FAQs
GETTING STARTED & BOOKING
WHat services does vendador provide?
Vendador is Chicago's premier private dining and mobile bar service company. We specialize in luxury in-home dining experiences, wedding catering, corporate events, and mobile bartending services. Our Michelin-trained chefs create fully customized tasting menus while our licensed bartenders craft seasonal cocktails and provide expert wine pairings. We bring the complete fine dining experience to your venue with all equipment, serviceware, and professional staff.
What is the minimum cost for Vendador's services?
Our private dining experiences begin at $1,500, reflecting our commitment to Michelin-level excellence and comprehensive service. This includes menu development, premium ingredients, professional staff, complete serviceware, setup, service, and cleanup. Corporate catering and mobile bar packages have different pricing structures. All events are personalized and tasting menu experiences generally start at $300 per person. Since no two events are alike, the final price is curated jointly through a consultation.
How far in advance should I book Vendador?
We recommend booking 4-8 weeks in advance for optimal menu customization and staff scheduling. However, we can accommodate shorter timelines when availability allows. Peak wedding and holiday seasons require earlier booking. For events requiring specialized dietary accommodations or collector’s vintage wine pairings, additional lead time ensures the best possible experience. Some clients book out as far as 1 year in advanced.
How does the booking process work?
Our process begins with a consultation to understand your vision, dietary preferences, and event details. We then create a customized proposal with your menu, beverage pairings, and service details. Upon approval, we require a 25% deposit to secure your date. Final menu approval and payment are due 7 days before your event.
MENU & DIETARY ACCOMMODATIONS
How customizable are your menus?
Every menu is completely customizable. Our Michelin-trained chefs work with you to create a personalized dining experience based on your preferences, dietary needs, and celebration style. We source seasonal, local ingredients and can incorporate family recipes, cultural traditions, or specific cuisines. No two Vendador events are identical.
Do you accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions?
Absolutely. We excel at creating exceptional dining experiences for guests with allergies, dietary restrictions, and specific preferences including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free (celiac), and kosher requirements. We require detailed information about all allergies and their severity at booking to ensure safe preparation. Our chefs are experienced in allergen-free cooking and cross-contamination prevention.
Do you offer vegetarian and vegan tasting menus?
Yes, we create stunning plant-based menus that rival any traditional fine dining experience. Our chefs are passionate about vegetarian and vegan cuisine, using innovative techniques and premium ingredients to create memorable dishes. We can design entirely plant-based events, including large scale vegan weddings, or accommodate mixed dietary preferences within the same meal.
Can you provide kosher catering?
Yes, Vendador can accommodate kosher events. We work with certified kosher suppliers and follow all kashrut requirements for ingredients and preparation. Please inform us of your kosher needs during initial consultation so we can plan accordingly and ensure all dietary laws are properly observed.
Can you recreate specific dishes or family recipes?
We love incorporating meaningful dishes and family recipes into our menus. During consultation, share any special requests, family traditions, or favorite dishes. Our chefs will work to recreate or reimagine these elements while maintaining our standards of excellence and presentation.
BEVERAGES & BAR SERVICE
Do you provide alcoholic beverages?
Yes, Vendador is a fully licensed and insured mobile bar service. We offer wine pairings curated by our sommelier, seasonal craft cocktails, premium open bar packages with 28+ classic cocktails, and non-alcoholic specialty drinks. All beverage service includes appropriate glassware for events of up to 40 guests and professional bartending staff. Larger events may include a professional glassware rentals charger or polishing fee.
What if I want to provide my own wine?
We offer several options for client-provided wine including sommelier pairing consultation where we create pairing recommendations from your personal collection, and professional corkage service with premium stemware. Both services ensure you have the correct amount of glassware provided by us for a seamless service. Corkage is $25 per person and Sommelier assisted pairings from your collection is $75 per course, Both include glassware and professoional wine service at dinner. Due to our disciplined service timeline and division of labor at events, we are not responsible for cleaning client-provided glassware, and will kindly set it aside if you choose to opt out of Vendador provided stemware.
Can you create custom cocktails for my event?
Yes, Vendador can accommodate kosher events. We work with certified kosher suppliers and follow all kashrut requirements for ingredients and preparation. Please inform us of your kosher needs during initial consultation so we can plan accordingly and ensure all dietary laws are properly observed.
What non-alcoholic options do you provide?
We create sophisticated non-alcoholic beverages including spirit-free wine pairings, intricate seasonal mocktails, premium sodas, and fresh juices. Our non-alcoholic offerings receive the same attention to presentation and flavor complexity as our alcoholic beverages.
WEDDING SERVICES
Do you cater weddings?
Yes, Vendador specializes in luxury wedding catering throughout Chicago and surrounding areas, and destination wedding dining. We provide complete wedding dining experiences including cocktail hour service, multi-course plated dinners, elevated buffets, mobile bar service, and wine pairings. Our team handles everything from intimate elopement dinners to celebrations for up to 200 guests. Maximum guest count is dependent on dining format. Inquire for more information.
Do you provide wedding tastings?
Yes, every Vendador wedding includes a complimentary private tasting of your complete menu plus a One Year Anniversary dinner - essentially three unforgettable dining experiences for the price of one. After booking and deposit, we schedule an intimate in-home tasting with Chef where you'll experience your entire wedding menu, connect over wedding plans and provide feedback. Additional guests can join your tasting at $300 per person. For couples considering Vendador, pre-booking tastings are available at our standard $300 per person rate. It's the perfect romantic preview of your special day and our exceptional service.
