Our SErvices
Getting Started
Welcome to Ellington Catering. With over 27 years of experience in the catering industry, we have come up not only with the best service, but the best guide on how to get started planning your event.
See below for a checklist curated to help you prepare for your big event! Below the checklist you will find our FAQs and different information about your event style, options, beverages and more. Also, feel free to checkout our menu. When you are ready or need help (we know this can be a lot of information), feel free to contact us.
Your Checklist
To help us serve you best, please consider the following before reaching out:
Determine your wedding/event date and reception timeframe.
Choose a venue.
Estimate your guest count.
Decide on preferred appetizer options and mealservice style (stationary or passed food displays, stationary or passed hors d’oeuvres, interactive stations, drop off service, buffet, food stations, family style dinner, plated dinner service). See below for more details.
Establish your budget.
Begin selecting some menu items (view our menu here).
Please Click Button To Start
FAQs
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We cater events within a 1 hour radius of Farmville, VA. Due to logistics, we prefer not to service locations beyond that timeframe.
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To create an accurate quote, we’ll need you to fill out a catering request form.
This information helps us tailor a proposal that aligns with your vision and budget.
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We do not supply alcohol, but we’re happy to help you estimate the quantities needed for your event—free of charge. We do offer the following services for an additional fee:
Professional bartenders
Bar equipment
Coolers and ice
Mixers and garnishes
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Arrival time varies by event, but in general, our team arrives approximately two hours prior to the scheduled start time to ensure a smooth and timely setup.
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Once you’re ready to secure your date, we require a non-refundable $500 deposit to reserve your event. This deposit is applied to your final balance. You can make updates to your menu, guest count, or services—but we ask that the event date and location remain the same once booked.
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Yes. After confirming your booking, you’ll receive:
A Catering Contract
A Catering Event Summary
These documents will detail your menu, services, timeline, and more.
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Absolutely—we encourage them!
Tastings are free for up to 4 guests
Choose up to 10 menu items to sample
Each additional guest is $35
Tastings are held Monday and Wednesday after 12 PM and on select Sundays after 12 PM
Location: Ellington Catering 915 South Main Street Farmville Va.
Tastings last approximately 1 hour
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Food safety is our top priority.
Our team is ServSafe Certified, including the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
Our facility is licensed and inspected annually by the local health department
We stay up-to-date on Virginia's food safety regulations to ensure your event is served with the highest standards of cleanliness and care
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We charge a 20% service fee on full-service events. This fee covers:
Event management
Catering equipment and serving tools
Travel Expense
Consultation
Insurance
Kitchen equipment use and maintenance
Sanitation supplies and service items
Chafing fuel, gloves, uniforms
Pre-event food prep and post-event cleanup
This ensures seamless planning and execution of your event.
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Gratuity is not included in your estimate. We believe gratuity should reflect appreciation for excellent service and should never be assumed. If you'd like to include a tip:
You may provide it the day of the event, or
Request it to be added to your final invoice
Gratuity is evenly distributed among all staff—it truly takes a team to make your event a success.
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Staffing rates are as follows:
Bartenders & Chefs – $45 hour
Service Staff – $40/hour
Our staff handles everything, including:
Setting up food stations
Maintaining cleanliness throughout the event
Assisting guests and hosts
Bussing tables and removing trash
Packing up leftover food and catering equipment
Leftover food will be packed in disposable containers for you to take home. However, we cannot be held responsible for food safety or quality after the event concludes.
Pricing & Packages
At Ellington Catering, we understand that every event is one of a kind. Pricing is based on guest count, venue location, menu selections, staffing requirements, and chosen service style. Please fill out our Catering Event Request Form. We’ll work closely with you to create a personalized proposal that reflects your vision and fits your budget.
Service Options
We offer flexible service styles tailored to the tone and flow of your celebration. Whether you're hosting a sophisticated plated dinner or a vibrant cocktail reception, we have the perfect fit for your event.
Appetizer & Display Options
Stationary Food Displays – Elegant tables featuring beautifully arranged, ready-to-enjoy bites
Stationary Hors oeuvres – A variety of hors d’oeuvres available for guests to enjoy at their leisure
Passed Hors oeuvres – Hors d’oeuvres served by uniformed staff to guests throughout the space
Interactive Stations – Self-serve or chef-attended stations allowing guests to customize their selections
Grazing Table – Self-serve display of a variety of foods.
Meal Service Styles
Drop off service – We deliver the food to you, set-up and leave.
Guest-Service Buffet – A casual, efficient option where guests serve themselves from a buffet line. We keep the buffet full. Can be partnered with a station.
Full Service Buffet – An efficient option where we serve your guests from a buffet line. We keep the buffet full. Can be partnered with a station.
Family Style Dinner – Shared platters presented at each table to encourage guest interaction
Plated Dinner Service – A formal presentation with individually plated meals served to each guest
Dinnerware Options
We offer a variety of dinnerware choices to match your event’s style and level of formality. Whether casual or elegant, our options are designed to elevate your guest experience.
