About this vendor
Custom Catering
Nicole's Catering is the premier off-premise catering company crafting innovative dishes for weddings and celebrations across Albany, NY and the greater Capital Region. This women owned business is powered by a talented team who love to unleash creativity through fun, flavorsome, and highly refined dishes. From your appetizers to your entrées, you can count on these culinary experts to bring you a meaningful, memorable meal service.
Nicole's Catering goes beyond the food to bring your guests the highest level of service and hospitality on your special day. Through consultations and menu tastings, Nicole's ensures that your wedding day is created custom to you. With a seasoned team of event professionals on your side, you can expect your wedding is executed beyond your expectations.
Details
Business Attributes
- LGBTQ+-owned Business
- Woman-owned Business
Cuisine
- American
- BBQ
- Italian
- Seafood
- Specialty
Dietary Options
- Dairy Free
- Gluten Free
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
Food & Catering
- Buffet
- Catering Clean Up
- Catering Delivery & Setup
- Chef Stations
- Family Style
- Menu Tastings
Awards and Affiliations
Pricing
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Reviews
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4.8
out of 5.075 reviews
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Nicole's Catering is highly praised by multiple reviewers for their professionalism, exceptional service, and delicious food at weddings. The team, including Kate and the staff, receives commendations for being supportive, attentive, and helpful throughout the planning process and on the day of the event. Guests raved about the variety and quality of the food options, with highlights like filet, salmon, and appetizers receiving special mention. Additionally, the staff's attention to detail, responsiveness, and seamless execution during the event were highlighted as factors that contributed to a memorable wedding experience.Review photos
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Nicoles Catering is the best in the Capitol Region! From their professionalism, ideas and execution they are truly remarkable. Easy to work with, hands on and my guests couldn't say enough about how great the staff was at the wedding!
Wow Wow Wow! Everyone who works for them are so so kind and helpful. We had many meetings with them up to the event week and even had to change a couple things last minute. They were always kind and happy to help. Now, the food! Everyone loved it! If you book with them, please do the tasting, you will not regret it. It made our meal decisions easy! I would definitely recommend Nicole's catering.
We had a wonderful experience with Nicole's for our October wedding! They were supportive on both the practical elements of the planning (like floor plans and linen selections) and the fun ones (adding cider donuts and s'mores to help celebrate the season). I really appreciated the thought they put into making sure that the details of our day reflected my husband and I as a couple.
We also found the whole Nicole's team to be really lovely to work with: we felt very taken care of by our point person Kate in the lead-up and by the team that was onsite with us the day of. Finally (and crucially!), the food was delicious and plentiful!
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We used Nicole's Catering for our wedding in June 2024, and it was a terrific experience. Kate, Katrina and their team were extremely helpful the whole way, working with us to make sure the entire dining experience was everything we wanted. They are pros. We never had to worry about anything regarding the catering during the planning. They were flexible when we had specific questions and on top of everything. As for the food, we’re still getting compliments about it a few months later (yeah, sorry, this review is a little late). The filet was one of our choices, and it was fantastic – perfectly cooked and a large portion. Guests have also called out the firecracker salmon and the dessert cookies, and the tenderloin crostini passed appetizer was one of my favorite parts of the meal. Nicole’s does a great job with the bar, as well. Fantastic experience all around and would absolutely recommend.
Nicole’s was phenomenal. Their team of experts helped me feel so much less stressed - from all the planning meetings, to helping with decor setup, to coming through last minute when our wedding cake didn’t arrive - they were flawless. Our guests RAVED about the food, and our signature drinks were so perfect. I can’t thank them enough for how stunning everything was.
Nicole’s Catering exceeded all our expectations. From our very first meeting with Kate, we were absolutely blown away. They made us feel like family, even inviting us (and our dog!) to a private tasting at their facility, where our pup was treated to his own steak! If that doesn’t convince you, the food certainly will. Whether it was the melt-in-your-mouth short rib or the exquisite bacon-wrapped scallops, every dish was simply phenomenal. It’s been two weeks since our wedding, and guests are still raving about the food.
Kate and her team were incredible throughout the entire process. They worked closely with us to create the perfect schedule, and on the day of, their attention to detail and responsiveness put us at ease. Every request we made was fulfilled effortlessly, and their calm, professional presence truly helped make our day unforgettable.
Nicole’s Catering was the best choice we could’ve made to cater our June 2024 wedding at the Appel Inn! All of the staff was so prompt, polite, and enthusiastic in our communications from the start. Kate frequently followed up with phone calls and meetings throughout the year as we narrowed down our choices, and Dylan was great about sending friendly reminders each time a payment was due.
On the day of the wedding, Nicole’s staff helped with the layout and setting up dining, memorial, and other incidental tables. We ordered our cake through them, so they took care of bringing the cake from the bakery, and it was delicious! When we weren’t sure if a buffet would work in the space based on the number of guests we had, Nicole’s assured us they could make it happen, and they certainly did! No one felt like they had to wait too long for food, and even with all our guests, the venue felt spacious and comfortable, even with the buffet tables. The servers were excellent and the bartenders were truly impressive, working on the deck outside tirelessly for almost 6 hours on a very hot and humid June day! Our captain, Michelle, constantly made sure my husband and I had enough to eat and drink. They even had a full and beautifully plated display of the passed hors d’ouevres set aside in the She Shed just for us before our grand entrance.
Our guests are still raving about how delicious the food was and many have told us it was some of the best food they’d ever had at a wedding. We couldn’t be happier with Nicole’s and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a caterer for their special event!
Hiring Nicole's Catering was the best decision we made for our wedding. We initially found them by asking around who in the area provided the best quality food and the answers were unanimous: Nicole's! Serving a very beautiful and delicious meal was important to us, and we got that and so much more. Kate and Ava were consistently easy to communicate, patient, and professional. It felt like a partnership in crafting the event that we wanted and bringing it to life. Additionally, their day-of coordinating was invaluable to making the day run smoothly. Things popped up (a shuttle was late pushing out timeline, a guest needed medical attention also pushing our timeline), but we hardly noticed. Ava handled everything so that we enjoyed a stress-free experience.
