Frequently Asked Questions

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Here are some frequently asked questions about Twinleaf Catering, including questions about our philosophy and the cost of catering an event. We like to take some of the mystery out of catering, and we hope that these answers are helpful to you. 

We are not interested in providing a cookie-cutter, industrial experience, but instead want to ensure that your event in the Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC region is unique and special. Each event should reflect your distinctive taste, to present a personal touch that your guests will be talking about for years to come. While there are some menu ideas to inspire you, we never simply repeat menus. Our event team will work with you to craft a personal menu, an original experience, and long-lasting memories. This limits the number of events that we can schedule. However, we are not interested in being the largest caterer in the area; simply the best. And we believe that our reviews on Wedding Wire, Yelp, The Knot and on Google demonstrate this commitment to quality. 

We are inspired by the local food movement, promoted by luminaries like Michael Pollan in such books as The Omnivores Dilemma. Local food takes less energy to transport, is often fresher and healthier than industrial-produced food, and contributes to the overall healthy economy environment of the local region. We want to promote this widely, and use local and organic ingredients, mostly sourced from Northern Virginia and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, whenever possible in our cooking. 

The number one question we get is, How much does it cost? Many things affect the cost, and thats why were unable to put prices online. Most people only hire a caterer a few times in their lives, so we want to take some of the mystery out of hiring a caterer. When you request a contract from us, most parts of the contract have their own line item, including every food course. That way you know precisely what everything costs, and we can work together to meet your budget. There are three major factors that affect the price of an event. 

• The type of food desired; as we create a new menu for every event, we cannot provide price lists online for each menu 
• Plated meal, buffet or family style 
• Number of people in attendance 

• Location, especially if food should be provided in multiple places 
• A bar and bartenders 
• Number of hours of service 

• Number of tables, chairs, and linens needed 
• Type of china, glass and flatware needed (disposable, fine china, Bambu, or other options) 

This is why it is difficult to generalize prices without knowing the specifics of your event. Using local, sustainable and organic food, handcrafted from scratch and customized for your event, costs a little more than using mass-produced food and a standardized menu. But you can be assured that our team will work with you personally to make sure that you stay within your budget. Call or contact us so that we can prepare a quote for you. 

No. There’s a popular idea that caterers charge more for weddings than for other types of events. While we cannot speak for all caterers, this is not true at Twinleaf Catering. Sometimes weddings have additional requirements that other events don’t, such as chairs for both the ceremony and the meal. But we break down the costs for you in a very clear contract, and no matter what type of event you are planning, the prices will always be the same. 

Twinleaf's kitchen and staff can handle many different size events. We have catered in homes, vineyards, churches, meeting halls and in the middle of a field with no running water or electricity. Whatever your situation, we can accommodate it. 

We pride ourselves on quality, handcrafted food made from scratch. We accommodate smaller events and simple trays of food, and accept requests that do not require service. If we are unable to work within your budgetary needs, we will be happy to refer you to other professionals who can help you to accomplish your goals. 

Twinleaf Catering is fully licensed and insured. 

There are many specialty tasks that go along with planning a large event, especially a wedding. We have strong relationships with many high-quality vendors in the Washington, DC area, from farms to bakers, from pastry chefs to rental agencies. Twinleaf Catering is a full-service caterer, and we will organize and provide all of the needs for the event, including rentals, should you desire these services. 

Our sales office and kitchen are both located in Leesburg, Virginia, adjacent to the beautiful Northern Virginia wine region. We are able to get the freshest produce, as well as the best meats and cheeses, by being closer to where those things are grown and made, while still having easy access to the entire Northern Virginia and Washington, DC region. 

Gladly. We are happy to provide multiple references upon request. We have hundreds of satisfied customers each year that are happy to speak to you. We also invite you to look at our many five-star reviews on Wedding Wire, Yelp, The Knot and on Google.