Standard Dinnerware
($1.95 per person)
Sugarcane plates for Social Hour, Dinner and Dessert
Silver Plastic Utensils
White Paper napkins
Clear 10 oz plastic cups
Clear Plastic Dinnerware
($3.95 per person)
Clear plastic plates for Social hour, Dinner, and Dessert
Silver Plastic Utensils
White Paper napkins
Clear 10 oz plastic cups
China-Like Dinnerware PKG
($5.95 per person)
Elegant plastic plates (white with silver or gold rim) for social hour, salad, dinner, and dessert
Clear 10 oz plastic cups
Gold or silver plastic utensils wrapped in heavy white napkins
White paper napkins for social hour
China-Like Premium Dinnerware PKG
($8.95 per person)
Elegant plastic plates (white with silver or gold rim) for social hour, salad, dinner, and dessert
Clear 10 oz plastic cups for Social Hour
Silver or Gold Plastic Forks for Social Hour
Glass Water glasses for Dinner
Stainless Steel Utensils for Dinner and Dessert
White Cloth Napkins
White paper napkins for social hour
Wine Glasses for Bar
Dinnerware Add-Ons
Real Glass Water Glasses – $1.00 per person
Real Glass Wine Glasses – $1.00 per person
Stainless Steel Utensils – $1.00 per piece
Cloth Napkins (White or Black) – $1.50 per person
Tablecloths (White or Black) – $15.00 per cloth
Rental Dinnerware Handling Fee
A $3.00 per person handling fee applies to all China or Glass Rentals. We will also need to add more labor for this option.
Beverage Service
At Ellington Catering LLC, we offer a range of beverage options to complement your event. From classic refreshments to full bar service, we provide quality presentation and seamless service for your guests.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Our standard beverage package includes sweet tea, unsweet tea, and lemonade, served in elegant acrylic self-serve dispensers. Cups and napkins are included.
Un Sweet Tea & Water – $1.75 per person
Unsweet Tea, Lemonade & Water – $3.75 per person
Sweet Tea, Water – $2.75 per person
Sweet Tea, Lemonade & Water – $4.75 per person
Bottled Water – $1.50 per bottle
Canned Soda (assorted) – $1.50 per can
10 oz. Hard Plastic Cups – $0.75 per person
Coffee Service
($3.75 per person)
Includes regular and decaf coffee, sugar, sugar substitutes, creamers, paper coffee cups with lids, and stirrers.
Glassware Rental
8 oz. Universal Wine Glass – $1.25 per stem
Champagne Flute – $1.25 per stem
Alcohol Service
Please Note: Ellington Catering LLC does not provide or purchase alcohol. Clients must supply and deliver all alcohol for their event.
Beer & Wine Service
($5 per person)
Includes ice, cooler, napkins, bar equipment and 10 oz plastic cups
A bartender is an additional charge. Bartenders are charged 1 hr prior to the start of bar service for set-up, bar service time decided by client plus 1 hr clean-up time, plus travel time to venues that are over 15 miles away from Farmville.
Bartenders are $45 per hour
Recommended: 1 bartender per 75 guests for beer and wine
Full Bar Service
($10 per person)
Includes ice, cooler, napkins, bar equipment and 10 oz plastic cups
Mixers: Coke, Diet Coke, Ginger Ale, Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Tonic, Soda Water
Garnishes: Lemons and Limes
A bartender is an additional charge. Bartenders are charged 1 hr prior to the start of bar service for set-up, bar service time decided by client plus 1 hr clean-up time, plus travel time to venues that are over 15 miles away from Farmville.
Bartenders are $45 per hour
Recommended: 1 bartender per 50 guests for beer, wine and liquor
Staffing & Service Rates
Staffing hours are billed two (2) hours prior to the event for setup, through the event, and one (1) hour after clean-up.
Bartenders – $45 per hour
Additional staff may be required for full bars, specialty drink stations, or glassware use
Chef – $45 per hour
Food Service Staff – $40 per hour
PAYMENTS & SERVICE
Deposit, Guest Count & Payment Timeline
A non-refundable $500 deposit is required to reserve your event date.
Once the menu is finalized and the contract is signed, a 50% deposit of the estimated total (based on your projected guest count) is due.
A final guaranteed guest count is required 14 days prior to the event. Menu changes are also accepted up until this deadline.
The final balance is calculated based on the confirmed guest count and is due at the 14-day mark.
Cancellations
Cancellations made less than 90 days prior to the event date will receive 50% of the deposit back, excluding the non-refundable $500 deposit.
Accepted Payment Methods
We accept Cash, Credit Card or Check.
Additional Charges
A 7% food tax will be applied for areas that charge this tax
State sales tax will be charged to total amount
A 20% mgr fee is charged to all service events, this covers Event Manager, all equipment, all display pieces, all fuel for transportation, all insurances, all catering and bar equipment, all licenses, skirts for all food tables.