Business Details
26 Years
experience
Open 24/7
always available
Your Trusted Partner for Unforgettable Catering & Event Experiences
Founded in 2000, Abbey Catering has established itself as a premier catering and event planning service in San Diego. Our team of seasoned professionals combines culinary expertise with meticulous event coordination to create unforgettable experiences for weddings, corporate events, social gatherings, and nonprofit functions. We pride ourselves on offering fully customizable, all-inclusive packages that simplify the planning process while maintaining exceptional quality. Our partnerships with top-tier venues and commitment to sustainability, including our 4-Star Green Caterer certification, set us apart in the industry. With a focus on personalized service, we ensure every detail reflects our clients' unique visions. Our executive chefs craft innovative menus using high-quality ingredients, catering to diverse dietary needs while delivering unforgettable flavors. From intimate celebrations to large-scale events, our dedicated team manages logistics, dcor, entertainment, and more, ensuring seamless execution. We prioritize transparency in pricing and maintain open communication throughout the planning process. Our accolades and client testimonials reflect our dedication to excellence, and our eco-conscious practices demonstrate our commitment to environmental responsibility. Whether hosting a corporate gala or a private celebration, Abbey Catering provides the expertise, creativity, and reliability needed to transform event visions into reality.
Services
Catering Services
Event Planning
Venue Partnerships
Custom Packages
Sustainable Catering
Corporate Events
Wedding Coordination
Menu Design
Floral Design
Bar Services
Served areas
- San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, Carmel Valley
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- Corporate and Wedding Catering
Associations and certifications
- Green Restaurant Association
What people say
Exceptional food presentation
Stress-free planning process
Eco-conscious operations
Professional staff
Creative menu options
Services
Full-Service Catering
Our culinary team creates customized menus featuring fresh, high-quality ingredients for any event type. We accommodate dietary restrictions including vegan, gluten-free, and low-sodium options while maintaining exceptional flavor. From casual buffets to formal plated dinners, our experienced staff ensures flawless food service execution.
Event Planning
We provide comprehensive event management from initial concept to final execution. Our planners handle logistics, vendor coordination, and timeline management for weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings. We offer day-of coordination and full-service planning options with personalized attention to detail.
Venue Partnerships
We maintain exclusive partnerships with San Diego's premier event venues including historic sites and waterfront locations. Our relationships enable us to offer insider pricing and preferred scheduling for clients. We provide venue selection assistance tailored to event size and style requirements.
Custom Packages
Our flexible packages combine catering, dcor, entertainment, and logistics into cohesive offerings. Clients may choose from three tiered options with customizable add-ons including premium bar service, photography, and specialty entertainment for personalized event experiences.
Sustainable Catering
As certified Green Caterers, we implement waste reduction practices and source environmentally responsible ingredients. Our sustainability initiatives include composting programs, reusable serving ware, and energy-efficient operations while maintaining event quality and guest experience standards.
People
Megan Lessert
General Manager
With diverse experience in education and hospitality, Megan leads our operations with a passion for event design and client satisfaction. She specializes in creating cohesive event experiences that reflect client visions while managing team logistics.
David Merlo
Executive Chef
A former competitive bowler turned culinary artist, David oversees menu development and kitchen operations. His expertise in refining traditional recipes and creating innovative flavor combinations ensures exceptional dining experiences for every event.
Troy Sand
Sales Director
Former Michelin-starred chef Troy brings culinary expertise to his sales role, helping clients select appropriate menu and service options. He combines hospitality knowledge with organizational skills to ensure event planning success.
Chuck Ferrante
Wedding Coordinator
With 43 years in food service, Chuck manages wedding logistics and bar operations. His extensive industry experience ensures smooth coordination of ceremonies, receptions, and beverage service for memorable events.
Kyle Anderson
Lead Chef
A lifelong culinary professional with 11 years at Abbey Catering, Kyle specializes in creating approachable yet sophisticated dishes. His background in competitive bowling informs his methodical approach to kitchen operations and event meal preparation.
Questions
What types of events do you cater?
We specialize in weddings, corporate events, social gatherings, and nonprofit functions with customized catering and coordination services.
Do you offer sustainable catering options?
As a 4-Star Green Caterer, we implement eco-friendly practices including waste reduction, composting, and responsible ingredient sourcing.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Our menus include vegan, gluten-free, and low-sodium options with customizable modifications for specific dietary needs.
Do you provide venue recommendations?
We maintain partnerships with premier San Diego venues and offer tailored location suggestions based on event requirements.
What's included in your event packages?
Packages include catering, basic décor, standard service staff, and coordination with optional premium add-ons available.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking 6-12 months ahead for weekends during peak seasons to ensure availability.
Reviews (11)
Noopur Gupta
Jun 09, 2022
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The Abbey catered our wedding at Building 177 in liberty station. They were very responsive and easy to work with throughout the whole process. Our day of site lead was excellent and made sure everything went smoothly for our large (200 guests) wedding. Everyone raved about the food and the appetizers (Indian fusion flavors). We really enjoyed working with their team.
