CHEFS Catering Co.

Best of Weddings (6x)

Lexington Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. 45 mile radius

About this vendor

CHEFS Catering is a wedding catering company based in Lexington, VA. Owned and operated by experienced Chef John Stallard, the business aims to provide top-quality food to suit your wedding. Whether you are holding a formal black-tie event or a more casual celebration, the team is happy to cater to your requirements. John Stallard manages the team at CHEFS and expresses his life-long passion for the culinary arts in his work. With over 30 years of experience in the catering industry, John has worked in a variety of roles, including kitchen hand, bartender, and executive chef. He thrives on the complete process of food preparation, menu creation, and client interaction. With his extensive knowledge and industry expertise, John inspires his team to provide exemplary service. CHEFS Catering offers a number of catering services to suit your special occasion. The talented chefs can cook a wide variety of food to suit your palate, using quality ingredients and professional cooking methods. From classic Italian to modern Mexican cuisine, the team offers an extensive selection of menus for you to choose from. Various dietary restrictions can be catered for, with gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free options available. The catering team strives to create delicious and wholesome food that will keep your guests satisfied. They are flexible in their approach and can travel within 45 minutes of Lexington. We very much look forward to the opportunity to further discuss how we may be of assistance with your upcoming event, and will respond via phone or email within the next 24-36 hours. If you have not heard from us after that time frame, we ask that you PLEASE check your spam or junk folders to make sure we weren’t filtered out of your inbox.

Details

Cuisine

American
BBQ
Cajun
Chinese
French
Greek

Dietary Options

Dairy Free
Gluten Free
Nut Free
Sugar Free
Vegan
Vegetarian

Food & Catering

Buffet
Catering Clean Up
Catering Delivery & Setup
Chef Stations
Family Style
Menu Tastings

Awards and Affiliations

5

out of 5.0

67 reviews

Search reviews

12/12/2024 • Amanda L

People still talk about how delicious our food was a YEAR ago! Chef John (who has a pure love and passion for cooking) was not only attentive and quick to respond even during busy wedding season, but also listened to what we wanted and came up with a selection of food that would be fun and interesting for our guests within our budget. They served pre-ceremony cocktails, kept everyone fed and enjoying themselves all evening with late night foods too. As a fellow wedding vendor myself, I see the behind the scenes of wedding vendors and chose CHEFs because they have always done a great job serving guests as every wedding and keeping everyone with full bellies and having a great time! On the day of the wedding they were able to help setup a missing man table as well which was so kind of them to do. I highly recommend them!

11/18/2024 • Sarah S

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Chef John and the entire C.H.E.F.S. Catering Co. team. From the very first conversation to the last bite of our reception meal, they went above and beyond to ensure our wedding day was nothing short of perfect. We had originally chosen a venue in Lexington, but after a change of plans, we moved the wedding to Charlottesville. Despite the added distance, Chef John was more than willing to travel and work with us. He was incredibly communicative and patient as we navigated the challenges of planning from afar, always responding to every question I had—no matter how small—with thorough details and thoughtful advice. His knowledge and experience were evident in every aspect of the planning process, and he made us feel confident and at ease every step of the way. One of the things that stood out the most was Chef John's genuine care for our guests' needs. He took food allergies and dietary restrictions seriously, making sure that every guest was catered to with care. For example, my now-husband has a dairy allergy, and Chef John made sure to prepare his entree separately so he could enjoy it with peace of mind, just like everyone else. That attention to detail meant the world to us. The staff was equally wonderful, always going the extra mile to make our day special. They were incredibly attentive to our 92-year-old grandmother, ensuring she didn’t have to get up for anything and checking in on her throughout the night to make sure she was comfortable. It was clear they were invested in every guest's experience. Throughout the evening, the team was always present, but never intrusive, ensuring everything ran smoothly. Service was seamless and timely—there were no delays whatsoever. And let's not forget the food! It was absolutely fantastic. Delicious, plentiful, and beautifully presented. From the appetizers to the main course, every dish was a hit. The staff even greeted our entire bridal party with a spread of drinks and appetizers as we returned from the ceremony—such a thoughtful touch that made us feel truly pampered. They even sent us home with all of our extra food packaged up and extra plates of food for each of us - labeled and dressed to stuff our faces with after a long day of celebrating. If you are looking for a catering team that is not only skilled but genuinely kind, accommodating, and invested in your special day, look no further than C.H.E.F.S. Catering Co. Chef John, your passion for what you do is unmatched, and we are so incredibly grateful for you and your team. There are truly no words that can express how much we admire you and the care you put into making our wedding unforgettable. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! 5/5 stars doesn't even feel like a high enough rating for the outstanding service.

11/17/2024 • Anna L

If we could, we would give Chef John 11/10 stars! In the early phases of wedding planning, my fiance and I were stunned by the catering quotes we were receiving, but then we found CHEFS, which provided a very reasonable quote with a wonderful menu of options for our wedding reception. From the day we booked CHEFS through the wedding day, Chef John was incredibly responsive via email, always answering our questions quickly and efficiently. We were able to schedule a tasting well in advance and Chef John helped us select the ultimate menu for our wedding reception. The food was absolutely delicious at the tasting, and incredibly, it was even better on our wedding day! The caterers were willing to go the extra mile by picking up our midnight snack from a local restaurant at no additional cost as well. Most wonderfully, CHEFS assigned a catering team member to us on our wedding day. Our water glasses were always full and we could always get a drink or snack when needed. And after our wedding, Chef John sent us home with 3 giant to-go containers with our dinner and appetizers. We didn't get to eat much at the wedding, but we ate the leftovers for 2 days, and they were phenomenal. We highly recommend using CHEFS Catering for your wedding!

