Aroma Buena Catering

A winner!! As I discovered this caterer via a Google search for South American cuisine, I had no idea about what the results would be. As it turned out, it was a joy to work with Ivan on setting up the menu The day of event planning when as promised, the cuisine was fabulous as was the presentation and I received many complements from my 65 guests. The servers were very nice and professional and it was a total success!For my next milestone birthday, I would like to use Aroma Buena again. Muchas Gracias to Ivan, Ro and Chris!

The sign for the catered lunch said Hispanic cuisine which was a odd, kinda like saying European cuisine since it is so broad.Anyway, the food was pretty good. Really enjoyed the meatballs, grilled chicken and mango salad. The accompanying rice and beans were good too and despite my best efforts, ended up going back for seconds.

Aroma Buena catered our July 2010 wedding (125 people) and was excellent in all respects. We discussed a menu by email, then Ivan brought samples of the food to our venue/home for everyone to try -- so tasty! He helped us plan out areas for food preparation, serving, dining, and clean-up, and he was very flexible and reliable. In particular, Ivan went out of his way to check that everybody was satisfied with what we were discussing, soliciting feedback from the even quiet men involved.He brought an experienced team of servers promptly on the wedding day and they took care of everything. We were really pleased with the distinctive, fresh flavors, attention to detail, and hearty portions (lots of leftovers). Amazing value and highly recommended!

I've had the food at a friends party and the food is definitely 5 stars. This time I reached out to Ivan for a small intimate party I was planning on having at a spa in west portal and figured Aroma would be the perfect place to cater this event. However, I don't know if Ivan was having a tough morning but he was totally put off because the size my party was not big enough for him to cater. Without even knowing what I was looking to order or the date I was looking for he immediately just said no. Just found him really unprofessional.

Aroma Buena Catering just catered my office holiday party. Working with Ivan was really easy, and he was very accommodating. I have people in the office with food allergies/dietary needs and he made the menu so that there was something for everyone. I had a couple last minute requests and he did everything I asked and always got back to me in a timely manner. During the event everyone commented on how great the food was. Before the event started there were a few people not with our party inside the venue. They came over and asked what we were serving because it smelled so delicious & looked amazing. I told them and made sure they got a card so I hope that helps business in the future. Thank you again for your wonderful service!

I sought out Aroma Buena to cater a 50th birthday party (for 70 people). Ivan was very easy to work with and together we hammered out a menu to satisfy the vegetarians and meat eaters alike. I wish I could have chosen some seafood dishes (but didn't because of some of my guests allergies). Ivan communicated very well, he was professional and my guests LOVED the food. What more could you want. Lastly, I talked with 3 other caterers, and his prices are extremely fair and competitive. I would definitely use this company again.

Yelp has enabled us all to become food critics in our own right. Whether if it's praising a main dish from a great hole-in-the-wall Thai spot you've recently found, or criticizing mediocre desert samplers from a bakery your friend suggested you try. All in all though, we forget that there are people behind the scenes who from the very jump, started a business that had nothing more in mind than the satisfaction of the consumer (...hmm well most of 'em). And these public reviews are not only testimonies to gauge their business, but also one of the more direct and convenient ways to for them learn, adapt, and improve if need be. I commend Ivan for personally visiting our business after my review was written. His visit was made solely to let us know that there is a face behind the business, and that above all, we the customer were (if not always right) had a valuable opinion. He wasn't looking to improve his Yelp rating, but to improve the consumer's view of his business. I was sincerely impressed and thanked him for coming. So, an update is in order. I'm not changing what is written, because it's done. But I will add an additional star for have a very respectable and dedicated business owner. Now if he came in with a plate of that mango chicken though??? Boyyyy I tell ya!! hahaha Done!

Ivan and his crew at Aroma Buena Catering are FANTASTIC!Our organization at UC Berkeley throws a party for 200 students staff every May. This year, I wanted a catering company who could give us a good rate, set our celebration parties even better than previous years, and provide food/service that our students/ staff would love. Let's just say Ivan and his folks at Aroma Buena catering hit a home run on all criteria that I had in mind. Ivan is an amazing organizer. I made one inquiry and within an hour he called me, pitched ideas, and had a proposal of a menu! He then ( a month in advance) came to scope out the party space, brought his computer with pictures of his past events/menus and sought feedback about how to prepare and decorate the food tables! His professionalism, timing, creativity are what set him apart from other caterers.On the day of the event, there was one tiny mishap... I faxed aroma buena a map of directions (unfortunately... someone on campus gave them faulty directions once they arrived)... This made them 15 minutes late... (not their fault)... but they rolled with the punches and got everything set up on time. Even amidst challenge, this company rose to the occasion! This speaks to their planning, organization, and ability to just deliver!The food: it was superb. They served achiote chicken skewers with a cilantro sauce! Delectable, flavorful... so much so that this dish is was the most popular. We also had the spinach and cheese empanadas! They were warm, flaky, and packed with flavor. The agua fresca choices of hibiscus (jamaica) and cantaloupe were divine! I also loved their madrid style meatballs. Students and professional staff alike raved that the food was amazing. And the food was warm at all times. I must say, the event was an amazing success thanks to aroma buena catering.The food tables: Ivan is an artist. The flowering branches as a tall centerpiece was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen on a food station. I told Ivan about the party decor, and he delivered on a food station display that coordinated with the overall room decorations!Ivan works wonders! Thank God for Yelp... this is where I found them! I recommend them wholeheartedly!I would love the opportunity to work with them again.

Healthy and delicious food for lunch - yes, please! I'm responsible for ordering catered lunch for my office every Tuesday and always looking to keep the 40+ staff happy with a variety of choices. Yelp always comes to the rescue. I wasn't sure if Aroma Buena would cater our company lunch because of our limited budget and the last minute notice. I emailed them on Friday and Ivan was quick to respond, emailing and calling me back. He was such a pleasure to work with. Ivan provided me with a sample menu, I altered it a few times and he accommodated my requests. Ivan showed up early with the food and his staff was extremely pleasant and professional. I'm always afraid of not ordering enough food, but that definitely wasn't a problem and it wasn't due to lack of interest in it. The cilantro rice, veggies and achiote chicken breast were all a HUGE hit! A number of my coworkers inquired where the food was ordered from and raved about it. I'll definitely be keeping this catering company in rotation for our weekly lunches.

These are THE BEST caterers ever. I cannot say enough good things about them. From the very first phone call, Patricia was super responsive and helpful, and extremely patient dealing with my numerous emails, questions, special requests, and order changes. And the food, OMG, the food, soooooooooo delicious!!! Everything was exactly as requested, delivered on time and with a smile, looked beautiful, and tasted amazing. I wish they had a restaurant, because I would go all the time. I cannot recommend Aroma Buena highly enough, they are phenomenal!!