SeaStars - Catering & Events

Our Approach

INSPIRED & FORAGED

crafted and collaborative
From private chef dining for 2 to a full service catered event for 200, Sea Stars is a chef driven catering company, using organic and sustainable meats, seafood and produce from local sources. Inspired by foods foraged in the wilds of Big Sur and Monterey County and the bountiful farmers’ markets year round, to showcase unique, seasonal menus custom designed for each client. Serving Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Carmel Valley, Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Aptos

We encourage an event menu with the planet in mind and encourage our clients to choose the foods they eat responsibly. Menus are flexible to your diet but we encourage plant focused meals instead of meat focused. We are adamant about using using all organic, locally sourced products.

DINING STYLES

FAMILY
Family style service with bountiful platters and bowls down the middle of the dining table is popular because the passing of the platters, the sharing, encourages conversation and heightens the festive atmosphere.

BUFFET
A classic way to serve with heaping platters of beautiful foods to choose from.

FLOATING FEAST
Guests can enjoy a seemingly endless variety of passed hors doevres instead of a sit down dinner. This style feels like a real party and lets everyone mingle the entire wedding.

PLATED
Multiple course fine dining

STATIONS
With stations of food, it encourages guests to cruise around and mingle. Most popular are lush cheese, charcuterie and fruits or an fresh shucked oyster bar or for brunch a hot waffle and crepe station. We can do an entire meal with stations or just have them during cocktail hour or at guests' arrival.

HORS D’OEUVRES
SALADS
VEGETABLES
GRAINS / VEGETARIAN ENTREES
SEAFOOD
MEAT
DESSERT
Seasonal Menus 2023-24

- THESE ITEMS CAN BE MADE VEGAN

STATIONARY:
Artisanal Cheeses, Seasonal Fruits Boards
House made Charcuteries
Crudite Platters with farmers market veggies and fruits, pickled veg, crackers, chips and dips *

PASSED:
~~~vegetarian~~~
Wild Morel Mushroom crostini with burrata and Maldon salt*
Wild Mushroom Pate Crostini with thyme and garlic*
Zucchini roll with chevre, artichoke, mint, meyer lemon, olive oil
Mini Lasagna “cupcake” with spinach & ricotta, fresh basil and fresh pomodoro sauce
Roasted Strawberry Ricotta Tart with Micro basil and Balsamic Glaze
Mini Quiche (spinach-feta/gruyere-bacon/carmelized onion/nettle-fresno chile)
Avocado toast (lemon-ricotta salata-tomato confit-microgreens)*
Mini twice baked fingerling potato
French breakfast radishes with Big Sur sea salt and nasturtium blossom butter
Grilled Halloumi cheese, fresh green figs and local honeycomb
Fresh made ricotta with rosemary, roasted balsamic cherries, hazelnut crostini
Warm farmer’s ratatouille on chickpea socca*
Blistered Padron Peppers with smoked salt *

