Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
1. What areas do you serve?
We cater events across the Capital Region, Hudson Valley, Berkshires, and Upstate New York. Common locations include Albany, Saratoga Springs, Troy, Hudson, Rhinebeck, and Great Barrington.
2. What types of events do you cater?
We handle weddings, corporate functions, social gatherings, fundraisers, and private dinners. From small gatherings to large-scale galas, our team adapts to fit your space, timing, and vision.
3. Are you a full-service catering company?
Yes. We handle everything from menu design and staffing to rentals and production. You can choose full-service catering or delivery-style service depending on your event needs.
4. How far in advance should we book?
Peak season events (May–October) typically book 8–12 months ahead. For off-season events or smaller gatherings, we recommend a minimum of 3–4 months.
5. Do you have a minimum guest count or spend requirement?
Minimums vary by date, location, and service type. Smaller events and weekday bookings may have more flexibility. We’ll discuss all details during your initial consultation.
Menus and Food
6. Do you offer custom menus?
Yes. Every menu is designed around your event, season, and preferences. We use local, seasonal ingredients from regional farms and producers to build menus that feel thoughtful and personal.
7. Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Absolutely. We regularly create menus that include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-conscious options. Just let us know early so our chefs can plan accordingly.
8. Do you use local ingredients?
Yes. Local sourcing is a big part of who we are. We partner with farms like Tiashoke Farm, Samascott Orchards, Yellow Bell Farm, and Goffle Road Poultry to ensure freshness and quality in every dish.
9. Do you provide tastings?
Tastings are available for booked events, typically held 3–6 months before the event date. They help finalize menu choices and confirm service style.
10. Can we make changes to the menu after booking?
Yes. Menus can evolve as we get closer to your event. We’ll confirm final selections about one month out to allow time for ordering and prep.
Service and Staffing
11. Do you provide staff for setup and service?
Yes. Our service team handles setup, food service, and breakdown. Depending on the event, this may include chefs, servers, bartenders, and event managers.
12. What does full-service catering include?
Full-service catering covers menu design, staffing, equipment, and coordination with your venue and other vendors. We handle every detail so you can focus on your guests.
13. Can you help with rentals or linens?
Yes. We can coordinate all rental items including tables, chairs, flatware, glassware, and linens through our preferred rental partners.
14. Will someone from Crafted be on-site during the event?
Always. Every event has a lead manager on-site to oversee timing, service flow, and communication with your planner or venue.
Weddings
29. Do you handle plated and buffet service?
Yes. We offer plated, buffet, family-style, and hybrid service options depending on the event style and venue setup.
30. Can you help coordinate with our planner or florist?
Absolutely. We believe strong collaboration is what makes great events. We’ll work with your planner, florist, and rental team to keep everything cohesive.
Corporate and Private Events
31. Do you cater office lunches or corporate meetings?
Yes. We provide delivery, drop-off, or full-service catering for corporate lunches, meetings, and celebrations.
32. Do you offer non-alcoholic bar options?
Yes. We can provide mocktail stations, specialty coffee bars, or seasonal beverage pairings.
33. Do you offer recurring corporate catering or retainer options?
Yes. For ongoing events, we can create a recurring service plan or standing account with seasonal menus.
Sustainability and Sourcing
34. How do you reduce food waste?
We carefully portion menus, compost organic waste, and work with local partners to minimize waste from production through cleanup.
35. Where does your food come from?
We source ingredients from trusted regional farms and purveyors including Tiashoke Farm, Samascott Orchards, Goffle Road Poultry, Yellow Bell Farm, and Adventures in Food.
36. Do you support local charities or community events?
Yes. We regularly participate in fundraisers and local collaborations that support food access and community programs.
Final Details
37. What makes Crafted different?
Our approach is simple: real ingredients, calm execution, and genuine hospitality. We don’t chase trends — we focus on food and service that stand the test of time.
38. How do we start the process?
Submit an inquiry through our contact form or give us a call. We’ll schedule a quick call to discuss your event and create a proposal tailored to your needs.
39. How far will you travel for events?
We regularly serve the Capital Region, Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, and Berkshires. For larger destination events, we’re happy to discuss travel arrangements.
40. Who will I work with?
You’ll be paired with a dedicated event manager who will guide you from proposal to event day. Our leadership team oversees every detail to ensure consistency.
Bar and Beverage
15. Do you offer bar service?
Yes. We provide licensed bartenders and full bar setups. You can supply your own alcohol or choose one of our bar service packages.
16. Can we do signature cocktails or specialty drinks?
Of course. Our bartenders can create custom cocktails and mocktails that match your menu and event aesthetic.
17. Do you provide glassware and mixers?
Yes. We offer complete bar setups including glassware, mixers, and garnishes. These can also be sourced through our rental partners if needed.
Logistics and Coordination
18. Do you work with outside planners or venues?
We do. We collaborate closely with planners and venues to make sure every detail is handled smoothly. If you don’t have a planner, we’ll help with basic event coordination.
19. What do you need from us before the event?
Once booked, we’ll need your venue details, timeline, and any vendor contacts. We’ll create a production schedule and confirm all details about a month before your event.
20. What happens if guest counts change?
We can accommodate small changes up to two weeks before the event. Significant increases or decreases may impact pricing and staffing.
21. Do you travel outside your main service area?
Yes, depending on the scope and location. Travel fees may apply for events more than one hour from our Troy, NY headquarters.
Pricing and Payment
22. How does pricing work?
Pricing depends on menu choices, staffing needs, service style, and location. Once we discuss your goals, we’ll create a detailed proposal that outlines all costs clearly.
23. What’s included in your proposal?
Your proposal includes menu pricing, staffing, rentals, and any additional services. It’s designed to give a clear picture of what’s included and what’s optional.
24. What payment methods do you accept?
We accept check, ACH, and credit card payments.
25. What deposit is required to book?
A 25–50% deposit is required to secure your date, depending on the event type. The balance is due prior to the event.
Day-of Details
26. When do you arrive for setup?
Arrival time depends on the event size and venue access. Most events require 2–3 hours of setup time before guest arrival.
27. Do you provide cleanup?
Yes. Our team handles all catering-related cleanup including kitchen, food stations, and bar areas.
28. What do you do with leftover food?
Due to food safety regulations, we cannot leave perishable leftovers unless arrangements have been made in advance.