Can you provide mobile bar service for weddings?
Yes, we're Chicago's leading licensed mobile bar service. Our offerings include our premium open bar with 28+ classic cocktails, seasonal craft cocktail menus, wine service, and non-alcoholic specialty drinks. We provide glassware for up to 40 guests at no additional cost, bar equipment, and licensed bartenders. Perfect for ceremony cocktail hours and reception service.
What's included in wedding service?
Wedding service includes menu consultation and development, ingredient sourcing, food preparation, professional chefs and servers, complete dinnerware, glassware, and serviceware for up to 40 guests, coordination of rentals from a professional event rentals company for events larger than 40, mobile bar setup (if selected) and bartenders, wine service (if selected), setup and breakdown, kitchen cleanup, and coordination with other vendors. You focus on celebrating while we handle every detail.
Do you work with wedding planners and venues?
Absolutely. We frequently collaborate with wedding planners, venues, and other vendors to create seamless celebrations. We're experienced working in various venue types from private homes and estates to event spaces and outdoor locations. We coordinate timing, logistics, and service details with your planning team.
Do you provide styling, tablescapes and decor?
We offer styling services and decor planning for an additional cost, which would allow our event planning team the opportunity for a tablescapes consultation, vision board presentation, and curated ordering of every detail from our trusted event rentals partners. Tablecloths, florals, specialty glassware, and selected plates are enhancements and we are skilled to design beautiful tables for events without a wedding planner.
corporate catering
Do you cater corporate events?
Yes, Vendador provides casual or elevated corporate catering throughout Chicago. We specialize in executive dinners, client entertainment, holiday parties, product launches, and business meetings. Our services range from formal multi-course dinners to high quality lunch presentations and cocktail receptions.
Do you provide weekly corporate lunch catering?
Yes, we offer casual or elevated corporate lunch services perfect for client meetings, board presentations, and team gatherings. Our corporate lunch menus focus on global cuisines and each season includes 5 regional buffet options to choose from, keeping your month filled with exciting flavors. We accommodate various dietary preferences and needs. Catering can be drop off or serviced, with or without a Vendador provided catering attendant.
Can you accommodate large corporate events?
Yes, we design corporate culinary experiences for groups up to 300 guests. For these larger corporate events, we coordinate additional staffing, equipment, and service logistics. We offer various service styles including elevated buffets, food stations, happy hours, wine receptions and passed appetizers to accommodate different group sizes and event formats.
PRICING & POLICIES
When is payment due?
We require a 25% deposit upon contract signing to secure your date. Final payment is due 7 days before your event (or 2 weeks prior if paying by check). Late payments incur a $50 daily fee. We accept credit cards, checks, and electronic transfers.
Do you travel outside of Chicago?
Yes, we provide services throughout Chicagoland, surrounding areas, out of state and internationally. Travel fees apply to any event longer than 1.5 hours outside of Chicago and range depending on distance and logistics. We've catered events in venues, private estates, and unique locations across America. Contact us to discuss your specific venue and any associated travel requirements.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellation fees are based on notice provided. If cancelling more than 60 days before the event date: 10% of total cost is owed, 31-60 days: 25%, 15-30 days: 50%, and 14 days or less: 100% of event cost. The initial deposit is non-refundable in all cases. We understand circumstances change and work with clients whenever possible.
Are there additional fees I should know about?
Due to the time and care it takes to create a personalized tasting menu, menu changes requested after contract signing may incur a $100 Menu Change fee. Events extending beyond contracted time result in $25/hour per staff member overtime charges and would be communicated at the time of the event. Large events (40+ guests) require rental coordination with a 20% procurement fee. Travel outside Chicagoland may include travel fees.
SPECIAL SERVICES
Do you offer cooking classes?
While we do not offer cooking classes, we instead provide interactive cooking demonstrations as add-on experiences prior to dinner. Popular demonstrations include fresh pasta making, perfect steak preparation, oyster shucking, and specialty cooking techniques. These engaging additions allow guests to learn from our Michelin-trained chefs while enjoying the dining experience.
Can you handle events at unique venues?
Yes, we've catered in forests with no kitchen, on boats, private estates, rooftop terraces, art galleries, corporate offices with no kitchen and strict cooking policies, and lakeside. We assess each venue's capabilities and bring necessary equipment and design appropriate menus to create exceptional dining experiences regardless of location challenges.
Do you provide breakfast and coffee service?
Vendador does not offer corporate breakfast and coffee service unless it is part of a larger, whole day or multi-day event commitment. We consider breakfast inquiries on a case by case scenario and depending on our event calendar, and cannot guarantee breakfast catering. For our private dining clients, Brunch is always welcome and our event minimums remain the same!
Do you offer wine tastings and mixology classes?
Yes, we provide wine tasting experiences guided by our sommelier, featuring 5 carefully selected wines with artisanal charcuterie pairings. We also offer mixology classes where guests learn to craft 3 cocktails with professional techniques. Both can be customized around themes, spirits, or regional focuses.









































