Impress Clients and Boost Morale: Corporate Catering That Works in the East Valley

The Local Caterer
Jul 16
4 min read

When you’re planning a corporate event—whether it’s a lunch-and-learn, quarterly meeting, executive retreat, or employee appreciation day—the food you serve says everything about your company. It reflects your standards, your hospitality, and your attention to detail.

That’s why forward-thinking businesses across Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Ahwatukee, and Tempe rely on The Local Caterer to deliver elevated corporate catering that’s as impressive as it is effortless.

Led by award-winning chef Josh Bakken, our East Valley-based team combines restaurant-quality meals with flexible service models to fit your business needs—whether you're feeding a boardroom of five or a staff of five hundred.

salmon on white plate with rosemary and lemons in mesa arizona catering

Why East Valley Companies Trust The Local Caterer

We’re not just “dropping off food.” We’re building a custom culinary experience that supports your brand, respects your budget, and actually excites the people eating it.

Here’s what sets us apart:

Locally sourced ingredients, no additives, and fully fresh prep
Custom menu design to match your brand, theme, or dietary needs
On-time, white-glove service for stress-free execution
Experienced chefs and real-time event coordination

From Tempe startups to established healthcare practices in Chandler, our catering team adapts to your space, your schedule, and your goals.

Types of Corporate Events We Cater

Not sure if we’re the right fit? Here are just a few of the corporate occasions we specialize in:

Executive Meetings & Retreats (private chef-style service available)
Lunch & Learns and Training Seminars (boxed or buffet-style)
Team Building Dinners & Workshops
Employee Appreciation Days
Holiday Parties & End-of-Year Celebrations
Product Launches and Brand Activations
Open Houses & Ribbon Cuttings
Client Appreciation Events

Whether it’s a rooftop mixer in Tempe (85281) or a conference in Chandler’s 85248 tech corridor, we tailor the menu and setup to match the energy and professionalism of your event.

High-Value Service in High-Impact Zip Codes

We proudly serve businesses across the East Valley, including:

Mesa: 85212, 85209, 85213
Chandler: 85248, 85249, 85286
Gilbert: 85295, 85298, 85233
Tempe: 85281, 85282
Ahwatukee: 85044, 85045, 85048
Queen Creek & San Tan Valley: 85142

These zip codes represent some of the fastest-growing corporate sectors in Arizona, including healthcare, software, finance, education, and real estate.

Sample Corporate Menus

Every menu is tailored, but here are examples of how we build business-focused meals with flair and functionality.

Executive Luncheon (Gilbert, 85295):

Grilled Salmon with Citrus Butter
Roasted Chicken Breast with Fig Glaze
Herb Couscous with Grilled Vegetables
Organic Mixed Green Salad with House Dressing
Mini Cheesecake Assortment
Iced Tea & Cucumber-Mint Water

Drop-Off Taco Bar (Mesa, 85212):

Carne Asada, Chicken Tinga, Veggie Cauliflower Carnitas
Rice, Beans, Fresh Guac, Corn & Flour Tortillas
Chips & Salsa Bar
Horchata & Lime Agua Fresca
Individual Cookie Boxes

Holiday Celebration (Chandler, 85249):

Carved Prime Rib Station
Truffle Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Dinner Rolls with Whipped Butter
Holiday Dessert Bar (Mini Flans, Churros, Cheesecake Bites)
Bar Service (Optional)

Casual Team BBQ (Tempe, 85282):

Pulled Pork Sliders
Southwest Black Bean Salad
Mac & Cheese Cups
Jalapeño Cornbread
Lemonade and Sweet Tea
DIY Ice Cream Sundae Bar

Dietary Flexibility Without Compromise

We regularly build menus around:

Vegetarian and Vegan Preferences
Keto and Paleo Diets
Gluten-Free Needs
Allergy-Aware Prep (peanuts, dairy, soy, etc.)

You won’t find boring tofu or dry veggie wraps here. Everything we serve is chef-curated to be crave-worthy, not just compliant.

Delivery, Setup, Full-Service – We Do It All

Depending on your event needs and size, we offer:

Boxed & Bagged Meals – Ideal for conferences or socially distanced setups
Buffet-Style Catering – Includes warmers, serving utensils, and professional setup
Full-Service – Staffing, plating, and live service at your venue
On-Site Chef Cooking – For VIP dinners or interactive brand experiences
Drop-Off Catering – Quick, reliable, and always on time

Need help choosing what fits best? Our team will guide you through everything.

Brands We've Served

While we respect client confidentiality, we’ve catered to a range of respected Arizona businesses and organizations, including:

Private medical practices
Real estate brokerages
Tech startups in Tempe
Charter schools and school boards
Construction and engineering firms
Wedding venues and event coordinators
Local chambers of commerce

We’ve catered executive retreats at Seville Golf Club (Gilbert, 85298), business mixers in Ocotillo (Chandler, 85248), and training lunches across East Valley business parks.

Office Catering That Builds Culture

Company culture starts with how you treat your people. Imagine your staff walking into the break room on a random Tuesday to find a fully catered taco bar or a gourmet boxed lunch with handwritten thank-you notes from the leadership team.

That’s not just food—it’s employee retention strategy.

Monthly office catering, birthday lunches, and quarterly “just because” meals are some of the best ways to:

Boost morale
Improve team engagement
Retain top performers
Create a workplace people want to return to

We’ll help you set it up with recurring billing, rotating menus, and even surprise “theme days” that your employees will love.

Hosting an Event at a Venue? We Know the East Valley

Some of the top corporate event venues we’ve worked with include:

SoHo63 in Chandler (85225)
The Water Tower Plaza in Gilbert (85296)
The Wright House in Mesa (85201)
Venue 8600 in Scottsdale (just outside East Valley)
The Collective in Chandler (85286)

We’re also happy to work in your office, parking lot, or rooftop—wherever the celebration is.

What Clients Are Saying

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"We had Josh and The Local Caterer provide meals for our Chandler company’s 10-year anniversary. 125 guests, buffet-style setup, and everything was flawless."— Paula G., HR Director

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"The food was so good our CEO went back for seconds. Enough said."— Raj T., Executive Assistant, Gilbert-based tech firm

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"We use them every quarter now for our board meetings in Ahwatukee. Excellent presentation, and they’re always early."— Jenn C., Nonprofit Manager