Business Details
32 Years
experience
Your Trusted Catering Partner in Arlington, VA
Allspice Catering began in April 1994 as Spice of Life, a caf specializing in fresh, modern cuisine. Since acquiring the business in March 2013, we have remained committed to delivering hassle-free hospitality and homemade dishes inspired by global flavors. Our culinary heritage spans over 120 combined years through family-owned ventures like Cabrals Market, Baires Pub, and the iconic Bonnie Doone Restaurant. We specialize in corporate, social, and wedding catering across the DMV region, offering fresh, made-from-scratch meals with boutique-level service. Our team combines deep industry experience with a passion for authentic food, handling every detail from food and beverage to staffing and rentals. We prioritize quality, service, and budget-conscious solutions, ensuring seamless execution for events of all sizes.Our roots in corporate catering have taught us to maximize value without compromising quality, while our family traditions emphasize hospitality and treating clients like family. We serve fresh, same-day prepared meals for intimate gatherings or large-scale events, collaborating closely to create custom menus tailored to client needs. Our operations span from boardrooms to ballrooms, with a focus on reliability, creativity, and a homemade touch that feels personal. We pride ourselves on a track record of serving prestigious events, including the US Navys Pentagon holiday party for over 1,200 guests.
Services
Corporate Catering
Wedding Catering
Social Event Catering
Custom Menu Design
Delivery & Pickup
Argentine Cuisine
Event Staffing
Equipment Rentals
Breakfast Catering
Lunch Catering
Details
- Year established: 1994
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of combined culinary experience across corporate, wedding, and social catering.
- Our family-owned heritage spans 120+ years in restaurant and catering operations.
- We prepare all meals fresh the same day as your event with no mass-produced shortcuts.
- Our team handles every detail from custom menus to staffing and rentals.
- We guarantee budget-conscious solutions without compromising quality or flavor.
Services
Corporate Catering
We deliver fresh, high-quality meals for corporate events including boxed lunches, executive dinners, and large-scale conferences. Our service prioritizes punctuality, budget-conscious solutions, and professional execution. Clients trust us to handle tight deadlines and complex logistics with seamless efficiency across the DMV region.
Wedding Catering
Specializing in weddings with short lead times, we create customized menus that reflect couples' visions. Our team ensures reliable service and homemade flavors for events ranging from 50 to 500 guests. We combine culinary creativity with logistical expertise to deliver memorable dining experiences on schedule and within budget.
Social Event Catering
From birthdays to reunions, we provide tailored catering solutions for personal celebrations. Our menus emphasize shareable, homemade dishes while our staff manages logistics including rentals and staffing. We adapt to each occasion's unique requirements while maintaining consistent quality and warm service.
Custom Menu Design
We collaborate with clients to develop bespoke menus for any event type. Our culinary team incorporates dietary preferences and thematic elements while ensuring practical execution. This service includes flavor-forward international cuisine options and seasonal ingredient sourcing for optimal freshness and presentation.
Argentine Cuisine
Our Argentine menu features traditional dishes like milanesas, reflecting Gus' culinary heritage. This offering combines authentic preparation methods with modern presentation for both takeout and event catering. The menu showcases Latin American flavors through family recipes adapted for contemporary tastes and large-scale service.
People
Gus Ramos
Operations
Gus brings decades of hospitality and healthcare leadership experience. He grew up in family restaurants in Argentina and Spain, later managing Burger King marketing in Latin America and innovating in the healthcare sector before joining Allspice Catering.
Rich Vizard
Sales
Rich has over 24 years in catering, including roles at Basikneads and Au Bon Pain. He grew up in his family's Cape Cod restaurant and now leads Allspice Catering, combining generational food service knowledge with modern event expertise.
Questions
What types of events do you cater?
We cater corporate events, weddings, social gatherings, and institutional functions across Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.
Can you accommodate last-minute events?
Yes, we specialize in weddings and events with short lead times while maintaining quality and service standards.
Do you offer custom menu options?
Yes, we collaborate with clients to create customized menus tailored to dietary needs, themes, and budget requirements.
Is delivery available?
Yes, we offer delivery and pickup options for both individual orders and large events in our service areas.
What makes your catering different?
Our family heritage, fresh daily preparation, and personalized service combine to create unique catering experiences rooted in 120+ years of culinary tradition.
Do you serve international cuisine?
Yes, we feature Argentine dishes through our Milanga Place brand and incorporate global flavors into our event catering menus.