It's very frustrating to see that the other reviews are "not recommended" when they say positive things about Bennett Caterers. That is not fair to them. My first interaction with the owner, Joanne, was wonderful. She was incredibly helpful in not only deciding on the wedding menu, but in matching colors, suggesting decor, and offering advice for planning as she was aware that I was planning my own wedding and had no idea what I was doing! She helped me afford the full-service buffet catering by working out pricing that worked well for my budget and worked out ALL the buffet options I wanted! I was super excited and incredibly happy with the menu! It hit all food options, meats, seafood, vegetarian. We scheduled a tasting during our meeting with the venue representative and Joanne provided all the needed documentation for catering. The tasting was all of the entrees/sides that we put on the menu, AND additional tastings of other options and iced tea that I wanted. Since we didn't really have "tasting" time at the venue, she packed it up into take-out boxes and let us take so much food home! It was as if we went to a restaurant and got take-out food for dinner! I hired Bennett Caterers for my wedding ceremony/reception, all located in the same lodge. Set-up time was scheduled from 12:00-2:00pm, with the ceremony supposed to begin at 2:00pm. They were already at the location when we arrived for set-up and setting up table linens. In that time frame, I threw the decor onto the tables and ran off to get ready for my wedding. By the time I came back up for the ceremony, all of the tables were beautifully covered with the plates and silverware. Everything was set-up and the buffet was warm and ready on the side. During dinner, the food was very good and everyone seemed satisfied. With my nervousness, I kind of forgot to eat during my entire wedding, but at least the guests enjoyed it! The bar was also great! The waiters were incredibly respectful and Joanne's team was great. If there was anything I could have changed, I probably would have pushed a couple of late night (after party) snacks that could have gone around during the dancing, as I didn't get the try any appetizers during cocktail hour, since I was off taking photos. :( To any brides that plan their own wedding, you SHOULD have breakfast, because I thought I'd get to try some of the food and I didn't... :(( But I'm so happy the guests enjoyed it all! Just a side note -- I didn't quite know this was universal for caterers, but to avoid liability issues, they cannot leave you leftovers (especially since the food sits out for a long time), so don't be surprised if you don't get to keep everything that you saw after dinner. Thanks, Joanne! read more

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Joanne was fantastic! My wife and I were planning our wedding in the early stages by ourselves without a planner, and Joanne went above and beyond her role as a caterer and really helped us with other aspects of our event (timeline, layout, etc.). She really listened to us when it came to food selection and what we wanted. She was extremely professional and my wife was VERY pleased! The food was plentiful, tasty and our guests made multiple comments about the high food quality. When the venue tried to upcharge us for items they originally said they would include, Joanne had our back and helped us get what we were owed. We will definitely be using Bennett Caterers for house gatherings in the future! read more

Bennett Caterers - Guest Table - Caterers Near Me - Fort Washington, Maryland

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Joanne Grigsby,CEO of Bennett Caterers who claims to have over 35 years in the catering but has only been a Better Business Bureau "BBB.org" accredited business since 2/13/2019, and in been in business 22 years. That really speaks for itself. BBB will not give you an accreditation with a dirty history. BBB.org shows another bride like my daughter and I hired Joanne and that bride had the same experience of Bennett Catering taking her money and not delivering the contracted services. What Joanne does is get your money, and serve the food she wants to serve, not what you paid her to serve, then says "everybody had a great time". She required and we paid her nearly $7000.00 in full before the date of the event for a small event. We are pursuing legal action for recover some of our loss. Even after reading YELP and BBB, we give her the benefit of doubt because she was a SBOB, Small Black Owned Business in PG County and also because the MCNPPC required us to chose from their vendor list. Trying to support SBOB is not worth it. Don't make our mistake. Per a complaint BBB.org documented on 07/23/2018 for another unfortunate bride. Bennett Caterers did not fully deliver the contracted services and provided poor service as follows: 1. We entered into a Catering Agreement dated October 10, 2017 through May 18, 2018 for a wedding reception on Friday, May 18, 2018 for 175 guests. 2. We paid Bennett Caterers, LLC the full amount of $8,495.00 for food and labor as greed. (continued on BBB.org) read more