11/05/2024 • Justine I

We had an amazing experience from start to finish with John and the CHEFs Catering crew. John is down to earth and personable which made our wedding tasting experience so much fun! Everything we tried was delicious and there was such a variety of food options to choose from. On our wedding day, so many guests told us how the food was some of the best they have had at a wedding! The staff was also friendly, clean, and organized! They worked flawlessly with our other vendors and made the whole experience smooth and perfect!

9/11/2024 • Reagan P

We couldn't have asked for a better catering experience for our wedding! From start to finish, Chef John, the owner, was incredibly professional and attentive. The food was absolutely phenomenal! With countless choices from their provided menu, we crafted a delicious menu that we and all of our guests enjoyed. Leading up to the event, Chef John’s communication was seamless and he was willing to accommodate our requests and needs with flexibility and ease. The day-of staff were friendly, efficient, and went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. After the ceremony, Jen ensured that we stayed hydrated and were not without a drink in our hand—this was so thoughtful and necessary! CHEFS Catering deserves well beyond 5 stars. We are beyond grateful for their outstanding service and highly recommend them to anyone looking for excellent catering!

8/22/2024 • Doug L

So many of our guests complimented not only the terrific food, but the attentiveness and professionalism of the entire staff. Chef John and his team are top notch, and made a memorable occasion enjoyable for everyone!

8/21/2024 • Barbara M

CHEFS is simply the best! Chef John is truly a mastermind with both food and drink. Chef John’s culinary creations are some of the best I’ve ever tasted and how lucky were we that such delectable delights were a part of our big day. Honestly, if I could eat Chef John’s food every single day, that still would not be enough. John’s team executed our vision so perfectly on our wedding day. We could not possibly have had any better food at our wedding, and, more importantly, we could not have had any better people to interface with our guests than John and his fabulous staff. I cannot say enough good things about John and his team, and we would choose them over and over again if given the chance. Chef John’s communication is truly unmatched. He is always prompt with all of his responses. He went above and beyond to understand our priorities and he helped us to achieve the menu of our dreams! Chef John took the time to review our rather lengthy list of dietary restrictions and he let us know what each of those 10+ guests could eat from our menu and also said that he could make them each a specialty meal if we wanted. Chef John was open and honest, encouraging and helpful. Chef John also took on the challenge of catering our wedding, which was not at a regular venue, but at our house instead. Of course, this setting posed plenty of obstacles that Chef John and his team tackled with grace and proficiency. I saw nothing but smiles on their faces throughout the entire night. Chef John was so much more than just our caterer and we are incredibly grateful that choosing CHEFS was our first wedding decision.

7/24/2024 • Emma M

Choosing CHEFS to cater our wedding was one of the best decisions we made! Chef John and his staff were extremely professional, reliable, and flexible. About a month out from the big day, I (a nervous, indecisive bride lol) decided I wanted to completely change the menu. John was able to whip up a new proposal and quote within days! We highly recommend anything from the Tour of Italy menu :) CHEFS was so accomodating for guests with dietary restrictions, which I greatly appreciated! We sent a lot of emails throughout the process, and John always replied within a couple of days and addressed every question or concern. His responsiveness is top tier, which really makes a huge positive impact when wedding planning! Delicious food, tasty beverages (highly recommend the full bar package), and all for an amazingly affordable price! We cannot recommend CHEFS enough. Thank you Chef John for everything! You are the best!!!

6/29/2024 • Bethany T

CHEFS is the most amazing catering company. From Chef John answering all my questions in a quick and timely manner and helping direct me with different food options to the amazing staff always making sure everyone was happy. And they have the best and tastiest food with enough variety to keep everyone pleased. We are so happy we went with them for our wedding!

11/21/2023 • Katlin D

CHEFS recently catered our wedding and we couldn’t be happier with the service they provided. From the beginning, Chef John put together our perfect menu based on a few foods we knew we wanted. Their team was very responsive during the planning process as well. Our guests are still talking about how much they loved the food station options and the great taste. Every staff member was professional and attentive, even having our own server dedicated to just the bride and groom. I’d highly recommend CHEFS to anyone getting married or hosting a dinner party!

11/17/2023 • Rebecca M

Chef John is so attentive to detail, accommodating, responsive, and just the best person ever. We were SO blown away by Chef John and his team! The food is incredible and had rave reviews from everyone at our wedding. The best part though is how thorough Chef John is in attending to the bride and groom. We had our own personal attendant who brought us our favorite drinks after the ceremony along with cocktail hour food, and who brought us our plates for dinner and continued to check on us. This was so helpful since we were so busy getting caught up in conversations and loved being able to enjoy the food and drinks without having to wait in any lines! CHEFS catering also boxed us up to-go boxes with dinner and cocktail hour food which we enjoyed the next day on our honeymoon. Last, but not least, Chef John is such a friendly and personable vendor which goes a long way. He personally came up to us several times throughout our wedding to make sure we were happy and even came out at the end of the night to hug us and congratulate us. He’s an incredible person and everyone on his team is an extension of his friendly demeanor!

