Exceptional Catering, Affordable Luxury

Personal Menus. Exceptional Service. Unforgettable Events.

Serving Santa Cruz County and Beyond

Get an Event QuoteMeet Chef Mark

Weddings

Your special day, our passion

Private Events

Birthdays, anniversaries, and more

Corporate Catering

Professional. Polished. Delicious.

Custom Menus

Tailored to your tastes and budget

Welcome to Affordable Chef Services!

Whether you’re searching for a caterer for a dinner party, birthday, anniversary, wedding reception, holiday, company picnic, or other event, personal Chef Mark Gallagher of Affordable Chef Services of Santa Cruz can custom cater a menu just for you.

Our highly trained professional staff have the experience and passion to cater your special event.

Multi-course plated wine pairing dinners or buffet-style meals are available; Affordable Chef Services is also available for cooking classes and team building events.

To ensure the best culinary experience, Affordable Chef uses the highest quality meats, fish and local Santa Cruz County-grown organic produce available.

Chef Mark personally caters and designs each event menu dependent on the type of event, your desired catering price range, and any special dietary or religious needs you may have.

For an event quote, please send us your information via our Event Quote form.

For other types of inquiries, please use the Contact form or give us a call.

Fresh Flavors, In Season

Cocktail Hour

  • Pastry wrapped brie with baguettes/
  • Cajun meatballs
  • Artichoke and pepper crisps
  • Black olive tapenade with balsamic reduction
  • Bruschetta spoons
  • Caprese
  • Ceviche spoons

Large 12ft Grazing Table

Seasonal fruits, veggies, cheeses, dips , breads and crackers.

Buffet Double Sided

  • Organic field greens salad with tomato, cucumbers, sesame ginger vin and feta
  • Oven baked organic chicken breast with a tarragon cream sauce
  • Herb rubbed tri tip with a rosemary demi-glace
  • Roasted organic veggie lasagna with bechamel
  • Wild rice pilaf with roasted veg
  • Roasted fingerling potatoes
  • Marinated asparagus spears
  • Dinner rolls and butter

Recognition for Chef Mark Gallagher

Praise for Affordable Chef Services

What can we say other than “First Class” – the food, the presentation, the staff…

We had been thinking about our day for over 2 years…to see our vision come to life, flawlessly, was so rewarding.

Morgan M.

Winner of the 2018 WeddingWire Couples Choice Award!

Chef Gallagher was recently awarded the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards® for 2018, as determined by reviews from his happy clients! The Couples’ Choice Awards recognizes Affordable Chef as being among the top 5% of wedding professionals nationwide.

Photography Services

For photography services for your special day please visit Poppy and Pebble.

For other types of inquiries, please use the Contact form or give us a call.