The food was incredible and all our guests were raving about it. We're so grateful to the whole team over at Nicole's and would recommend them to anyone!
I really don't understand what happened here with Nicole's catering. After being in brief contact with them via email to learn about their menu, they have completely stopped answering me. Literally nothing even happened between us for there to be incentive to just ghost me. Just your simple emails about menu type and scheduling phone call meetings. We scheduled a time for a phone call not once but twice and they missed both times. The first time I ended up calling them 15 minutes later and when they answered they knew exactly who I was and were incredibly kind so I gave them the benefit of the doubt. The second time we scheduled the call, they did not call again. This time, I emailed them asking what happened and am yet to get a response.
It really is a shame since this is the most important vendor we need to book for our wedding. My venue recommended Nicoles Catering, too. But if this is how they handle their professionalism I don't recommend them. I'm really trying to give them grace here but there just cannot be any more excuses. Overall, I'm not even mad - I'm just extremely disappointed in their customer service.
TLDR: They were easily one of the best vendors we hired for our wedding and if you are thinking about it, just go ahead and do it.
We had our wedding at The Sablewood this November. One of our top priorities for vendors was catering, as delicious food (especially cocktail hour) was really important to us. Nicole’s delivered on that and then some. Every guest we talked to after the wedding could not stop talking about the cocktail hour food and each person had their own favorite. My mother loved the sweet potato/black bean quesadillas, my husband’s mother raved about the hazelnut chicken and at least three people could not get enough of the sliced tenderloin on crostini. And when choosing dinner options, multiple guests said it was so difficult to choose because all options sounded so good.
But Nicole’s is so much more than fantastic food. Their catering team is professional and everyone is so amazing at their job. Throughout the planning process, Kate from Nicole’s was so responsive to every email that we sent planning the cocktail hour and reception menu and put me at ease with a document that had everything detailed out down along with a timeline. On the day of our wedding, Nicole’s provided catered sandwiches and drinks to both wedding parties for lunch. As my husband and I recessed down the aisle after the ceremony, there was Nicole’s with our signature drinks in hand for us! Nicole’s assigned us a captain for the wedding day whose focus is to make sure you (the wedding couple) eat and drink as much as you want. Tina was amazing and she waited on us and our families the entire night. My husband and I took 20 minutes in the bridal suite by ourselves before cocktail hour and Nicole’s brought up a massive tray of multiple items of every passed bite we chose as well as samplings of every other cocktail hour station we had. I honestly would have stayed up there eating our cocktail hour food and drinking our signature drinks, it was that good. During the reception, our captain Tina stopped by our table multiple times to make sure we never had an empty drink or had to wait in line. We even got a third meal option to try all three of our dinner meals. Afterwards, I found out Tina was also making sure that our families had drinks as well. The dinner service ran smoothly and they had the top tier of our cake wrapped and ready to go at the end of the night. If you are looking to wow your guests with amazing food and be taken care of by a catering team who are amazing at their job and knows what they are doing, you need to hire Nicole’s Catering. You will be so glad you did.
Nicole's was truly a highlight of our wedding. Their highly professional team has the wedding timeline down with incredible precision and they were so wonderful to work with. The team went above and beyond to make sure we were well taken care of and well fed day of as well! We still have guests telling us that it was the best food they've ever had at a wedding.
Our wedding at the Canfield Casino was elevated to a culinary masterpiece, thanks to the exceptional catering services provided by Nicole's Catering. From the initial planning stages to the last bite of the delectable Thanksgiving buffet, our experience with Nicole's was nothing short of extraordinary.
Kate Bender, our dedicated coordinator from Nicole's Catering, deserves special recognition for her unwavering commitment to ensuring every detail of our reception was perfect. Kate's meticulous attention to detail and expert guidance made the planning process smooth and stress-free. Her professionalism and friendly demeanor put us at ease, allowing us to fully enjoy our special day without worrying about a single thing.
Katie Vanauken and the entire time at Nicole's did such a phenomenal job the night of the wedding - included but not limited to Marc helping Jim with tying his tie, to ensuring both of us ate and always had a drink in hand while staying hydrated.
The star of the show was the Thanksgiving buffet by Nicole's Catering. It was a culinary delight that exceeded all expectations. The variety of dishes, the presentation, and the flavors were simply outstanding. From traditional Thanksgiving mashed potatoes to innovative and mouth-watering Chicken Normandy, every dish showcased the culinary expertise of Nicole's team.
What set Nicole's Catering apart was their commitment to quality and freshness. Each dish was not only delicious but also made with the finest ingredients. The buffet was not just a meal; it was a feast that delighted our guests and added a unique and memorable touch to our wedding celebration.
Our guests are still raving about the exceptional Thanksgiving dinner and we attribute this success to the culinary prowess of Nicole's Catering and the organizational finesse of Kate Bender. If you're looking for a catering company that goes above and beyond to create a memorable dining experience, Nicole's Catering is the perfect choice. Our heartfelt thanks to Kate and the entire team at Nicole's for making our wedding celebration a culinary masterpiece.
We couldn’t have chosen a better career! We initially put a deposit down with a different caterer but after going to the tasting, we were very disappointed with the food. We ended up stopping by our venue to see it since we were in the area, and Nicole’s Catering happened to be setting up for a wedding and they were SO sweet. They gave us a tour and my fiancé suggested that we ask them for their card…and I’m SO glad we did! A few weeks after, I went for a tasting and was blown away! We booked them and everything was absolutely incredible! We wanted the food to stand out, quality and quantity and it sure did. Totally exceeded our expectations in absolutely every way possible. Kate made our day super seamless and was on top of it all! I had several guests point out to me how amazing of a job she did. Thank you Nicole’s!
You MUST book Nicole's for your wedding! Nicole's is way more than a catering company. To start, the food is delicious and we received rave reviews from all the guests on all meals including the vegan and vegetarian options. But that's just the start. We get emotional just writing this review because of how helpful and amazing the Nicole's staff was on our wedding day. It was POURING rain and the staff made sure I (the bride) stayed completely dry. They surrounded me with umbrellas as I made my entrance and gave me a pep talk that I'll never forget. They even wiped down my feet with towels before my first dance so I wouldn't slip. They made me, my husband and our immediate family feel fully supported throughout the entire day in a way we did not expect a catering company to do. Special shout out to Sarah, Katie, Madi and Emily. It was also a pleasure working with Kate throughout the process. Book them, you won't regret it!
