FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning Your Event
What kinds of events does Messina’s cater?
Messina’s caters weddings, corporate events, social celebrations, and large-scale events across Greater New Orleans—grand to intimate, formal to casual, we do it all. What sets us apart is our business diversity: we successfully support everything from weddings and corporate galas to festivals, sporting events, and ongoing food & beverage programs. (Messina’s Catering)
(Examples: wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, showers, bachelor/bachelorette parties, baby showers, graduations, birthdays, post-wedding brunches, Mardi Gras events, crawfish boils, balls, debutante events, and more.)
How far in advance do I need to book catering?
The sooner the better—especially for peak seasons and in-demand dates. If your event is coming up quickly, still reach out; availability depends on the date, guest count, venue, and scope.
(Contact Us)
How do I request a catering quote?
Start with our inquiry form and share your date, venue (if known), estimated guest count, and event type. From there, our team will follow up to gather details and guide next steps.
(Contact)
What information do you need to put together a proposal?
Do you help me choose a venue?
Yes. If you’re still deciding, we can point you toward venues that fit your guest count, style, and service goals. (Messina’s Venues)
Do you do tastings?
Yes—depending on the size and scope of your event, we can do tastings. They are a great way to fine-tune your menu and feel confident about the experience before the big day.
Food, Menu Style, and the Guest Experience
Do you only do New Orleans-style food?
New Orleans flavor is in our DNA, but our menus aren’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you want authentic local favorites, ethnic cuisines, or kosher offerings, we build custom menus tailored to your event and guests. (Messina’s Catering Menus)
What types of food can you serve besides New Orleans cuisine?
We can go far beyond “classic NOLA”—think Mediterranean, Asian, Latin-inspired, Italian, Middle Eastern, and more, depending on your vision, theme and preferences.
Can you customize the menu for my event?
Absolutely—customization is part of the process. We spend time getting to know your goals, style, and budget, then craft a menu that brings your vision to life (and works with the realities of your venue and timeline).
Want a signature cocktail? A family recipe? A hometown favorite? We love special requests.
What types of catering menus are most popular?
The most popular menus are the ones that match the moment—your venue, your guest mix, and how you want the night to feel. Our team will help you land on the right balance of crowd-pleasers, “wow” moments, and thoughtful options for dietary needs. (Catering Menus)
Can I host an all-appetizer or heavy hors d’oeuvres event?
Yes—and they’re one of our favorite ways to keep a party lively. Heavy hors d’oeuvres events are designed like a “mini meal” in multiple bites, with a mix of proteins, starches, veggies, fruit, and hot/cold options so guests feel satisfied. (Heavy Hors d’oeuvres)
Do you cater cocktail parties? What kind of food works best?
Yes—cocktail parties are all about bite-sized, easy-to-hold food that lets guests mingle. Think passed small bites (like mini crawfish cakes or bacon-wrapped shrimp) plus display moments like grazing tables and beautiful boards. (Cocktail Party Food)
How do I choose the right catering style (buffet, plated, stations)?
It depends on your priorities—flow, guest experience, budget, and venue layout. Buffets offer flexibility and can reduce staffing needs, while seated dinners create a more traditional pace; stations can bring the “wow” factor and help with crowd flow when placed strategically. Our experienced catering team will help you decide. (Seated vs. Buffet)
Dietary Needs and Allergies
Can you handle dietary restrictions and food allergies?
Yes—with advance notice, we can accommodate many requests like vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and more. Because food is prepared in a commercial kitchen where common allergens may be present, we can’t guarantee an allergen-free environment—so severe allergies should be discussed directly with our team.
Do you offer gluten-free options?
Yes—we have many gluten-free menu options and can plan them thoughtfully, including labeling and service considerations to reduce cross-contact.
Do you offer kosher catering?
Yes—we can discuss kosher needs during planning and align the menu and service approach with your level of observance and the venue capabilities.
Full-Service Catering: Staffing, Setup, and Cleanup
What does full-service catering mean?
Full-service catering means you’re not just getting food—you’re getting a team that manages the experience: staffing, setup timing, service flow, and cleanup so your event runs smoothly. We’ll confirm what’s included for your event (servers, bartenders, rentals like china/flatware/linens, arrival timing, and breakdown) in your proposal so there are no surprises.
What’s the difference between drop-off catering and full-service catering?
Drop-off catering is food delivered (or picked up) ready to serve, without staff on-site. Full-service includes staffing and execution—setup, timing, service, and guest experience are managed for you.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes we are. Working with a properly licensed and insured caterer is important for protecting you and your guests.
Venues and Where We Cater
Do you cater in the French Quarter?
Yes—Messina’s caters throughout Greater New Orleans, including the French Quarter. In addition, we also cater across other New Orleans neighborhoods including the Garden District, Uptown, Mid-City, the Warehouse District, Bywater and Treme. We’re experienced with both venue events and in-home celebrations.
Do you cater in Metairie / Kenner / Jefferson Parish?
