October 27, 2026

The Best Corporate Catering Options in Bakersfield, CA

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Bakersfield, CA is home to over 14,000 businesses. As companies and offices are deciding how to provide perks for their employees, you may feel pressured to find unique ways to increase workplace morale and keep retention rates high. But your office may be overlooking one of the easiest ways to provide a tangible benefit to employees: food. 

Corporate catering is a great solution for any of your food needs in the workplace. From planning a simple team lunch to a fundraising gala for executives and special guests, you can use corporate catering to ensure food is taken care of. The right corporate catering partner for your Bakersfield office can also help take the stress of planning, logistics, delivery, and service off your plate, which can free up your schedule for the many other tasks that go into running an office. 

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What to Look for in a Corporate Catering Partner

Choosing the right corporate catering partner in Bakersfield, CA, means finding a solution that works for your team, your schedule, and the type of event you're planning. Beyond the menu, think about these factors when comparing corporate catering providers:

  • Menu variety: Look for a catering partner with a diverse selection of cuisines and dishes. Working with local restaurants can introduce employees to new flavors while giving your team more variety than a single fixed menu.
  • Dietary accommodations: From vegetarian and vegan meals to gluten-free options and other dietary requirements, a good catering partner should be able to help you meet different employee needs.
  • Reliable delivery and logistics: On-time delivery is essential for keeping meetings and events on schedule. Consider how a provider coordinates ordering, delivery, setup, and overall logistics to ensure a smooth mealtime.
  • Flexible catering formats: Your team's needs may vary from a casual working lunch to a large all-hands gathering. Choose a corporate catering partner that can accommodate different group sizes and event styles.
  • Service that fits the occasion: Some events may require a little more than just convenient meal delivery. Look for a corporate catering partner that can manage all of your office needs, from casual lunches to milestone celebrations.

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Choosing the Right Catering Format

Outside of choosing the right corporate catering partner, you will also have to consider what the best catering format is for any specific office occasion. The best solution depends on your team's needs, the type of event you're planning, and the experience you want to create. When making your decision, start by taking the time to examine your options.


Catering Format Description Best For Biggest Benefit
Boxed Lunches Individually packaged, customizable meals
  • Simplifies meal distribution

  • Accommodates dietary needs

Drop-Off Buffets
Food is prepared off-site and delivered to your office
  • Team lunches

  • Training sessions

  • Internal meetings

  • Convenient

  • Straightforward delivery 

Serviced Buffets
Caterers bring in large trays and serve employees through a buffet line
  • Milestone celebrations

  • Social events

  • Casual parties

  • Creates an interactive experience

  • Encourages socialization

White-Glove Service Premium catering with dedicated coordination, on-site staffing, setup, and breakdown
  • Executive offsites

  • Board-level client entertainment

  • Creates an upscale dining experience 

Recurring Office Lunch Programs Scheduled meals provided weekly or on an ongoing basis
  • Regular team lunches

  • Employee meal programs

  • Consistent meal planning

  • Encourages in-office attendance

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5 Great Corporate Catering Providers in Bakersfield

With so many great restaurants in Bakersfield, it can be difficult to narrow down your corporate catering options. That’s why we’ve curated a list of some local favorites to help you get started. 

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#1: Frugatti’s Wood Fired Italian

Frugatti's Wood Fired Italian

Voted the Best Italian Restaurant for seven years in a row, Frugatti’s has been family owned and operated for over three decades. They take pride in doing things “Nonni’s way,” which means using authentic equipment and sourcing high quality ingredients. Frugatti’s also offers catering for any size group. You can order their menu stars like their Frugatti’s Favorite Stuffed Mushrooms, Theresa’s Favorite Tortellini, homemade meatballs, chicken parmesan, and their extensive dessert offerings that include cannoli and tiramisu.

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#2: Coconut Joe’s

Coconut Joe's

Coconut Joe’s has been voted as Bakersfield’s Favorite Seafood. You can bring the taste of “the coconut life” to your next office gathering with Coconut Joe’s catering. Choose from set plates or customize your menu with Fish & Chips, their West Coast Style Shrimp & Lobster Sandwich, Seasoned Tri-Tip, Clam Chowder Bread Bowl, tacos, burritos, and more. 

