Juste Hors D'Oeuvres and Much More, LLC

Pricing should be customized to the clients' budget parameters. We are not an "off-the-shelf" catering company with prices for set packages. We feel that there are too many hidden costs in packages. Every proposal we make is broken down into the main components. This gives clients the ability to make financial decisions from a place of knowledge. Menus are developed in consultation with our clients. When we understand their wants and needs, we are empowered to work diligently to create a perfect and affordable event!

Personalized consultation is the key to a perfect event. By chatting with my prospects and asking some key questions, together we are able to hone in on the perfect mix of wants and needs and develop the right budget parameters. As catering pros, there are times we suggest options to our clients that they would not have thought of themselves often resulting in the saving of time and money! While we all love social media and e-mail, neither are the right way to plan a perfect event!

Our Chefs, Bartenders and other Staff are highly experienced. I spent many years as a teacher then a VP in a Fortune 500 company. It is the combination of exemplary cooking and planning coupled with savvy business prowess that built this business into a thriving success. We are the pros ready to assist you at every turn!!!

After many re-incarnations of careers and proud successes along the way, there came one of those life-changing birthdays. The kind where everyone tells you how great you look while inquiring when you'’re planning to retire… While retirement never entered my mind, a change in direction and the proverbial reinvention theme were definitely in consideration as this birthday aligned with far more serious life changes. While there are many reasons for redirecting one’s career and life choices, the most prevalent and important for me was the loss of my son in 2008. If there was ever a time to find a “new-normal” and search out stimulating challenges to help bring joy back into my life, this was that time. But what else could I do with my corporate executive, teacher and professional speaker background? Nothing I thought of seemed to light the fire needed to lead me in the right direction. Then it came to me. Why not do what everyone tells you you'’re great at doing and the thing you enjoy the most? For me, that is cooking! I'd been an at-home chef for decades. Cooking was the one thing that got me through the darkest of times. There was the cooking for friends’ gatherings, having dinner party after dinner party, catering a friend of a friend’s cocktail hour, catering events for my charities, etc. There were many such happenings over the years and especially during 2008-2009. Every event or at-home party were met with rave reviews. Again and again I was told, “You do this so well.” “Your food is amazing.” “I wish I could put together a party as beautifully as you do.” “You should do this for a living,” etc. When the world continually sends you the same message, one ought to be there to receive it, and this was the perfect time in my life to answer the call! Juste Hors D’Oeuvres was born of my love for cooking and the desire to share the joy it brings to me with others!

As many types of people there are, that represents our very eclectic client base! We love so many cuisines and adore getting requests for unique options!

The most enjoyable part of my business is seeing the vision or my clients come to fruition. Working in tandem with each of them and slowly but surely framing the parameters, menu, etc. of their event is a labor of love...not to mention a great deal of FUN!

The best advice I can give is to be realistic with your budget. I see many leads coming through wanting to spend no more than $20-25 per person. However, when I see what is wanted, the budget and the wants are totally out of alignment. Think of it this way, you can't buy a a roast beef sandwich, Coke and bag of chips anywhere for less than $10... not possible to have a meal with appetizers for so little... A typical corporate luncheon is $45 per per person.

1. What are the kitchen facilities like? Menu depends on what can and cannot be prepared without the proper facilities! 2. Estimated number of guests? 3. Time of the event? 4. Food restrictions? 5. Realistic Budget 6. What are you wants vs. must haves? 7. What rentals will be required? 8. Are you willing to use beautiful upscale disposables rather than rent all the dishes? This is a great way to save.