Bennett Caterers - How Bennett Catering rolled out my daughters wedding cake. On a dirty, knotted up table cloth. The cutting set was sitting on a dirty box - Caterers Near Me - Fort Washington, Maryland

We used Bennett Caterers for Mom's 70th Birthday Celebration! We found them based on their truck sign...They arrived early for the room set-up and provided excellent service and attention to detail!!! The food was EXCELLENT and more than enough!!! The food service staff was very professional and attentive!!! JoAnn coordinated everything and exceeded our expectations...her team went above and beyond...we will use them again and HIGHLY RECOMMEND them!!! The Mickens Family read more

I will start off by saying that Joanne is a very pleasant lady because I don't like to assassinate anyone's character. I was unhappy with the service from my wedding. Although, she threw in many "complimentary" things into my package, she failed to actually deliver what was on the contract. Pros: The food was delicious and got many compliments from my guests. Cons: Because they are so long I will put them in bullet points. We, the bride and groom, were not served anything until the reception when we were told that we were to get food before the reception. Although, it rained and she was unable to set up the table, she did not have a plan B for feeding the bride and groom (at least, especially since we paid for it). Instead, my bridal party had to go search for food in the kitchen so that I could eat something during and after pictures. There was an agreed upon menu that was not served, but instead she chose to give complimentary items and I have no idea where the complimentary items came from because they were not discussed with me, the contract holder, prior to the event. She sent us, the bride and groom, away with food that wasn't eaten by the guest instead of packing us a plate before serving other guests and that was only given to us because my aunt insisted that we get some food after the wedding. She claims that I didn't tell her about any food allergies when there are witnesses at our meeting who can support that we did tell her about food allergies that her staff did not abide by. There were guests telling me that there were flies surrounding open food and there was cream based ranch dressing (which I did not ask for) that wasn't set on ice on a 90 degree weather day. She was 30 minutes late to a meeting with my mother (planner), my coordinator, and myself without any previous communication. I had to call her for her to tell me that she would be there in 5 minutes, which turned into 30 minutes. After that incident, I spoke with her about my concerns about her following through and she assured me that there would not be any problems with her. The wedding cake table cloth had a knot in it. I don't know if something spilled on the table cloth and they didn't want anyone to know or something but now I'll have that in my wedding cake pictures and video and it was very unattractive. It was very disappointing. The cake was cut TERRIBLY! When I saw the left overs I couldn't believe how chopped up it looked. She did not serve the contracted menu! I had beef, macaroni, greens, and whatever else on my plate when my menu was as stated below. Cocktail Hour-Hors d'oeuvres Mini Crab Cakes with Herb Remoulade Chicken Kabobs Jamaican Beef Patties Assortment of fresh fruit Dinner Buffet Spring Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing Entree's Rosemary Chicken with lemon butter sauce Blacken Salmon with Mango salsa ACCOMPLEMENTS Southern Style Green Beans Jasmine Rice Rolls with Butter BEVERAGES Mango Tea Last but not least, when I told her my concerns and disappointment after the wedding I requested a 75% refund, which could have been negotiated amicably, she sent me a titled "rebuttal letter" and offered my husband and I a gift certificate for $300 when we don't even live in the state. We had our wedding in Maryland; however, we live in Ohio and she had no regard for us in that matter. All of my other vendors have raving reviews and I hate that I've had these issues with Ms. Joanne. She assured me that she wanted to make this as stress free as possible but she brought most of my stress on my wedding day. I would hate for anyone else to go through what I went through. I'm glad that others had a good experience with MS. Joanne, I just wish mine were the same. Please be mindful of who you pick as your caterer for your wedding day and make sure they have a plan B for rainy days. Be blessed, Mrs. Miranda Allen read more

Bennett Caterers catered a recent dinner for us at our home for 30 guests. They were wonderful. Staff was so helpful and friendly. They went out of their way to help us prepare from meal ideation to serving that day. And everything was delicious. Our guests were extremely pleased with the evening: I would definitely use them again. read more

I hired Bennett Caterers for my wedding which was held on 8/14/2021. They were outstanding. My guest raved about the food. It was hot and delicious. Ms. Joanne Bennett was extremely professional. She was very knowledgable and experienced. The service they provided was outstanding. I would definitely hire them for my next event. read more