10/17/2023 • Audrey M

Working with Chef John and the CHEFS team was a dream. They were so easy to communicate, were very accommodating, the food was AMAZING, but most important to us, their team was kind and the service for us and our guests on our wedding day was superb. We loved working with them and have nothing but great things to say!

10/14/2023 • Caroline H

Chef John and his team were amazing to have catering our wedding. They made sure the bridal party had food and drinks as well as our other vendors. Chef John was very responsive and flexible throughout the wedding process. The food was amazing!!!! We can't recommend enough!!!!

10/11/2023 • Molly H

CHEF John and his team were our favorite vendor for our wedding. Not only was the food he catered amazing, he was pleasant to work with throughout the entire planning process. His communication with us was impeccable and we really enjoyed working with him. I would highly recommend CHEFS for your wedding or any other event you plan!

9/18/2023 • Colby L

As a planner from NYC in the industry for over 14 years - I worked with Chef John and his team for the first time in Lexington Virginia at Big Spring Farm. I could NOT have asked for a better Chef and group of servers. Him & his team were amazing to work with and very helpful. Their food... AMAZING! I am still thinking about the very tender and delicious beef short rib they served. His team constantly checked in with me making sure I was good and didn't need any help at all. One thing that I really LOVED is after ceremony his servers took over pre ordered drinks and appetizers to the bridal party as soon as they were finished. Most catering companies I have worked with do not do that it was a very CLASSY touch. If catering companies could receive Michelin Stars they would definitely have one.

9/04/2023 • Susan F

Chef, John and his whole team were professional, kind and completely helpful from our very first experience with them. Chef John called us personally and walked through everything with us and stayed in communication anytime we had questions or remembered some thing else that was needed. On the day of the event, they showed up on time and ready to provide us with a wonderful evening. The food was great, the team was kind, helpful, and right there when anyone needed anything. I can’t say enough nice things about them. If you want to just enjoy your day and leave the food to someone else. Call Chefs Catering !!

7/19/2023 • Chandler C

Chef John and the entire CHEFS catering team was hands down our favorite vendor at our wedding and our best decision. From the moment I contacted Chef John, he was gracious, prompt, clear, and so warm and pleasant to work with. He made us feel like family, and was incredibly accommodating with our allergies & special food requests. Most guests at our wedding said it was the best wedding food they'd ever had, and we agree. And, despite the rising costs of goods and services, CHEFS stuck to our original budget and there were no surprises at the end. We can’t recommend them enough!

5/25/2023 • Rose O

Chef John was amazing to work with. He was kind and helpful and answered all questions promptly. His staff is professional, attentive, and were a joy to work with. In the stress of wedding planning he is someone you want to work with. And did I even mention the food? It was wonderful! We got so many compliments from our guests. And Chef John made sure that we ate and gave us to go boxes to enjoy the day after. So wonderful.

5/19/2023 • Shelby M

Hiring CHEFs catering for our wedding was one of the best decisions that we made!! From the day we inquired all the way to our wedding day, Chef John was a joy to work with. He and his staff were timely in their communication, accommodating of all our questions, and hospitable with their service! The dedicated team member just for me and my husband was so nice!! We highly recommend hiring CHEFs for your wedding or event!

2/19/2023 • Jessica F

We were absolutely thrilled with the catering services provided by CHEFS at our wedding. From the initial consultation to the big day, John was a joy to work with. He was very patient and responsive and helped us craft the perfect menu. The food at our tasting was absolutely delicious and it was just as good on the day of. Our guests were raving about the food all night and after the event. John’s staff were incredibly professional and attentive to us and all our guests. We really appreciated their attention to detail. They had drinks and appetizers ready for the wedding party immediately following the ceremony and had an assigned staff member for my husband and I to make sure we had what we needed. We didn’t have to worry about a thing as they took care of everything with the utmost professionalism and care. Overall, we highly recommend CHEFS to anyone in need of a top-notch catering service. They provided an exceptional culinary experience and outstanding service that made our wedding day truly memorable. We can’t thank John and his team enough for all of their hard work and dedication!

2/10/2023 • Pollon B

STOP looking right NOW and hire C.H.E.F.S Catering for your wedding or any special event. Chef John and his team was the BEST decision my husband and I made during our wedding planning process. Chef John and his team are out of this world amazing! My husband and I love food and wanted to incorporate that love for food at our wedding and did not want your typical boring / everyday wedding food. Chef John worked with us and created an out of this world menu that our guests are still talking about. EVERYTHING was delicious and made with love - Chef John and his team are the BEST!

12/30/2022 • Hannah W

My husband and I hired CHEFS for our wedding - and man what an amazing decision that was. Even before we booked CHEFS John was incredibly responsive and kind. Working with him and his team was an absolute pleasure and joy. Every interaction we had with him throughout the planning process and during the wedding itself contributed to the joy and positivity of the day because of his kindness, professionalism, flexibility, and his own joy. The team was so so sweet and attentive the day of the wedding. The food was delicious - my mom still raves about it. And somehow the prices was THOUSANDS of dollars less expensive than other caterers, but that has nothing to do with the quality of food or service. We went with a taco buffet and I have a ton of food sensitivities and the team prepared a meal especially for me, and my sister who has similar dietary restrictions. We LOVED working with CHEFS and cannot recommend them enough! Thank you for the incredibly important role you played in our special day and your kindness throughout the process!

