Cheat A Little Catering is a full service catering company, serving the Peninsula and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. We specialize in buffet and passed appetizer service, as well as family-style and plated sit-down dining. Our Executive Chef and culinary team offer fully custom-designed menus in a variety of cuisines, including vegetarian, vegan and kosher options.
From a large wedding reception or corporate function with hundreds of guests, to an intimate dinner for two celebrating a special anniversary, we cater to all occasions, including birthdays, graduations, bridal showers, receptions, luncheons, cocktail parties, holidays and corporate events. We invite you to see what makes Cheat A Little Catering one of the most sought after catering companies in Northern California.
From a large wedding reception or corporate function with hundreds of guests, to an intimate dinner for two celebrating a special anniversary, we cater to all occasions, including birthdays, graduations, bridal showers, receptions, luncheons, cocktail parties, holidays and corporate events. We invite you to see what makes Cheat A Little Catering one of the most sought after catering companies in Northern California.
Services
Our Meal Delivery Service is well-received, with weekly rotating menus to keep it fresh and new, while continuing to provide client favorites. We offer two types of Delivery Service. The first, a simple and easy delivery of food in recyclable/disposable containers; perfect for "heat and serve" and "oven-ready."
Cheat A Little Catering has been providing wedding services since it was founded. We're proud that many of the weddings we have catered were referrals by previous newlyweds with whom we've worked.
Our wedding design team will not only create a delicious and personalized menu for your special day, but we also help you select the perfect venue, work with local floral designers, assist with all rentals and reception equipment needs, as well as arranging a consultation with our go-to pastry chef to craft your dream wedding cake.We are happy to offer you a full wedding planner to help you with every detail of your wedding.
Our wedding design team will not only create a delicious and personalized menu for your special day, but we also help you select the perfect venue, work with local floral designers, assist with all rentals and reception equipment needs, as well as arranging a consultation with our go-to pastry chef to craft your dream wedding cake.We are happy to offer you a full wedding planner to help you with every detail of your wedding.
It pleases us, to please you. We value all of our clientele, and we're proud to share some of the comments and "thank you" notes we've received from previous successful events. I just wanted to let you know how much we all enjoyed the event at our house last night. So many guests commented about how delicious the hors d'oeuvres were, and how beautiful the setup was.
We're a well-established full-service catering company, and have a core group of event staff, as well as a team of on-call catering professionals. We provide professional and courteous service at catered events in our client's residences and at event venues throughout the bay area. We believe in having a supportive, collaborative and fun work environment for everyone and offer bonuses and gratuities, as well as complimentary meals.
Reviews (22)
Devon Moretti
Dec 27, 2021
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I used Cheat a Little for my wedding and it was the best decisions I made. Brian was so responsive and did so much to make sure that our day was wonderful and we didn’t have to stress at all. I remember walking into the dining room the day of the wedding and being blow away at how beautifully everything came together. Not only did they provide the food, but they provided any needed tables, chairs, staff, decor, and the cake. The food was so good and all of the guests wouldn’t stop talking about it. All of the staff was so friendly, they made everyone feel welcome. The bartender they brought
San Carlos B.
Dec 15, 2021
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Brian and his team are terrific. Had an event scheduled for Dec 10, '21 with another caterer in a venue that had strict insurance requirements that my first caterer couldn't fulfill at the last minute. Contacted Brian and he worked with me and the venue to produce all of their COIs (Certificate of Insurance). We had a great dinner and his team was easy to work with and the food was FABULOUS!! He saved our event and everyone was so appreciative of it. Please use them - you won't be sorry!
Mark K.
Dec 12, 2021
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My wife and I wanted to throw a pleasant low key holiday party, and I found Brian and his team on Yelp. They were great! His team was super professional and took charge/initiative in a pleasant manner. We were able to relax and not stress at all. Food and arrangements were brilliant. Theme/feel of party was what I wanted. And all the rentals/setup on target.
Stefanie Y.
Oct 24, 2021
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We did wedding catering and rental through cheat a little. Highly recommend! Everything worked out very smoothly. It did not take any of my attention on the day. Everything just magically appeared in place. (With all the things happening on the wedding day, it means so much.) Many guests commented on how great the food is!! We have a fairly tight budget and Brian was able to work it out with us. I do want to mention that a percentage service fee is applied to all the services you get through cheat a little. Something to keep in mind while budgeting. In the end the smooth transition is definitely
Leslie T.
Jun 05, 2021
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Recently hired this team to cater a private company event at my home and it was an exceptional experience. The food was fantastic - everyone raved about all the dishes. The staff was professional, organized and affable. No detail overlooked. We were all extremely impressed. I would not hesitant to hire them again. Great job!!
Steven Hollifield
Oct 31, 2020
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Positive: Professionalism, Quality
Great local business that helps support local communities. They provided a fantastic lunch for Fox Theatere during the community business "deboarding" project this weekend. Good crew that respects and adheres to the Covid health and safety standards. Would definitely use them for any party we have coming up!
