Catering in Middle Georgia serves a market shaped by three distinct demand drivers that most other regions do not combine in the same geography. The wedding and social events market generates year-round demand, with venues scattered from downtown Macon’s historic buildings to plantation-style properties in the surrounding counties drawing couples from across the Southeast. The corporate and military market, anchored by Robins Air Force Base, Atrium Health Navicent, Mercer University, and the region’s manufacturing and logistics operations, produces steady weekday demand for business lunches, retirement ceremonies, promotion celebrations, and conference catering. The community and church events market, driven by Macon’s deep civic and religious infrastructure, creates a third layer of demand for family reunions, homecomings, fundraisers, and holiday celebrations that require caterers comfortable serving 50 to 500 guests with menus ranging from Southern comfort to formal plated service. The best catering companies in this market can move between all three segments without losing quality or identity. Price expectations in Middle Georgia run significantly below Atlanta, which means caterers must deliver high-quality food and service at per-plate costs that would not cover ingredients alone in a larger metro. The five catering companies below are independently operated, verified through their own business websites, and currently active across different parts of the region.
1. Cast Iron Catering — Macon
Cast Iron Catering has established itself as Macon and Middle Georgia’s premier full-service caterer with a reputation built on flavorful food and professional service. The company specializes in creating unique menus with stylish presentations customized for each event rather than offering a fixed catering menu that every client receives. Their service range covers wedding receptions, corporate events, plated dinners, buffet service, cocktail receptions, and holiday parties. The culinary staff brings the talent and creativity to handle events that range from casual backyard gatherings to black-tie affairs in Macon’s historic venues. Cast Iron’s willingness to build custom menus means clients are not forced into predetermined packages that may not match their vision or budget. For wedding couples who want a caterer that will collaborate on a menu reflecting their personality rather than choosing from Column A and Column B, Cast Iron delivers the flexibility that cookie-cutter operations cannot.
Services: Wedding receptions, corporate events, plated dinners, buffet service, cocktail receptions, holiday parties, custom menu development, event coordination support.
Address: Macon, GA
Phone: (478) 719-7900
Website: https://www.castironcateringmacon.com
Hours: By appointment / event schedule
2. Plate. — Macon
Plate. approaches catering as an art form, describing their food creations and event design as a canvas where service is the brush and cuisine is the paint. The company handles weddings, corporate events, cocktail parties, anniversary celebrations, fundraisers, holiday parties, and intimate gatherings with attention to every detail from menu design through execution. Their corporate clients depend on world-class menu selections and exceptional service that represents their professional standards. The wedding division works with couples to curate menus that integrate personal preferences, dietary requirements, and seasonal ingredient availability into a cohesive dining experience. Plate.’s emphasis on event design alongside food preparation means they function as a hybrid caterer-event designer, reducing the number of vendors a client needs to coordinate. For organizations and individuals who want their catering to elevate the event rather than simply feed the guests, Plate. delivers the creative ambition backed by the execution capability to deliver on it.
Services: Wedding catering, corporate catering, cocktail parties, fundraisers, anniversary celebrations, holiday events, menu design, event design coordination.
Address: Macon, GA
Phone: (478) 258-4458
Website: https://www.platemacon.com
Hours: By appointment / event schedule
3. Kobi Catering — Macon / Middle Georgia
Kobi Catering has built one of the strongest client review profiles of any caterer in the Middle Georgia region, with wedding couples and event hosts consistently praising both the food quality and the personal investment the team brings to every event. The operation handles weddings, rehearsal dinners, birthday celebrations, corporate events, and private gatherings with a family-oriented business approach that treats each client’s event as a personal commitment rather than a transaction. Multiple client testimonials describe food that guests could not stop talking about, professional staff that served with care, and an owner who goes above and beyond the catering contract to help events succeed. Kobi’s network extends to helping clients find wedding planners and decorators, functioning as a connector within the local event vendor community. For clients who prioritize the personal relationship with their caterer and want a team that will treat their event with the same care they would bring to their own family celebration, Kobi delivers that personal touch at a professional level.
Services: Wedding catering, rehearsal dinners, birthday celebrations, corporate events, private parties, brunch catering, menu customization, vendor referral network.
