Business Details
25 Years
experience
Award-Winning Catering Services in Santa Barbara
Pure Joy Catering has been redefining event experiences since 2001, combining culinary excellence with meticulous event planning. Founded by Executive Chef Lynette La Mere as a single-mother-led enterprise, our company has grown into Santa Barbara's premier full-service catering provider while maintaining its founding passion for exceptional food and service. Our team of industry-recognized professionals brings decades of collective experience in off-premise catering, specializing in weddings, corporate events, and celebrations that demand both creativity and flawless execution. As members of the Leading Caterers of America, we uphold the highest standards of culinary innovation and event management. Our commitment to using locally sourced ingredients ensures every menu reflects the region's bounty while meeting dietary preferences from gluten-free to vegan.With dedicated specialists in event coordination, culinary arts, and design, we offer comprehensive services that include venue selection, vendor management, and custom dcor solutions. Our commercial kitchen and warehouse facility enable precise control over every detail, from scratch-made dishes to curated rental inventories. Client testimonials consistently highlight our ability to exceed expectations through personalized service, evidenced by our 98% client retention rate and numerous industry awards. We maintain transparency throughout the planning process, offering fixed pricing with no hidden fees while accommodating diverse budget requirements.
Services
Wedding Catering
Corporate Events
Private Celebrations
Venue Coordination
Vendor Management
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- 20+ years of specialized catering experience with 5,000+ successfully executed events
- Personalized event planning with dedicated specialists for each client
- Comprehensive full-service solutions from venue selection to final cleanup
- Award-winning culinary team using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients
- Proven track record with 98% client retention and 400+ five-star reviews
Associations and certifications
- Leading Caterers of America
What people say
Exceptional food quality
Flawless service execution
Creative menu options
Stress-free planning process
Beautiful presentation
Services
Wedding Catering
Our wedding catering combines culinary excellence with meticulous planning. With 20+ years of experience handling 100-500 guest events, we create custom menus using locally sourced ingredients while managing all logistics from venue setup to final cleanup. Our dedicated coordinators ensure seamless execution aligned with your vision and budget.
Corporate Events
We specialize in corporate gatherings from executive dinners to large-scale conferences. Our services include branded menu design, efficient service for professional settings, and technical support for presentations. We maintain strict timelines to accommodate business schedules while delivering gourmet dining experiences that impress clients and employees alike.
Private Celebrations
From milestone birthdays to anniversary parties, we transform personal visions into memorable occasions. Our team handles all aspects including theme development, venue selection, and customized menus that reflect the host's preferences while ensuring guest comfort and enjoyment through attentive service.
Venue Coordination
Our venue experts provide access to 120+ preferred locations with exclusive partnerships. We facilitate site visits, manage contracts, and coordinate logistics to ensure each space perfectly matches client needs while leveraging our established relationships for optimal terms and service quality.
Vendor Management
We coordinate with top-tier vendors for photography, florals, rentals, and entertainment. Our established network ensures reliable service quality while simplifying logistics through centralized communication and timeline management to guarantee cohesive event execution.
People
Lynette La Mere
Founding Executive Chef, Owner
With over 40 years in culinary arts, Lynette established Pure Joy Catering as a single mother and has grown it into Santa Barbara's premier catering company while maintaining hands-on involvement in menu development and client relations.
Patrick Ward
Senior Event Specialist
A seasoned event coordinator with thousands of successfully managed events, Patrick specializes in transforming client visions into reality through meticulous planning and execution expertise across diverse event types.
Marguerite Cerredo
Executive Chef
Trained at August Escoffier School, Marguerite brings French culinary expertise to our kitchen, overseeing menu execution and leading prep teams while maintaining the highest standards of food quality and presentation.
Alizabeth Schotten
V.P. of Event Operations
With extensive event planning experience, Alizabeth ensures flawless execution through detailed coordination, managing complex logistics from proposal stage to event completion with exceptional organizational capabilities.
Shayna Cogan
Business & Marketing Manager
A native Santa Barbaran with industry expertise, Shayna drives business development and marketing strategy while maintaining operational efficiency through her organizational leadership and deep local market knowledge.
Questions
What types of events do you specialize in?
We specialize in weddings, corporate events, private celebrations, and non-profit galas with full-service catering and event coordination.
Do you work with clients outside Santa Barbara?
Yes, we service all of Santa Barbara County, Wine Country, and frequently work with clients from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and beyond.
Can you accommodate special dietary requirements?
Our menus include gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, and allergy-friendly options with advance planning.
What's included in your full-service catering package?
Our comprehensive service includes menu design, venue coordination, vendor management, rentals, staffing, and day-of execution.
