Catering

Getting Started

Welcome to Ellington Catering. With over 25 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 meal service 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).

 FAQs

  • We cater events within a 1.5-hour radius of Farmville, VA. Due to logistics, we are unable to service locations beyond that timeframe.

  • To create an accurate quote, we’ll need the following details:

    • Type of event and service style

    • Menu selections and beverage needs

    • Staffing requirements

    • Rental needs

    • Venue location

    • Estimated guest count

    This information helps us tailor a proposal that aligns with your vision and budget.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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–Thursday after 3:30 PM and on select Sundays

    • Location: Gee Price Center at Fuqua School Upper Campus in Farmville, VA

    Tastings last approximately 1 hour

  • 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

  • We charge a 20% service fee on full-service events. This fee covers:

    • Event management

    • Catering equipment and serving tools

    • Disposables

    • 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.

  • 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.

  • Staffing rates are as follows:

    • Bartenders & Chefs – $40/hour

    • Service Staff – $35/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. Buffet style menus start at an average of $18 per guest.  Most full-service events range from $45 and up per guest.   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

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. Usually 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

(Included)

Sugarcane plates

White plastic cutlery

Paper napkins

Clear plastic cups

Clear Plastic Dinnerware

($3.75 per person)

Clear plastic plates for social hour, dinner, and dessert

Clear plastic utensils

Clear cups

Paper napkins

China-Like Premium Dinnerware

($6.75 per person)

Elegant plastic plates (white with silver or gold rim) for social hour, salad, dinner, and dessert

Clear cups

Gold or silver plastic utensils wrapped in heavy white napkins

White paper napkins for social hour

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 formal rentals

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.

Sweet Tea – $1.75 per person

Unsweet Tea – $1.75 per person

Lemonade – $1.75 per person

Bottled Water – $1.25 per bottle

Canned Soda (assorted) – $1.25 per can

10 oz. Hard Plastic Cups – $0.50 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, and plastic cups

Bartender required: $40/hour (4-hour minimum + 2 hours setup and breakdown)

Recommended: 1 bartender per 75 guests

Full Bar Service

($10 per person)

Includes beer, wine, and liquor service

Ice, coolers, and 9 oz. plastic cups provided

Mixers: Coke, Diet Coke, Ginger Ale, Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Tonic, Soda Water

Garnishes: Lemons and Limes

Bartender required: $40/hour (4-hour minimum + 2 hours setup and breakdown)

Recommended: 1 bartender per 50 guests

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 – $40 per hour

Additional staff may be required for full bars, specialty drink stations, or glassware use

Chef – $40 per hour

Food Service Staff – $35 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 30 days prior to the event date will receive 50% of the deposit back, excluding the non-refundable $500 deposit.

Accepted Payment Methods

We accept Credit Card, PayPal, or Check.

Additional Charges

A 7% food tax will be applied.

State sales tax will be added to the final invoice total.