Alvin’s Kitchen

Alvin's Kitchen (Great Smoky Mountain Catering Company) catered our wedding on March 17, 2018 and violated our signed contract in a number of ways. On May 30, 2017, we booked GSMCC for our wedding. After we paid our deposit, they had a change in management. They took down the website and stopped answering calls and emails. I finally got in touch with Nene Franklin, the new manager. We signed a new contract with a good-faith discount due to their lack of communication, and we went through the contract point by point to make sure we were all on the same page with the details. Our venue coordinator (at Smithview Pavilion in Maryville, TN) also had a long conversation with Nene regarding the details. The company was supposed to be at the venue with everything set up and ready to go at 4:45 p.m. (the time of the guests' arrival), but they didn't arrived late and were still scrambling to get the food set out by the time dinner was served at 6 p.m. They were supposed to provide the glasses and mixers for the bar. The bar opened at 4:30, and because of the late arrival of the catering company, the bartender (who arrived on time, unlike the catering company) had no glasses to use until the caterer arrived. They didn't bring champagne flutes (we were charged $25), they didn't bring sausage and cheese for the bloody marys (we were charged $125), they didn't bring white buffet cloths for the buffet line (specified in contract), they didn't bring sandalwood colored napkins (specified in contract), they didn't have silverware prepared (venue staff rolled silverware in napkins because catering staff was unprepared), they did not set plates at tables as requested (so we weren't able to set wedding favors on plates, and many guests did not get favors), they didn't bring cake cutting utensils or china (specified in contract; our venue staff left the venue and bought plates and utensils for cake in order to cover up these problems), they didn't cut the cake because they claimed they didn't know how (cake cutting was specified in the contract), they didn't bring water, ice, or sugar (all specified in contract; venue staff again bought supplies to cover these mistakes), and the food was disastrously different from the menu descriptions. Quotes directly from contract: "Warm Cinnamon Rolls" looked and tasted like canned grocery store cinnamon rolls, and were not warm since they were late. "Sliced Honey Glazed Ham" looked and tasted like prepackaged grocery deli meat. "Southern Scrambled Eggs and Potato Casserole: Seasoned scrambled eggs with maple bacon and grated Idaho potatoes seasoned with a blend of green, black and pink peppers and smothered with melted sharp cheddar cheese." This was missing. Instead, they brought a tray of scalloped potatoes. It did not contain eggs, peppers, or bacon. "Sausage Gravy and Biscuits" were cold, hard, and difficult to eat. "Bacon and Cheddar Grits Quiche: This homemade quiche is outstanding. The cheddar grits become the crunchy crust and the bacon and creamy egg custard are cooked until lightly browned." This was also missing. Instead, they brought frozen reheated mini spinach quiches (some of which were still partially frozen). They contained no cheddar grits or bacon. Also, the company posted pictures of our wedding cakes (not made by them, thankfully) on their facebook page, as if claiming credit for them. I tried calling to discuss these problems, but they wouldn't answer my calls or emails.

We had a terrible experience with this company (aka Smokey Mtn Catering). They broke almost every promise in the contract (too numerous to mention here). They were supposed to cater a wedding reception for my daughter and son-in-law. The food was horrible, cold and cheap. They were late to the venue and then tried to leave early and take glasses from the tables that the guests were using. They didn't wait on anybody (no water was filled)... Guests had to get water from the bathroom sink...ugh! It was a nightmare experience. Even our wedding coordinator and bartender were shocked. Thank goodness for the wedding coordinator and her helper, because they saved the day and waited on guests. The caterer wouldn't even cut the cake and didn't bring the plates for the cake. The wedding coordinator had to run to the store and buy plates. Please be careful and find another caterer. We don't want any brides to experience what we went through.

They catered our rehearsal dinner and reception. The rehearsal was mediocre at best. Food was cold,items missing, and they couldn’t find the location which was given to them weeks prior. We rented tables to be set up in the back yard of the cabin. They were setting it all up then it started to pour rain and they continued to set up with out asking anyone if they should put the tables else where. Didn’t know they had left when they did. Veggie trays do not come with veggie dip.