Startups Catering & Events

hat the event would proceed according to our written agreement. I requested the return of my deposit if we were not going to move forward under the agreed terms. Although I was told the refund would be sent, I never received it. With my event only weeks away, I had to secure another caterer at additional expense to avoid canceling my celebration. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend this company. I hope they improve their communication and how they handle customer deposits and contract disputes. Sam offered to refund me my $3000 and I never received it. 

t of my guests ended up going for seconds. The set up and aesthetics of the serving tables was pretty average and the extra charcuterie board we payed almost 1k for was pretty terrible. It was like a costco tray for that price. Originally, the vendor argued that a reduction of headcount from 200 to 120 would only amount to a 10% reduction in price over a month out. After arguing that that was ridiculous, we did get a more reasonable quote. However, that inclination of the owner here left a bad taste in my mouth. Overall, the food was awesome and well prepared. Presentation was average. Customization of some things, like getting an espresso machine instead of a Folger's coffee pot was pretty poor. Trying to highball a quote 3o days out from a wedding where the headcount ALWAYS changes is really poor. Decent value for the money, but be prepared for some silliness.

he shortcomings: Staff arrived well over an hour LATE. The presentation of the food at the wedding was INCREDIBLY SUBAR. The presentation was not remotely similar to the photos on the Startups website. We later realized that most if not all of the companies online photos were most likely pulled from Google. By the time my wife and I went to get food at the cocktail hour they were completely out of multiple appetizers. The Tri Tip carving station was labeled as “TRIP TIP” which confused many guests. Guests complained that the beef was undercooked, chewy, and could not cut it up due to a lack of steak knives on the tables. Pasta was served plain in the trays without sauce which was aesthetically unappealing and caused the pasta to clump together. The sauces were coagulated which looked extremely unappetizing. The Mahi Mahi was labeled as Halibut which could have caused a SERIOUS issue if someone was allergic. Employees were seen bussing the tables with black garbage bags during the reception. After the wedding I received MANY complaints from guests and vendors stating that there was not enough food and some DID NOT EVEN GET TO EAT. The photographers were seen eating fast food in the corner which was humiliating to say the least. After reaching out to the owner Sam Schultz about our dissatisfaction, I received no reply for 15 days. I finally received a reply of "Ok". It has now been over 6 months since the wedding, no resolution was ever given, and he has since stopped responding to all forms of communication. In conclusion, Sam Schultz has horrible customer service, used fraudulent images on his website, and car salesman-like friendliness/ tactics to assure my wife and I that our wedding day would be amazing, which in fact was nothing but a SCAM!! Mind you we paid $12,000 for what is shown in the photos attached! SIMILAR REVIEWS ON YELP.COM AND GOOGLE