Nicole's catered our wedding at The Ruins at Sassafras. They knocked it out of the park. They were fantastic to work with. We wanted a taco bar, pizza station, and carving station and they helped us bring our vision to life. The food was delicious and the staff was excellent.
Nicole's is the BEST in the business! From start to finish Nicole's was attentive to every detail and every question we had. If you have a special event coming up there is no one better to work with than Sarah and Kate B. They provide you with honest advice along the way to make sure that all of your visions come to life. Nicole's goes above and beyond what any other catering business would offer. I picked Nicole's for my wedding at the Canfield Casino. They know this venue in and out. They know what will and won't work in this setting, which makes your planning and outcome that much easier and better. I truly had the wedding of my dreams and Nicole's played the biggest role in that from day one of planning. I received more compliments from my guests about the quality of the food, the portions, the menu and the service that was provided. All of my guests raved about the food! This is not your run of the mill wedding catering -- this is true gourmet food in bulk. I've never been to a wedding that had the quality of food as Nicole's provided for ours. The staff is so professional and truly provides the best service to every guest. I can't think of a wedding that I have been to that you didn't wait in a line at the bar for a drink or in a line for the food stations at cocktail hour. I didn't see anyone waiting in a line for either of these portions of our wedding and that is a testament to the Nicole's catering staff. During a time that companies struggle to find staff, Nicole's still has and trains their staff to be the best in the business. I also have to give a huge shout out to Kay who was was right by my husband and I the whole evening. She is incredible and made us feel taken care of all night long. I can't say enough about the experience that we had with Nicole's. My wedding wouldn't have been what it was without each member of this team. They work as a unit and are like a family and they treat you the same. I didn't worry about a thing leading up to the wedding because I knew I was in the best hands. Nicole's offers you as much time as you need and will answer any question, big or small. This is a 5 star business through and through. I will use Nicole's for every special event I can in the future and would recommend them to everyone. I could never thank this incredible team enough!
Nicole's is simply the best! When we booked our wedding venue (Canfield Casino) my one reservation was that it didn't come with a site planner. Well, Nicole's solved all of that and more. Kate Bender, who was our main point of contact, is incredibly knowledgeable, organized, responsive, patient, and kind! I was put at ease the first phone call I had with Kate, and when she ran our rehearsal the day before the wedding we knew we wouldn't have to worry about a thing.
Our food was fantastic, and the service was incredible! Our guests raved about the cocktail hour and gorgeous charcuterie board spread. Every little detail went as planned, and if it didn't we weren't paying attention because Nicole's put us so at ease all we were focused on was having a great time at our wedding! Thank you for making our wedding day so incredible!
We got married in May in Cooperstown with catering from Nicole's and had a great experience. The food was great and more importantly for our own experience, the service was amazing--they had everything taken care of and Kate made sure the groom and I had anything we might need throughout the night.
Wow! Such an outstanding experience. The food was excellent, your team was incredibly helpful and professional, and you gave our bride-to-be the "shower of her dreams." We thank you, we appreciate your every attention to detail, and we will refer anyone in need of a caterer to you.
From the very beginning, all our other wedding vendors had nothing but amazing things to say about the Nicole’s team and now I know why. Kate was a pleasure to work with leading up to the wedding, speaking with us multiple times about the food, decorations, and timeline of the wedding. They not only made AMAZING food (we got so many compliments on how delicious everything was and how big the portions were), but they also doubled as our day-of coordinator. We didn’t have to worry at all about decorating the space or cleaning up afterwards. The wedding itself ran so smoothly because of their timeline and assistance. They were also so attentive to us that day, making sure we had enough to eat and drink. We couldn’t recommend Nicole’s enough!
I had my wedding almost a year ago and it still upsets me to this day. I had to reschedule it because of covid so I worked hard on the wedding details for a few years. I went over the details many times with Nicoles catering. Everytime I made an appointment over the phone with Kate, she never called me, I ended up calling there and Margaret would apologize and go over the items with me but then it would happen again the next phone call that was set up and when we went over everything again I realized a lot of the things we spoke about on the previous call were never written down. These should have been red flags but i just ignored them. On my wedding day, i was so nervous but right before walking out to the ceremony I realized that the seating set up for the main table was wrong. I told Samantha (wedding coordinator) who fixed it right away. I then walked down the aisle & as im walking down I see a lot of empty seats at the aisle. I was promised they would only put seats out for the number of guests and make sure they were filled. Now I have a picture of me & my dad with a bunch of empty chairs around us. When we got back inside I was so busy with pictures and then the bustle clips on my dress broke that i never got to attend the cocktail hour. Food was never brought to me so I asked one of the grroms men to get me some and he was told they were all out. We had a couple people cancel last minute due to emergencies so i was told that we would have that food packed up for us for later, then i learned that it was sitting out the entire time of the reception, so it had to be thrown away. The garland that was draped around the arch was supposed to be moved to the head table. That garland was what inspired the entire theme of the wedding when I began planning but they forgot to move it to the table and when i realized at dinner I told Samantha and she said she would get it but it seemed pointless now bc it was dark out and the table was all set up and the photographer already took pictures so i said okay and let it go. I had to go up and get drinks and wait in line at the bar like everyone else, my drink was never brought to me. I’m not trying to sound rude by that but a drink is usually brought to the bride. Samantha told me about two hours before the wedding was over that she had to leave. I guess i just assumed she would be staying until the end. What was supposed to be a great day turned into a very upsetting day for me to look back on. I know the entire point of a wedding is to marry the person you love but I spent so much of my energy on making this day special and I felt like i was let down. I trusted that everything we spoke about would happen and it did not, unfortunately.