~~~seafood~~~
Seared Scallop with brown butter, truffled parsnip puree and wild mushrooms, crispy shallot
Seared Scallop with sorrel cream sauce and redwood sorrel
Abalone Ceviche
Grilled Coconut shrimp with passionfruit on tiny spoon
Dungeness crab cakes with chive and aleppo aioli
Dungeness Crab and apple radish herb remoulade on toast
Clementine and chili grilled jumbo prawns
Oysters on the half shell with accompaniments
Grilled oysters with parmesan, chile, garlic, shallot
Prawn with basil avocado on mini sope

~~~meat~~~
Grilled Vadouvan & yogurt marinated chicken skewer with meyer lemon “salsa”
Grilled Lamb pops with mint-pistachio pesto
Grilled House made Pigwizard sausages (candied orange poppy/machego artichoke/Andouille/Italian)
Mini Lasagna Cupcake with sausage, basil, fresh pomodoro
Pancetta Wrapped Figs stuffed with Point Reyes blue or Purple Haze lavender goat cheese
Grilled prosciutto wrapped peaches with arugula & truffle honey

GRILLED PIZZAS:
Roasted strawberries, ricotta and basil
Asparagus, melted leeks, thyme and ricotta*
Pear, havarti, walnut, pecorino, tabasco, sea salt & truffle oil
Wild Mushroom, crème fraiche, thyme, garlic confit, truffle goat
Fresh pomodoro, burrata, basils
Homemade sausage, fig, blue cheese
Proscuitto, olive, caper, chile, pomodoro, fresh mozzarella

SEASONAL SOUP SHOTS:
(summer chilled):
Watermelon Gazpacho with dungeness crab
Chilled spring pea with mint crema
(winter warm):
wild mushroom
butternut squash + ginger with spiced pepitas*
Purple and orange swirled cauliflower soup with nasturtiums*
Roasted Tomato soup with mini grilled gruyere cheese*

  • Baby greens, edible flowers & berries with fresh citrus vinaigrette
  • Garden Herbs salad with summer veggies and ginger lime vinaigrette
  • Wild Arugula, grilled peaches, fennel, almonds, goat cheese with peach balsamic
  • Little gem with shaved apple, celery, fennel & juniper lemon vinaigretteBaby kale with truffled croutons, parmesan snow & creamy roasted garlic Caesar
  • Butter lettuce with avocado, shaved carrots, green onion, butter beans & champagne chive vinaigrette

- THESE ITEMS CAN BE MADE VEGAN

Roasted Beets with whipped feta, hazelnuts, arugula and clementines with pomegranate-balsamic vinaigrette *
Roasted beets, parsley walnut pesto, shaved pecorino, micro arugula *
Asparagus with melted leeks
Stuffed green chile with corn, rice, scallion and cheese*
Roasted Rainbow Carrots with tahini
Carrot-apple slaw with caraway, scallion and meyer lemon
Grilled halved local artichokes with balsamic glaze and roasted garlic aioli*
Roasted baby artichoke hearts, fennel, lemon, chile, anchovy (optional) *
Grilled marinated farm veggies with red chard pesto *
Grilled summer squashes with tomato confit, basil and za’tar
Heirloom tomatoes with evoo, basil, sea salt and burrata (late spring through late summer) *
Grilled crispy kale with lemon *
Charred brussel sprouts with bacon & dates
Seared Snap peas and their tendrils with mint, ginger, sesame and yogurt drizzle (spring only)
Seared Romano beans with peppers, onions and balsamic* (spring only)
Roasted parsnip frites, brown butter, hazelnuts, rosemary
Roasted Cauliflower with parmesan, lemon and bagna cauda
Grilled baby Broccolini or rapini with grilled lemons and roasted tomato vinaigrette *
Grilled Asparagus with Meyer Lemon Aioli (spring/early summer only)
Persimmon, Radicchio, Pomegranate Salad with Hazelnuts & sherry shallot honey vinaigrette (late fall/earlywinter only) *
Multi colorful Roasted vegetable medley *
Creamy sexy Mashed Yukon potato
Smashed Olive Oil Ginger Yams *
Roasted Kobocha Squash with sage-pecan-pomegranate pesto *
Flash sautéed garden greens *
Fresh dill new potato salad with chives, mustard seed-lemon vinaigrette and soft boiled egg
Gruyere Potato Gratin
Leek, swiss chard and fontina Potato Gratin

- THESE ITEMS CAN BE MADE VEGAN

Polenta with braise of tomato, portabella, olives, chard and fennel *
Butternut squash risotto, feta, pinenuts, herbs, smoked paprika
Creamy Polenta with Taleggio cheese and wild mushrooms
Red Quinoa with strawberry, walnut, mint *
Quinoa Taboulleh with arugula, mint and lemon *
Quinoa with pecans, currants, baby mache and 5 spice dressing *
Faro Salad with roasted toro chiles, mizuna, fennel and orange *
Faro Provencal with tomato, onion, fennel, artichokes
Faro Risotto with thyme, chevre, leeks and wild mushrooms * (can sub Arborio risotto if you want)
Gruyere mac n’ cheese
Handmade pasta with white wine cream sauce, wild local mushrooms and ricotta salata
Cappellini Pasta with Parmesan Broth, Chile and wild fennel seed
Ricotta Gnudi (a lighter version of Gnocchi) with fresh pomodoro –smaller parties only
Creamy Italian White Beans with Roasted garlic*
Grilled Stuffed peppers with cheese, veggies and nuts (with faro, quinoa or rice) *
Sweet corn, scallion and rice stuffed hatch chile “relleno”
Saffron Pilaf *
Herbed Green Rice *
Green Lentils with Orange, Capers and pepitas *
Israeli Couscous with Roasted Tomato and Herbs*
Couscous with asparagus, favas, parsley, mint, fennel & champagne shallot vinaigrette*
