Great Caterers of Iowa — Local services in Pleasant Hill

Great Caterers of Iowa didn't ruin our wedding reception, but they sure tried. There was a noticeable difference between the food we tried at the tasting and the under-seasoned slop they brought to our reception. Combine that with the fact they weren't ready on time, so we had 100 guests milling around with no appetizers, no drinks, nothing. Finally, the caterers brought out 20 appetizers for 100 people. I had to stop visiting with our guests to get after the caterers to do their jobs. One of the catering staff did tell me that the problem was that there was more than one reception going on at the venue (Scottish Rite) and they had delivered all of our food to the other reception. Eventually, everyone got appetizers, but it was embarrassing. The food at the tasting was extremely good, but what was delivered was sloppy, under-seasoned, and just average at best. I will say that the bruschetta was excellent at both the tasting and the reception. That's about the only good thing I can say for this caterer. Our wedding planner was upset with the caterers, reached out to the management after our reception and was told "they had done nothing wrong". Avoid using this business. Update in response to the owner's response. I was there, you were not. I'm sure your employees told you that they did everything correctly, but we sat there for fifteen minutes before 20 appetizers came out. The food was not nearly as good as you seem to think it was. There was a massive difference between what we got at the tasting and what you delivered. I didn't bring up the issue with the bar because I understand that was on the wedding planner, not you. I was disappointed that your employees asked both my wife and I for payment when we had prepaid for everything. Overall I wouldn't recommend your...

We recently worked with Joni and her team at Great Caterers of Iowa for our wedding, and our experience began with a wonderful tasting that immediately won us over. The food was delicious, and just as importantly, Joni and her staff made us feel genuinely welcomed and at home.

One of the standout aspects of working with Great Caterers of Iowa was their flexibility in creating custom desserts we loved. On the wedding day, the staff was attentive and ensured we, as the bride and groom, were well taken care of — even saving appetizers for us, which we truly appreciated.

That said, there were a couple of issues worth noting. Unfortunately, one of our guest tables was inadvertently missed during dinner service and did not receive their meals until a guest brought it to the staff's attention. While the team was sincerely apologetic and acted quickly to remedy the situation, it did impact the dining experience for some of our guests.

Additionally, for those considering family-style service, we recommend having a clear discussion about presentation. We were surprised to see the food served in disposable containers (styrofoam/plastic), which did not match the elegant experience we envisioned. Several guests also mentioned receiving smaller portions and needing to request additional servings rather than being proactively offered more.

Overall, we would still recommend Great Caterers of Iowa. The food and service had many highlights, and with clear communication and attention to details around service expectations, they can be a great choice for...

If you’re on the hunt for a wedding caterer look no further than Great Caterers of Iowa! From the moment we stepped into their tasting, their warmth and hospitality set the tone for an exceptional experience. They were prompt, professional, and incredibly responsive throughout the entire wedding planning process, making every step seamless and stress-free.

Now, let’s talk about the food—wow! Our guests couldn’t stop raving about how incredible the dishes were. The flavors were exceptional showcasing a level of expertise and passion that truly elevated our event. We were obsessed with their stuffed mushrooms, Baron of Beef, Chicken Marsala, and the impressive array of veggie options. Each dish was a hit, and we loved being able to enjoy leftovers for days after the wedding. My mom even remarked, “All this food tastes like something your grandma would make,” and there’s no higher compliment than that!

Great Caterers of Iowa exceeded our expectations in every way. They provide so much value and were so quick to say to any request! If you want your wedding to be remembered not just for its beautiful moments, but also for its extraordinary food, this is the team you want. It's obvious they are dedicated to making your wedding food memorable and unmatched. Highly, highly recommend!

Thank you staff and Joni for all...