Nicole's was the anchor for our entire wedding experience. I knew I could trust Margaret and her entire time with anything. Throughout the entire planning process we were given the best attention. The day of the wedding there was nothing left unturned. We, including our parents and bridal party could enjoy the day without worrying about a single detail. I would recommend Nicole's for any event over and over.
Ms Kate Bender and the entire staff at Nicole's absolutely made our wedding. No... they really did! We had a lovely outdoor wedding, in a picturesque field, surrounded by mountains and trees. IT RAINED!! Nicole's team worked effortlessly to pull off HOT, FANTASTICALLY FLAVORFULL FOOD, while maintaining smiles and professional service. The Master Chef out did himself on every horderve and entree. The food was beautifully displayed and there was plenty of it. Nicole's Head Chef and staff SAVED my wedding. People have repeatedly remarked on the wonderful meal and white glove service from attentive staff. Nicole's food was more memorable than the rain!!! Take that Mother Nature!! I wish they would let us share photos on this review! Check their facebook page or mine. Amy Quinn .
We worked with Kate for our wedding and she is the absolute best!!! The food is amazing and the staff were wonderful!! Kate and her team made it so I did not have to worry about one thing the day of my wedding and they truly made the difference for our big day!! Nicole’s is totally worth it and I can’t recommend them enough!!
Hiring Nicole’s to cater our wedding day was absolutely one of the best decisions we made! We knew the food would be spectacular after our tasting and, if possible, it was even better on the wedding day when they were feeding 150 other people! We have received the highest compliments from our guests who loved everything from cocktail hour to dessert. They completely nailed our vision of a fall menu, complete with a donut wall full of apple cider donuts instead of cake! They went above and beyond to find beers we wanted, even ones that aren’t widely distributed! Kate, and everyone else we worked with, was prompt with answers to questions, so helpful when planning a wedding felt completely overwhelming, and always delightful to talk to! On wedding day, we had an incredible team who not only made sure we were fed and happy, but were so on top of our timeline, including serving salads while we had speeches so we could maximize dancing and hand delivering a tray of passed bites (and specialty cocktails) to us while we took pictures after the ceremony. If you’re still looking for your perfect caterer, look no further!
We used Nicole's to cater our wedding and they were amazing from the first moment to the last.
Throughout the entire process they were so helpful, communicative, and professional. They're really on top of their stuff!
Their menu is great and their food is delicious - they have so many fun options!
During the actual event, the staff went above and beyond to make sure everything went well and that we were taken care of.
I highly recommend Nicole's to everyone!
We cannot say enough about Nicole's Special Events and Catering. Margaret and her phenomenal team (Kate, Tina, and everyone else) made us feel welcome and special every time we walked through the door. Their kindness, generosity, and delicious food always made us feel like we were the most important people in the room. They have always gone above and beyond for us and we're so grateful to them for the amazing service and food. We also got countless compliments after the wedding about their wonderful service and amazing food. We're happy to feel like a part of the Nicole's family!
The team at Nicole's went above and beyond to deliver incredible food and service at our wedding. From working with us to plan a perfect menu, helping set up our decor the day of and ensuring we had everything we needed throughout the reception, they far exceeded all of our expectations. We thought the food and drinks were delicious, and all of our guests agreed. We would highly recommend Nicole's for any catering needs.
Nicole's is truly one of the best in the business! We worked with Kate B. for our wedding and she was always available to answer our questions and guide us during the planning process. She was flexible when we had changes and put together the perfect fall menu! Our guests have raved about the food and I couldn't agree more. I can't recommend Nicole's and the entire team enough!
Nicole's was absolutely incredible for our wedding. We received SO many compliments on the food and many people said it was the best wedding food they've ever had. They also were so attentive to both myself and our bridal party. They had a "personal attendant" for my bridesmaids making sure they had food and drinks whenever they needed them! They did an incredible job coordinating our wedding without a hitch. Hire Nicole's!
Outstanding job done by Nicole's for our daughter's wedding. The staff was great, they made sure every detail was in order and they smiled a lot . The food was outstanding. 10 out of 10
The entire Nicole's team was amazing! Kate and the rest of the staff were so organized and helpful throughout the planning process. All of the food was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. They were very careful with food allergies, and they were even able to make some family recipes for our cocktail hour! Everyone at Nicole's was so accommodating through the whole process, and especially at the end when we had many last minute changes due to COVID. We're so glad we chose Nicole's, and we will absolutely use them again for any catering needs in the future!
They provide such wonderful food for our wedding! They make such beautiful presentations and really helped my husband and I feel special on our wedding day. They showed genuine care for taking care of us and set everything up beautifully.
The guests loved the food! They made everything so wonderfully.
Nicole’s was absolutely amazing from beginning to end of our wedding planning process. From the planning stages where Kate helped us decide on a menu (we went with stations and I 10/10 recommended stations if it fits your venue) to the tasting, to the final meeting where we finalized linens and the minute details. Then on the day of, Kate was there for much of the night making sure everything ran smoothly, and always refreshing our drinks. Our captain, Tina was the BEST. Always made sure we were happy, had a drink and food, and that everything ran smoothly.
Nicole’s, Kate and Tina and their team handled everything. Literally everything. They set up, decorated, coordinated with the DJ and officiant, for the ceremony and introductions and dances, broke down at the end of the night, and even packed up our car as we could not leave things at the venue over night.
On top of all this, Tina and Kate handled making sure we didn’t worry about anything - including the weather. The forecast for our wedding day - with an outdoor ceremony - was 90% chance of rain, hail, and wind storms. They made sure we knew the backup plan if it rained, and then waited until the last second to set up outside to ensure we could get our outdoor ceremony in and everyone had a dry seat. I was so calm and relaxed the entire day, mainly due to how confident the Nicole’s team was.
Add in that the food was phenomenal - our guests raved about the food. Everything was hot and fresh and just so delicious. Drinks were great and always flowing. Literally the perfect night, in large part to Nicole’s, Tina and Kate.
From beginning to end and through every detail in between, Nicole’s Catering ensured that our wedding was perfect. They were professional, expedient, and accommodating in every way. The food was just PERFECT. The service was unmatched. 10/10.