Stuffed Portabellas with bulgar and herbs with a mushroom wine sauce *
Roasted vegetable medley Tart
Spinach, feta and caramelized shallot Tart
Gruyere thyme chard quiche
Roasted eggplants with olive oil, pinenuts and goat cheese

WILD MONTEREY BAY KING SALMON (SEASON TYPICALLY IS IN LATE MAY/JUNE ONLY)
NEW ZEALAND ORA KING SALMON
NORWAY NORDIC BLUE SALMON
BRANZINO (CYPRUS SEABASS)
YELLOWFIN AHI GENERAL SANTOS
LOCAL DUNGENESS CRAB (TYPICALLY DECEMBER-JUNE)
LOCAL CALIFORNIA HALIBUT
LOCAL ANCHOVIES
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA LING COD
WILD ALASKAN HALIBUT
LOCAL PETRALE SOLE
PACIFIC SWORDFISH
LOCAL SEABASS
LOCAL ROCKFISH
LOCAL BLACK COD
LOCAL MUSSELS
LOCAL CLAMS
MONTEREY OR SANTA BARBARA SPOT PRAWNS (TYPICALLY SPRING- BUT ASK)
OYSTERS, CAVIAR, PRAWNS, LOBSTER, SQUID, OCTOPUS ALL AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

SAMPLE SEAFOOD PREPARATIONS

We like to get inspired by the season, but here are a few ideas
Wild Monterey Salmon with Nasturtiums and Preserved Lemon vinaigrette
Wild Monterey Salmon with Herb Salsa Verde
Halibut with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes, Fennel & Radish slaw and Basil Broth
Dungeness Crab stuffed Sole with Meuniere Sauce and toasted almonds
Grilled Seabass with Escabeche Oregano, Chile, Garlic, Scallions and Lime
Seared Rockfish with sauteed radish & Meyer Lemon Buerre Blanc
California Halibut braised in an “artichoke stew” (white wine, local artichokes, thyme, olive oil, meyer lemon
Black cod with black olive vinaigrette and cara cara orange
Seared Scallop with brown butter, truffled parsnip puree and wild mushrooms, crispy shallot (also makes great app)
Mussels with Andouille, Toasted Fennel Seed, White wine and Tomatoes (Not entrée)
Rockfish ceviche (for appetizer)
Dungeness Crab Cakes with Aleppo Aioli and bright greens
Paella! (Spanish Bomba rice, saffron, sausage, chicken, prawns, soffrito, green beans all cooked in a large paella pan over fire)

NOTE: We encourage an event menu with the planet in mind and encourage our clients to choose the foods they eat responsibly. Menus are flexible to your diet but we encourage plant focused meals instead of meat focused. We are adamant about using using all organic, locally sourced products. When using seafood, we encourage people to choose locally, wild caught sustainable catch and if they must have meat in the menu, we only use grass fed, organic.

Paella! (Spanish Bomba rice, saffron, sausage, chicken, prawns, soffrito, green beans all cooked in a large paella pan over fire)
Roasted Chicken stuffed and roasted with clementines, garlic and figs, served with a port-fig reduction
Coq au Vin – slow braised chicken in red wine with homemade bacon and wild mushrooms
Grilled Chicken stuffed with green olives, rosemary and oranges, with honey orange bbq sauce
Stuffed roasted chicken with chard, smoked cheddar, golden raisins, with sundried tomato sauce
Braised Spanish chicken with saffron, olives, artichokes and sweet peppers
Slow roasted Pork with fennel, lavender anise and bay, with pork jus and served with peach rhubarb ginger compote
Porchetta stuffed with caramelized fennel and shallots with roast tomato-thyme jam
Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs
Grilled Steak with “Molcajete” – confit tomato, confit shallots and roasted peppers, herb butter
Grilled Steak with Fresh herb & roasted green chile Chimichurri
Grilled Steak with Pink Peppercorn-wine Sauce and herb butter
Roast whole Filet Mignon Tenderloin with horseradish creme fraiche and red wine shallot reduction or Chimichuri

WEDDING CAKES

  • shortbreads: cacao nib, brown sugar, lavender, rosemary, lemon thyme, chocolate, walnut, hazelnut
  • cookies: chocolate chip, brown butter sugar, oatmeal walnut apricot, chocolate almond crackles, triple chocolate espresso, jam thumbprints, fudgy cherry chocolate, mexican wedding
  • Chocolate truffles: lavender, meyer lemon, earl grey, pink peppercorn, rose
  • Seasonal Fruit Pies – ask about Jamie’s seasonal recommendation
  • Classic pies – bourbon pecan, local walnut-honey, dark chocolate cream, butterscotch graham, shaker lemon
  • Tarts – Dark Chocolate ganache with salted Caramel, Brown Butter Custard with berry, Lemon-Lime, Chocolate-Hazelnut mousse, Frangipane honey with poached pear
  • Fudgy brownies with sea salt
  • Big Sur Salt English Toffee, Almonds and Chocolate
  • Coconut cheesecakes on coconut dacquoise with blueberry *
  • Mini cream puffs filled with hazelnut, chocolate or vanilla cream
  • Lemon possets with orange blossom whip cream and berries (3 ingredient pudding)
  • Greek yogurt panna cottas with thyme and honeyed blackberries *
  • Crème brulee: flavors- Milk chocolate & earl grey, Chamomile, Caramel, Coconut, Vanilla Bean
  • Cupcakes (mini or regular size) – flavors can be any from our wedding cake menu
  • Composed desserts for plated meals – please inquire with Jamie to personalize the ultimate dessert

Chef’s Suggestion for Appetizer hour (choose 3-4)

Chicken Skewer ~Ginger Chili Glaze, Sesame

Lemon and Herb Arancini ~ Truffle Parmesan Cream (or add Crab and do Chile Aioli)