11/03/2022 • Emily E

12/10 would recommend booking CHEFS Catering for your wedding day! Chef John and his team are extremely professional, communicative, and just all around good people. Chef John was amazing to work with and truly had a personal investment in making our wedding day food the best that it could be, and exactly what we wanted. CHEFS has a HUGE menu of options, but they can also create any type of dish you want, and it all comes at a very reasonable price for high quality. They even provided disposable plates and cups for our cocktail hour for no additional charge! We got to meet Chef John at our tasting (which we had at the bed and breakfast his family owns in Lexington -- very cute spot!) and immediately knew he just loves doing what he does and would be there to support us during the entire planning process, which he was. We can't thank John and his entire team enough for everything -- we are so glad we were able to work with you and get to know you! :)

10/24/2022 • Gabi O

Where to begin.. Chef John and his staff were one of the best decisions in planning our wedding! He will work with you to create anything you can imagine, so easy to communicate with, and his staff treat you and your family like royalty. On top of that, the food is AMAZING. We had CHEFs cater both our wedding and our welcome party the day before. We cannot thank Chef enough for everything he did for our weekend and are already looking for more reasons to hire him in the future!

8/08/2022 • Lilli A

Very pleased that we chose CHEFS catering for our wedding. The food was delicious and the staff were professional. They made the entire process very smooth and seamless. 10/10 recommend, you will not be disappointed!

6/29/2022 • Rachel F

Let me just start by saying, go ahead and book CHEFs and you wont be disappointed. I had heard so many wonderful things about Chef John and his team and knew over a year in advance that I needed to have him at my wedding. Good thing we booked him, because everyone wants him! John and his team were outstanding to work with. They were prompt, courteous, and professional. Wedding planning is stressful, and John was patient and helpful throughout my whole process. When my rental company closed down, he went out of his way to help me find replacements, which he didn't even have to do! We trialed the wedding food a few weeks before, and were stunned at how tasty everything was (honestly still dreaming about the green beans and Flank steak with garlic aioli). Everyone at the wedding raved about the food! Chef John truly cares about his customers and his team. He is a great people person and I felt well informed the whole time. He explains everything and is very upfront about costs, which is a testament to his honesty. You cannot go wrong with this team!

6/11/2022 • Ashley Z

Chef John made our wedding day menu planning so easy and was such a joy to work with! He was responsive, kind, and flexible. His team was engaging and thoughtful during our day. They made sure all our needs were met - from drinks and snacks right after the ceremony, water during photos, personalized service during dinner, and even a to-go meal for our travels the next day! The food was delicious and we couldn't have imagined working with anyone else on our wedding day!

5/30/2022 • Ashleigh M

C.H.E.F.S catering was incredible through the whole planning process!! John is great at responding quickly and answering any questions I had! They also don’t nickel and dime you like every other catering company does which was amazing!! I also received many compliments on the food from guests saying it was the best food at a wedding they had ever had! Many people went up for seconds and some for thirds! If your getting married or have an event coming up I cannot recommend John and his team enough!!

5/15/2022 • Halley T

CHEFS & John were LOVELY to work with. He was able to customize the menu to fit our vision perfectly and accommodate changes as time went on. Everything tasted great and all of the staff and bartenders were friendly and attentive. He thought of every detail, from providing us (the bride + groom) with a dedicated server all night, giving the wedding party cocktails and appetizers while we were taking photos during cocktail hour, and giving us each a to-go box of the full wedding meal and the late night food at the end of the night. Thank you John and CHEFS!

5/04/2022 • Kylie S

John and his team with C.H.E.F.S Catering are incredible. Their food and service is fantastic. Everything he prepares is absolutely delicious. The hardest part was deciding which items to have for the wedding. The choices are unlimited!! His team of servers is amazing. They took care of all the guests at the wedding but took especially good care of the bride and groom to make sure they had everything they needed all throughout the reception. They are genuinely kind and caring, very professional and always responsive to any questions and/or changes that may arise leading up to the wedding day. If you want food and service that is beyond expectations, John and his team at CHEFS are highly recommended!

3/02/2022 • Megan W

My now husband and I can not say enough wonderful things about CHEFS catering company. My husband and I planned our wedding about two years out and the first thing we did was book our caterer, which was the best decision because John went above and beyond to offer advice and planning tips and offer his help anywhere he could throughout the entire planning process. Once wedding day arrived John made me feel so assured that everything would run smoothly and I wouldn't have to worry about a thing. John, his wife and his team knocked it out of the park!! Not only was everything beautifully set up and organized by the staff by the time I and the guests arrived to the venue. as soon as the ceremony was over the CHEFS team greeted myself, my husband and our entire bridal squad with cocktail hour drinks and snacks PRE PICTURES. the entire night Johns wife took superb care of me making sure i had a full drink in my hand and a full belly all night. Most people tell you planning a wedding you never get to eat at your wedding and let me tell you with this amazing team that is not the case, not only did we get to enjoy our cocktail hour food but we were able to sit at a table with full plates already made at dinner as well. We also had plates packed up and sent home with us that we got to enjoy again that next day! I seriously can not say enough great things about the staff, they were all super friendly, attentive and helpful all night. and last but not least, THE FOOD!! Its been almost 6 months since the wedding and I still get so many compliments on how fantastic all of the food was. Our venue ( Big Spring Farm) does not have a kitchen which did make me nervous, but not only was the food hot and fresh but sooooo so good! Mashed potato bar was a hit and I still have dreams about the bold rock marinated pork ribeye steak! So if you're questioning whether or not you should go with CHEFS, the answer is most definitely YES! you wont regret it, my day wouldn't have been perfect without them! Thank you John and your team for everything!