Nicole's Catering was the absolute best choice we could have made for our wedding caterer. Kate B was phenomenal to work with---she made sure that every last detail was considered; she is responsive, kind, and genuinely invested in the wedding being exactly as it is imagined. Guests raved about the filet mignon and some people were even jealous they ordered the filet instead of the chicken milanese since it looked so delicious (and it was!) Nicole's Catering did an amazing job accommodating our kosher and vegan guests. The bartenders and servers were all professional and friendly. I cannot imagine a more flawless level of service.
WOW! Where do I begin with how amazing working with Nicole was for us. Being foodies me and my husband started researching vendors. We asked our local friends whose food we loved at their wedding who their vendor was. Every single one of our friends that's the food was AMAZING had Nicole's. From Day one of working with them, it was so easy and fun! Kate was an absolute dream to work with and made it feel like my best friend was taking care of me throughout our entire wedding planning journey. We had to change venues during COVID and Kate and the rest of Nicole's team helped me through that by sending me venues she thought I would love. Fast forward two years in and it's finally wedding day. One thing I've always heard is you won't eat a lot on your wedding day, (they didn't have Nicole's or Kate making sure you got all the delicious food). Nicole's team made sure my husband and I had our own personal tray of apps at all times following us. Also made sure we were well-hydrated :) . Our guests could not stop talking about not only the food but the bar service. They were shocked that the steak and fish were warm and cooked perfectly for such a large group of people. They were so accommodating and professional to every one of our guests with food allergies. The bartenders were fun and made delicious cocktails. If you are a foodie and are looking to work with the most professional team in the Albany area Nicole's is your catering company.
Thank you guys again for making my day absolutely perfect. I did not have to think about anything and had the best day !
Nicole's was recommended to us by our venue, and they were incredible! From my first phone call with Kate to the end of our wedding night, they were amazing and never skipped a beat. They put so much attention to detail in everything...the food was delicious, the waitstaff was attentive and friendly, and our day of coordinator was awesome. Our guests are still raving about the artisan cheese station, sundae bar, and everything else in between.
You need Nicole's at your wedding!
Pick Nicoles to cater your wedding! From the moment we met Kate, we knew she would be great to work with! She responded to emails in a timely manner and made any changes we requested! The team we had for our tasting and wedding day was amazing! So attentive, friendly and funny!! Everyone raved about the food at our wedding!
We used Nicole's for our catering at our October wedding and had the best experience with them. They truly went above and beyond expectation. Our event assistant was an absolute life saver keeping all the wedding party in order and in line, keeping drinks in our hands, and even getting me some antacids for my stomach ache! We had originally booked with them after I had viewed my venue, they were the caterer present that day who ended up giving me a tour of my venue because the venue coordinator was not there. So they were even great when they were not working for my event!
The food was incredible, it was a great selection of different food options and I was able to customize for my picky eaters that would be present. Everyone made a point to tell me how good all the food was!
Thank you Nicole's for all your help, dealing with me forgetting everything I had originally booked 2 years ago, and for your incredible service!
Nicole’s was an amazing caterer for my wedding!! It felt like I had a team working around the clock for me. Despite how busy they may be, anytime I emailed or called with questions they were always responsive and helped turn my vision of my wedding day into real life. The food was outstanding, it was the talk of the entire wedding. Their employees were extremely attentive to myself and the entire bridal party, making sure we were well fed the entire night and also having fun. Working with Nicole’s, I didn’t have to stress or worry at all the day of my wedding and was able to enjoy everything! They worked so well with the Appel Inn and everything they did added to such an incredible night. You will not regret using them!
amazingggg!!! Nicole's hands down is the best food and service I've ever experienced at any wedding ever so I knew I needed to have them for my own! they did not disappoint! from working with Kate in the beginning and Margaret surprising us with canolis at the restaurant one day for brunch they were nothing but perfect. leading up to our day Margaret went above and beyond for us to alter our menu a bit from changes to due to covid and she made everything look so stunning. she even lined us up and made sure we were in the correct walking order and she fluffed my dress on my way out.. seriously she was so great! the service was great, the food greater.. I could see people mouthing the words OMG when they took a bite of the pumpkin ravioli .. to die for! book them right now, there's a reason why they are always voted the best.. because they are!
I seriously cannot say enough about Nicoles, and how they made our wedding better than we could have imagined. Margaret was a dream to work with, very responsive, answering all my questions, and helping me with every single detail. She was so accommodating even up until the last few days when I had guests drop out due to illness and other reasons, and just giving us peace of mind throughout the whole process. When one of our shuttles decided not to show up to the hotel, they were able to push back the dinner to accommodate our ceremony being late - while making sure we never felt rushed in the slightest. They also provided the guests that had arrived with PLENTY of champagne while they waited - which was amazing. The team was so professional and just on point the entire night. Tina & Sarah were the ultimate dream team, making sure my husband and I had drinks and hors d'oeuvres in the bridal suite right after the ceremony AND when we got back from sunset pictures. They made us feel so special and taken care of the whole night. The food was just incredible - our guests were raving about every dish and the amazingggg bartenders. Safe to say our guests were never thirsty. I can't thank this team enough for everything they did to make our day so so perfect!
Margaret worked with us throughout our wedding planning process and helped not only with catering questions, but with the entire flow of the event. She asked pertinent questions to make sure she was aware of even the small details, giving us the peace of mind that all would be executed according to our vision on the wedding day. Tina was our wedding day coordinator and she stuck the perfect balance between ensuring things went according to plan and giving us the space to enjoy our wedding.
Catering was one of our top priorities as my husband is a big foodie. We went to the restaurant for dinner before booking them and were blown away by the quality of the food. They are extremely accommodating and flexible - they are willing to make just about anything you can think of! They made a special meal just for a friend with multiple dietary restrictions, added cider donuts to our dessert table on request, and never said “no” to anything we asked of them. We highly recommend Nicole’s!!!
