I had an incredible experience working with Kelly! She had the best recommendations, especially for our wedding band and florist (though that was just the tip of the iceberg). Literally every person I hired (make up artist, dry cleaner, etc.) would tell me how much they love Kelly as soon as I told them I was working with her. She knows Sonoma well and will get you the best vendors and make sure they're fully set up for your event. She also was so kind and supportive and caring. Our venue was an absolute nightmare to work with, but Kelly worked hard to make sure everything worked out. I'm so grateful I hired her and would do it again in heartbeat! read more

This review is long overdue but very important to me. Joy and her team at Event Savvy are honestly what made my wedding reception as wonderful as it was. I got married September 2017 at the Douglas Beach House in Half Moon Bay. I was looking for a local venue that was flexible with outside drinks & caterers. Joy & the Event Saavy team were listed as the preferred caterer. I had no intention of going with the preferred option but after one conversation with Joy & a tasting of her food, we felt like we hit the jackpot. (p.s. she's a total dog lover and she hung out with our pup out in the patio for a while) All throughout the planning process, Joy was quick at answering any of my questions. Her confidence and experience eased any worries I may have had (wedding planning got a bit overwhelming at times). She also offered other tips and tricks to assist with the reception planning. Based off of my guest count and vision, she handled all the seating layout and the overall "flow" of the event. It was important for Joy to have the menu not only be top of the line, but also a reflection of my husband and I's style. A small example of this is Joy including little delectable cheesesteak bites with soft bread and melted cheese in the appetizer menu because my husband and I met at a Philly cheesesteak shop. Super cute...and tasty! I love how Joy takes pride in using the freshest, organic & sustainable veggies and meats from local farmers. Multiple guests approached me to comment on how fresh and incredibly delicious the food was! There was so much food, that Joy boxed up the leftovers so my husband and I could take the rest on our honeymoon road trip and share with family. We were eating good! From Joy's kindness & exceptional food, to the charismatic, fun bartender, to the personable and extremely attentive wait staff, I was impressed with every person's positivity, professionalism, & work ethic. Did I mention that included was a day-of wedding planner? She was kind, effective and kept the event running in the background like a well-oiled machine. Joy knows how to choose her team. What is crazy is that Event Saavy's catering service felt like the fanciest of the fancy but in terms of pricing, it was the most reasonable option I came across. My price included appetizers, dinner menus, china, glassware, chairs, the staff (even the bartender that served the alcohol we bought from Costco) & the day-of planner. For our reception, we went with the buffet style layout. The presentation was lovely. As I'm sure you've gathered by now, Joy & Event Saavy honestly left an impression with me. I hope she is successful in everything she does and I hope to use her services in all my future events. read more

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Our wedding got moved at the last minute from Geyserville to Half Moon Bay because of the Kincade fire. Joy and her team were able to put together a spectacular meal for our guests with almost no notice. Several guests commented that it was the "best event meal they'd ever had." The food was both delicious and gorgeous and her staff could not have been kinder or more professional. Thank you Joy, Colleen and the entire team! read more

Joy is her name and that's exactly what she brings to the table....well that and amazing food! Joy catered my wedding on 9/14 in Half Moon Bay. From the very first email, I knew I was dealing with a kind, caring person. She listened to every idea, detail, and suggestion. I had a restricted budget and she made the most amazing menu! We decided on appetizers and brunch! Passed mushroom puffs and berry pancake skewers, plus stationary cheeses, pastries, berries, breads etc. She even went and bought locally made doughnut holes at my request!! The main buffet included Brioche French Toast, Eggs Benedict, assorted meats, and potatoes. It was absolutely divine!!! I cannot say enough about how much every single person was loving the food. I ate the leftovers for days and couldn't get enough. Let me tell you about dessert..... she used my lemon bar recipe and my Meyer Lemons from my backyard to make our wedding desserts!!!! I mean, who goes that far to make someone feel special?! Not to mention, she gifted us a huge poppyseed lemon cake because...well because she's just a saint of a woman. We got to have the classic cake cutting and fun messy photos, not to mention enjoy an incredible cake ... simply due to her generosity. Amazing! Joy also coordinated the rental items: linens, chairs, glassware, umbrellas, etc. She came up with an incredible spread with cream linens and burlap! She even has the napkins wrapped with jute per my request. On top of Joy's food, and decorating sense, I have to say something about working with her to coordinate the most important day of my life. Joy is the type of person you want to know because she bring sunshine into an otherwise dreary space. She is sweet, understanding, and deeply concerned with making you the best food and creating the best environment for your special day. In the few months we worked together, we became very close. I now consider Joy a friend. I don't feel words can express how incredibly grateful I am to this wonderful woman for all she did for me on my wedding day. Hire her! You'd be crazy not to. read more