Great local business that helps support local communities. They provided a fantastic lunch for Fox Theatere during the community business "deboarding" project this weekend. Good crew that respects and adheres to the Covid health and safety standards. Would definitely use them for any party we have coming up!
Melina D.
Sep 28, 2020
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Ernie S.
Jun 14, 2020
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I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Brian and his team. We hired them to assist us with a community event and during a time where social distancing and just being plain ole safe is so extremely important, Brian was able to help us navigate it all, while preparing an incredible lunch for the community. Outstanding service Brian, thank you!
Sheri Gill
Oct 09, 2019
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Ordered a full tray of charsui royale and 1/2 tray of macaroni salad for a potluck. The food was ready on time and hot. The guests loved the food. A few recognized the food by sight and said, "Wow Cheat A Little Catering that's great!"
Thank you Paul for your consistent high quality and good service.
Thank you Paul for your consistent high quality and good service.
Melissa K.
Sep 11, 2019
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We hired Cheat a Little to cater a board reception at our home based on the good reviews here and on Nextdoor. We were disappointed in several aspects of the experience and embarrassed by the poor quality of the tepid, dry food.
Most importantly, neither the kitchen chef nor the on-site chef paid any attention to the directives regarding food allergies. Though I had discussed the issue in detail with both James and Brian, and it was in all caps at the top of our event order, the very first dish they brought out was covered in an ingredient we had requested not even be brought onto our property
Most importantly, neither the kitchen chef nor the on-site chef paid any attention to the directives regarding food allergies. Though I had discussed the issue in detail with both James and Brian, and it was in all caps at the top of our event order, the very first dish they brought out was covered in an ingredient we had requested not even be brought onto our property
Kerry R.
May 03, 2019
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We needed help catering a party on short notice, and Cheat A Little Catering saved the day! James was so easy to work with and super helpful. I loved that they had ideas for popular kids' food, as our party had kids and adults. The food was delicious and the cook and server were wonderful - I highly recommend them!
Anna L.
Apr 10, 2019
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I have a side business as an Event Coordinator and Cheat A Little Catering will always be a top pick of mine! They are so quick on response time, offer a wide selection and are always happy to customize a menu to fit my clients needs. James is my go to guy and not only has a wonderful presence but is highly knowledgeable. Their delivery team has a great attitude and is very engaging with both myself and my clients. Thank you Cheat A Little for all that you do! You absolutely have my recommendation!
Jiliane P.
Feb 22, 2019
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I am a Wedding Coordinator who recently collaborated with Brian and his team on a wedding at CuriOdyssey in San Mateo. Long story short - the wedding was a success, service was smooth, and Brian's team helped make it all happen.
Leading up to the wedding, he was very hands on in preparing the details for the set up of the day. He and the bride chose linens, napkins, and other colors together. We had a venue walk through together where we Brian took detailed notes and provided feedback on setup. This kind of personal attention is what takes vendors from good to great.
Cheat-A-Little was
Leading up to the wedding, he was very hands on in preparing the details for the set up of the day. He and the bride chose linens, napkins, and other colors together. We had a venue walk through together where we Brian took detailed notes and provided feedback on setup. This kind of personal attention is what takes vendors from good to great.
Cheat-A-Little was
Audrey B.
Aug 18, 2018
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Cheat a Little catered my August 2018 wedding at the CuriOdyssey Museum. I reached out to them because they are on the approved caterer list and I knew they'd know the venue and its logistics. Our wedding's organization definitely benefited from the company's positive relationship with the museum. I worked with Brian, who was professional and organized from the start.
Cheat a Little coordinated table/linen/flatware/glassware rentals, non alcoholic drinks, cocktail hour food, dinner buffet and a dessert/coffee bar. Our menu was 3 passed appetizers and some stationary mezze platters
Cheat a Little coordinated table/linen/flatware/glassware rentals, non alcoholic drinks, cocktail hour food, dinner buffet and a dessert/coffee bar. Our menu was 3 passed appetizers and some stationary mezze platters
J. K.
Jun 10, 2018
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Kevin B.
Jan 30, 2018
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Hello We used Cheat a Little for my dads celebration of life. These things are hard to plan in terms of getting a proper head count. We ended up having over 200 guests while predicting 125. Brian and has staff took everything in stride and worked so hard for the event. They provided excellent service. In addition, they were very complimentary of the event itself and were just a pleasure to work with.
Regarding Brian, the owner, I have to say I have never been so impressed with someone. We had mistakenly thought that the venue we went with provided a speaker and sound system (long story). We
Regarding Brian, the owner, I have to say I have never been so impressed with someone. We had mistakenly thought that the venue we went with provided a speaker and sound system (long story). We
Pam W.