Yes—we regularly cater across the New Orleans metro area, including Metairie, Kenner, and Jefferson Parish.
Can you cater at my house in New Orleans?
Yes—private home events are absolutely something we do. We’ll help you choose the best service style for your space, guest count, and how formal (or relaxed) you want the experience to be.
Can you cater at my venue, even if you’re not on their preferred list?
Do you have your own event venues?
Yes—Messina’s owns several venues, including Messina’s at the Terminal, The Rooftop on Basin, and The MISI. (Our Venues)
Pricing, Payments, and Policies
How much does catering cost per person in New Orleans?
Per-person pricing depends on your guest count, menu, service style, staffing, rentals/equipment, and venue logistics. The fastest way to get an accurate number is to share your details so we can build a proposal around your goals. (Contact)
How much do you charge for catering—and what’s included?
We price based on what your event truly needs. Your proposal will clearly outline what’s included (food, staffing, rentals, bar service, logistics) and what’s optional, so you can make decisions with confidence. We can work within a variety of budgets.
What extra fees should I expect (service, delivery, cleanup, rentals)?
Depending on the event, add-ons can include staffing levels, bartenders/bar packages, rentals (china/flatware/linens/tables), delivery/logistics, and venue-specific requirements. We’ll itemize these in your proposal so you can see the full picture upfront.
Do you require a deposit to book?
Yes—typically a retainer is required to reserve your date, with payment milestones outlined in your agreement.
When is the final guest count due?
We’ll set a clear deadline in your agreement (often 1–2 weeks before the event), since staffing and ordering are based on that final number.
What is your cancellation policy?
Policies vary based on timing and event scope. Your agreement will outline cancellation terms clearly, and our team can walk you through them before you sign.
How can I reduce catering costs without sacrificing quality?
A few smart levers are service style, menu structure, and where you spend your “wow.” Buffets or stations can reduce staffing compared to fully plated service, and thoughtful menu design can deliver a premium experience without overcomplicating execution.
Do I have to provide vendor meals or children’s meals at my event?
It depends on your vendor team and your guest list—but it’s a common need, and we can plan for it. We’ll help you decide whether to include vendor meals (often for teams working through dinner) and whether kids’ meals make sense for your event style and timeline.
What do you do with leftover food?
If it’s safe and appropriate to do so, we can package remaining food at the end of service for you to take home (based on food safety timing and what was served). Your on-site lead will confirm the best plan for leftovers during the event.
Why would I choose Messina’s over another catering company?
Clients choose Messina’s for the combination of culinary quality and operational experience—because great events require both. We also keep the planning experience personal: your catering sales team member stays your main point of contact from booking through execution, so you’re not passed around from person to person.
Family-owned, deeply tenured team, and consistent client satisfaction for decades—that’s the recipe.
Gourmet-To-Go Help
What is Gourmet-To-Go?
How do I order Gourmet-To-Go?
How much notice do you need for Gourmet-To-Go orders?
Most orders require advance notice, and the lead time is shown during ordering. For holidays or special menus, ordering earlier is always a good idea. (Messina’s Online Ordering)
Where do I pick up my Gourmet-To-Go order?
Pickup details and instructions are included in your confirmation email. If you have questions before pickup, contact our team and we’ll help. (Contact Us)
Do you deliver Gourmet-To-Go orders?
Gourmet-To-Go is designed as pickup at this time.
What’s your cancellation policy for Gourmet-To-Go?
Because items are made to order, cancellation depends on timing and production status. The easiest way to confirm is to review the policy at checkout or contact our team with your order details.
Large-Scale Events and Ongoing Food & Beverage Programs
What is festival food and beverage management?
Festival food and beverage management is planning and running hospitality at scale—bar operations, staffing, equipment, layout, timing, and guest flow. Messina’s has decades of experience supporting major New Orleans festivals, with trained staff, multiple commissaries, and the equipment fleet needed to execute off-site at a high level. (Festival Management)
What festivals has Messina’s managed?
Messina’s has managed prominent festivals including French Quarter Festival, Boudin Bourbon & Beer, Creole Tomato Festival, Uncle Sam Jam, Family Gras, Jazz Fest, Fried Chicken Festival, Lundi Gras Festival, and Satchmo SummerFest.
What is venue food and beverage management?
Venue food and beverage management is when a team operates the food and beverage program for a facility on an ongoing basis—menu planning, staffing, purchasing, service standards, and day-to-day operations.
(Food & Beverage Management)
Do you have a school lunch program?
Yes—Messina’s provides chef-prepared lunches to a handful of local schools. The program focuses on fresh meals, consistency, and a smooth day-to-day experience for schools and families.
(School Lunch Program)
Plan Your Event with Messina’s
Ready to create a memorable event your guests will rave about?
Our catering and event specialists are here to help you every step of the way—from initial planning and menu design to on-site coordination and flawless execution.
Messina’s Catering & Events
916 Dakin Street
Jefferson, LA 70121
504-469-7373