1/14/2022 • Brooke & Andres M

We can’t thank John & his entire team enough – they couldn’t have done a better job with our wedding! We had the opportunity to work with them twice, as our original wedding was postponed due to covid. Anytime we had questions or issues navigating our ever-changing wedding plans, they were extremely helpful & accommodating. John’s entire staff is top notch. Every single person was so kind & accommodating. There wasn’t a moment where someone wasn’t checking with my spouse and I to make sure we had enough food, drinks, etc. The service they provide is incredible – they go above & beyond! Last, but certainly not least, their food is amazing! Please try the mac & cheese – you won’t be disappointed! We can't recommend John & his team more - they are the perfect example of a catering team that will ensure your wedding night is exactly as you planned it!

11/01/2021 • Whitney M

Chef John was absolutely amazing to work with very responsive any time we had questions. The food was incredible I have had so many guests tell me how good the food was and the cocktails were perfect! The staff was so attentive, our cups were NEVER empty, we had someone checking in on us constantly for drink refills, more food, etc. Right after the ceremony we had drinks waiting for the bridal party as well as cocktail hour food and they continued to bring us all drinks and apps during family pictures as well which was very much needed! I think our favorite part of all was the to go bride and groom meals as well as a to go box of cocktail hour food and I didn't fully appreciate it until it was the day after the wedding and we were still recovering mentally and physically and we didn't have to cook! It was such a nice touch I only wish I had more of it!

10/30/2021 • Alyssa S

Chef John and his team were absolutely wonderful to work with! They catered our rehearsal dinner and wedding in October 2021. Not only was the food AMAZING but I can't say enough good things about the service itself. John was extremely helpful, willing to work with our needs, and communication was always prompt. Day of, they were timely, professional, and flexible when last minutes changes needed to be made. As the bride, I completely trusted John when he said, "Don't worry, we got it!" and they absolutely killed it!! CHEFS is invested in your event and you can tell they truly care for their clients. Currently looking for another event to plan so I can hire them again! Don't think twice - BOOK CHEFS - You won't be disappointed!

10/19/2021 • Carley B

C.H.E.F.S. is an absolutely INCREDIBLE catering company. Besides just amazing, delicious, customizable menus, they are SO awesome to work with in the planning process! As a wedding planner, I appreciate vendors who communicate clearly and promptly, and C.H.E.F.S. truly goes above and beyond to make sure that their clients have a full understanding of what they're getting. There can be lots of hidden/unexplained fees involved in catering, but C.H.E.F.S. is transparent and the value is amazing. Day-of, they are timely, the staff is knowledgeable & professional, and they ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. All of this on top of DELICIOUS food! I couldn't recommend them more :)

9/11/2021 • Shayma J

Next to getting married to the love of my life, hiring John and the CHEFS team was the best decision EVER. I sincerely don't have the words to do justice to this team. There are vendors, and then there are people like John who want to embrace what your wedding means to you and do every single thing in his capacity to bring that vision to life and take it even further. John is a visionary; he is talented beyond measure, flexible, warm, and treats his staff and anyone around him like family. I am a big foodie and had a very different, specific vision for my wedding. I wanted a South Asian/Mediterranean family style mezze meal-- which included specific recipes that I loved. John never blinked. He actually took the time to learn new methods of cooking and explore different dishes to give us the best dinner service we could have imagined. Instead of making me feel like I was burdening him with the specific requests, he told me he enjoyed the opportunity to expand his culinary knowledge. That is a truly artist! Our guests RAVED about dinner. I will never forget it. Hiring CHEFs will be the best decision you will make-- don't think twice.

8/05/2021 • Kristina P

If you're looking for a caterer for your wedding, stop now and book with CHEFS! John & his team are not only amazing and kindhearted people-they truly know what they're doing when it comes to making delicious food and providing excellent service! After our tasting, we knew without a shadow of a doubt that the food would be delicious, but we realized just how amazing their entire operation was on our wedding day. The staff and servers were attentive, polite, and very professional. Their buffet was seamless and it was the quickest I have ever seen an entire wedding be served buffet style--ever. For us, appetizers and dinner weren't enough of their delicious food... we had to go for the grilled cheese bar for a late night snack and it was seriously one of the best decisions we've ever made. One of my favorite memories of the night was dancing with a vienna lager in one hand and a grilled cheese in the other. Every single guest loved all the food & all our engaged friends are now looking to hire CHEFS and undoubtedly going for that third round of food! We couldn't give this team enough praise! We absolutely love them and you will too! <3 The Pauls

8/01/2021 • Macie H

First, the food was not only beautiful, but also incredibly delicious. It was everything we could have hoped for and more. Secondly, the staff was amazing the entire night. My husband and I were well taken care of and didn't have to think about getting food or drinks so we could mingle and celebrate. We would highly recommend CHEFS to anyone having an event in the Lexington area!