Short Rib Crostini ~ Caramelized Onion, Blue Cheese

Smoked Pork Belly Lettuce Wrap ~ Pickled Carrot, Sweet Chili Aioli, Fresno

Beet Tart ~ Beet Top Pesto, Whipped Feta

Crispy Artichokes ~ Green Tomato Relish,  White Balsamic

Grilled Octopus Skewer ~ Shishito, Black Garlic Aioli

Marinated Melon ~ Mozzarella, Crispy Prosciutto, Nasturtium Pesto

Maitaki Mushroom Tempura ~ Yuzu Aioli, Furikake

Mini Falafel ~Tzatziki

Avocado Toast ~ Shaved Radish, Everything Spice

Penn Cove Mussels ~ on the half Shell, Prosciutto Butter

Coconut Shrimp ~ Mango and Passion Fruit Chutney

Ratatouille Tart ~ Vol au Vent

Chef’s Seasonal Suggested Menus 

Plated

spring/summer plated

1st course: (Choose 1)

Baby Beets and Strawberry Salad ~ Frisee, Candied Sunflower Seeds, Humboldt Fog, Sherry Vinaigrette

Jumbo Asparagus ~ Marinated Mozzarella, Gribiche, Lemon, Baby Greens

Heirloom Tomato and Watermelon ~ Burrata, Basil, Basil Seed Vinaigrette, Cucumber

Green Tomato Carpaccio ~ Buttermilk, Garlic Crouton, Herb Pistou, White Anchovy, Pickled Chili

2nd & 3rd course: options (Choose 1-2 per course)

Pan Roasted Halibut ~ Carolina Gold Rice, Celery, English Peas, Shrimp Etouffee

Grilled Octopus ~ Romesco, Olive Tapenade, Shishito, Duck Fat Fingerlings

Grilled Salmon ~ Corn and Coconut Clam Chowder, Potatoes, Summer Squash, Tarragon

Rabbit Cavatelli ~ Nasturtium Pesto, Sugar Snap Peas

Grilled Steak ~ Herb Potato Puree, Stewed Peppers, Chorizo, Summer Squash

Roasted Pork Loin ~ Creamy Polenta, Glazed Peaches, Stone Fruit Chutney

Spiced Duck Breast ~ Rhubarb, Quinoa, Pistachio, Braised Endive

fall/winter plated

1st course: (Choose 1)

Little Gem Lettuce ~ Green Goddess, Preserved Lemon, Pecorino

Chicory Salad, Persimmon, Pepitas, Citrus Vinaigrette, Delicata Squash

Beets Salad ~ Frisee, Pears, Pistachio, Truffle Sherry Vinaigrette, Humboldt Fog

Olive Oil Poached Rainbow Carrots ~ Grape and Raisin Vinagrette, Walnuts, Watercress

2nd and 3rd course: options (Choose 1-2 per course)

Grilled Octopus ~ Kimchi Glaze, Turnips, Enoki Mushrooms, Shishito, Shiso

Black Cod ~ Chorizo, Cannellini Beans, Broccoli Rabe, Chow Chow

Ora King Salmon ~ Celery Root Puree, Cauliflower, Raisin Caper Sauce

Cavatelli Pasta ~ Braised Short Ribs, Spinach, Creme Friache

Brooke Trout ~ Shellfish and Roe Beurre Blanc, Fingerling Potatoes, Spinach

Spiced Duck Breast ~ Butternut Squash, Farro Brussels Sprouts, Honeycrisp Apple

Pineapple Glazed Pork Loin ~ Smoked Pineapple, Barley, Rainbow Chard

Grilled Steak Au Poivre ~ Horseradish Potato Puree, Foraged Mushrooms, Sunchokes

Chef’s Seasonal Suggested Menus 

Family or Buffet Style

spring/summer family or buffet style (Choose 2 entrees and 3 sides)

salads/sides (choose 3)

Heirloom Tomato ~ Herbed Mozzarella, Basil, Basil Seed Vinaigrette, Cucumber, Marinated Red Onion

Peach and Farro Salad ~ Baby Kale, Blueberries, Almonds, Tarragon Vinaigrette

Shaved Summer Squash and Fennel ~ White Balsamic, Feta, Spinach

Cheesy Grits ~ Braised Collard Greens, Smoked Bacon

Quinoa and Corn Salad ~ Corn, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, Pepperoncini, Arugula

entrees (choose 2)

Miso Marinated Black Cod ~ Soy and Ginger Relish, Mashed Eggplant

Olive Oil Poached Halibut ~ Dashi Glaze, Watermelon Chutney

Grilled Ora King Salmon ~ Ratatouille, Roasted Tomato Vinaigrette

Grilled Steak ~ Chimichuri

Roasted Pork Loin ~ Southern Chow-Chow, Pickled Okra

Roasted Chicken Breast ~ Lemon and Rhubarb Jus

Fall/Winter family or buffet style

salads/sides (choose 3)

Winter Greens Salad ~ Citrus Vin, Pepitas, Mandarin, Fennel, Radish

Beets Salad ~ Frisee,Pears, Pistachio, Truffle Sherry Vinaigrette, Humboldt Fog

Baby Lettuce Caesar ~ Preserve Lemon, Parmesan, Crouton Crumble

Charred Broccolini ~ Sesame, Soy and Chili Glaze

Roasted Sunchokes ~Salsa Verde

Baby Carrots ~ Dried Fig and Balsamic Vinaigrette, Cashews

Roasted Brussels Sprouts ~ Butternut Squash, Candied Bacon, Maple Gastrique

Creamy Polenta ~ Sauteed Spinach and Kale

Israeli Cous Cous Salad ~ Celery, Celery Root, Grapefruit, Marinated Artichokes

Quinoa Salad ~ Persimmon, Almonds, Raisins, Preserved Lemon, Arugula

entrees (choose 2)

Roasted Chicken Breast ~ Lemon, Caper and Herb Jus

Grilled Steak Au Poivre ~ Arugula, Onion Marmalade

Miso Marinated Black Cod ~ Soy and Ginger Relish, Scallion

Grilled Ora King Salmon ~ Pomegranate and Fennel Relish, Cucumber, Lemon

Roasted Pork Loin ~ Glazed Apples, Whole Grain Mustard, Delicata Squash

VEGAN Chef’s Suggested Menus 

Appetizer hour (all vegan)

Crispy Artichoke Heart with Green Tomato Relish

Chickpea Panisse with date puree

Ratatouille Tart

Crispy Maitake Mushroom

Beet Tart, Beet Top Pesto

Wild Mushroom Pate crostini

Marinated melon, nasturtium pesto, pistachio

( STATION) Mezze boards grazing table : Dips~Hummus, Babaganoush, with fruits, potato crisp, parmesan crisp, nuts, flatbread crackers, pickled vegetables

VEGAN

Plated-choose 1 or 2 for each course, Family or Buffet choose 5-6 dishes (no soup)

1st course: (Choose One)

Potato Leek Soup ~ Lemon, Herb Pistou, Seeded Sourdough Crouton

