Catering in Oakville

Private events on estate properties

South of the QEW, Old Oakville, Southeast Oakville (Morrison and Chartwell), Bronte and the lakefront streets toward Burlington have some of the GTA's largest residential lots. Many of the region's garden parties, charity receptions, anniversary dinners and backyard weddings happen on these properties.

An estate event for 100–200 guests is effectively a pop-up venue. The work we plan:

• A catering tent or service area behind the main tent, with prep tables, hot-holding equipment, handwashing and lighting, hidden from guests.
• Power. Large tents with lighting, heaters or air conditioning, a band and catering equipment usually need a generator, sized by your rental company with our equipment list.
• Ground and access. Lawns, gardens and irrigation systems need protection from rental trucks; we use the driveway and a defined path to the service area.
• Washrooms. A house's powder room is not designed for 150 guests; washroom trailers are standard for large events.
• The lake. Lakefront lawns are beautiful and windy. Tent sidewalls, weighted linens, covered buffet dishes and a plan for sudden temperature drops in the evening are all part of a lakeside menu.

Tent permits in Oakville

Tents are a building-code matter. The Town of Oakville states that a building permit is required for a temporary tent larger than 60 square metres, and for a tent of any size within three metres of another structure or attached to one. A 60 square metre tent is roughly 20 by 32 feet (645 square feet), which seats only about 40–50 guests at dinner tables, so most wedding and party tents need a permit. Reputable tent rental companies usually handle the application; confirm who is responsible and allow the Town's processing time.

Our backyard and tented events guide covers layouts, weather plans and a timeline for rentals, and our backyard wedding catering checklist covers everything else.

Alcohol at a home event

AGCO rules do not allow liquor to be sold at a residence, so a party at home is a host-provided bar with no charge to guests. Buy from the LCBO or an authorized retailer, plan glassware and ice early, and consider hired staff to serve and monitor consumption: as host, you are responsible for your guests. If your event is at a club, a hall or a winery instead, that venue's licence usually governs the bar.

Dinners at home for 8 to 40

Not every Oakville event is a tent. A lot of what hosts want here is smaller: a plated dinner for clients, a birthday dinner for 20 family members, a holiday cocktail party for neighbours. In a large home kitchen we can cook more on site than in a condo, but we still bring our own equipment and plan around the host's oven, fridge space and dishwasher.

For seated dinners we recommend one server per 10–12 guests plus a chef in the kitchen, and a separate bartender or drinks server if cocktails are part of the evening. Plated dinners start from $92 per person and canapé receptions start from $38, before HST.

Golf clubs, yacht clubs and venues

Oakville has several golf, yacht and private clubs, and they almost always have their own food and beverage operations. Outside caterers are rarely permitted there. If you are choosing between a club and your own property, the trade-off is simple: the club includes kitchen, staff, washrooms and a liquor licence; your home gives you the setting and flexibility but needs all of those brought in.

Heritage buildings and event spaces downtown along Lakeshore Road, and barns and wineries toward Milton and the Niagara Escarpment, are other options for couples and hosts who want a venue that allows outside catering. Ask about the kitchen before booking.

Head offices along the QEW

Oakville is home to major corporate head offices and business parks along the QEW, Winston Churchill Boulevard, Speers Road and the newer employment lands north of Dundas. Corporate catering here tends to be board meetings, leadership offsites, client lunches and holiday parties rather than daily team lunches. For board meetings we use discreet setups, quiet service and individually plated or boxed meals. See meeting catering and corporate receptions.

Getting to Oakville

The QEW is the main route from Toronto, and it is heavily congested westbound in the afternoon, with the section around the 403 and Trafalgar Road slow in both directions at rush hour. On summer Friday afternoons, when many weekend tents and rentals are being delivered, we plan setup for the morning. The Lakeshore West GO line is a good option for guests coming from Toronto.

Staffed events start at 40 guests, with staff at $38 per hour and a 18% service charge; weddings should be booked at least 6 months ahead. Travel and delivery costs are confirmed in your quote. See pricing.

Nearby: Mississauga, Etobicoke and Brampton. Services: weddings, private events, corporate catering.