cauliflower medley, anchovies/artichoke crostini, and sea bass... And listing the main ingredients doesn't even do the tasting menu justice. The truth is, I have no idea what secret flavor crystals Josh and his team are mixing together in the kitchen; all I know is, each morsel that emerges is a packet of culinary magic. My absolute favorite tonight? Spoonfuls of rabbit atop the creamiest polenta ever. Delicious! And everything is so damn fresh-- where is he sourcing his food??! Finally, I'm pleased to report I saw some familiar faces tonight (JCC catered a huge work event for me last fall). His servers are extremely attentive and professional. Simply put, JCC is top-notch all around.
Vicky G.
CA
February 11, 2009 • Yelp 4-star review
Both occasions that I've tasted Joshua Charles' food really impressed me! It's a gourmet experience. My first mouthful was a bit size Pacific char carpaccio role, an hors d'ouvre, which was divine. Melted in my mouth. I've also had the recent opportunity to enjoy a colorful, delicious beet salad; and a fennel encrusted pork chop, perfectly cooked and very tender, with very elegant, comfort sides -a potato puree and flavorful sautéed chard. The entree was hearty, but not heavy. Perfectly seasoned. JC makes delightful desserts as well, but best of all, a lot of their ingredients are sourced from the local farmer's market. The company sources local, organic produce and locally farmed, grass fed, organic meats. They work with seasonal menus on the principal that ingredients that are fresh and ripe render the best quality food- and it works!
Nelle J.
San Francisco, CA
January 17, 2009 • Yelp 5-star review
I took a complete chance on Josh. I had never tasted his food or heard of him until I found him on the web and read the yelp reviews. He was GREAT. He responded to me quickly and professionally, worked with the budget I had set for my dad's birthday. The day of the party he showed up on time, the food was great and everyone loved the hors d'heurves. The 2 people helping him were also very good. I would highly recommend working with him if you are looking for an experienced, professional caterer, with great food to boot.
Maryse S.
CA
December 3, 2008 • Yelp 5-star review
I gave a party for 30 of my girlfriends a couple of weeks ago and asked Joshua Charles Catering to prepare appetizers and desserts for the event. I had never used him before, but all of the reviews here on Yelp gave me the confidence to contact him. He was extremely responsive to email and phone calls; he was where he said he would be on time; and he was creative in helping me make decisions about what to serve and how to serve it. He and his employees were all so friendly but still professional, and most of all, the food was delicious and beautifully presented. Oh, and he also take great group photos!! Joshua Charles Catering is definitely at the top of my list to recommend to friends, family and colleagues.
Marilyn P.
Woodside, CA
November 29, 2008 • Yelp 5-star review
Our kitchen and dining room are one and the same. Josh and his staff were able not only to make exceptional food, but also presented themselves well and created a fine dining experience for me and my guests. I highly recommend calling Josh; from start to finish it was a flawless evening. We enjoyed every aspect of this superior catering experience.
Cindy G.
Menlo Park, CA
November 20, 2008 • Yelp 5-star review
We had an amazing anniversary dinner thanks to Josh Charles catering. We had a four course meal and absolutely everything was amazing. We wish we could have another event soon, as the food was outstanding. Josh responds right away and everything was arranged within a day. GREAT service! HIGHLY recommend this cater!
Sean H.
San Francisco, CA
October 5, 2008 • Yelp.com 4-star review
This year was my first time heading up catering for our organization's annual volunteer bash. After reading so many rave reviews on Yelp, I simply HAD to learn more. Not only did Josh call me promptly (just hours after I'd contacted him via email), but following our conversation, he crafted a creative and unique menu to go with our Greek/Mediterranean theme. With just two weeks til judgment day, Josh was on it like no other: he asked all the right questions, and his team arrived prepared. The food came out right on schedule, and Josh's experience definitely came in handy: his staff kept the food coming and the buffet line moving.Our event was huge (200+) AND it was outdoors with no access to facilities or running water. Nonetheless, Josh and his team made magic happen, with much of the food prepped and cooked fresh on site. We're still getting compliments. My only gripe was a minor inconvenience, which fortunately, had no impact on the food: JCC's rental/decorations partner, Classic Party Rentals, made us sweat a little by arriving and picking up 30 minutes late. Other than that, a marvelous experience. I'm already scanning my birthdays/holidays calendar looking for any excuse to call on Josh and his team again.
