Business Details
22 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Culinary Team Building & Catering
For over 14 years, Paulding & Company & Company has been a leader in creating immersive culinary experiences that bring people together through the art of cooking. Founded by Terry Paulding & Company & Company, a culinary school graduate with a passion for teaching and hospitality, our business evolved from adult cooking classes to dynamic team-building events, private parties, and catering services. Our Emeryville kitchen, designed specifically for group events, became a hub for collaboration and creativity, hosting everything from corporate team-building exercises to intimate wedding rehearsals. We take pride in sourcing the highest-quality ingredients from local farmers and artisans, ensuring every dish reflects our commitment to excellence.Our team of professional chefs and event coordinators brought decades of experience to every project, maintaining a perfect health inspection record and fostering community connections through initiatives like donating meals to the Emeryville Senior Center. While we have transitioned ownership of our physical space, our legacy of creating memorable culinary experiences continues through partnerships and programs like COOK! Programs, which Tracy Paulding & Company & Company Cates developed to inspire the next generation of chefs.
Services
Team Building
Cooking Events
Private Catering
Cooking Classes
Kids Culinary Camp
Film Location Rental
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- We have 14 years of experience creating impactful culinary team-building experiences
- Our professional chefs maintain perfect health inspection scores annually
- We source ingredients exclusively from local farmers and artisanal producers
- Our team includes certified instructors with restaurant and catering expertise
- We've hosted film productions for Top Chef and Clint Eastwood's Hereafter
What people say
Amazing team-building experience
Perfectly organized events
Expert chef instruction
Creative culinary space
Memorable celebrations
Services
Team Development
Our hands-on culinary events foster collaboration and communication among corporate teams. Participants work together to prepare meals while developing leadership skills and strengthening workplace relationships. Professional chefs guide groups through menu planning, cooking techniques, and presentation, creating a unique environment for team growth.
Cooking Events
We host customized cooking experiences for celebrations ranging from birthdays to family reunions. Groups of 10-100 guests collaborate to prepare meals under chef instruction, followed by seated dining for up to 70 guests. Our events feature seasonal ingredients and professional kitchen equipment for an authentic culinary experience.
Catering Services
Our catering combines restaurant-quality cuisine with interactive elements for weddings and special events. We create customized menus featuring locally sourced ingredients, with options for both plated dinners and interactive cooking stations. Our experienced staff ensures seamless execution from preparation to service.
Cooking Classes
We offer instructional classes covering fundamental techniques and global cuisines. Participants learn knife skills, cooking methods, and flavor pairing from expert chefs. Classes accommodate various skill levels and feature hands-on practice with premium ingredients in our professional kitchen environment.
Kids Culinary Camp
Our summer programs teach children aged 8-18 essential cooking skills and food science principles. Certified instructors guide campers through recipe execution, kitchen safety, and creative food exploration. The curriculum emphasizes confidence-building, teamwork, and developing lifelong culinary appreciation.
People
Terry Paulding
Founder
Terry Paulding & Company & Company founded Paulding & Company & Company after a career as a restaurant cook and culinary educator. With expertise in adult education and event planning, she developed innovative team-building programs that combined cooking with corporate training. Her vision created a unique space where groups could learn and connect through food.
Tracy Paulding Cates
Program Director
Tracy Paulding & Company & Company Cates joined the family business to develop the award-winning COOK! Programs for kids. With extensive culinary experience from working in kitchens across the country, she designed curriculum that builds confidence and technical skills in young chefs. Her leadership ensured the program's continuation after the business transition.
Questions
What types of corporate team-building events do you offer?
We provide hands-on cooking challenges that develop teamwork and communication skills. Groups collaborate to prepare meals while learning kitchen techniques from professional chefs in our commercial kitchen space.
Can you accommodate large private events?
Our facility hosts groups of 10-100 guests with seated dining for up to 70. We specialize in weddings, family reunions, and holiday parties where guests cook together before enjoying their creations.
Are your cooking classes suitable for beginners?
All skill levels are welcome in our classes. Our instructors adapt lessons to participants' experience levels, teaching fundamental techniques while encouraging culinary creativity in a supportive environment.
What makes your kids' culinary programs unique?
Our summer camps combine technical skill development with food science education for ages 8-18. Certified instructors guide students through progressively challenging recipes while emphasizing kitchen safety and creative expression.
Have you hosted any notable film productions?
Our kitchen served as the filming location for Top Chef's inaugural season and Clint Eastwood's Hereafter. The space's professional equipment and adaptable layout make it ideal for culinary-focused productions.
What happens to the food we prepare during events?
Participants enjoy the meals they create during cooking events. We also offer the option to prepare extra dishes for donation to the Emeryville Senior Center through our community outreach program.