Address: Macon, GA
Phone: (478) 320-8551
Website: https://kobicatering.com
Hours: By appointment / event schedule
4. Brasserie Circa — Macon
Brasserie Circa operates as both a restaurant and a premier wedding caterer in Macon, offering European-inspired cuisine with a Southern twist. The dual identity as a restaurant and catering operation gives Brasserie Circa an advantage that pure catering companies lack: a standing kitchen that develops and tests dishes daily on paying restaurant guests before they appear on catering menus. The warm and inviting atmosphere of the restaurant translates into a service style that carries over to catered events, where the staff brings the same hospitality training that table-service dining requires. Their wedding catering packages blend fine dining presentation with the approachable flavors that Southern wedding guests expect, avoiding the pretentiousness that can accompany European-styled menus. For couples who want their wedding food to reflect culinary sophistication without alienating guests who prefer familiar flavors, Brasserie Circa bridges the gap between ambitious cuisine and Southern hospitality.
Services: Wedding catering, restaurant dining, corporate events, plated service, buffet options, cocktail reception catering, European-Southern fusion menus, bridal tastings.
Address: 550 Cherry St, Macon, GA 31201
Phone: (478) 200-1594
Website: https://www.brasseriecirca.com
Hours: Restaurant: Tue-Sat 5PM-10PM; Catering: by appointment
5. The Gourmet Express / Bertha’s Kitchen — Macon
The Gourmet Express, also known as Bertha’s Kitchen, has operated in Macon for 19 years as a full-service catering company that fulfills distinct event needs with excitement, creativity, the finest quality ingredients, and flawless elegance. The dual branding reflects a company that can operate at both the casual Southern comfort level and the upscale gourmet level depending on the client’s vision and budget. Nineteen years of continuous operation in the same market means an established network of venue relationships, supplier partnerships, and staffing resources that newer caterers are still building. Their ability to handle everything from intimate dinner parties to large-scale community events demonstrates operational flexibility that comes only from experience across hundreds of events. For clients who want a caterer with deep local roots and the proven ability to execute events of varying size and formality, The Gourmet Express brings nearly two decades of Middle Georgia catering experience to the table.
Services: Full-service catering, wedding receptions, corporate events, community gatherings, holiday parties, menu customization, event setup, serving staff.
Address: Macon, GA
Phone: (478) 718-5558
Website: https://www.thegourmetexpresscatering.com
Hours: By appointment / event schedule
FAQ
How much does catering cost in Middle Georgia?
Per-person pricing in Middle Georgia varies based on service level, menu complexity, and guest count. Basic buffet service with two proteins, three sides, bread, and non-alcoholic beverages runs $18 to $30 per person. Plated dinner service with appetizer, salad, entree choice, and dessert typically costs $35 to $65 per person. Cocktail reception formats with passed appetizers and food stations range from $25 to $50 per person depending on the number and quality of offerings. Bar service adds $15 to $35 per person for beer and wine, or $25 to $50 per person for full open bar including spirits. Staffing fees for servers, bartenders, and event coordinators are often quoted separately at $25 to $40 per hour per staff member. Most caterers require minimum guest counts for full-service events, typically 25 to 50 guests depending on the company.
How far in advance should I book a caterer for a wedding?
For Saturday weddings during peak season, which runs from March through June and September through November in Middle Georgia, book your caterer 9 to 12 months in advance. The best caterers in the region book Saturday dates a year or more ahead during peak months. Weekday and Sunday events offer more flexibility with 4 to 6 months of lead time typically sufficient. After booking, expect to finalize your menu 6 to 8 weeks before the event and provide a final guest count 10 to 14 days before. Tasting sessions, where the caterer prepares sample dishes for the couple to evaluate, usually happen 2 to 3 months before the wedding. If you are planning a wedding during Cherry Blossom Festival in March or Bragg Jam in July, book even earlier as venue availability constrains the entire vendor timeline.
What questions should I ask a potential caterer before booking?
Start with logistics: can they serve at your chosen venue, do they have insurance and health department certifications, and what is their cancellation policy. Move to menu specifics: do they offer tastings before booking, can they accommodate dietary restrictions including gluten-free, vegan, and allergy requirements, and do they source ingredients locally or from distributors. Ask about staffing: how many servers per guest do they provide, who manages the event on-site, and what happens if a staff member calls out. Discuss equipment: does the catering fee include plates, flatware, linens, and glassware, or are these rented separately. Finally, ask for references from events similar in size and style to yours, and contact those references to ask about food quality, service professionalism, and how the caterer handled unexpected situations.