Business Details
44 Years
experience
Your Trusted Catering Partner in Orange County
Founded in 1982, Love At First Bite Catering has grown into one of Orange County's premier catering and event production companies. Our journey began as a family-owned business driven by a passion for exceptional food and service, values that remain at our core today. Under the leadership of current owners John and Stacy LaBrake, we continue the legacy of delivering high-quality culinary experiences while maintaining personal attention to detail. With over 40 years of combined experience, our team specializes in creating memorable events through innovative menus and seamless execution. We pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to evolving client needs while preserving the heart and authenticity that have defined us since our inception.Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our numerous industry recognitions, including being voted Best Small Business in Huntington Beach multiple times. From intimate gatherings to large-scale events, we approach every project with the same dedication to quality that earned us our reputation. Our culinary team, led by Chef John LaBrake, brings decades of expertise in crafting dishes that consistently exceed expectations. Stacy LaBrake ensures operational excellence, maintaining the balance between creative vision and flawless execution. Through continuous investment in staff development and service innovation, we remain at the forefront of the catering industry while staying true to our founding principles.
Services
Wedding Catering
Corporate Events
Meal Drop-Offs
Event Rentals
Venue Coordination
Details
- Year established: 1982
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of experience in Orange County event catering
- Our family-owned business maintains personal attention to detail
- Award-winning catering recognized by local business associations
- Customized menus developed by Chef John LaBrake's culinary team
- Comprehensive event management from planning to execution
What people say
Food was amazing
Service was top notch
Highly recommend
Beautiful presentation
Seamless event execution
Services
Wedding Catering
Our wedding catering service combines culinary excellence with meticulous planning to create unforgettable reception experiences. We offer customized menus featuring diverse cuisine options, from traditional plated dinners to interactive food stations. Our experienced team works closely with couples to coordinate timing, dietary requirements, and presentation elements that match their vision.
Corporate Events
We specialize in creating memorable corporate dining experiences ranging from executive luncheons to large-scale conferences. Our service includes menu customization for various group sizes, branded presentation options, and efficient service coordination that minimizes disruption to business activities.
Meal Drop-Offs
This service provides professionally prepared meals delivered directly to your location with complete setup and serving instructions. Ideal for smaller gatherings or office events, it maintains our quality standards while offering cost-effective solutions for groups of 10-50 guests.
Event Rentals
We offer comprehensive rental solutions including tables, chairs, linens, and serving equipment to complement our catering services. Our inventory supports events of various sizes with coordinated aesthetics that enhance overall presentation.
Venue Coordination
Our venue coordination service helps clients select and prepare appropriate spaces for their events. We maintain relationships with numerous Orange County venues and provide logistical support for setup, capacity planning, and compliance with location-specific requirements.
People
John LaBrake
Co-Owner / Chef
With over 40 years in the culinary industry, John leads our kitchen team specializing in smoked meats and gourmet sauces. He developed the award-winning Ace LaBrake BBQ Sauce and oversees all menu creations.
Stacy LaBrake
Co-Owner
Stacy manages daily operations and event production, leveraging her extensive experience in coordinating complex events. She ensures seamless execution across all client engagements while maintaining company standards.
Vanessa Gerrie
Director of Operations
With 15+ years in event management, Vanessa oversees all event logistics from planning to execution. She specializes in coordinating large-scale events with multiple components while maintaining operational efficiency.
Ariana Galeana
Event Coordinator
A former service captain with 6 years of experience, Ariana provides expert coordination for weddings and special events. Her background in hospitality ensures exceptional guest experiences through detailed service planning.
Donnie Bruyn
Chef / Service Captain
With 45+ years in restaurant management, Donnie brings expertise in hospitality training and action station presentation. He leads our service team in delivering engaging culinary experiences at every event.
Questions
What types of events do you cater?
We cater weddings, corporate events, private parties, celebrations of life, and social gatherings of all sizes throughout Orange County.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, our menus include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly options. We work with clients to meet specific dietary requirements.
Do you provide event staffing?
Yes, we provide fully trained service staff, servers, and event coordinators for all our catering engagements to ensure professional execution.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Orange County including Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, and surrounding communities.
Can I customize my menu?
Yes, our executive chef works with clients to create customized menus tailored to their preferences and event themes.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking 3-6 months in advance for weekends, though we can accommodate shorter timelines for smaller events when available.
Reviews (7)
Al Guerin
May 04, 2022
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I tried to hire them for my daughter's grad party. They were so nice, as they tried to squeeze me in. They're just too busy. I know Don, good man. My sister loves them too!
Noelle M.
Nov 04, 2021
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Fantastic food, excellent service, overall a pleasant experience! Everyone should use them for weddings!
Julie S.
Oct 16, 2021
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Not only was the food 5 Star from Love at First Bite Catering, so was the service. The entire process was smooth and uncomplicated. Meredith was spot-on with all of her suggestions from what quantities to order down to the ideal variety of items to serve and she created an elegant lunch menu that the guests were very happy with. Drew and Tom who set-up the event also deserve a special note of thanks. They were on time, professional, friendly, and created a beautiful setting for the event. Love at First Bite is a true pleasure to work with when planning any event!
Victoria Alberty
May 21, 2021
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Mexican catered lunch at an event. Cheese enchilada, steak taco, rice with grilled veggies. Salad, chips & salsa. So good. And let's not forget the upside down pineapple cake!
Jennifer Tsan
Nov 17, 2020
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Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I had booked LAFB Catering for my 2020 wedding. The food we had at the tasting was DIVINE to say the least. The chicken piccata was perfect, and the mash potatoes were buttery smooth. They have been responsive and friendly throughout it all. In the end, we had to cancel our wedding, and LAFB continued to be gracious and understanding, despite how hard the wedding industry has been hit. I fully expect and hope to book with them again as soon as things settle down.
Huntington Beach Coastrunner
Feb 05, 2020
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Prior to my retirement I catered with LAFB for years! The food, the presentation, and the service were always exemplary. I ordered from their online "Market" for Cinco De Mayo and the Fajita Bar was the BEST! Absolutely delicious! So happy they are providing this "pick-up" service during this "stay home" period.
T. Swenson
Jun 12, 2018
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Service and food were excellent. My guests were so impressed with the food. I loved how easy it was. Mindy was helpful and Krista was amazing. Lunch for 50 was never so easy.