6/29/2021 • Hayden F

John and his team are simply the best of the best! Our food was amazing and the service was exceptional. CHEFS makes sure that all of your needs are met and they go above and beyond their responsibilities to make sure everything is perfect. I highly recommend John and his team for any of your catering needs.

6/21/2021 • Christine B

Two words: DELIGHTFUL and DELICIOUS. Not only is the CHEFS team such a joy to work with, but WOW their food is amazing. The guests at our wedding were blown away! They also handled the bar on our wedding day, and every member of their team seems to have a servant's heart - they never let us lift a finger. Could not recommend them more, and wish I could get married 100 times (to the same person...) so I could always eat, drink and be merry with their blessed souls!

2/03/2021 • Lael B

My goodness! John was such a pleasure to work with and have at our wedding reception!! If you’re looking for a great catering company that has an exquisite food menu, and an awesome and hard-working staff, you’ll want to go with C.H.E.F.S. !! A very talented bunch of culinary staff members, and very easy to communicate with. Also, with the circumstances of the pandemic, John was very understanding and flexible with everything, even if the guest list did not meet the standards for their rules on items from their menu portfolio. Also, I was partial to their chicken breast. It tasted absolutely divine. The food quality from here is top notch! Overall, I’d highly recommend C.H.E.F.S. for anyone looking for a first rate caterer!!

1/02/2021 • Courtney T

I cannot count the number of wedding guests who commented on the caliber of our food and service. If you are getting married in Lexington, I would not look any further than CHEFS Catering. (I can say this after pricing and comparing with many others even outside the Lexington area.) I will be recommending them to friends getting married all over Central Virginia including the Roanoke area. We did a tasting and loved everything we tried. We almost did not do a tasting at all due to not living in the area anymore and also because I had heard such glowing reviews from others that seriously everything is great. John, the owner, worked us in very last minute and I'm glad that he did because the tasting experience was a great chance to get to know him further. We were an unfortunate COVID wedding who postponed our May wedding to September and John could not have been easier to work with. If someone is easy to work with when almost everything is going wrong and you have essentially no idea of guest count, then I am positive he is outstanding for the general wedding. We did passed appetizers which were all a hit. Then some of our dinner is shown in my photos. The photos of our dinner look like I grabbed stock catering photos from google. We had the flank steak with gorgonzola butter and the grilled chicken bruschetta, where many guests cannot decide the favorite. The herbed garlic mashed potatoes still have guests talking. We did a buffet style dinner and the serving staff were beyond knowledgeable, professional, and fast at getting people through the line. We also hired them for bartending our open bar and the guests loved the bartenders. All around, I am still getting comments about how we had the "best wedding food' people had ever had and that the staff was so professional that it felt like no one was ever waiting for anything. As an added bonus, the staff was extra attentive to us during the wedding and were almost always bringing us drinks and food as they know that we would otherwise not have time to do so. Top notch crew! Another note is that one of the main reasons for why we chose CHEFS was the pricing. We spoke with so many caterers who would charge $1/plate to cut a cake (that we had already bought) or $1/glass to pour champagne. CHEFS including those kinds of services in addition to offering extremely reasonable pricing on the food that they do prepare. We purchased our own alcohol in bulk and then hired them for bartending, but almost changed our minds last minutes as even their alcohol packages far exceed other venders.

11/20/2020 • Kirsty M

We can't recommend CHEFS enough! John was quick to respond to us and kept us informed every step of the way, for our wedding. He was helpful in making choices, and even helped coordinate rentals. The food was fantastic and our guests raved about their meals. CHEFS was punctual, and extremely professional during the day of our wedding and took care of everything. They made our big day super easy and enjoyable! They also took great care of the bridal party, especially my husband, daughter, and myself. If you are looking for a great caterer that isn't going to break the bank, look no further than CHEFS! They are fantastic!

11/06/2020 • Ryan W

John and his crew at CHEFS made a COVID wedding as easy as can be expected. The food was not only magnificent, but the service his crew provided was impeccable. They waited on us hand and foot. Even when we had 20 people back out the week of the wedding, John worked with us to save us the most money we could. John was extremely easy to work with and I would highly recommend to anyone. You can tell he really loves what he does and he's great at it! PS. He even impressed the Wisconsin crowd with his beer brats and we know brats.

10/20/2020 • Richard G

We had a wonderful experience working with John to set up our catering menu for the wedding we never had. Our wedding was canceled due to Covid19, as the bride's family was unable to travel internationally from Australia for our date. It was a hard decision to make, but I can honestly say working with John made it easier. He was understanding and as flexible as he could be during a time when no one really knew what to expect next (Spring 2020). More importantly, leading up to that point, in every communication he was polite, punctual, and professional. I've no doubt, had we been able to throw the wedding we'd planned, his team would have exceeded our expectations. He knows his business very well & would be my first recommend to friends or family looking for a caterer in Southwest Virginia.

