Business Details
44 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Catering Solutions in Huntington Beach
Founded in 1982 as a family-owned business, Love At First Bite Catering has grown into Orange County's premier catering and event production company. We transitioned ownership in 2002 to John and Stacy LaBrake, who continued our legacy of delivering exceptional food, service, and value. Our team combines decades of collective experience with a passion for creating unforgettable events through culinary excellence. Over 40 years, we have built a reputation for reliability, creativity, and client-centered service. We pride ourselves on maintaining a family-like atmosphere while meeting the highest industry standards.Our approach blends traditional hospitality with modern innovation to ensure every event exceeds expectations. With a focus on quality ingredients and meticulous attention to detail, we serve diverse client needs across weddings, corporate events, and private gatherings. Our commitment to continuous improvement drives our ongoing participation in culinary education and industry networking through organizations like Catersource. This dedication to growth ensures we remain at the forefront of event catering trends while maintaining our core values of integrity and guest satisfaction.
Services
Catering
Corporate Events
Wedding Catering
Social Events
Event Rentals
Venue Coordination
Menu Customization
Action Stations
Buffet Services
Dessert Catering
Details
- Year established: 1982
Highlights and features
- We offer over 40 years of catering expertise in Orange County since 1982.
- Our team includes chefs with decades of event production experience.
- We provide personalized service with a family-like atmosphere.
- Recipient of Fountain Valley's Business and Leadership Award.
- We maintain the highest standards through ongoing industry education.
Associations and certifications
- Catersource
What people say
Food tasted even better
Service was top notch
Amazing meal experience
Professional and friendly staff
Highly recommend for any event
Services
Wedding Catering
We specialize in creating unforgettable wedding culinary experiences with customizable menus ranging from plated dinners to interactive food stations. Our team coordinates seamlessly with venues and planners while providing on-site support before, during, and after events. With decades of bridal event expertise, we guarantee delicious cuisine presentation and impeccable service that matches each couple's unique vision and exceeds guest expectations.
Corporate Catering
Our corporate catering solutions serve businesses from intimate meetings to large-scale conferences with efficient service and elegant presentation. We offer diverse menu options accommodating dietary needs while maintaining professional execution. With experience handling complex logistics, we ensure flawless food delivery and service that reinforces our clients' professional image during networking events, product launches, and company celebrations.
Event Rentals
We provide comprehensive rental solutions including tables, chairs, linens, and serving equipment for events of all sizes. Our inventory ensures cohesive presentation with professional-grade materials that complement our catering services. This one-stop solution simplifies planning while guaranteeing seamless integration with our event coordination capabilities, allowing clients to focus on guest experiences rather than logistics.
People
John LaBrake
Co-Owner / Chef
Overseeing our culinary team, John created the acclaimed Ace LaBrake BBQ Sauce and specializes in slow-smoked meats and gourmet entrees while bringing 20+ years of kitchen leadership experience.
Stacy LaBrake
Co-Owner
Managing daily operations, Stacy ensures smooth event execution with her 18-year history in coordinating large-scale productions while maintaining our family-oriented business culture.
Vanessa Gerrie
Director of Operations
With 15+ years in event management, Vanessa oversees every event detail from planning to completion, guaranteeing flawless execution through her extensive operational experience and organizational expertise.
Ariana Galeana
Event Coordinator
A former service captain with six years of hospitality experience, Ariana provides insider knowledge to create memorable client events while maintaining exceptional service standards.
Donnie Bruyn
Chef / Service Captain
Bringing 45 years of restaurant management expertise, Donnie leads action stations and trains service teams in hospitality excellence while demonstrating culinary showmanship during live cooking presentations.
Questions
What types of events do you cater?
We cater weddings, corporate events, social gatherings, Quinceañeras, holiday parties, and private celebrations across Orange County with customized menus and service options.
Can you accommodate special dietary needs?
Yes, we offer vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly options with advance notice to ensure all guests enjoy our culinary creations.
Do you provide rental equipment and setup?
We offer comprehensive rentals including tables, chairs, linens, and serving equipment with full setup and breakdown services to simplify event planning.
How far in advance should I book your services?
We recommend booking 6-12 months in advance for weddings and large events, though we can accommodate shorter timelines based on availability.
Are tastings available before booking?
Yes, we offer menu tastings to help you select the perfect dishes for your event with guidance from our culinary experts.
What areas do you serve?
We serve throughout Orange County including Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, and surrounding communities with reliable logistics support.
Reviews (5)
Al Guerin
May 04, 2022
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I tried to hire them for my daughter's grad party. They were so nice, as they tried to squeeze me in. They're just too busy. I know Don, good man. My sister loves them too!
Noelle M.
Nov 04, 2021
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Fantastic food, excellent service, overall a pleasant experience! Everyone should use them for weddings!
Julie S.
Oct 16, 2021
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Not only was the food 5 Star from Love at First Bite Catering, so was the service. The entire process was smooth and uncomplicated. Meredith was spot-on with all of her suggestions from what quantities to order down to the ideal variety of items to serve and she created an elegant lunch menu that the guests were very happy with. Drew and Tom who set-up the event also deserve a special note of thanks. They were on time, professional, friendly, and created a beautiful setting for the event. Love at First Bite is a true pleasure to work with when planning any event!
Victoria Alberty
May 21, 2021
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Mexican catered lunch at an event. Cheese enchilada, steak taco, rice with grilled veggies. Salad, chips & salsa. So good. And let's not forget the upside down pineapple cake!
Jennifer Tsan
Nov 17, 2020
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Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I had booked LAFB Catering for my 2020 wedding. The food we had at the tasting was DIVINE to say the least. The chicken piccata was perfect, and the mash potatoes were buttery smooth. They have been responsive and friendly throughout it all. In the end, we had to cancel our wedding, and LAFB continued to be gracious and understanding, despite how hard the wedding industry has been hit. I fully expect and hope to book with them again as soon as things settle down.
