August Is the New December — Book Your Holiday Party Caterer Now

Here's the thing about holiday parties that most people figure out too late: by October, the best caterers are fully booked.

The companies, nonprofits, and event hosts who consistently pull off the Peninsula's most memorable December gatherings have one thing in common — they started planning in summer. Not because they're unusually organized, but because they've done this before and they know how it works.

Coastal Roots Events & Catering is now taking holiday party bookings for November and December 2026. If your event is on the calendar, now is the time.

Why the Best Holiday Events Get Planned in August

Holiday catering on the Monterey Peninsula operates on a compressed calendar. The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve account for a disproportionate share of the year's events — company parties, client appreciation dinners, nonprofit galas, family celebrations, year-end team gatherings — all competing for the same dates, the same venues, and the same catering teams.

Coastal Roots serves all of it. But we can only be in one place at a time. The clients who lock in August secure their preferred date, their preferred venue, and the full attention of our planning team during the period when it matters most. Those who wait until November find a much shorter menu of options.

Browse our catering menus and then call us — in that order.

What We Build for Holiday Events

Holiday gatherings demand a higher standard of everything — food, presentation, service, and the intangible sense that the event was worth attending. Our culinary team delivers on all four.

For the most celebratory company and client dinners, our Chef's Carving Station anchors the room: sea salt crusted prime rib with horseradish crème fraîche, carved tableside with the kind of theater that signals immediately to every guest that this party is different. Pair it with an American Artisan Charcuterie display on arrival — local salami, bresaola, speck, artichokes, cherry peppers — and the tone is set before anyone sits down.

For plated dinners, our Grilled Sirloin with green-chile cheddar potato gratin and charred cauliflower is the holiday center-of-plate that earns applause without being predictable. Close every table with our Caramel Apple Bread Pudding with whiskey crème anglaise — the dessert that makes December feel like December.

Our Herb Almond Crusted Chicken Breast with broccoli-corn risotto cake and tomato-basil cream serves the mixed-protein crowd without compromise. Full plated menus, buffet formats, and cocktail reception packages are all available — see the full catering menu for the complete picture.

Three Venues. Your Location. Total Flexibility.

Host your holiday event at Tarpy's, Rio Grill in Carmel, or Montrio in downtown Monterey — each available for private buyout or semi-private events. Or bring Coastal Roots to your office, hotel, or preferred Peninsula venue. Full rental inventory — linens, tableware, décor, furniture — travels with our team.

The Reputation Behind Every Holiday Table

Best of Monterey County 2024. Thirty-plus years. Fifty-plus community partnerships. We've been the holiday caterer of choice for Peninsula businesses, nonprofits, and families for decades. The calendar fills fast. Yours shouldn't be the last one on it.

Contact our events team now to hold your holiday date.

FAQ

When should I book my holiday party caterer?
August and September are ideal. By October, premium dates are largely gone. We recommend reaching out as early as possible to secure your preferred date, venue, and format.

Do you handle both company parties and private family holiday gatherings?
Yes — we cater everything from intimate family holiday dinners of 20 to large corporate events of 300+. Every format, every scale.

Can you accommodate a themed holiday event?
Yes. Our events team works with your theme, décor direction, and menu preferences to build a cohesive experience. Full rental inventory is available to support any aesthetic.

What venues do you recommend for a Peninsula holiday party?
Tarpy's Library Room seats up to 80 for a plated dinner. Montrio in downtown Monterey is ideal for a more urban, elegant setting. Rio Grill in Carmel offers a Carmel Valley wine country atmosphere. Off-site is always an option.

📞 (831) 655-2999 | ✉ events@coastalrootshospitality.com | coastalrootshospitality.com