9/10/2020 • Brogan B

Thank you John and team for the most unbelievable catering experience ever. From the time we met them my fiancé threw a ton of new things their way, hoping to create food stations with a ton of different amazing options. We didn’t even end up doing a tasting that’s how much we trusted him and wow, did he deliver. I still haven’t figured out how they prepared that many stations and different types of food and they were all UNREAL!!!!!!! Chef is the most honest and unbelievable person to work with. His team is incredibly talented and professional and he could charge 3x what he does because he’s just that good. Our guests loved our menu and we were so thankful for his flexibility and creativity. We can’t say enough good things!!!!! Don’t hesitate to book them. You will not regret it- INCREDIBLE!!!!!

8/24/2020 • Katelynd S

I wish more than 5 stars existed because John and his team far exceeded my expectations, and went above and beyond what I thought any caterer would ever do to make our day perfect. I could cry at the amount of things that he and his team did to provide such a seamless and amazing experience. From the beginning, John was so attentive to my needs and such a breeze to work with. He even took the time to explain to me how the layout would be for my wedding because I was confused on how things fit in our venue. He made it so easy to customize our menu with our price point, and there were so many added things that I didn’t even expect. They provided plates and napkins for dessert at no charge, a self serve drink station, and were willing to bring their own tables so that we could use the ones at the venue (originally reserved for him). My mom made our cake and cupcakes and John was willing to let her store them in his freezer AND bring them to the venue on our wedding day at no extra cost. They provide cake cutting utensils for free and put the cake out for us for free. Covid then added on to the complications but that didn’t phase John because he did everything in his power to ensure that everything was distributed safely. He adjusted our self serve cocktail hour food to be instead passed as premade food, at no extra cost. His staff wore masks and kept everything safe and sanitary the entire evening, along with plexiglas. Buffet was also safe because he and his staff put the food on the plates for our guests. Also included was to have his staff set all of the tables with the dinnerware and plastic ware that we bought. He let us provide our own alcohol and then had bartenders we could pay to serve. He had his staff consistently serve us drinks and food during our cocktail hour - they walked all the way our to where we were taking pictures to ensure we still enjoyed the food and drinks too. Last but not least, the food was AMAZING. I am just blown away at the quality you can get for the price and I will forever be grateful to them for everything they did.

2/11/2020 • Hillary J

We can't say enough good things about John and CHEFS catering. The food was excellent, from the passed hors d'oeuvres through the main course. They were also incredibly easy to work with, very fair in pricing, and their employees were all so sweet and really seemed to enjoy themselves the night of, which is obviously nice to see as a bride! They also made sure our head table had our own server both during cocktail hour photos (they made sure I always had a glass of champagne in my hand!) and dinner, so my husband and I didn't even have to get up to get our food! John was also very helpful with recommendations for other vendors for a specific late night snack we wanted. We highly recommend them for wedding or event catering!

1/14/2020 • Morgan C

John and his crew are INCREDIBLE. CHEFS catered both our rehearsal dinner and wedding reception and the food was unbelievable. Our rehearsal dinner food came right off the grill and our wedding night food included tacos with all the fixings, my husbands favorite watermelon salad, and late night grilled cheese amongst other wonderful options. We still hear that our food was some of the best wedding food our guests had ever had. John was clear and thorough in all of the pre wedding communication and he and his team (including those at the bar) executed so efficiently on our special day(s). Through every interaction, in person and email you could feel how invested and genuine John was. I'm so thankful we went with CHEFS! Wish I could give more than five stars.

1/05/2020 • Lillian E

John and his team were wonderful for my whole wedding day! They were good at being quick and under the radar while we were taking pictures and cocktail hour. The food was delicious (BRUNCH is a great idea) and a staff person checked up on us periodically and that helped contribute to a seamless day. John introduced himself when they arrived and every email interaction was personal and genuine. I loved working with them and would highly recommend!

11/29/2019 • Nicholas V

Of course, your daughter's wedding day is one of the best days in a father's life. We are so thankful to Chef John Stollard and his C.H.E.F.S. Catering Company staff for everything they did to make our daughter's wedding day at The Seclusion in Lexington, Virginia, such a success. We have been told by many of our friends and family that it was the best wedding they ever attended. Chef John and his staff were a big part in making it such a wonderful day. Whenever I looked at the catering team, they always had a smile on their face and aimed to please asking if anything was needed. The food presentation was creative and delicious with outstanding service, first class in every respect. We also appreciate how Chef John worked with the bride, groom, and parents to make sure every detail during planning was executed to perfection. The team was flexible with last minute unforeseen changes and went out of their way to take on additional responsibility that was needed as the wedding hour was approaching. Our family continues to talk about the wedding ceremony and reception and how blessed we were in so many things. It was a glorious day and we are thankful for everything Chef John and his team did to make the day so wonderful.

11/20/2019 • Lauren M

CHEFS Catering was the best decision we made! We inquired with several catering companies and some of the more popular ones were several thousand dollars more for the same high quality and services. John and his team were flexible, honest, high quality, and reasonably priced. Unlike bigger companies we were able to customize our wedding exactly how we wanted it and John made it happen within our budget! He also took care of all of our rentals which was one less thing I had to worry about. His staff was exceptional at the wedding and everything ran smoothly. They truly go above and beyond! Oh- and the food! Of course this was the best part! :) Everything was delicious and our guests raved about it all... and still are! This is an even bigger compliment because my family is full of foodies and good cooks and their expectations were high- CHEFS EXCEEDED them!! My husband and I were also thrilled to enjoy left overs after the wedding for a couple days and it was still just as good as the night of. CHEFS was truly exceptional and we are so grateful for their role in making our day perfect!