Nicole's was so beyond everything we could have hoped for our September 2021 wedding. We hired Nicole's for something like plan C of our originally 2020 wedding, and by this point had decided we'd be happy so long as our guests were fed and had places to sit. How lucky we were that they went so far above and beyond that! Not only did our guests comment all night about how amazing the food, but Margaret and her team were critical in making so many aspects of the night a success. From coordinating rentals, to rearranging the layout and bar plans several times to accommodate constantly shifting guest list, to making sure we ate, to rescuing our collapsing chuppah minutes before the ceremony and even turning it into great reception decor, the team at Nicole's came through 1000X over.
Where do I even start about how AMAZING Nicole's Catering was for our wedding in August of 2021. The food was delicious, and all our guests raved about how it was some of the best food at a wedding they ever had. They helped us tailor our menu to make everything exactly what we wanted, from the hand passed hors d'oeuvres, dinner stations selections, and the dessert display. Everything was amazing! They even had a staff member that was dedicated to us (the bride and groom) to make sure we had enough to eat and drink all night long! We didn't have to lift a finger. We had a backyard wedding in the Berkshires, and they brought in all their catering equipment to make and serve our meals. You would have no idea they weren't in a venue with a full kitchen. All I have to say is you will not be disappointed with Nicole's Catering for your event! They were extremely helpful, reliable, responsive, and easy to work with. Thank you so much Margaret and your entire team for making our wedding day PERFECT!!
My husband and I are thrilled with the service we received with Nicole's. Sarah was the absolute best to work with and made me feel so at ease. They answered emails quickly and even assisted in day of activities, such as making sure everyone grabbed a program. We did a donut wall for our reception and Sarah with her team made it the most beautiful display of donuts ever. We did "station style" for dinner and I still have people raving about how good their food was. 10/10 for service, food, professionalism, efficiency... I could go on and on! I would recommend the team at Nicole's over and over.
Not impressed hired for a bridal shower brunch
Server kept leaving to make more food
Should have made enough for 35 at the start
Event coordinator never followed up on event
At $55/pp should have been plenty of food
Nicole’s did an amazing job catering our backyard wedding in Albany in October 2020. We put our small wedding together in a span of several weeks (we could not hold our wedding at our planned venue due to Covid) and from the start Kate at Nicole’s was 100% responsive and professional, helping us every step of the way when we called or emailed questions. The night of our wedding their staff was thoroughly prepared and made sure our 15 guests had a great time. The appetizers, main course and dessert were fantastic. We would highly recommend them for any event you need catered.
Could not say enough amazing things about Nicole's! We were able to book them relatively last minute as our caterer ended up falling through a few weeks before the wedding. After a quick conversation with Kate, she sent over a proposal that was exactly what we were looking for. Leading up to the wedding was so seamless and stress-free as Nicole's pretty much took care of everything.
Day of the wedding Sarah and crew arrived and were SO helpful in working with us to figure out the flow of the ceremony to cocktails, etc. at the home where we were having the event. The party went off without a hitch and the guests were raving about the food. Kate even offered to stay a little later than the rest of the crew to serve drinks a little later into the night.
Highly recommend Nicole's and thank you guys for making our day so special and allowing our "micro-wedding" to feel anything but :)
Nicole's has catered so many events for my family. Each time seems better than the one before. When planning a wedding, it is so nice when vendors (florist, DJ, etc.) tell you they have worked with another vendor of yours; when we told our vendors that we chose Nicole's they were elated. The flexibility, professionalism, and attention to detail the staff at Nicole's provide is second to none. When our wedding plans changed a bit due to COVID, Nicole's was flexible and supportive. They catered our small gathering this year and will be catering our larger (vow renewal) next year. We can't wait to eat their food again!
I cannot say enough amazing things about Nicole's Special Events. I'm a wedding planner by trade and had worked with the team many times prior to planning my own Saratoga Wedding. They knock it out of the park every time and my Canfield Wedding was no different.
Margaret, Kate and Sarah are a total dream team. From proposal, to tasting, all the way through to event execution, their professionalism was unfaltering and the food is inventive, modern and delicious. Furthermore, if I could give their amazing service staff their own review on The Knot - I would. Our captain Tina was ON POINT all night long - my guests are still raving about her! The bartenders were gracious, speedy and knowledgable and the servers were classically trained, polished and attentive. Nicole's is doing something truly special in the Capital Region and the Hudson Valley - your wedding will be truly unique, your guests will be wowed and you will have most important thing which is peace of mind on your wedding day. Margaret, Kate and Sarah - I cannot thank you enough!
Amazing! I just wish I could give them more stars! Nicole's catered my barn wedding in upstate NY and did such an amazing job. The food- from the Hazelnut Chicken Bites to the Pumpkin Ravioli to the Cannolis- was absolutely wonderful and I've received so many compliments from my guests! Just as good if not better was my experience working with the staff. Kate helped me to plan an elegant and delicious day and was really so attentive to my questions in the planning process. The day of, EVERY staff member was incredible. Because of my experience with Kate, I felt very comfortable having them set up our decorations beforehand at the venue and they did a beautiful job. Before, during, and after the ceremony they were so attentive to the needs of my husband and myself and even our parents! Great organization and service with a positive and professional attitude, we feel they went above and beyond. I can't say enough good things and would highly recommend them to family and friends!
Nicole's Special Events team was remarkable. From start to finish, Kate Bender took care of every detail and made every request we had possible. Kate helped us curate a delicious menu that accommodated all of our guests dietary needs without batting an eye (veg/an, g-free, Halal). The catering team set up early and decorated our tables for us; they made sure we had enough to eat and drink; and they checked on me frequently. Everything was perfect and we could not have been happier with Nicole's.
If I could do it all over again I would.. from the start the entire staff was incredible!!... Margret and Kate are simply amazing! Kate was my go to the entire time and I couldn't have asked for someone more professional and courteous.
The staff was impeccable, the attention to detail and service went beyond my expectations. Food was amazing and my guests are still talking about it!!!
they went above and beyond and grated literally EVERY request I had! Thank you for being the best!
