Catering By Design, and Catering By Design Pantry — Local services in Rochester

Catering by Design has become our "go to" place for take out. Though we live in the Twin Cities, we drive to Rochester periodically to stock up on their frozen pantry items to keep in our home freezer. Everything is take and bake...and we find that everything goes straight from the freezer to the oven...to the table perfectly. Their soups heat up in the microwave oven so well, too--perfect for cold weather. They have a wide variety of always-available items...and every week they also have specials for that week (be sure to sign up for their weekly email to see what they are). They use only high quality ingredients--so we're never worried about additives...and they have vegetarian and gluten-free options, too. Our favorites are their meatballs, stuffed cabbage rolls, lasagna, mac & cheese...and of course, their cookies...! The staff is friendly and helpful...and the owners, Kathy and Jeff, are hands-on professionals who love helping their customers pick just the right items the feed small families and large groups. They also do professional catering for events of all sizes...and will happily work with customers to plan and provide the perfect meal for every occasion. Very highly...

I've been a customer since March/April 2020. I was crazy sleep deprived with my newborn and cooking was put on the back burner 😆 When I couldn't find the time or motivation to cook, I'd pick up a meal here. The couple who owns have always been so kind. I picked up an order on Mother's Day with my newborn in tow. Kathy was the first person who had wished me a Happy Mother's Day. Meals are delicious and generous. I usually get the meals intended for 2 people and they easily feed my toddler and I with leftovers, or us and a third person. The lemon Romano salad dressing is so delicious. Pot roast is equally yummy. The only meal I didn't care for was the corned beef and cabbage, but everything else has been on point. Definitely a...

Catering By Design catered our office event today. 2 things - we've had many events catered by other companies in the past; and, I'm a foodie... Their food was fantastic! I can honestly say this is, hands-down, possibly some of the very best food that Rochester overall has to offer. Fresh ingredients, made from scratch, with no skimping by using sub-par ingredients or substitutions. The menu was a taco bar, which historically for me at least, has always been merely 'meh' - but they took it next level. The food was your standard offerings, but the flavors and freshness were outstanding. I will most DEFINITELY be visiting their brick and mortar, and HIGHLY...