11/16/2019 • Caitlin H

I do not have enough amazing things to say about John and his CHEFS Catering team. From our very first interaction, John was the kindest and most responsive vendor we worked with. He crafted a delicious menu that was full of fall flavors for our fall themed wedding. He does anything and everything he can to support his customers, both financially and in customer service. He worked with us to craft a plan for the catering and bar package that was exactly what we wanted but still within our price range. We live 3.5 hours from where our venue was and he made planning from a distance SO easy. Our already overwhelming respect for John was multiplied when he set up a tasting for us. We were going to be in town for the weekend and contacted him last minute to ask if we could come taste some of our menu items. He expressed that it was a jam packed weekend for his team with multiple events but he would see what he could do. He actually MOVED MEETINGS so that he could cook a sampling for us and had us over to his home to taste it. Unbelievable. At the wedding, his staff we extremely attentive and very personable, in the best way! They were very professional but also were real people who would talk and joke around with our guests, instead of being robot catering waiters. We loved working with CHEFS and cannot recommenced them enough.

10/28/2019 • Marcus N

First things first: John is the most easy-going, friendly, accommodating person you could work with. He is extremely professional and courteous. Secondly, John’s (and his staff) skills in the kitchen are top-notch. The food during the tasting as well as on our big day was incredible. Our guests absolutely loved it. John provides an extremely diverse menu, so there is certainly something for everyone. Also some of our guests had dietary restrictions and John’s menu was very accommodating for vegan and vegetarian diets. Last but not least, the staff working for John were great. Much like John himself, they were incredibly professional, friendly, and easygoing. The service throughout the reception was wonderful. I simply can’t say enough about how awesome CHEFS Catering Company is. Definitely a must-have to make your wedding day memorable.

9/29/2019 • Hilary H

John and team were an absolute DREAM to work with! They did both our rehearsal dinner and wedding reception. Not only was the food incredible but they were so responsive to emails and their entire staff took care of us all night long! Thank you Chefs catering team. We love you!

9/29/2019 • Abigail S

CHEFS Catering is the best! John and his team were wonderful throughout the entire wedding planning process. When my husband and I were unable to attend the food tasting, two of our closest friends went instead and John treated them like family. Not only is John one of the kindest individuals we've ever met, but he is also very accommodating. He worked closely with us to design the perfect menu while staying within our budget. The food that CHEFS Catering prepared for our wedding reception was out of this world. My only regret is that we don't live closer. If we did, we would hire CHEFS Catering again and again! Thank you, John, for helping to make our Big Day so special.

9/24/2019 • Kristin L

CHEFS Catering Company is absolutely amazing to work with! John, the owner, is such a pleasure to work with. He truly makes the experience personal (from food tastings, to menus, to rentals) and is always on top of things-specifically his emails. As for the food and day of service, everything was above and beyond! The food was drool worthy (confirmed by us and several of our wedding guests) and the service was outstanding. No one was without food or a drink throughout the night, especially my husband and I as we had our own personal server checking in on us frequently. I can honestly say, we could not have asked for/worked with better vendors for our wedding, but especially CHEFS Catering Company! Thank you for everything!

9/12/2019 • Kristen R

FAVORITE vendor of all time!! John and his team were better than I could ever imagine. We had them cater both our wedding and rehearsal dinner and both nights everyone couldn't stop talking about the food. For our wedding we asked John to do a brunch theme and they were some of the best chicken and waffles I've had! You could tell John genuinely loves what he does. He was quick to respond and from our first conversation I knew we clicked. I also didn't realize how much went into serving dinner Family Style and John stepped up and figured out all the details for us and executed them perfectly! I am so thankful for Chefs Catering. I wish I had more events coming us for them to cater! Book them now before they fill up!

8/23/2019 • Katie D

OUTSTANDING!! Chef John was beyond amazing to work with! The food was perfect but more importantly he and his staff were so thoughtful and friendly to all of my guests. He really goes above and beyond to make sure everything is easy and perfect on your wedding day. We had numerous friends and family members make comments about how awesome the food was but also about how fun/friendly all of our catering staff was.

8/22/2019 • Karla L

Our experience with CHEFS as the caterer for our wedding was beyond incredible! John exceeded our expectations on all fronts; going in for the tasting, we felt like we were being welcomed into a home. John is down to earth and a straight-shooter; he made us feel so welcome. Then came out the food... we could barely chew it because ours jaws were on the floor over how amazing everything was! It was a no-brainer that we would go with CHEFS when John sat down with us (after our bellies were happily filled) and went over prices, set-up at our venue (which he was very familiar with), and the flow for the wedding day. Throughout the whole process John was always readily available via email, very responsive. He also didn't try to fit us into a "package" but was very flexible in accommodating our requests and needs. Wedding day of course was AMAZING. We made it a point to sit down and eat because we were so excited for the food! And we did! And it was amazing! His staff was professional and very much on top of things. Our wedding was on a hot summer day and there was never cold drinks and water lacking. If I had to do it over, I wouldn't change a thing with CHEFS. 11/10 WOULD recommend :)