PHENOMENAL!! Nicole's was one of the first vendors we chose and they were just incredible. I knew from Day 1 they were going to do an amazing job. I have been to too many weddings to count and this had the BEST food, services, and open bar offerings I have ever experienced. The food was truly amazing, and the services was the best I have ever received. I don't just say that - all of our guests repeatedly said their meals were delicious (some of the best food they've ever had), and their servers were incredibly kind and attentive. It's important to note that my husband and I went through a lot of challenges that caused us to move our wedding venue and date more than once. I had a terminally ill family member, and Margaret, Sarah, and Kate were incredibly understanding throughout the entire process. When we moved our venue, they had unexpected restrictions to follow at an outdoor, historic site, but you would have never known it. They truly outdid themselves! I really can't say enough wonderful words about their services. They made our day so easy and everything was absolutely seamless.
Nicole’s catered our June 2019 wedding on Lake George and we could not have been happier. We had 194 guests and Nicole’s set up 2 buffets (it was a buffet style dinner) to make sure everyone was served in a reasonable time frame. We had several people comment to us that night and in the weeks following about it being some of the best food they remember ever having at a wedding! There was something for everyone, each dish just as great as the last. The dessert was unreal, too! Nicole’s also exceeded expectations with the planning services from our first phone call through a tasting at the restaurant and planning calls leading up to the wedding day, and then coordinating on the wedding day. Our planner, Kate, went above and beyond to help our day go as planned and it came together so beautifully. Their staff was professional, helpful, and kind, and made sure all guests were taken care of, paying careful attention to those with allergies (there’s always someone, right!). I was nervous at first because Nicole’s had never done a wedding at our venue before, but they knocked it out of the park and I would choose them again in a heartbeat. Highly, highly recommend!!
The Nicole's team was amazing. Tina made sure everything went off without a hitch, me and my husband always had a drink and something to eat when we needed it and also that our parents were set up with the same! The team truly goes above and beyond for their couples and families to make the day the absolute best. Thank you all so much!!!
The team at Nicole's is fantastic! We did most of our planning with Margaret who was always readily available and worked with our budget to put on a great event. The food was fantastic and everyone raved about it. The team was attentive and courteous on the day of our wedding. Kate was awesome and made sure we were taken care of so that we could enjoy ourselves. I would highly recommend Nicole's for your next wedding/party!
We can’t say enough about how amazing Nicole’s was to work with...from the planning to the delicious food, they got every detail right. After we sat down with Kate and explained what we wanted, she helped us customize the perfect menu to fit our style and love of barbecue. Our guests are still raving about the food (especially the chicken and waffles, pulled pork sliders, and grilled cheese and tomato soup shooters!). The day of, Kate and the rest of the staff made sure everything ran smoothly and we had the most perfect day. They were so friendly and attentive and made sure we always had everything we wanted or needed, and our guests had an amazing time. Thank you Kate and Nicole’s!
My wife and I had an exceptional experience with Nicole's. Margaret and her team not only took care of us and all of our many requests from the first day of our process, but they did so with an awesome sense of professionalism and a positive attitude. We went for a tasting at their restaurant in Albany where met everyone on the team - incredible people with a true desire for what they create: delicious food. Our Day Of experience with Nicole's was next level amazing. They NAILED our entire wedding with gorgeous displays, remarkably delicious food that had all the guests raving, and an unparalleled sense of attention to both detail and to our guests! My wife and I felt like celebrities and so did our families. My mother didn't have time to prepare her own plate, so a server pulled her aside and provided her with one to be sure she ate. We also had an issue with the stove that had been delivered for Nicole's making their job about a million times more difficult - but I only know this in retrospect. I had no idea Day Of as they made it work flawlessly and without complaint. Cocktails: my brother is still talking about their "perfect" Blood Orange Old Fashioned and I'm still dreaming about their Muddled Strawberry Margarita. Every single server's smiling face at our reception set the tone for the night, which was the best night of our lives. Stars upon stars for this dreamy team!
Food = Amazing, Staff = Above and Beyond. Months after our wedding I still have loved ones raving about how amazing the food was at our wedding! Katie, our day of coordinator went ABOVE AND BEYOND and met every detail. If there were any flaws or issues, we were never made aware because she was on it before it happened. I truly can not thank her enough! The rest of the staff was also exceptional, making sure each and every guest was catered to, big and small! Thank you so much for all of your dedication and making sure our day was forever memorable!
Fantastic food and elegant service! Sarah Carciobolo was our Service Captain and REALLY LISTENED to everything we wanted to project. She artfully created an ice cream sundae (build your own) dessert bar that was delicious and stunning to look at! Our guests RAVED about the food...filet mignon, grilled salmon, chicken parm, and portobello mushroom veggie tower...everyone was thrilled! Passed hot h'ors doeurves and mediterranean farm table made cocktail hour elegant and fun. Servers constantly rotated among tables to pour a wonderful selection of wines and Sarah was over-seeing everything the entire, fabulous night! Who knew a tented reception could be so dazzling and elegant? Thanks Sarah!
My husband andI can't say enough about Nicole's. We loved our whole experience with them. Where to begin? Margaret and her assistant Sarah were amazing! Nicole's is a large scale catering operation that has a family establishment feel. We never once felt like an invoice in a stack of a hundreds of them. We were given unlimited phone calls and meetings for our questions. Our food was unique and delicious! Our guests are still talking about our cocktail hour! My older sister used Nicole's, I used Nicole's, and I will continue to recommend them to everyone.
We used Nicole's after receiving a few recommendations, and since then 3 of our wedding guests have used them for their own weddings.
First off, the food is so good. That is really what matters most. Their food is excellent. On top of that, there are so many other positives to working with Nicole's...
At our first meeting we said we wanted something different than the traditional wedding steak/chicken/potato options. And, due to our timelines and budget, we wanted food stations.
Ideally, we wanted delicious late-fall comfort foods that would represent our casual style. Do not take this to mean that the food was casual or simple - it was all expertly prepared and a year later we still have people commenting about how much they loved our wedding food.
Margaret took one initial call with us to talk about what we wanted, and she was amazing. She instantly understood what we were going for and turned a menu around for us in just a few days.
We were able to get everything we wanted, which included more traditional carving stations alongside fun casual foods like fried chicken and mac and cheese, and a potato bar! They easily accommodated vegetarians, gluten free (including a gluten free ravioli) and non-red meat eaters.