Gem Lettuce ~ Preserve Lemon, Shaved Radish, Green Goddess, Walnuts

Baby Beets ~ Frisee, Honey Sherry Vinaigrette, Pistachio and Beet Top Pesto

2nd course: (Choose One)

Olive Oil Rainbow Carrots ~ Sorghum, Cashew and Date Carrot Vinaigrette, Arugula

Seasonal Farro Risotto ~ Fine Herbs, Lemon

Bean Cassoulet ~ Braised Kale

Cauliflower Steak ~ Lentils, Grape Relish

Entree: (Choose one or Two)

Grilled  Summer Squash ~ Tomato And Pepperoncini Vinaigrette, Israeli Cous Cous

Roasted Butternut ~ Green Curry, Quinoa, Spinach, Peppers

Charred Eggplant ~ Coconut Grits, Long Beans, Bok Choy, Fermented Black Bean and Scallion Sauce

Roasted Avocado ~ Shitake Mushroom, Mushroom Dashi, Soba Noodle, Pickled Vegetables

Grilled Portabella Mushroom ~ Potato Puree,  Glazed Turnips

Sample VEGAN Fall family style menu:

Fall salad ~Quinoa, Baby Kale, Delicata Squash, Carrot, Pomegranate, Walnut Salsa, Quince Vinaigrette

Baby Beets ~Ginger, Spiced Yogurt, Sunflower, Persimmon

Roasted Sunchokes ~Lentils, Grape Relish

Cauliflower Steaks ~Fragrant Rice, Pomegranate, Cucumber, Fennel

SAMPLE SEASONAL MENUS

JANUARY JAN
FEBRUARY FEB
MARCH MAR
APRIL APR
MAY MAY
JUNE JUN
JULY JUL
AUGUST AUG
SEPTEMBER SEP
OCTOBER OCT
NOVEMBER NOV
DECEMBER DEC
Seasonal Menus 2023-24 Sea

APPETIZERS

  • Dungeness crab cakes with chive blossoms and Aleppo Aioli
  • Grilled pizzas with Pear, havarti, pecorino, tabasco, sea salt & truffle oil
  • Roasted Tomato Soup shots with mini grilled gruyere sandwich

COCKTAILS

  • Santa Lucia Smash ~ Bourbon + Lemon + Honey + California Bay Laurel + Big Sur Citrus Bitters
  • Sueños de Sur ~ Tequila Blanco + Blueberry +Lime + White Sage + Club Soda [ served in a highball glass over crushed ice, garnished with white sage leaf ]

DINNER

  • Homemade rosemary Ciabatta
  • Baby Kale, Persimmon, Radicchio, Pomegranate Salad with Hazelnut oil and sherry-shallot-honey vinaigrette
  • Roast Kabocha squash, maple, curry, chile, brown butter
  • Dungeness Crab stuffed Sole with Meuniere Sauce and toasted almonds
  • Creamy Polenta with aged Taleggio & sautéed Mushrooms
  • Porchetta stuffed with caramelized fennel and shallots with roast tomato-thyme jam and jus
  • Butterscotch puddings with whipped cream and salted brown sugar shortbread

TRAY PASSED APPETIZERS

  • Fresh chevre with roasted strawberry on fresh walnut bread
  • Roasted Tomato Soup shots with mini gruyere grilled cheese
  • Manchego with honey and lavender on pear
  • Black bean cakes with Avocado-Basil Puree

COCKTAILS

  • HIS ~ Smoldering Love– Bourbon, Grilled Blood Oranges, Barrel Aged Bitters, Black sage
  • HERS ~ Lavender Sparkler– Prosecco, Lavender syrup, lavender sprig garnish

LOCAL FARMER FEAST BUFFET

5:30 – 6:30 (Sunset at 5:54)

  • Rustic Country Bread with Organic Butter and Hawaiian Red & Black Lava Salt (on buffet)
  • Winter greens with shaved apple, pear, fennel & toasted juniper lemon vinaigrette
  • Roasted Beets with whipped feta, hazelnuts, arugula and clementines with pomegranate-balsamic vinaigrette
  • Roasted Cauliflower with flake salt, parmesan and meyer lemon
  • Baked Gruyere Mac n Cheese
  • Farro risotto with White wine, Local Artichokes, Melted Leeks and Meyer Lemon

DESSERT

  • Wedding cake ~ Devils Food with Brown Sugar buttercream with crushed salted toffee
  • Lavender-Cacao Nib Meringues, Chocolate-Hazelnut Cookies, Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
  • S’mores fixings down by fireside

TRAY PASSED APPETIZERS

  • Grilled pizzas with Pear, havarti, pecorino, tabasco, sea salt & truffle oil
  • Shaved watermelon radish with salted chive butter on crostini
  • Local Dungeness crab cakes with aleppo pepper aioli

PLATED DINNER

Rustic Bread with Organic Butter and Lavender Salt on table

1st course:

  • Salad of frisee, shaved market apple, hazelnuts and fresh garbanzo with crushed juniper meyer lemon vinaigrette

2nd course:

  • Purple & Gold Cauliflower Soup (plated)

3rd course:

  • Foraged Mussels with white wine, shallots and fennel with garlic toasts (family style)

4th course:

  • Grilled Wild Monterey King Salmon with Nasturtium blossom butter, sautéed radish and sautéed garden greens with Risotto with asparagus, thyme, chevre and wild mushrooms (served plated)

5th course:

  • Darkest chocolate salted caramel tart with red currant–lavender sorbet

SERVED BUFFET

  • Rustic Country Bread with Organic Butter and Lavender Salt
  • Frisee Salad with Dungeness Crab, Cannellini Beans, Asparagus, Mint, Dill, Chive, Shallots with Meyer Lemon Poppyseed Buttermilk Dressing
  • Grilled artichokes and asparagus with aioli and balsamic glaze
  • Israeli Couscous with blistered cherry tomatoes and herbs
  • Wild salmon grilled with nasturtium butter and preserved meyer lemon vinaigrette
  • Barley and herb stuffed portabellas with wild mushroom cream sauce
  • Clementine stuffed Roasted Chicken with Port Fig reduction

DESSERT BAR

  • Assorted Macarons
  • Butterscotch pudding with salted brown sugar shortbread
  • Lavender cupcakes
  • Warm Olives in herbs with Seeded Sour loaf