Oct 22, 2017
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We had a tasting with Cheat a Little Catering a couple months ago when we were trying to decide which caterer to use for our October wedding. Although we didn't end up choosing Cheat a Little Catering, I still want to give the tasting experience some props!
Brian was very professional. He and his chef came prepared with everything they needed for the tasting, including the cutlery, glassware, and plates. Our table was set up very nicely to show what sort of table setting could be used. When the food was served, the chef described each dish to us so we knew exactly how the dish was prepared
Brian was very professional. He and his chef came prepared with everything they needed for the tasting, including the cutlery, glassware, and plates. Our table was set up very nicely to show what sort of table setting could be used. When the food was served, the chef described each dish to us so we knew exactly how the dish was prepared
Edward B.
Aug 02, 2017
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We used them for my son and daughter-in-law's baby shower. They were very easy to work with and very accommodating of our last minute changes.
Day of the event, they came in like a whirlwind and set up and were ready to go when the guests arrived. The servers were very attentive to the guests, as well as making sure the buffet was well stocked. We received great reviews on the service as well as the food. When the party was over, the kitchen was clean and the extra food was packaged and in the refrigerator. And their price was very reasonable.
Couldn't have asked for more, and would
Day of the event, they came in like a whirlwind and set up and were ready to go when the guests arrived. The servers were very attentive to the guests, as well as making sure the buffet was well stocked. We received great reviews on the service as well as the food. When the party was over, the kitchen was clean and the extra food was packaged and in the refrigerator. And their price was very reasonable.
Couldn't have asked for more, and would
Jonnie R.
Apr 24, 2017
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Absolutely wonderful catering service!
I worked a lot with Brian and Nikki and was extremely pleased with how nice, flexible and helpful they both were.
After walking through the venue for my partner's surprise party, Nikki helped me design a layout of the place and offered her advice on amount of tables to use, which actually saved me money.
They were extremely flexible with the menu and my overall requests - I think I changed things 5 or so times, ha.
All of my guests LOVED the food (beef tenderloin, citrus salad, bread, jalapeño mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, vegan quinoa stuffed
I worked a lot with Brian and Nikki and was extremely pleased with how nice, flexible and helpful they both were.
After walking through the venue for my partner's surprise party, Nikki helped me design a layout of the place and offered her advice on amount of tables to use, which actually saved me money.
They were extremely flexible with the menu and my overall requests - I think I changed things 5 or so times, ha.
All of my guests LOVED the food (beef tenderloin, citrus salad, bread, jalapeño mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, vegan quinoa stuffed
Jenn M.
Jul 31, 2016
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I used them over the weekend to cater my Baby Shower. They arrived ahead of schedule to set up and provided very nice display serving trays. They also printed out label cards, so my guests knew what each dish was.
The planning process was easy and done primarily via email. Lots of entree selections and items that are low fat; as we wanted to keep our catering somewhat healthy and light in meal content. The waldorf and spinach salads were light and so good!!! My guests commented the whole time on how great the food was.
Pricing was reasonable, compared to other local venues and last minute
The planning process was easy and done primarily via email. Lots of entree selections and items that are low fat; as we wanted to keep our catering somewhat healthy and light in meal content. The waldorf and spinach salads were light and so good!!! My guests commented the whole time on how great the food was.
Pricing was reasonable, compared to other local venues and last minute
Kristan S.
May 13, 2016
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I have to say I was really disappointed with the food and the service. My husband's company hired Cheat A Little Catering to cater their annual awards ceremony held at the Fox Theater in Redwood City. Here are the high/lowlights of my experience:
*My husbands steak portion was teeny tiny, maybe 2 oz. at best, while mine was about 4, so I gave him my plate and essentially went hungry, as the rest of the food on the plate: veggies and potatoes were also in a teeny tine portions. We sat in 2 hours of traffic getting to the event and we were starving. I think I ate more bread rolls that night
*My husbands steak portion was teeny tiny, maybe 2 oz. at best, while mine was about 4, so I gave him my plate and essentially went hungry, as the rest of the food on the plate: veggies and potatoes were also in a teeny tine portions. We sat in 2 hours of traffic getting to the event and we were starving. I think I ate more bread rolls that night
Luqia H.
Oct 20, 2015
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I am adding one star on my review because I have called the owner Brian, who apologized for the unsatisfied service and offered to pay the $160 cost of the additional refreshment I paid from my own pocket if I remove my review on Yelp. I agreed to it first but I felt bad doing so. That's why I decided to not get the payment but update some information here.
1. In the response, I was blamed for being 30 min late. However, I was never instructed a time to meet at the first place. I appreciate they arrived 1 hour before the event started, but I assumed setting up some simple refreshment will
1. In the response, I was blamed for being 30 min late. However, I was never instructed a time to meet at the first place. I appreciate they arrived 1 hour before the event started, but I assumed setting up some simple refreshment will