I have been using Bennett Caterers since 2016. Whenever I have an event they are the first that comes to mind. So when I needed catering for an event I called them immediately. I reached out to Bennett Caterers to cater a birthday dinner I was having. They were very prompt with getting back to me. Their service is very professional and their prices are great. They helped me craft an awesome menu. Everyone loved the food and couldn't stop talking about. You should definitely use them for any catering needs you have! read more

If you are going to plan for a Family Reunion, you need Bennett Caterers! I hired Bennett to cater my family reunion meet and greet. It was the best move! The food was delicious. Joanne was timely on follow up, delivery and advising me on the best menu to have for the indoor event. A great chef. She cooked shrimp and grits, Jamaican beef patties, and chicken tenders that melted in my mouth! We also had pasta and vegetables. The servers set up promptly, and cleaned my entire kitchen afterwards. The price was very reasonable too. My family reunion meet & greet was a hit! I strongly suggest you call Joanne Bennett Caterers for your family reunion or any event you have. It is worth it!! read more

April 4, 2017 Dear Joanne: Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to provide us with the wonderful food at our open house. It was awesome! We really appreciate the expense and time that you devoted to preparing and delivering the food direct to our office. I also want to thank your lovely assistant. Please convey my thanks to her. The event was a total success definitely in part to your tremendous contribution. The Maryland Women's Business Center is better able to assist our clients in no small part due to the generosity of people like you who are willing to give back and help others. We look forward to working with you again real soon. read more

I attended an affair on yesterday (4/30/16) where Bennett Caterers was the official caterer. There are times in your life where the food is so scrumptious it makes you "want to smack your momma." Everything from collard greens, macaroni and cheese, meatballs, sautéed salmon, peach cobbler, etcetera melted in your mouth. In fact, I have had the honor and distinct privilege of being a guest at many of Bennett Caterers events. The staff was absolutely exemplary, the food was simply delicious, and the setup and decorations were gorgeous and beautiful. I highly recommend Bennett Caterers for any event that my friends/family has scheduled. read more

Bennett Caterers recently caterer a back school breakfast and lunch for Dr. Henry A.Wise High. We contacted Bennette a week before the event. Let me just say that the service outstanding and the food excellent. We have made them our number one goto caterers. read more

I recently used the Bennett Caterers for a repast held in the family home for about 100 guests. I had attended an event catered by them several years ago and was impressed but wasn't sure what to expect many years later. I needn't have worried. When the family and friends arrived home after the service everything was set-up beautifully and ready to serve. The food was fabulous, the service was impeccable and the cleanup was quiet, unobtrusive and complete. Her price was more than reasonable and we were completely satisfied. read more

Tasting was great, price was reasonable so I hired them for wedding reception in July, they arrived 2 hours late, no phone call as to why, food was different than tasting and contract for. I requested refund and it was given. Don't use them. read more

Bennett Caterers is one of the most professional companies I've dealt with in decades. We hired this company to cater a party for my mother's 60th birthday--a very special event that we did not want to place in the hands of just anyone. Bennett Caterers came highly recommended and the team did not fail to deliver. Joanne and her staff made my mother's party one to remember. They were EXTREMELY professional while exceeding ALL our expectations. The team was very detail oriented and addressed/recommended things we did not even think of. I knew we made the right choice when my mother woke up the next morning and thought the event was a dream. Her party is still the talk of the town and it would not have been possible without the help of Joanne and her staff at Bennett Caterers. Thank you, thank you, and thank you for a job well done. You will be our #1 choice for future events!!! read more

I can't say enough about this caterer! First of all the food is delicious!! The menu is adaptable to what you really want and you are able to pick and choose as such. Food is seasoned and presentation is perfect. I chose Bennett Caterers to cater my wedding reception after interviewing and taste testing three (3) other caterers. Bennett Caterers are by far the most professional and helpful group I have ever encountered. They are a full service caterer in every way. The setup to the clean up. Servers are clean and dressed professionally (black pants/white shirts) and are very polite while taking pride in serving. This is not a lazy group. These caterers came to my venue and setup a day before the wedding and arrived early for the event and stayed until the last guest was gone. I would recommend this caterer to anyone who is looking for a caterer with class, style, a hard work ethic, good food and presentation. Bennett is your Caterer! They certainly are mine. read more