Richelle Rae
May 21, 2022
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We had our wedding at the venue they own but I just had to reiterate how delicious the food was! We did the filet mignon and potatoes and stuffed chicken. People were coming up to us telling us how amazing it was! As the bride and groom, you want your guests to enjoy their food. I am so happy with the overall service and would do it all over again.
Uriah Tagle
May 11, 2022
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My wife and I hired the Abbey to provide catering and equipment rentals for our wedding in downtown San Diego and the day could not have turned out better. The food was delicious, the service was professional and classy, and we have been receiving rave reviews from our guests! In particular, our event captain Petr Trebin was fantastic - he is an absolute pro who ensured everything ran smoothly on the day of and took great care of us and our guests. We would happily hire the Abbey (and Petr!) for another event!
Stella Gonzales
Dec 30, 2021
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I am an event planner and wedding consultant. I'm just starting out with my own business. I feel your products, rentals are in a great price range to have any event. Yours truly Stella
Annie Kim
Nov 11, 2021
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Abbey Catering & Events - We couldn't be more grateful and thrilled about our decision to use your services. From the start to end, the experience was seamless and so professional. Our guests raved about how good the food was - "the best wedding food they've ever had". Petr Trebin - our assigned coordinator just blew us away. Two weeks prior to the wedding as tensions and stress were building, we met with Petr, who covered and organized every single item you could imagine, lifted a massive burden off of our shoulders and gave us so much peace.
He stayed in lock step with us throughout the entire day. He made sure all of our provided items were properly placed, all of our bridal party was where they needed to be, & made sure my husband, myself and our guests were fed and taken care of through and through. Not to mention he's a professional photographer - photos attached were taken by Petr Trebin! What an absolute all star! Thank you x 10000
He stayed in lock step with us throughout the entire day. He made sure all of our provided items were properly placed, all of our bridal party was where they needed to be, & made sure my husband, myself and our guests were fed and taken care of through and through. Not to mention he's a professional photographer - photos attached were taken by Petr Trebin! What an absolute all star! Thank you x 10000
Danielle Zaft
Jul 31, 2021
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If there were 10 stars I would give it! Federico Tomas and everyone at The Abbey made our dream wedding a reality. They helped us navigate Covid, they ensured every detail was exactly how we wanted it and went over and above on service. First class all the way! Our guests loved the food, venue, service and ambiance created. We had our ceremony at the wedding bowl and reception at Darlington House.could not recommend more!
Robin Holt
Jun 20, 2021
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I cannot speak highly enough of Abbey Catering or our wedding coordinator, Federico! Our day was truly perfect, and the entire process leading up to it was so well organized and collaborative that I was able to be completely stress-free for my wedding and just sit back and enjoy the celebration! Thank you all for your hard work, preparation, flexibility, and mostly your love and care!
Brothers Sport Fishing
Jun 18, 2021
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The Abbey Catering is absolutely the best in the wedding business in San Diego. We had the perfect wedding. Everything on the day of the event went exactly as planned. Better than my expectations, as I expected something wrong to happen. But everything went great! The entire Abbey management and staff are well trained, true professionals, and show that they care about making your wedding day the best it can be. We had to postpone and reschedule a couple times due to the pandemic, but I'm glad Federico, Chuck, Leah, Michele were with us the whole way. Special shout out to Federico - our day of coordinator!
Amanda Quinn
Mar 21, 2020
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ABBEY CATERING AND WORKING WITH PETR TREBIN WAS INCREDIBLE! My husband and I couldn't have had a more wonderful experience! Every detail of our wedding was beyond anything we could've imagined. IT WAS PERFECT! So much more than we could've ever asked for. I brag about the people we worked with to everyone! It's almost hard to express in words how we truly truly feel. Everything was so organized and flowed so smoothly, we even stayed pretty ON TIME with every moment we had planned (give or take a couple minutes)! Their food is amazing, their staff is incredible, their vendors are awesome, and their all-inclusive package options are so much fun! We highly highly recommend this company to anyone and everyone.
Randy Smith
Apr 24, 2011
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I have had the pleasure of using the Abbey Catering now for over 10 years. A few times over the years we have tested other caterers. We always come back to Abbey. Prices are fair, the food is amazing and the staff are now our good friends. We highly recommend Abbey Catering.
Megan L.
The Abbey organized our wedding at the Darlington House earlier this month and they did an AMAZING job. My husband and I are very unorganized and forgetful people, and we were terrified about planning a wedding while simultaneously graduating and moving out of state. Our coordinator, Petr, saved the day. He was on top of everything and so encouraging. He was truly fantastic- I can't imagine that another catering company could have pulled off a more beautiful wedding. Furthermore, we did the "all inclusive" package and the vendors that partner with the Abbey are also INCREDIBLE. The Abbey did all the communicating between them for us, making our lives a lot easier. The final product was phenomenal.