What makes Lorraine Lim Catering unique?

Lorraine Lim Catering is the creative partnership of Lorraine Lim and her husband Glenn Fout. We’ve been catering in Santa Barbara since 1991, and have a passion for great food and warm, personal service.

Over the years, we have worked very hard to earn a great reputation based on Lorraine’s wonderfully creative cuisine, and Glenn’s commitment to terrific service. Ask around and you’ll hear that we are very helpful in the planning process, that our staff is professional and friendly, and that our food is delicious.

What is your specialty?

Rather than draw on a single cuisine, we prefer to specialize in fresh, flavorful, food that is prepared to Lorraine’s exacting standards.  We start with the best local ingredients, incorporate sauces and dressings from around the globe, and present our cuisine beautifully on the plate or at a buffet. Check out some of our sample menus to get a “flavor” for what we do.

Do you offer tastings?

Of course! Tastings are a great time to learn more about us and our philosophy toward food and service. Whether you taste or not, it’s a good idea to meet in person to discuss your needs in detail and learn how we can bring our years of experience to make your reception a success. Often there are opportunities to preview an event that we are catering at your venue of choice.

While custom tastings incur a small charge, this fee is refunded upon booking. Complimentary tastings are sometimes available. Please inquire.

How much do you charge to cater? Can you work within my budget?

First, please know that we work within a wide range of budgets. This year, our catered events ranged in price from $30 per person to over $100 per person.

Catering cost depends on several factors: the composition of the menu, the style of service, the complexity of the event design, and the length of the event.

At Lorraine Lim Catering, we custom build our menus to meet the needs of our clients. On average, wedding catering in Santa Barbara runs between $50-70 per person. Our prices include all food and service, including set up and clean up, coffee service, bar ice and purified water. We do not charge additional fees for such things as décor, bar set up, rental coordination, cake cutting, corkage, etc.

Do I really need a set budget before calling Lorraine Lim Catering?

It’s always a good idea to set a budget in the early stages of planning your reception. If we know your budget, we’ll work very hard to give you the best possible experience within those numbers. That said, how do you set a budget when you’ve never done this before? Call us, and we’ll be happy to chat with you about your needs and give you a realistic idea what to expect. Consultations are always friendly and free of charge.

How do we reserve Lorraine Lim Catering for our reception?

A $1000 deposit, or 10% of estimated catering cost, whichever is greater, guarantees your date. Beyond this, no additional payments are due until 30 days prior to your reception.

I hate surprises on the bill? Do you have any “hidden” charges, such as cake cutting, corkage fees, décor fees, etc.?

We believe that many of these hidden charges are simply unfair. We pledge to keep pricing simple and straightforward. Therefore, your bill will include only food and service, bartenders, beverages, and sales tax, unless you’ve requested that we provide additional items.

Do you charge a mandatory gratuity?

No matter what the size of your event, we believe that a gratuity should not be forced upon you in advance. Therefore, we never mandate a gratuity on the bill. We’re confident that you’ll be happy with our services, and all gratuities are passed along to our staff.

How far in advance do I have to act to reserve you?

If you plan to party on a summer Saturday from March 1-October 31, you should book us as soon as possible. We typically book popular Saturdays 8 months or more in advance; Fridays and Sundays should be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Always contact us to discuss our availability. If we can’t help you, we’ll be happy to refer you to another professional who can.

Where do you prepare your food?

We have a terrific professional kitchen in downtown Santa Barbara that is central to most venues. However, we most often will cook your meal onsite. During a typical wedding reception, your dinner is being cooked during the cocktail hour so that it comes out of the ovens fresh and hot at just the right time.  

Do you provide references?

We are happy to provide you with references from our work. In addition, many reviews of our work can be found at various internet websites.

What is the average size of a Lorraine Lim Catering event?

Most events average 150-250 guests. We have catered intimate dinner parties for 10 and large corporate events for 500.

Are you licensed and insured?

This is a good question that we’re not asked often enough! We are a fully licensed, full service catering company. We carry business liability, Worker’s Compensation, and liquor liability insurance. We have a health permit and a business license. We are happy to provide you with copies of our insurance and permits upon request, and encourage clients to check the same with other caterers.

Tell us about your staff.

We have worked very hard to bring together a large team of professional service, bar, and kitchen staff. Our staff is positive and helpful without being obtrusive. Staff uniforms consist of black pants, white oxford shirt, and long tie, unless the client specifies otherwise.

Do you provide alcohol and bartenders? Can I provide my own alcohol?

Most clients find that the most economical choice is to provide their own alcohol. We’re happy to provide clients with bartenders, as well as provide our clients with a shopping list.  For bartending, we hire the professionals at Straight Up Cocktail Service (805 895-4097).

I need to rent many things for my wedding. Can you help?

We work with every rental company in the area and are happy to manage your order for you at no additional cost. We will help you chose a rental company based on your needs and budget, submit your order and revise it as your date approaches. We do not charge for this service.

I live far from Santa Barbara. Do I need a wedding coordinator?

A good wedding coordinator is a real asset, particularly for couples traveling from afar, as well as for large or intricate events. The best coordinators work very hard for you, freeing you to live your life and prepare for your celebration.  

If your needs are straightforward, please know that we provide basic reception coordination at no charge. We ensure that everything is set up according to your specifications, problems are solved, the reception runs according to schedule, and the venue is cleaned up according to expectations afterward.

Can you recommend a florist, cake maker, coordinator, photographer, or a DJ for our reception?

We have the privilege of working with the best event professionals in the business. Please inquire about our select referral list.

I’ve read this far. How do I get started?

Email or call us to discuss your needs. We’ll immediately offer two things: a complementary consultation regarding your unique celebration, and a custom proposal tailored to your needs. We look forward to hearing from you!