  • Baby wild arugula salad with honey grilled apriums, grilled haloumi, shaved fennel, hazelnuts, and sherry-shallot-honey hazelnut vinaigrette (plated)
  • Red quinoa with Serendipity strawberries, mint, walnuts and lemon oil (family style)
  • Grilled local artichokes with balsamic glaze and roasted garlic lemon aioli (family style)
  • Grilled Orange Poppy “Pig Wizard” sausages (family style)
  • Spicy grilled Santa Barbara Spot Prawns (family style)
  • Brown butter Alaskan Halibut with baby fennel basil broth and blistered cherry tomatoes (plated)
  • Fresh farmer’s market Cherry Pie, whipped cream

ON TABLE

  • Rustic country bread with salted chive butter

1st course plated:

  • Salad of chef’s garden baby lettuces, micro chives, edible blossoms, lemon cucumber and Big Sur goat lavender manchego and pink peppercorn roasted local strawberries, with peach balsamic

Family style dinner:

  • Grilled Serendipity Farms Young Broccolini with grilled Big Sur Meyer lemons and home sundried tomato vinaigrette
  • Orzo Pasta Salad with zucchini blossoms, sauteed zucchini, mint, toasted walnuts and ricotta salata
  • Serendipity Farms Heirloom Tomatoes, burrata, Carmel Valley olive oil, Maldon sea salt, purple basil pesto
  • Grilled Wild Monterey Bay King Salmon with Herb Gribiche
  • Organic Grass fed Filet Mignon Tenderloin with Red Wine-Shallot Reduction and horseradish crème fraiche

Plated dessert:

  • Chamomile Crème Brulee with lavender shortbread

APPETIZERS & COCKTAILS (all tray passed)

  • Herb roasted beef on crostini with horseradish crème fraiche and chive blossoms
  • Roasted Black Pepper Strawberry-Fresh Ricotta Tartlets with rosemary Grilled polenta bites with roasted tomato, feta and olive tapenade(vegan)

COCKTAILS

  • Big Sur Mule– Vodka, Meyer lemon, ginger beer, salt & pepper, wild sage
  • Lavender Champagne Cocktail – Champagne, Lavender bitters, served in champagne coupe with lavender sprig with strawberry slice dipped in lavender sugar
  • Local farmer feast served buffet for 100
  • Rustic Country Bread with Organic Butter and Lavender Salt
  • Little Gem lettuces from Blue Heron Farms with avocado and chive shallot vinaigrette (vegan)
  • Grilled Coke farms baby Broccolini with meyer lemons and sundried tomato vinaigrette (vegan)
  • Gruyere “mac n’ cheese’
  • Stuffed Portabellas with bulgar and herbs with a mushroom sauce (vegan)
  • Wild salmon grilled in a bed of herbs with lemon, green olive, fennel frond & dill gremolata
  • Grilled Skirt steaks with rosemary butter and red wine pink peppercorn sauce wedding cake
  • White lavender chiffon cake with white buttercream with lemon zest

DRINKS

  • Rosebud – Bourbon, rose petal, angostura, preserved lemon, sodaIn
  • Watermelon Sugar – Tequila, fresh watermelon, jalapeno, lime, Cointreau, sugar&salt rim, lime

EATS

  • Blistered Padrons with smoked salt
  • Watermelon Gazpacho soup shot
  • Assorted Handmade sausages by Pig wizard

ORGANIC DINNER BUFFET FOR 100

5:45PM-7 (Sunset at 7:50)

  • Rustic Breads on tables with lavender salted butter
  • Wild Arugula, grilled figs, shaved fennel, almonds, goat cheese with fig balsamic vinagrette
  • Grilled summer squashes with basil and sunflower pesto
  • Gruyere mac n cheese
  • Stuffed peppers
  • WHOLE PIG ROAST with roasted chile chimichurri

DESSERT AND COFFEE/TEA

  • Cream puffs with hazelnut cream
  • Olive Oil cakes with balsamic strawberries and chocolate cream triple chocolate espresso cookies
  • Moscow Mule
  • Dry Martini
  • Lavender Champagne Cocktail

Pigwizard’s famous hand-made charcuterie selection

  • Artisanal cheese boards

Passed

  • Grilled Vadouvan Chicken skewers with meyer lemon salsa
  • Wild Mushroom and burrata bruschetta with rosemary blossoms
  • Rolled Zucchini with artichoke, chevre, lemon and mint

DINNER 7 – 7:30

  • Rustic seeded and country breads on all tables

Plated Salads

  • Serendipity farms Little Gems Lettuces with grilled figs, parmesan crisp, garden basils, roasted hazelnut, maple verjus and hazelnut oil

Family style sides served in white ceramic bowls

  • Polenta with sautéed wild mushrooms, truffle and melted taleggio
  • Citrus roasted Serendipity Farms’ beets with shallots, sheep’s feta and pomegranate molasses-sherry banyuls vinaigrette
  • Faro with Serendipity Farms’ chard, roasted tomatoes, garden savory

Family style Entrées served on porcelain platters (2 platters per 8 people, per entree)
Dishes will be passed length wise on long tables from 2 servers on each end of the table

  • Monterey salmon with nasturtium butter & preserved lemon vinaigrette
  • Bay and anise crusted pork roast with blueberry juniper gastrique

Dessert bar, wedding cake and coffee/tea 8PM

  • Served buffet style on patio

Wedding cake

  • Brown Butter cake with candied hazelnuts, cacao nibs, chocolate orange ganache and hazelnut buttercream

COCKTAILS

  • Bride’s – Ginger cucumber Gin Fizz
  • Groom’s – Burnt sugar Old Fashioned with burnt peel

Passed hors d’ouevres

  • Roast beet with fennel frond feta, on candied orange-white chocolate-hazelnut bread