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#3: Ay Papa Que Rico

Ay Papa Que Rico

Opened by a Cuban immigrant, now with locations across California, Ay Papa Que Rico is known for a wide variety of menu items that are sure to be packed with flavor. Customer favorites include their charbroiled plates, which allow you to select a protein like beef short ribs, baby back pork ribs, chicken, or Salvadoran sausage. If you’re not in the mood for a plate, you can opt for a sandwich, burger, empanada, bowl, burrito, and even a pizza. Regardless of what you order, Ay Papa Que Rico will bring authentic Latin flavors to your next office mealtime. 

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#4: Moo Scratch Kitchen 

Moo Scratch Kitchen

What started as Moo Creamery has grown into a go-to spot for fresh food in Bakersfield. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, Moo Scratch Kitchen partners with local farmers and businesses to make everything from homemade sauces to fresh-churned ice cream. Their menu has all-day breakfast and an expansive collection of burgers, salads, and sandwiches. They also offer catering add-ons like an ice cream social, which includes everything your team or guests would need to customize their own ice cream sundaes. 

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#5: Salty’s BBQ & Catering

Salty's BBQ & Catering

Another Bakersfield restaurant seen on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, Salty’s BBQ & Catering has a menu full of grilled and smoked items that could be a great option the next time you are choosing where to cater from. You can try the Salty’s Special, which is a layer of tri-tip, pulled pork, BBQ sauce, yellow chiles, and coleslaw on a Pyrenees roll. They also have classic platters and combos with sides like spicy mac and cheese, potato salad, and chili beans. If you save room for dessert, make sure to try their s’mores brownie that features a graham cracker crust and marshmallow topping. 

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Simplify Corporate Catering with Fooda

Finding the right corporate catering in Bakersfield, CA, doesn't have to mean coordinating with multiple restaurants or settling for the same predictable menu. Fooda Catering connects businesses with a network of local restaurant partners, bringing restaurant-quality catering to all of your workplace meetings, team lunches, client events, and company-wide gatherings.

Rather than relying on a single vendor's menu, Fooda gives your office access to a variety of local restaurants and cuisines. This flexibility makes it easier to find meals that fit the occasion, accommodate your team’s different dietary preferences, and introduce employees to a wider range of local food.

Fooda also helps simplify ordering and logistics through its centralized platform, making it easier for you and your office to coordinate workplace meals. Whether you're planning a working lunch, or a special company celebration, you can find the catering options best suited to your event.

For high-profile occasions, Fooda's white-glove catering service offers an elevated experience with dedicated coordination, carefully curated menus from top-tier restaurant partners, and on-site staffing from setup through breakdown. These details can help create a seamless experience for executive offsites, client entertainment, and milestone celebrations. Whatever you may need, Fooda has a large selection of workplace catering solutions for your Bakersfield team.

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Ready to simplify corporate catering? Talk with Fooda today. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best corporate catering options in Bakersfield, CA?

Some popular for corporate catering choices in Bakersfield include Frugatti's Wood Fired Italian, Coconut Joe's, Ay Papa Que Rico, Moo Scratch Kitchen, and Salty's BBQ & Catering. Each restaurant offers a unique menu, making it possible to find meals for your team lunches, meetings, and larger workplace gatherings. 

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How far in advance should I order corporate catering?

The ideal lead time depends on your group size, menu selections, and the type of event you're planning. Smaller office lunches may require less coordination than large corporate gatherings or events that need specialized menus and on-site service. Whenever possible, confirm your headcount, dietary requirements, delivery time, and setup needs in advance. 

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What types of corporate catering are available for workplace events?

Corporate catering options include drop-off catering, boxed lunches, recurring office lunch programs, and white-glove catering for high-profile events. Drop-off meals work well for everyday meetings, while boxed lunches simplify distribution at conferences and training sessions. Recurring lunch programs support ongoing employee meal needs, and white-glove service is suited to executive offsites and client-facing events. 

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Can corporate catering help improve employee morale?

Yes. Providing catered meals can make employees feel appreciated, create opportunities for coworkers to connect, and make time in the office more enjoyable. Offering a varied selection can also help companies accommodate different tastes and make employees feel considered. 

Animated bowl of noodles with chopsticks coming down and pulling up noodles.

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