How far in advance should we book your services?
We recommend booking 6-12 months in advance for weekends during peak season (April-October).
Do you provide event design and décor services?
Yes, our in-house design team creates custom décor solutions including table settings, floral arrangements, and thematic elements.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Galen Johnson
Dec 23, 2019
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Unbelievable! Patrick was so incredibly helpful from the very moment we started planning. He's a true professional and knows just about everything that goes into hosting the best weddings in Santa Barbara. His team made our reception absolutely beautiful - from the appetizer stations, to the food displays, and bar. And they coordinated it perfectly - there was never a moment in which anyone was left wanting. Maybe they were just being nice, but all our guests GUSHED over the food and desserts. Truly a great catering operation and could not be more grateful to Patrick and his team! Thank you Pure Joy!
Kevin Smith
Jun 24, 2019
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The entire Pure Joy team was amazing! In particular, Ellen was an extraordinary partner in helping me and my husband design and execute a beautiful menu for our wedding. We had peace of mind at each step in the process (even during our big day) because Pure Joy is truly the best. Paying a little more than some other local vendors was totally worth it - the food was so fresh and delicious and they paid attention to every small detail. I would highly recommend them to anyone planning a wedding or any other event when you want to deliver an extraordinary experience to your guests.
Curtis Kwast
Nov 07, 2018
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If you're thinking about using pure joy catering don't think just do! They're absolutely amazing. Every person that we dealt with was so accommodating. They made us feel comfortable with our choices and we're so knowledgeable in every aspect of our wedding. The food stations and main courses were definitely some of the best food we have ever had! Presentation was on point just as the service was. We highly recommended using Pure joy catering for your next event. Way to go guys you rock!
Cougar Oswald
May 20, 2018
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I attended a Pure Joy wedding in Santa Barbara recently - they are awesome! The food stations were all incredible. Super creative flavor combinations with nearly all local ingredients, and everything was delicious! The shrimp skewers with (some kind of) zesty seasoning and cilantro dip - ROCKED MY WORLD. Keep it up, PJ!
Bradley Bennett
Feb 19, 2018
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We had an incredible experience working with Pure Joy for our wedding this past November. As lovers of food, we had high expectations for our caterer and Pure Joy did not disappoint. Our menu was unique and Lynette did the research to make the menu of our dreams and the team executed it with perfection. We continue to be told by our friends and family that it was hands down the best food they had ever tasted at a wedding.
Beyond the food, Pure Joy handled the entire event planning process and the execution on the day of went without a hitch. We had numerous events and stations throughout the event. Each area was setup and torn down throughout the evening without the guests noticing and a great time was had by all. I'll never have to hire another wedding caterer for myself, but I'll happily recommend Pure Joy to anyone on the hunt! You won't be disappointed.
Beyond the food, Pure Joy handled the entire event planning process and the execution on the day of went without a hitch. We had numerous events and stations throughout the event. Each area was setup and torn down throughout the evening without the guests noticing and a great time was had by all. I'll never have to hire another wedding caterer for myself, but I'll happily recommend Pure Joy to anyone on the hunt! You won't be disappointed.
Lynee Gonsalves
Nov 20, 2017
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It has been a little over two months since we got married and we're on cloud 9 living in wedding bliss. We chose Pure Joy Catering to cater our wedding and it was a fantastic experience from beginning to end. The execution was absolutely flawless, the food was fresh and delicious and they really were Pure Joy. They took the hassle out of planning by managing our rentals and insuring we had everything we needed and provided the most amazing service around.
They were quick to respond to any question I had and worked with me to create my dream wedding. I highly recommend them if you want your wedding or event to go off without a hitch. There's a reason their office walls are full of thank you notes and awards - they're simply the best in town. And it doesn't hurt that they cooked the best darn wedding food I've ever had! Literally! Thank you Pure Joy! Love, The Bennetts
They were quick to respond to any question I had and worked with me to create my dream wedding. I highly recommend them if you want your wedding or event to go off without a hitch. There's a reason their office walls are full of thank you notes and awards - they're simply the best in town. And it doesn't hurt that they cooked the best darn wedding food I've ever had! Literally! Thank you Pure Joy! Love, The Bennetts
Suan C.
Nov 05, 2017
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We hired Pure Joy for our small wedding - 23 people. They did a multi-course sit down dinner with passed appetizers. Food was simply delicious! So much so that we asked for a couple of the recipes : Service was impeccable. Polite, friendly, and attentive. Patrick was great to work with from the beginning - great communication from start to finish. We had a last minute change in the venue for the ceremony due to the weather and they accommodated us willing. Very professional team. What they delivered was definitely worth what we paid. Highly recommended.
