A Guide to NYC Caterers Pivoting to Home Delivery: From Groceries to Prepared Foods

With weddings, corporate events, and mitzvahs canceled across the state, New York’s catering companies have seen a dramatic drop in business. Many of the city’s top event businesses are now pivoting, offering everything from farm-fresh produce to comforting meals to go. This means New Yorkers’ work-from-home meetings can now be catered by the company that did their weddings, or the next batch of quarantine cookies can be made with artisanal chocolate pistoles.

A few companies are only offering pickup, while others have revamped their websites and social media accounts to include delivery options. Some find dining caterers have high minimums, while others are offering more affordable meals and provisions. Some are even still taking last minute orders for the Passover and Easter holidays. This list will be updated, so check back for more options — though warning, as demand goes up and circumstances change, delivery times and other details like menu items may as well.

Groceries and provisions

Naturally Delicious: Caterer to top media companies and plenty of chic Brooklyn weddings, this 20-year catering veteran is selling curated boxes of high-end provisions — ranging from gluten free grains to artisanal baking ingredients.

Purslane: This ethically conscious company has a zero-waste philosophy and is now shipping both a weekly CSA box and a prepared family-meal. Choose a la carte options for prepared food on Caviar, or get the provisions and bigger meals by through a subscription service. It’s part of the same company that owns popular restaurants and bars June Wine Bar, Rucola, and Rhodora.

Prepared Foods

The Pixie and the Scout: Agricultural sustainability is one of the key features of this caterer, whose clients include Gap, Etsy, and Squarespace. Now, the company is offering a provisional and heat-at-home menu, which includes vegetable dips, soups, and fresh ingredients from local farms. Bonus: If placing an order for cheese with Crown Finish Caves, the company will include the cheese order in a free delivery.

Cobblestone Catering: After closing its retail store for pickup, this chef-owned corporate, social, and in-home caterer is offering family-style delivery menus. Rotisserie chickens, hot sandwiches, and heart vegetable sides are available on Caviar.

Neuman’s: First founded in 1996 by 40-year food industry veteran Paul Neuman, Neuman’s Kitchen does everything in house — from pastry-making to smoking, fermenting, and pickling an array of thoughtfully-sourced ingredients. Now, the caterer known for its Andy Warhol-inspired gazpacho shooters is delivering lots of comfort foods, including cheddar biscuit-topped pot pies, to Manhattan, Long Island City, the Hamptons, and Long Island. Order minimums are $175 for Manhattan/LIC and $400 for the Hamptons and Long Island.

Dish Food and Events: This caterer has serviced corporate events and weddings across Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Hudson Valley, and the Hamptons, including an annual expo hosted Kleinfeld Bridal, of Say Yes to the Dress fame. Dish is offering a full menu of breakfast items, individual bento box dinners, and a selection of wine and beer. To-go orders within NYC require a food and beverage minimum of $350.

Ready-to-Heat Meals

Olivier Cheng Catering: This Tribeca caterer, whose posh waiters were once profiled in the New York Times, is now offering a holiday drop off menu available for Passover and Easter. Minimum 10 guests and delivery to NYC and the Hamptons. Email emma@ocnyc.com for details and to place an order.

Chef Lance Knowling: Once a part of the team of chefs that catered Chelsea Clinton’s wedding, chef Lance Knowling has created a home delivery menu of five affordable meals, featuring dishes like breaded pork cutlet in a white wine and caper sauce and broiled filet of sole. Menu changes weekly.

Lemons and Olives: When servicing events, this Williamsburg caterer aims to transport guests to country life and local tavernas of Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The company’s home delivery menu, which includes a family-style option which serves three to four, includes dishes like free-range chicken piccata and flank steak with mushroom penne.

Brooklyn Kitchen Catering & Events: Specializing in platters of classic party pleasers like shrimp skewers, pigs in a blanket, and chicken wings, this Brooklyn caterer is cooking up family-style meals that available for delivery. An $80 package feeds six and $160 feeds 12.

Bon Soir Caterers: “Comforting food for unfortunate times” is the new slogan for this caterer, whose home delivery menu features half pans of eggplant parmesan, baked ziti, and more. Areas served include Bergen Beach, Mill Basin, Marine Park, and Flatbush.

Red Table: A frequent caterer at venues like the Queens Museum and the Foundry, Red Table’s delivery menu is a great option for any work crews still out there on the front lines. Individually-packaged meals are available for groups of 20 or more.

Bassett Caterers: Usual offerings from this beachside caterer include everything from barbecue trays to breakfast buffets and formal wedding hors d’oeurves. Its delivery menu, which includes burgers, mac-and-cheese balls, and other indulgences, is available to residents of Sheepshead Bay, Coney Island, Seagate, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, and Midwood, with a $30 minimum.

Divine Flavored Catering and Food Truck: Launched in 2005, this Nigerian food truck and catering company serves a range of Nigerian cuisine, including suya, spiced meat platters, and goat stew. Delivery is now available via phone or online.

Zami Caterers: This Kosher catering company is still taking orders for Passover meals and provisions. Call 718-627-4945 or email orers@zamicaterers.com to order.

Bombay Takeout: Family-style tiffins and a la carte Indian staples are available from this caterer, which delivers according to a different-borough-a-day schedule. Sundays and Wednesdays are New Jersey days.

Edouard Massih Private Chef and Caterer: Brooklyn private chef Edouard Massih is offering a weekly rotating menu of Lebanese and Middle Eastern inspired dishes, including stuffed eggplant, veggie shakshuka base, and a rosewater spritz that pairs great with vodka.

Sahara’s Turkish Cuisine: This Midtown caterer is offering Turkish buffets intended for home eating with family. Each meal includes hummus, falafel, pita bread, and sauces and feeds a minimum of seven people.

Leah Rosenzweig writes about wine, cultural history, and books in Brooklyn, New York.