If you want the absolute BEST tacos and catering around, you’ll go with Los Comales. The catering prices are reasonable and includes horchata and hibiscus water and all the sides for american- or mexican-style. The delivery and service was above and beyond and all the guests RAVED about the food too, coming to let me know in hushed voices “I had four, I can’t stop myself!”. Highly recommend for any casual gathering because who doesn’t love tacos?!

This black woman-owned business based in Chicago features the MOST delectable southern food menu for your next event. The pound cake takes me back to my grandmother’s kitchen table, and the mac and cheese cups are filling, but easy to grab and go for a mix-n-mingle type of event. Chef Veah will work with you to develop the best menu for your event and will go above and beyond every time.

That Cookie Betch is a Chicago-based woman-owned business. Aside from a catchy name, Beth creates simply GORGEOUS custom cookies that are individually wrapped - a perfect finishing touch to any event, small or large.

From fun and flirty to inclusive and poignant, Beth’s cookies are not only beautiful, but they are also delicious. The first time I worked with Beth, she jumped in last minute to fill in a gap for me, AND she took my theme and designed inspiring cookies that were the talk of the entire event. Trust me - if you’re in Chicago, you want That Cookie Betch at your event!

This woman-run biz is located in Northwest Indiana and serves up gorgeous charcuterie spreads and grazing tables for any occasion. Rachel is easy to work with and has fair pricing. If you’ve got something that needs a beautiful spread in the burbs or NW Indiana, this is your go-to, for sure.

Chef Josh Katt was inspired to develop gluten- and dairy-free delicious meals when he worked as a personal chef to a client going through cancer. That inspiration flows through everything Kitchfix does. Having worked with them on multiple large projects in Chicago over a span of several years, I can say confidently that I love working with them whenever possible. Not only is their food healthy and amazing, but the staff is wonderful to work with.

This Chicago-based black-owned business provides custom cocktails, event bartending, and cocktail classes (to add a learning element to your next event). With their own line of cocktail mixers, they will work with you to develop your cocktail menu that will cater to your guests. Book a class as part of your next party or event to add an entertaining element!

Michael and his team at J&L Catering in Chicago are a full-service vendor, not only providing catering but also catering/vendor coordination to assist you and make everything look seamless. Best for very large events, they have an inclusive approach and will coordinate multiple alcohol/bar and food vendors as well as provide event rentals, if needed. In addition, they help you design a menu that will contribute to your overall event vision and that kind of collaboration is invaluable.

This woman-owned, metro Detroit gourmet food company specializes in meal prep, charcuterie, catering, and in-home chef services. Chef Cat Shapiro always delivers a playful and colorful culinary experience. She is great at taking your event goals and translating that into the food experience as well. From the grazing tables to the mini poke bowls, to her vegan offerings, she will satisfy your guests cravings every time.

Beyond Catering is based in Chicago and has handled some of my larger events with ease. They are great to work with and the food is delicious. Their staff is always courteous and reliable too. Highly recommend!

Chicago-based business offers charcuterie catering as well as private chef services. Their grazing boards are a perfect blend of sweet and savory and are delivered on boards that have edges (EDGES!) so you don’t lose bits rolling off the sides. Wonderful to work with, they will deliver or arrange for pick up.

With multiple Chicago locations and their food truck, Fat Shallot is a name people get excited about at events. Their sandwiches are upscale but accessible and I always try to snag some truffle fries whenever we have them at events! Wonderful to work with and a crowd-pleaser, highly recommend adding them to your food truck vendor list.

I have worked with the Happy Lobster folks several times and their food and service never disappoints. People are always happy to see their colorful food truck as an alternative to the typical food trucks we see at events. They are so easy to work with and develop a menu, always on time and their staff makes our event guests smile. Couldn’t ask for a better food truck vendor.

Another woman-owned delight, Hip Hop Bake Shop, owned and operated by Adela Bejo, focuses on infusing her love of music (and Motown) with her talent for making delicious treats. I can never get enough of the light and sweet Wu Tang cookies, or the Busta Lime (Key Lime) Pie - but she also caters large events. Watch out though - if you don’t snag your fave when she is setting up, you probably won’t get any at all (not that I speak from experience or anything!).

This black woman-owned Detroit business produces the most delicious desserts you’ll ever dream of. Ms. Field’s (yes, that is her name) creations are nothing short of heaven-sent and infused with soul and, as the name suggests, JOY. She caters to events and individual orders, in case you want to send a delicious thank you to a business partner or speaker you’ve worked with.

Detroit City Distillery creates small batch artisanal whiskey, gin and vodka using the finest local ingredients sourced directly from farms near the distillery and tasting room located in Detroit's famed Eastern Market. The result is a drink of distinction made for the revolutionaries rewriting the history of a great American city. The smoothest you’ve ever had - trust me. They also have mixologists you can hire to mix and teach for your offsite event!

Do you know a food or beverage company that would be great to add to this database? Refer them!