Media & Recognition
Press, Awards &
Recognition
A comprehensive hub of every mention, award, profile, and feature for The Local Caterer, Chef Josh Bakken, and Kasandra Bakken — built on years of consistent excellence in Arizona catering.
131+
Google Reviews
5.0★
WeddingWire & The Knot
Top 3
Caterer in Mesa 2025
500+
Events Catered
Awards & Honors
Recognized for Excellence
Platform Profiles & Ratings
Find Us Across the Web
Media & Community Features
In the News & Community
The People Behind the Brand
Meet the Founders
Chef Josh Bakken
Executive Chef & Co-Founder
With over 16 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry, Chef Josh Bakken founded The Local Caterer in 2020 with a mission to bring chef-crafted, scratch-made food to every event in the East Valley. His culinary journey spans diverse cuisines and techniques, and his passion for bringing people together around the dinner table is the heart of everything The Local Caterer does. Josh also founded Bakken's Table, a private dining and chef's table experience that has earned recognition at the Arizona Restaurant Association Foodist Awards.
Kasandra Bakken
Co-Founder & Operations Director
Kasandra Bakken is the operational force behind The Local Caterer — managing client relationships, event logistics, and the team that makes every event run flawlessly. Recognized as Phoenix 2025 Woman of the Year and featured in Soeleish Phoenix Magazine as one of Arizona's Top 30 Women Entrepreneurs, Kasandra brings vision, warmth, and relentless dedication to every event she touches. Her background as a certified nutritionist also informs the health-conscious menu options The Local Caterer offers.
Media Inquiries & Interview Requests
For press inquiries, interview requests, partnership features, or media kit access, please reach out directly. We're happy to speak about catering trends, the Arizona food scene, or our story building The Local Caterer from the ground up.