Nonprofit and Community Event Catering in Oakland and the Bay Area
Your guests gave their time to be in the room. Your funders want to see the work honored. Blackberry Soul brings soulful flavors and California-fresh menus to community gatherings, with a team that shows up ready and keeps your plans moving.
Who we cater for
Nonprofits and foundations, community groups, civic offices, churches, schools and campuses, and member networks. Common events include program lunches, board and staff meetings, community health fairs, legacy brunches, fundraisers and galas.
Two ways to book
Drop-off delivery. Choose a set menu on Book it now, see your total and pay online. We deliver and set up the food. Standard warming setup, serving utensils, dish labels and compostable plates, napkins and cutlery are included, and there is nothing to return.
Custom and staffed events. Start with Request a Date and tell us what you know so far. Our team can help with custom menus, setup, service staff, rentals and teardown, and we will send a proposal for your event.
Planning around a set budget?
Set menus show their prices on Book it now before you pay. For a custom event, share your guest count and budget when you request a date, and we will tell you what fits.
“They worked within my restricted budget to create a fantastic menu, and lightened my load by handling all the arrangements for tables, linens and service items, including setup and tear-down.”
Southeast Community Facility Commission, Legacy Brunch, Bayview Hunters Point
Book your program year
Board retreat, legacy brunch, community health fair, fall fundraiser, holiday party. If your calendar repeats every year, book it once. Tell us the dates you know and the ones you are still deciding, and we will hold them, match each with a seasonal menu, and send one proposal your board or funder can approve in one go.
Each gathering stays its own event. Guest counts and menus can change as the date gets closer.
What community partners say
“Flawless execution. The team did an outstanding job managing setup, breakdown, equipment, day-of coordination, promotions and logistics on very short notice.”
N. Williams, Event Lead, City of Oakland, Oakland Drinks Water Community Health Fair
“Blackberry Soul has catered several Chamber community gatherings and events, and their performance has been nothing short of exceptional.”
C. Adams, Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce
“The feedback I received from both students and our team has been overwhelmingly positive, and I’m incredibly grateful for the care and pride you brought to this project.”
Andy Harrop, Black Girls Code, Summer Camp
Part of our community too
Chef Rene has opened her kitchen to City Eats so the organization could prepare meals for people experiencing homelessness. She has partnered with her granddaughter’s Girl Scout troop to cook for families staying at Ronald McDonald House, and she teaches cooking classes for teenage mothers. Chef Rene and our team also volunteer with other community organizations.
Questions and answers
Where do you cater? Throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Wine Country, including Oakland, the East Bay, San Francisco, the Peninsula, Silicon Valley, Marin, Napa and Sonoma. Book it now delivers to a smaller area than our custom events. If your address is outside it, request a date and we will let you know what is possible.
Can you feed vegan and vegetarian guests? Yes. Vegetarian, vegan and plant-based choices are available.
Can you work with allergies? Share allergies and dietary needs during planning, and we make every reasonable effort to accommodate them. Our food is prepared in a kitchen that also handles tree nuts, peanuts, dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, sesame, fish and shellfish. We are not a nut-free facility, and we cannot guarantee that any dish is free of these allergens.
How soon should we reach out? For fundraisers, galas and anything that needs staff or rentals, reach out as early as you can so we can hold your date and plan with care. When you inquire, we will tell you honestly what your timing allows.
Can we book our whole year of events at once? Yes. Use Book the year to list every gathering you expect, even if some dates are still rough. We hold them, send one proposal, and adjust each event with you as it approaches.
Tell us about your gathering
You don’t need every detail figured out. Share what you know, and we will take it from there.