Vicky G.
San Mateo, CA.
October 4, 2008 • Yelp.com 5-star review
Joshua Charles catered an eight course meal for 22 guests at my home for our silver wedding anniversary. Chef Jonathan and his team worked wonders in my small kitchen and left the place spotless. The wait staff were attentive and responsive to some ad hoc changes around the timing of the courses. They took care of the 700 hired items (lots of flatware, glasses etc!) so all I had to do was take care of drop off and collection by the rental company. But above all, the food was exceptional. I enjoy fine dining and was impressed to have such innovative, well balanced, contemporary menu planning that matched exactly the brief I gave them. And I felt even with 22 guests that the food was served as though at a private meal for 6 and never, ever felt like "banquet food." Stunning. I would put this as one of the top three meals I have ever eaten. A magnificent way to remember our silver wedding.
Jane B.
Belmont, CA
August 15, 2008 • Yelp.com 5-star review
I work for a small company that is just starting to do marketing events. In the past I had hired caterers for firm functions, but they were always so rude, with a you're too small for us attitude. What a difference with Joshua Charles—they were so nice to work with, they made my job so easy. And...the food was awesome—every event I've ever been to there is always so much food left over, but at our first marketing event with some very fussy women, it was GONE!!!! Everything tasted so fresh and good. I will definitely be using them again and highly recommend them to anyone! If you are looking for good food, friendly people and great service, you've found them at Joshua Charles Catering.
Dana M.
May 20, 2008 • Yelp.com 5-star review
We've used Josh and his staff for a baby naming party in our home celebrating the birth of our son for 50 people and most recently for a dinner party for 20. In both instances Josh worked with us to come up with a great menu with variety for kids and grown ups, meat eaters and vegetarians and the food and service were fabulous. Josh's staff handled everything from the rentals to the clean up. Our guests loved every bite and we were able to enjoy the party and not stress. I highly recommend using Joshua Charles.
Kathy H.
San Francisco, CA
May 19, 2008 • Yelp.com 4-star review
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.
Casey R.
San Francisco, CA
May 19, 2008 • Yelp.com 5-star review
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.
Jim K.
San Francisco, CA
March 16, 2008 • Yelp.com 5 star review
Joshua catered our pre-school Spring Auction last weekend and the food was incredible. We received so many compliments on the food and several guests now want to hire him for their own personal parties. He went above and beyond in terms of presentation, flavors and selection. The team was professional and timely as well I would recommend him very highly!
Aimee S.
Belmont, CA
March 12, 2008 • Yelp.com 5 star review
I attended an event last weekend that was catered by Joshua Charles. I had heard good things, but my expectations were low, as most caterers I've tried in the area have been mediocre. All I can say is WOW. The staff was super professional, the presentation was lovely and best of all the food was incredible. I would highly recommend using Joshua Charles for any event. Their attention to detail was superb. I can't wait to use them for my own event.
Marianne J.
San Carlos, CA
March 12, 2008 • Yelp.com 5 star review
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 leftovers!!
Danielle D.
San Carlos, CA
March 2008 • Yelp.com 4 star review
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.
Victor Z.
December 11, 2007 • Yelp.com 5 star review
One of the best caterers I've encountered in the Bay Area so far. Josh and his staff are talented, accommodating, easy to work with and needless to say—the food is DELICIOUS and so well presented.
He did the catering for our company holiday party. He was provided feedback after the first tasting and prepared a second tasting shortly thereafter, completely having understood our requests and expectations. The results were outstanding.
Some examples included Thai red curry coconut lobster shooter with sweet potato chip, lemon thyme éclairs with new England lobster salad, polenta cups, and three-day braised short rib in a mini puff cup. Just to give everyone an idea how unique he can go. Oh, and his grasshopper bars are to die for.
His decor was beautiful as well, together with some flameless votives that set the mood.
In short—Josh and his staff will not disappoint you.
Hadley Y.
October 8, 2007 • Yelp.com 5 star review
My wife and I used Joshua for our wedding and it was one of the best decisions we made. The food was incredible and the service was excellent. We are still hearing from our guests about how much they liked the food! We appreciated his attention to detail throughout the whole planning process and his willingness to work within our budget.