  • Fresh Figs with Manchego with black pepper-fig-kalamata jam
  • Radish avocado toast points with Za’atar and olive oil

ORGANIC FEAST SERVED FAMILY STYLE FOR 150

  • Rustic Breads on tables with chive and lava salt butter
  • Artisanal Cheese & Vegetable Crudites Boards with fruits, berries, hummus, honey, jams, nuts, olives, crackers and breads
  • Baby garden greens, herbs and edible flowers with citrus vinaigrette
  • Organic Heirloom tomatoes and watermelon with fried capers, basils and mint
  • Grilled summer squashes with toasted almonds and vadouvan yogurt sauce
  • Grilled Citruses with rocket, feta, mint and champagne-shallot vinaigrette
  • Pizzettes of rosemary apple butter, pig wizard home-made bacon, grapes
  • Black Quinoa with lemon, avocado, yellow cherry tomatoes, green onion, pistachio
  • Grass fed organic grilled Steak with rosemary butter and charred chile chimichurri

DESSERT AND COFFEE/TEA BAR

  • Baked almond cakes with apricots and dried honey dust
  • Individual trifles in little glass dishes
  • Passed chocolate dipped mint leaves
  • Passed shots of whisky coffees with tuaca and whipped cream

COCKTAILS & APPETIZERS ON CLIFFS AND DECKS

  • Americano: aperol + vermouth + club soda + big sur orange slices
  • Big Sur Old Fashioned: bourbon + wild sage syrup + big sur citrus bitters
  • Roasted Beets and whipped feta on hazelnut-candied orange bread
  • Three cheese herb gougeres
  • Anise roasted pork shoulder with apricot-thyme marmalade on rosemary flatbread
  • Artisanal Cheeses and charcuteries platters

Dinner – served as floating feast

  • Grilled clementine chili jumbo Prawns
  • Grilled pizzas with Pear, Havarti, Pecorino, Walnut, Chanterelles
  • Fresh Salad Teacups
  • Spaghetti squash with sage and brown butter on walnut crostini
  • Procuitto wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese (or w/o procuitto for veg)
  • Twice baked fingerling potatoes stuffed with pancetta and gruyere (or gruyere chive for veg)
  • Roasted squash soup shots
  • Herb Roast Beef with horseradish crema on crostini

ORGANIC COFFEE, TEA, AND DESSERTS

  • Chocolate Cookies
  • French Macarons
  • Salted Chocolate Walnut Toffee
  • Lemon pudding with Blueberry & Orange blossom whip cream
  • Gingerbread cupcakes with orange cream cheese frosting
  • Smores station by fire (provided by bride/groom)
  • Vanilla cake with Brown Butter-Buttercream (8” and 6”)
  • Cookies 24 of each flavor ~ Rosemary shortbread, chocolate chip, triple chocolate espresso

SIMPLE PLATED DINNER FOR 25

  • Grilled Pear Pizza with Havarti, Pecorino, Walnuts & Truffle Oil (served as passed app to start)
  • Homemade Foccacia with Rosemary Olive Oil
  • Apple & shaved fennel salad with parsley, lemon, frisee and crushed juniper (served plated)
  • Seared Scallops with Brown Butter Sauce and Parsnip-Cerlery Root Puree, Microgreens (served plated)
  • Filet Mignon with Beet Horseradish Puree and Red Wine Pink Peppercorn reduction (served plated)
  • Dark Chocolate fudge cakes with cardamom sugar crust and warm chocolate ganache, clementine ice cream (served plated)

Chef’s Suggestion for Appetizer hour (choose 3-4)

Chicken Skewer ~Ginger Chili Glaze, Sesame

Lemon and Herb Arancini ~ Truffle Parmesan Cream (or add Crab and do Chile Aioli)

Short Rib Crostini ~ Caramelized Onion, Blue Cheese

Smoked Pork Belly Lettuce Wrap ~ Pickled Carrot, Sweet Chili Aioli, Fresno

Beet Tart ~ Beet Top Pesto, Whipped Feta

Crispy Artichokes ~ Green Tomato Relish,  White Balsamic

Grilled Octopus Skewer ~ Shishito, Black Garlic Aioli

Marinated Melon ~ Mozzarella, Crispy Prosciutto, Nasturtium Pesto

Maitaki Mushroom Tempura ~ Yuzu Aioli, Furikake

Mini Falafel ~Tzatziki

Avocado Toast ~ Shaved Radish, Everything Spice

Penn Cove Mussels ~ on the half Shell, Prosciutto Butter

Coconut Shrimp ~ Mango and Passion Fruit Chutney

Ratatouille Tart ~ Vol au Vent

Chef’s Seasonal Suggested Menus 

Plated

spring/summer plated

1st course: (Choose 1)

Baby Beets and Strawberry Salad ~ Frisee, Candied Sunflower Seeds, Humboldt Fog, Sherry Vinaigrette

Jumbo Asparagus ~ Marinated Mozzarella, Gribiche, Lemon, Baby Greens

Heirloom Tomato and Watermelon ~ Burrata, Basil, Basil Seed Vinaigrette, Cucumber

Green Tomato Carpaccio ~ Buttermilk, Garlic Crouton, Herb Pistou, White Anchovy, Pickled Chili

2nd & 3rd course: options (Choose 1-2 per course)

Pan Roasted Halibut ~ Carolina Gold Rice, Celery, English Peas, Shrimp Etouffee

Grilled Octopus ~ Romesco, Olive Tapenade, Shishito, Duck Fat Fingerlings

Grilled Salmon ~ Corn and Coconut Clam Chowder, Potatoes, Summer Squash, Tarragon

Rabbit Cavatelli ~ Nasturtium Pesto, Sugar Snap Peas

Grilled Steak ~ Herb Potato Puree, Stewed Peppers, Chorizo, Summer Squash

Roasted Pork Loin ~ Creamy Polenta, Glazed Peaches, Stone Fruit Chutney

Spiced Duck Breast ~ Rhubarb, Quinoa, Pistachio, Braised Endive

fall/winter plated

1st course: (Choose 1)

Little Gem Lettuce ~ Green Goddess, Preserved Lemon, Pecorino

Chicory Salad, Persimmon, Pepitas, Citrus Vinaigrette, Delicata Squash

Beets Salad ~ Frisee, Pears, Pistachio, Truffle Sherry Vinaigrette, Humboldt Fog