Again, the most important thing is the taste - and it was all delicious. We loved working with Margaret and her team - they handled everything and it was a minimal amount of effort on our part to get exactly what we wanted. Lastly, their pricing is very reasonable and we loved that they made special accommodations to the bar package to source exactly what we needed. Give them a call for your event, its truly a great experience and you will feel like a very special customer working with them.
Everyone at Nicole's is spectacular, but Sarah goes above and beyond. She was amazing, and helped us in every way possible. Nicole's was professional, friendly, on top of their game, and the food was delicious. Every single person raved about the cocktail hour, and dinner buffet. Delicious!
I can't speak to Nicole's food quality, because I never got to taste it. Nicole's was a recommended caterer for two venues we looked at, Appel Inn and Pat's Barn. We wanted to get an idea of pricing so we could work with our budget. I filled out there web information form and got not immediate (several days) response. So I called and talked to Margaret. She was quite busy due to the holiday season, but made time to speak with me. Her thoughts and ideas sounded amazing, and I believe in a short phone call, her understanding of what we were looking for was spot on. She said they were super-busy with holiday parties, but would have something to me hopefully within 1-2 days, but definitely by the end of the week. The following Monday, I received a phone message from Faith, apparently in response to my web site information request, because she knew nothing about my conversation with Margaret and couldn't find anything in the files. I asked her to get back to me ASAP as I was worried about losing out on our preferred venue (which we did). Never got any reply from either Margaret or Faith. In fairness, it was the holidays and since they are the preferred caterer for the venue we wanted, maybe they got booked for the event that led to us not being able to get our preferred venue for our wedding date and therefore knew we no longer needed their services. However, I did mention to Margaret that two venues had recommended them, so I would have thought they could have gotten back to me anyway. Disappointing, because Margaret seemed like she would be great to work with and because the delay in getting information led us to losing out on a space we loved.
Nicole's is the way to go... no question about it! These people KNOW how to do an event!
Nicole's came recommended by our venue (Pat's Barn) and I really can't say enough about them. From the food to the wait staff and right down to their linen's. Everything was top notch.
We even had some changes along the way... even down to the day of, 5 minutes before hand and they were NOTHING but accommodating and willing to help with anything we needed. Everything was seamless.
On top of all of my guests raving about the food and the wait staff, I know that my husband and I were personally impressed with how much attention was paid to us during the day. We were found and asked numerous times if things were going OK or if there was anything we needed and during the cocktail hour the wait staff made sure to find us to make sure that we ate during the night.
This staff was impeccably dressed, right down to the genuine smiles on their faces. Even though, I know they were crazy busy, hand passing appetizers and attending to guests, they were ALWAYS pleasant and never seemed rushed.
If you need a caterer for ANY special event...look no further than Nicole's!!! You won't be sorry!!
Margaret was nothing less than AMAZING! Throughout the planning process she listened to our ideas, hopes and dreams and helped make them a reality. She was flexible, responsive and went above and beyond. Guests raved about the quality of the food not only at cocktail hour but the dinner and the dessert. We opted for a dessert bar instead of a cake. It was truly delicious! Margaret's personal attention made us feel so special and not like this was just another wedding. As my husband and I came into the venue, Margaret asked us what we would like to drink and by the time we entered cocktail hour, servers were waiting at the door with our drinks! A server also checked in with us periodically throughout the evening to make sure we had everything we needed. She even got our entire head table dessert plates from the dessert table! By the evening my bustle had slowly begun to break down and was falling out. Margaret helped me tie it back together so I could continue the evening. She truly goes above and beyond to make the night special. I highly recommend Nicole's Catering for your wedding!
Nicole's Catering is THE BEST. Margaret is the most amazing person to work with her food was wonderful. we had a buffet and all the food was gone! it has been 5 weeks and people are asking where they can go to get the food! it was just perfect. She did only made sure me and my groom were set she made she the guests were as well! everything was just perfect
If you want exceptional service, outstanding food, professionalism, and experience -- THIS is the place to go! The owners, Margaret and JP, have been in the business for quite some time. Margarget grew up around weddings, as her mom was in the wedding business too. She knows her stuff. Through the entire process, Margaret was very accessible and helpful. We had some last minute issues, and Nicole's took care of everything. They stand behind their staff and their products.
At the wedding, the servers were exceptional -- tuxedo style uniforms and white gloves made it all the better. The blended into the wedding, so not to stand out. I would recommend Nicole's catering until I'm blue in the face. Wonderful people to work with!!
Nicole's did an amazing job at our wedding! After booking with them, Margaret even gave us a bunch of "freebies" that really enhanced our wedding. Everyone commented on how the food was the best "Wedding food" they'd ever had. They did an amazing job and were so easy to work with.
I highly recomment Nicole's in Albany/Delmar. Margaret was a pleasure to work with, and the food was amazing. She was very willing to adapt menu options to whatever we wanted them to be, and was flexible about other things as well (how many beer and wine selections to have, etc.).
During the wedding, the catering staff and bartenders were great! They were cheerful, professional, friendly and very on top of things. They were all great!
We also felt that the price was very reasonable for the quality and the amount of food and alcohol that was served. We paid on the lower end of the bracket listed ($51-100) and felt that we got our money's worth and more.
I highly recommend them! It was a great experience.
Nicole's catered our wedding and I have absolutely no complaints. As a fan of their restaurant, I knew their food was delicious, but their service was also impeccable. Margaret was WONDERFUL to work with--she is creative and helpful in anything you could need, but also very upfront which was refreshing after trying to work with some other vendors. She was there the day before to help set up and even before it was done the venue looked amazing. The servers at the wedding were wonderful (especially Val and Michelle!) and made sure that as the bride and groom we had our plates made up and even saved/wrapped some things for us to go since we hadn't had a chance to eat all that much. Also, Nicole's catering prices were HALF that of most of the other caterers we looked at and they were able to accommodate our particularly finicky and different menu requests. All in all, everyone raved about the food, and isn't that the best test of it all???
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556 Delaware Ave., Albany, NY | Capital Region, Adirondacks, Saratoga, Hudson Valley
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