Besides the wonderful food and service, he did a few things that were above-and-beyond what was expected: After the ceremony, he knew we would be hungry, so he had hors d' oeuvres & drinks brought to us and our families while we took pictures. For lunch he prepared a special dish for my bride that was not on the menu and he even made sure my mother-in-law had her favorite soft drink with her meal! Considering the number of guests at our reception, this kind of personalized attention probably wasn't easy for him.
We met with a lot of caterers while planning our wedding. Josh was the only one who made us feel like friends instead of clients. I highly recommend using Josh for your catering needs.
Paul M.
August 19, 2007 • Yelp.com 5 star review
The most elegant wedding I've ever attended! The setting was in a beautiful garden at a private home. The food was exquisite, from the hors d'oeuvres to the dinner
Marge K.
August 16, 2007 • Yelp.com 5 star review
EXCEPTIONAL cuisine that exceeded all of our expectations in terms of taste, quality, freshness, originality and appearance. With very little notice, Joshua assisted me in organizing a very high-end reception at the fabulous Hillsborough, CA home of a notable CEO. JCC delivered perfection in absolutely every regard & this group of food & wine connoisseurs left the event raving about how marvelous the food, service, ambiance and other related event details were.
Joshua and his staff were incredibly professional, gracious, attentive, creative, flexible, accommodating and knowledgeable from the very first phone call until the last post-event detail was wrapped up. I look forward to using and recommending his services again as many times as I possibly can.
Amy M.
August 16, 2007 • Yelp.com 5 star review
I have never had such wonderful food at a wedding before. A service team that was warm, responsive, and always right there. What a winner! Elegant, delicious, different, delightful, and memorable.
Deborah H.
July 30, 2007 • Yelp.com 5 star review
Josh is a guy who is intuitive and creative, skilled both in the kitchen (delicious and elegant presentations) and the business world. Having Josh's staff throw a soiree in my home for 55 people was a pleasure and a tasty sensational success.
Josh has a quick, keen ability to sense exactly the kind of party one wants—and then pulls it altogether for you. He is a quick study but a well experienced professional who is as fun to work with as he is talented and organized
Joshua Charles was the backbone of a top notch tony cocktails and elaborate dinner/hors d'oeurves party chez moi.
This is a guy you will love as a pal but rely upon as the rock of your party.
Patricia D.
May 23, 2007 • Yelp.com 5 star review
I highly recommend Joshua Charles Catering. Easy and very pleasant to work with, extremely creative and came up with exactly the savors and tastes we were looking for.
Bravo! and I am a picky French lady ;-)
Carine M.
February 6, 2007
The food was tasty-to-the-max and presented in a fun, organized and exciting way. Your staff was friendly, professional, efficient and enthusiastic. You helped make our party an “event!” All of our guests commented how much they liked the food and its presentation. You were easy to work with and creative. All in all, I give the “Joshua Charles Catering” experience a RAVE!
Gina Harris (10th wedding anniversary)
January 20, 2007
I recently engaged Joshua Charles Catering through the East Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for a function to celebrate the Holiday Season in 2006.
I was extremely impressed by the food and the service. The food was unusual and unlike any I have experienced at other functions. The service was perfection from the initial meeting with the host in their residence to the services during the function as well as the clean up after the event.
Many attendees commented on the great food and service and I know we will be seeing more of Joshua Charles Catering in the future.
Harley E. Jensen AIA
Chairman of the Events Committee
American Institute of Architects
East Bay Chapter
September 14, 2006
I was Josh's first client and continue to employ him regularly. He has been exclusively catering cocktail and dinner parties for me for the past two years. His food is beautiful and consistently delicious. His ingredients are always really fresh and often organic. The presentation and taste of his dishes is also exceptional. I have recommended him to many friends and colleagues and they have unanimously reported to me that his services have been resoundingly impressive.
Specifically, Josh really listens to what I want. He thoughtfully creates menus and proposals and imparts them in a timely fashion. He is always prepared, on time and in a good mood. His service staff is also consistently professional, courteous and friendly.
James Kreissman, Esq.
