From Backyard BBQ’s to I Do’s

Stories from Marin County's Pig in a Pickle’s Catering Journey

I was chatting with a couple last week who had been regular customers at our Corte Madera location for years. They were getting married in six months and were stressing about catering. When I asked who they were considering, they looked surprised and said, "Wait, does Pig in a Pickle do weddings?"

That conversation happens more often than you'd think. People know us for our slow-smoked meats and house-made sides when they visit our restaurants, but many don't realize that the same award-winning BBQ can show up at their most important celebrations.

Wedding photos by Jade Turgel photography

BBQ: The Unsung Hero of Catering

Here's something most folks don't consider about BBQ: it's practically designed for catering success. When you smoke meats low and slow for hours, they develop flavors that actually hold up beautifully when served buffet-style.

And here’s the thing: Pig in a Pickle is all meat no filler. We pride ourselves in making sure that the first person gets the same experience as the last person and everyone in-between.

Last month, we catered a corporate event in San Rafael where the CEO pulled me aside to tell me, "The food was excellent! I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of BBQ when I think of catering… I always picture bland chicken and overcooked vegetables."

From Board Meetings to Wedding Bells

A local tech company in the North Bay started ordering our simple pickup packages for their team meetings. Containers of pulled pork, brisket, our signature sauces on the side, and all the sides to accompany.

Team meeting set up, photos by Pig in a Pickle catering

Their team loved it so much that when their founder got married last summer, guess who she called?

We worked with her to create a custom wedding menu that maintained that rustic BBQ charm with professional catering staff while elevating the presentation for her special day. 

Her wedding planner was initially skeptical - until she saw how we set up the buffet with elegant touches while keeping the food authentic.

"I've never had so many people rave about the food at a wedding,” the planner told me afterward.

Fancy cornbread set up for a wedding, Photo by Pig in a Pickle, catering

We are all about Inclusivity 

There was a vegan who winced when she showed up to one of our events, sighing that she would have to eat yet another salad for dinner…Little did she know, we had prepared a vegan dish for her. She was happily surprised, and was shocked to be able to sample some of the vegetarian sides, some which are vegan. 

(Note: we are not a vegan restaurant, but take dietary restrictions and allergies seriously.)

That's because we take all our food seriously - from our house-made pickles to our freshly baked rolls. Everything is crafted in our kitchen, not ordered from a supplier. We've spent years building relationships with vendors who share our obsession with quality.

The Secret Sauce Behind Our Catering Success

What sets our BBQ catering apart? It starts with our obsession with quality. Every bite tells a story of carefully sourced ingredients and time-honored smoking techniques. 

Our Michelin Bib Gourmand award and consistent "Best BBQ" and "Best Restaurant" titles aren't just accolades – they're promises we deliver on at every event we cater.

Chef Damon at a charity event at the Marin Art and Garden Center preparing pork belly with green tomato chow chow on a black pepper and thyme biscuit.

Flexible Catering Options for Every Occasion

We like to joke that we have literally almost every catering event under our belt and that we cover the life span of your celebrations & special events from:

Boardroom meetings to backyard celebrations, baby showers, bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthdays, Father’s & Mother’s Days, reunions, memorials, weddings, corporate events etc. We craft catering packages that fit any occasion.

Slider buffet overlooking the bay, photo by Pig in a Pickle catering

Making Your Event Planning Simple

We believe great catering should be stress-free. That's why we offer:

• Clear, upfront pricing

• Flexible service levels

• Professional setup and cleanup

• Custom menu planning

• Full-service professional staffing options

A beautiful thank you from a wedding client, photo by Pig in a Pickle catering

Planning Your Own Gathering?

Whether you’re planning a family reunion for 20, wedding for 200, a corporate event for 2,000, we'd love to hear your story and how we might be part of it.

You can check out our packages online: Please start by filling  out the form on our website and then send us an email - from planning to execution you can do as much or as little as you like- just let us know- we make it very easy so that your only job is to enjoy yourself. 

After all, BBQ is about bringing people together - we just happen to have the smokers, the skills, and yes, the secret sauces to make it unforgettable.