Based in Oakland, CA . Serving Oakland, The East Bay & The Greater San Francisco Bay Area
Premier Event & Wedding Catering Across the San Francisco Bay Area
Based in Oakland, Catering by Ericka delivers scratch-made Soul food, Creole, Cajun, and contemporary culinary menus tailored for every occasion. Led by Executive Chef Ericka Means, we bring 16+ years of culinary craft, generous hospitality, and seamless service to corporate gatherings, weddings, and private celebrations across the East Bay and beyond.
Oakland Catering
Oakland Wedding Catering
Oakland Event Catering
Greater San Francisco Bay Area East Bay
Good Food Belongs at Life's Biggest Moments
Meet Chef Ericka Means &
Catering by Ericka
Bringing people together across Oakland and the San Francisco Bay Area through soulful, scratch-made food for over 16 years.
Executive Chef Ericka Means is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy Le Cordon Bleu program, a Certified Catering Specialist, and a seasoned culinary artist with a passion for creating unforgettable dining experiences. For more than 16 years, Chef Ericka has delighted clients across the East Bay with handcrafted dishes that honor traditional Southern, Creole, and Cajun roots while delivering refined, contemporary presentation.
Through Catering by Ericka, she specializes in full-service corporate catering, elegant weddings, and milestone private celebrations. Chef Ericka takes pride in curating personalized menus tailored to each client’s unique taste, budget, and dietary preferences—thoughtfully incorporating dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-conscious options without compromising on rich, authentic flavor. Every menu is prepared from scratch using fresh, seasonal ingredients and signature seasoning blends.
Beyond her culinary artistry, Chef Ericka is renowned for her warm hospitality, professional reliability, and attention to detail. She connects effortlessly with clients, ensuring that planning your event is just as enjoyable as the celebration itself. From your initial menu consultation to the final bite, Chef Ericka and her team deliver seamless service, genuine care, and culinary memories that linger long after the plates are cleared.
Culinary Pedigree: Le Cordon Bleu Graduate (California Culinary Academy)
Credentials: Certified Catering Specialist | 16+ Years Professional Experience
Cuisine Specialties: Scratch-Made Soul Food, Creole & Cajun Classics
Artisan SweetsService
Reach: Oakland (Home Base), East Bay & Greater San Francisco Bay Area
Where Every Bite is an Experience.
WEDDINGS
Wedding Catering
Customized menus and full service catering for wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners.
LIFE EVENTS
Baby Showers Catering
Beautifully presented food for baby showers, gender reveals and growing family celebrations.
CORPORATE
Corporate Catering
Catering for company meetings, employee events, conferences, networking events and corporate celebrations.
“I want to commend Ericka for an outstanding Christmas Eve dinner, the Braised Short Ribs was so tender, we didn't even need a knife to cut them. The Shrimp Creole was very tasty, so was the Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and the Roasted Vegetables. Over all it was a big hit with our dinner party. We highly recommend Ericka for your next catering event.”
Herb H.
Full-Service Catering Designed Around Your Event
1. Corporate & Business Dining
Punctual, professional meal service for all-hands meetings, client luncheons, employee appreciations, and retreats. Options include individually packaged hot or cold boxed meals, continental morning spreads, and hot buffet stations designed to keep your schedule running on time.
2. Weddings & Milestone Celebrations Elevated dining for wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, milestone anniversaries, and graduations. From passed cocktail small bites to generous family-style and buffet dinner stations, we design custom menus that match the tone and flow of your day.
3. Baby Showers & Family Celebrations
Celebrate growing families with vibrant brunch spreads, savory lunch buffets, finger-food stations, and signature custom sweets—including our renowned artisan caramel apples and custom dessert tables.
4. Celebrations of Life & RepastsComforting Food for Meaningful Gatherings.
During times of remembrance, let us take care of feeding your family and guests. We provide warm, comforting Soul food buffets and drop-off spreads with prompt, discreet setup and heartfelt service so you can focus on honoring your loved one.
Choose the exact level of operational support your venue and timeline require:
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Drop-Off & Setup: Hot, fresh food delivered in commercial temperature-controlled carriers, complete with chafing stands, serving utensils, and simple setup so you can self-serve with ease.
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Full-Service Attendants: Dedicated, professional on-site culinary staff to oversee setup, replenish buffet stations, maintain pristine presentation, and manage end-of-event breakdown.
Working With the Best Clients and Partners