Event Savvy - Dessert spread! Thanks Joy!!! - Caterers Near Me

Joy at Event Savvy was an absolute dream to work with for our wedding. While my wife was the one that was more hands on working with Joy- I could see from the start when we met Joy, she knew exactly what we were shooting for, and offered us a VERY competitive price. Whenever we had any questions or concerns, Joy was always responsive via email or phone call. Months prior leading to our wedding, to the day of- my wife and I couldn't be any more happy with the services provided by Joy and her team at Even Savvy- and we would HIGHLY recommend anyone to her. Joy, thank you so much for taking great care of us on our special day- we really appreciate it. PS: Our friends and family are still glowing about your hordurves! :D read more

Wow out of this world, amazing! Event savvy, goes above and beyond any and ALL expectations. Joy Portelli the owner is a "Joy" and a truly very special woman. With only 3 months to plan my wedding, I contacted Joy at Event Savvy with wonderinig if I could pull it all off in such short notice, and wow, suddenly I could breathe, she put me at ease. Joy took charge with all of my needs and more. She is so detailed, there were things that I hadn't even thought of that she was the elegance, grace and my right hand through my whole wedding. Her staff was so friendly, helpful and perfessional. There was never a time when I had question to ask her, that I heard 'no'.. it was always 'sure, we can make that happen'.. "sure, yes, or course" This is just one example of many.. "my center pieces were succulents, well Joy notices every detail, and had decorted all of the buffet tables with centerpieces to match my decor, and lit the place with the most beautiful candles.. it just glowed, like Joy Portelli herself. The food was a slice of heaven. Compliment after compliment. It was mouthwatering deliecious. So many of my guests went for seconds and thirds.. ..it met my expectations x 1000!!!! The next event Michael and I have, Joy will be the first person I will call, as aaah she put us to ease, as she stepped right in, and "made it happen" If a family member or friend asks me if I know of any caterers, which event savvy is much more than that, event coordinator and friend, Joy Portelli will be the the person I will recommend. Jill and Michael Fabri read more

We have had Joy and her team help us on several occasions for event lunches. Each time the food is amazing and Joy and staff are always on time and cheerful- she even makes a little extra for leftover treats! From the main course, the salad right thru to the dessert your event will taste and look great. Thanks Joy- you live up to your name!! read more

There are not enough superlatives to describe the high level of quality that Joy and Event Savvy bring to the table! Long before any of her delicious food is served, Joy impresses with a sincere and abundant friendliness (I'm trying to avoid using the word "joy" to describe her, but that's truly what it is). We've used Event Savvy to cater our company's annual holiday part for years, and while the internal decisions are made by committee, Joy makes sure to get the input of every individual. She thinks of everything, sees the event through to every last detail--conversations with her feel like an exciting creative process, not like a slogging chore of decision-making (which has been the case with other events I have helped to coordinate). Can I talk about the food now? We just do appetizer style food for the company party, every year a different theme. Her knowledge of how flavors work together, how they advance the theme without making it seem over-the-top or cliche, is remarkable. It's like she understands all the delicate balancing acts that go into these kinds of decisions, not only so that the food is both interesting and enjoyable, but also so that our guests will feel that they are eating something special. It's kind of an incredible experience. The spread of food that Event Savvy provides prompts one of those few occasions where, for one brief moment, I'm sad to be a vegetarian. One bite (or two or three or four) of her delicious vegetarian options takes away any ounce of regret, and I'm again grateful for her inviting conversations, where she gets my ideas on vegetarian deliciousness so that she can incorporate it into the menu. Beyond accommodating, she has made everything devastatingly scrumptious. By the end of the event, all that is left on the table is wreckage of a once-beloved meal. read more

We recently had our 50th anniversary party at the Douglas Beach house. First, let me say the venue is fantastic, ocean front is truly true! We had two bands play on their wonderful stage. Now, lets get to the food, Joy from Event Savvy is by far the best caterer I have ever worked with, she was able to put on a five star party on our somewhat limited budget. We and many of our guests have been in the food service business for decades, and all of us where impressed with the quality and diversity of the menu. The appetizers where so plentiful, some guests where surprised when dinner was served. I feel Joy has become more then someone I hired for a party, but someone who will be in my life long after the party. I can not recommend highly enough. read more

5 stars all the way! Joy and her team catered our wedding and everything was fantastic. Let her know what you want and get ready for a party. read more

This review is a little late, but I want to be sure to acknowledge Joy and her team for the exceptional job they did catering our wedding in October, 2015 at the Douglas Beach House in Half Moon Bay. Joy not only provided the most delicious food I have had at a wedding, but also did many things that she did not have to do to make my wedding special. She repeatedly went above and beyond, even having a member of her staff arrange flowers and beautify the space for us. She was always available to chat, and was very accommodating when I asked to change the menu several times. Once or twice I asked her to make it a lower price point, and another time I asked if she could accommodate some dietary restrictions. She and her team created a menu that went along perfectly with the theme of my wedding, which ended up being a kind of beach meets New Orleans feel. The food was a New Orleans style, but with a farm-to-table California feel. It was the perfect blend. Our wedding would never have gone off so perfectly without her. A million thanks to Joy and Event Savvy. read more