Denver Event Catering
Chef-crafted catering for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, celebrations of life, holiday parties, baby showers, brunches, and every occasion worth celebrating.
Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner for twenty guests or a celebration for hundreds, The Next Course creates memorable catering experiences built around your event—not a pre-set menu.
From elegant brunches and cocktail receptions to backyard BBQs, milestone birthdays, anniversaries, graduation parties, holiday celebrations, and celebrations of life, every menu is thoughtfully customized by our chefs using fresh ingredients and exceptional hospitality.
Whether you need convenient drop-off catering or full-service staffing, we’ll help make your event effortless from the first conversation to the final plate.
Events We Cater
Every celebration deserves food that’s as memorable as the occasion.
Popular event types include:
- Birthday Parties — Casual backyard celebrations, milestone birthdays, surprise parties, and elegant private dinners.
- Anniversary Celebrations — Romantic dinners, family gatherings, and anniversary receptions.
- Graduation Parties — Open houses, backyard buffets, grazing tables, and chef stations.
- Baby & Bridal Showers — Beautiful brunches, afternoon luncheons, tea-style gatherings, and dessert displays.
- Holiday Parties — Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, company holiday events, and family celebrations.
- Celebrations of Life — Thoughtfully prepared catering that allows families to focus on one another.
- Retirement Parties — Casual lunches, cocktail receptions, and plated dinners honoring a meaningful career.
- Bar & Bat Mitzvahs — Interactive chef stations, buffets, late-night snacks, and family-friendly menus.
Looking for something different? We love creating custom menus for unique celebrations.
Menu Options
No two celebrations are alike, and your menu shouldn’t be either.
Whether you’re hosting a brunch, backyard BBQ, elegant cocktail reception, or formal plated dinner, every menu is customized around your guests, your vision, and your budget.
Popular Catering Options
Breakfast & Brunch — Chef-crafted breakfast buffets, brunch spreads, coffee service, and mimosa bars.
Boxed Lunches — Individually packaged sandwiches, salads, wraps, and bowls for convenient gatherings.
Buffets — Casual favorites, international menus, BBQ, Mediterranean, Italian, tacos, and seasonal chef-inspired selections.
Chef Stations — Interactive carving stations, pasta stations, taco bars, brunch stations, and more.
Cocktail Hour & Grazing Tables — Passed hors d’oeuvres, grazing displays, charcuterie, seafood, and appetizer receptions.
Plated Dinners — Elegant multi-course dining for milestone celebrations and formal occasions.
Desserts & Beverage Service — Dessert displays, coffee stations, hot cocoa bars, signature beverages, and late-night snacks.
Need something completely custom? Our chefs love designing one-of-a-kind menus inspired by your favorite foods, family traditions, or event theme.
Event Catering menus
frequently asked questions
Got questions? We have answers.
Q: Is there a minimum order?
A: We cater to events of all sizes, but we request a minimum of 10-12 guests for buffets, and 5 guests for plated dinners. However, exceptions can always be made, so please reach out even if you anticipate fewer guests. Please note: Minimums may vary depending on the menu and day of the week.
Q: Can you provide staff for my event?
A: Yes! We offer experienced servers, bartenders, and support staff to ensure a smooth and seamless experience. Let us know your vision, and we’ll create a staffing plan that ensures a stress-free experience for you.
Q: Can you cater breakfast or brunch events?
A: Absolutely! Breakfast and brunch are some of our most popular catering services. Whether you’re planning a corporate breakfast meeting, baby shower brunch, bridal shower, graduation brunch, or family gathering, we offer everything from continental breakfasts, boxed breakfasts, and breakfast buffets to chef-crafted brunches, coffee service, mimosa bars, and interactive brunch stations.
Q: Do you offer drop-off catering or full-service catering?
A: Yes! We offer both convenient drop-off catering and full-service catering. If you’re looking for a simple, stress-free option, we’ll deliver your food ready to serve. For a more elevated experience, our team can provide professional chefs, servers, bartenders, setup, service, and cleanup so you can relax and enjoy your event.
Q: Can you cater outdoor events or private homes?
A: Definitely. We regularly cater backyard parties, private homes, parks, breweries, ranches, event venues, and other outdoor locations throughout the Denver metro area. We’ll help you choose a menu and service style that’s perfectly suited to your venue and guest count.
Q: What’s the difference between drop-off only and full service catering?
A: Looking for a convenient option? Choose drop-off catering. We will deliver your food in disposable containers, set-it up, and leave you to enjoy your event.
Want a truly stress-free experience? Opt for full service. A chef (or chefs) will stay for the duration of your event, display food in non-disposable dishes (metal chafing dishes, glass/wood trays) and keep food replenished throughout the evening. We will also clean up afterwards, leaving your cooking space looking as good (if not better) than before we came. If your event has servers, they will also be making rounds and collecting dirty classes, plates, trash, etc.
Q: How much staff will I need for my event?
Every event is unique, so contact us to discuss your exact needs. One chef may be enough for an intimate self-service buffet, if you’d like passed appetizers we will need servers. The exact amount depends on your menu, service style and number of guests.
Q: How much does catering staff cost?
To ensure exceptional service, our staffing fees reflect the skill and professionalism of our team. Our chefs and bartenders are $350 each, and our servers range from $250-$300 per staff member. Please note that pricing may vary based on the specifics of your event, including menu complexity, serving style, and venue requirements. We’ll provide a comprehensive quote tailored to your event’s needs.
Q: What’s the cost per person?
A: Every event is unique, so pricing depends on your menu, guest count, staffing, service style, and venue. We offer everything from casual drop-off breakfasts and boxed lunches to chef-attended stations and elegant plated dinners. Contact us for a personalized quote, and we’ll recommend options that fit both your vision and your budget.
Q: Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?
A: Of course! We have a wide range of menu options to accommodate diverse dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free. Just let us know about any restrictions when you inquire. We can also create custom dishes to meet specific allergies or preferences.
Q: Do you provide catering rentals?
A: We sure can! If you require tables, linens, plates, utensils, or glassware for your event, please let us know. We’ll coordinate with our trusted rental partners to ensure you have everything you need.
Q: Can I create a custom menu?
A: We believe catering should reflect your unique vision and event theme. Share your preferences, favorite cuisines, or even your client’s favorite dish, and our chefs will craft a personalized menu that exceeds expectations.
Q: Where do you cater?
A: We proudly serve the entire Denver metro area and surrounding communities. Most events within about a 2-hour drive of Denver are within our typical catering range — including areas like Colorado Springs and Breckenridge.
For events beyond that distance, we may still be able to accommodate depending on the guest count, menu, and logistics, and travel fees may apply.
Q: How far in advance should I book?
A: To guarantee availability, especially on Saturdays during wedding season, we strongly recommend booking as soon as possible. Larger events and peak seasons require at least 2-4 weeks’ notice. Weekday and smaller event bookings can typically be accommodated with 1-2 weeks’ notice. However, booking availability fluctuates, so please inquire about your desired date at your earliest convenience.
Q: How can I get a quote?
A: Contact us via our contact form, email, or by phone today! We’d love to discuss your event details and provide a personalized quote based on your specific needs.