Olive Oil Poached Rainbow Carrots ~ Grape and Raisin Vinagrette, Walnuts, Watercress

2nd and 3rd course: options (Choose 1-2 per course)

Grilled Octopus ~ Kimchi Glaze, Turnips, Enoki Mushrooms, Shishito, Shiso

Black Cod ~ Chorizo, Cannellini Beans, Broccoli Rabe, Chow Chow

Ora King Salmon ~ Celery Root Puree, Cauliflower, Raisin Caper Sauce

Cavatelli Pasta ~ Braised Short Ribs, Spinach, Creme Friache

Brooke Trout ~ Shellfish and Roe Beurre Blanc, Fingerling Potatoes, Spinach

Spiced Duck Breast ~ Butternut Squash, Farro Brussels Sprouts, Honeycrisp Apple

Pineapple Glazed Pork Loin ~ Smoked Pineapple, Barley, Rainbow Chard

Grilled Steak Au Poivre ~ Horseradish Potato Puree, Foraged Mushrooms, Sunchokes

Chef’s Seasonal Suggested Menus 

Family or Buffet Style

spring/summer family or buffet style (Choose 2 entrees and 3 sides)

salads/sides (choose 3)

Heirloom Tomato ~ Herbed Mozzarella, Basil, Basil Seed Vinaigrette, Cucumber, Marinated Red Onion

Peach and Farro Salad ~ Baby Kale, Blueberries, Almonds, Tarragon Vinaigrette

Shaved Summer Squash and Fennel ~ White Balsamic, Feta, Spinach

Cheesy Grits ~ Braised Collard Greens, Smoked Bacon

Quinoa and Corn Salad ~ Corn, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, Pepperoncini, Arugula

entrees (choose 2)

Miso Marinated Black Cod ~ Soy and Ginger Relish, Mashed Eggplant

Olive Oil Poached Halibut ~ Dashi Glaze, Watermelon Chutney

Grilled Ora King Salmon ~ Ratatouille, Roasted Tomato Vinaigrette

Grilled Steak ~ Chimichuri

Roasted Pork Loin ~ Southern Chow-Chow, Pickled Okra

Roasted Chicken Breast ~ Lemon and Rhubarb Jus

Fall/Winter family or buffet style

salads/sides (choose 3)

Winter Greens Salad ~ Citrus Vin, Pepitas, Mandarin, Fennel, Radish

Beets Salad ~ Frisee,Pears, Pistachio, Truffle Sherry Vinaigrette, Humboldt Fog

Baby Lettuce Caesar ~ Preserve Lemon, Parmesan, Crouton Crumble

Charred Broccolini ~ Sesame, Soy and Chili Glaze

Roasted Sunchokes ~Salsa Verde

Baby Carrots ~ Dried Fig and Balsamic Vinaigrette, Cashews

Roasted Brussels Sprouts ~ Butternut Squash, Candied Bacon, Maple Gastrique

Creamy Polenta ~ Sauteed Spinach and Kale

Israeli Cous Cous Salad ~ Celery, Celery Root, Grapefruit, Marinated Artichokes

Quinoa Salad ~ Persimmon, Almonds, Raisins, Preserved Lemon, Arugula

entrees (choose 2)

Roasted Chicken Breast ~ Lemon, Caper and Herb Jus

Grilled Steak Au Poivre ~ Arugula, Onion Marmalade

Miso Marinated Black Cod ~ Soy and Ginger Relish, Scallion

Grilled Ora King Salmon ~ Pomegranate and Fennel Relish, Cucumber, Lemon

Roasted Pork Loin ~ Glazed Apples, Whole Grain Mustard, Delicata Squash

VEGAN Chef’s Suggested Menus 

Appetizer hour (all vegan)

Crispy Artichoke Heart with Green Tomato Relish

Chickpea Panisse with date puree

Ratatouille Tart

Crispy Maitake Mushroom

Beet Tart, Beet Top Pesto

Wild Mushroom Pate crostini

Marinated melon, nasturtium pesto, pistachio

( STATION) Mezze boards grazing table : Dips~Hummus, Babaganoush, with fruits, potato crisp, parmesan crisp, nuts, flatbread crackers, pickled vegetables

VEGAN

Plated-choose 1 or 2 for each course, Family or Buffet choose 5-6 dishes (no soup)

1st course: (Choose One)

Potato Leek Soup ~ Lemon, Herb Pistou, Seeded Sourdough Crouton

Gem Lettuce ~ Preserve Lemon, Shaved Radish, Green Goddess, Walnuts

Baby Beets ~ Frisee, Honey Sherry Vinaigrette, Pistachio and Beet Top Pesto

2nd course: (Choose One)

Olive Oil Rainbow Carrots ~ Sorghum, Cashew and Date Carrot Vinaigrette, Arugula

Seasonal Farro Risotto ~ Fine Herbs, Lemon

Bean Cassoulet ~ Braised Kale

Cauliflower Steak ~ Lentils, Grape Relish

Entree: (Choose one or Two)

Grilled  Summer Squash ~ Tomato And Pepperoncini Vinaigrette, Israeli Cous Cous

Roasted Butternut ~ Green Curry, Quinoa, Spinach, Peppers

Charred Eggplant ~ Coconut Grits, Long Beans, Bok Choy, Fermented Black Bean and Scallion Sauce

Roasted Avocado ~ Shitake Mushroom, Mushroom Dashi, Soba Noodle, Pickled Vegetables

Grilled Portabella Mushroom ~ Potato Puree,  Glazed Turnips

Sample VEGAN Fall family style menu:

Fall salad ~Quinoa, Baby Kale, Delicata Squash, Carrot, Pomegranate, Walnut Salsa, Quince Vinaigrette

Baby Beets ~Ginger, Spiced Yogurt, Sunflower, Persimmon

Roasted Sunchokes ~Lentils, Grape Relish

Cauliflower Steaks ~Fragrant Rice, Pomegranate, Cucumber, Fennel

GALLERY

CAKES

If we are also catering, we are happy to make you a custom cake. for 50 persons or less, we recommend a 2 tier 6″/8″ which is $500. For 75-100 we recommend a 3 tier 6″/8″/10″ which is $750. Cakes are simple and white. You will need to add cake flowers to your order with your florist and we can place for you. We do NOT make cakes if we are not also catering, sorry.

VENUES

We can plan and cater an amazing party anywhere. From Big Sur up to Half Moon Bay…from the middle of a field, on a ridgetop cliff, a redwood forest to a secluded beach. Contact us today via email for a list of our secret venue options.

GET IN TOUCH

phone  831-915-8477 email  info@seastarscatering.com social instagram @seastarsbigsur

email - info@seastarscatering.com