Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Premier Catering & Event Center in Northern Michigan
Since 1973, BJs Catering & Event Center has been a trusted name in hospitality, founded on the principles of family and excellence. Owned by Bob and Ronda Elam, we approach every event as a labor of love, ensuring personalized attention to detail for weddings, corporate gatherings, and private celebrations. Our team of culinary graduates from Johnson & Wales delivers customized menus, supported by mobile kitchen facilities and a commitment to dietary inclusivity. With five ADA-compliant event spaces accommodating up to 150 guests, we combine flexibility with professionalism.Licensed and insured, our services extend across Northern Michigan, serving over 100 weddings annually alongside government agencies, colleges, and community events. Partnerships with venues like Castle Farms and Sonshine Barn enhance our ability to create memorable experiences. From initial planning to final cleanup, we prioritize client satisfaction, offering rehearsal dinner discounts and dietary accommodations to meet diverse needs.
Services
Catering Services
Event Center Rentals
Menu Customization
Mobile Kitchen Facilities
Dietary Menus
Wedding Catering
Government Agency Catering
College Campus Catering
Rehearsal Dinners
Breakfast Brunch Services
Details
- Year established: 1973
Highlights and features
- We have over 50 years of experience in catering and event management.
- Our Johnson & Wales Culinary graduates ensure exceptional food quality.
- We offer mobile kitchen facilities for on-site food preparation.
- Licensed and insured with a portable beer & wine license.
- Partnerships with top venues like Castle Farms enhance event options.
What people say
Amazing job
Flawless service
Delicious food
Professional staff
Exceeded expectations
Services
Catering Services
BJs Catering Services provides customized menus for weddings, corporate events, and private gatherings. Our Johnson & Wales-trained chefs create dishes tailored to dietary needs, ensuring exceptional quality through mobile kitchen facilities. With over 100 weddings served annually, we combine culinary expertise with logistical precision for seamless events.
Event Center Rentals
Our ADA-compliant event center features five flexible spaces accommodating 10-150 guests. Each room includes audiovisual equipment, Wi-Fi, and furniture options, with combined capacity for larger events. Located in Northern Michigan, these venues offer rustic and modern settings with partnerships at premium locations like Castle Farms and Sonshine Barn.
Mobile Kitchen Facilities
Mobile Kitchen Facilities enable fresh food preparation at any location. This service ensures consistent quality for off-site events, supported by licensed staff and portable beer & wine service. Ideal for remote venues, it maintains the same culinary standards as our on-premise catering operations.
Dietary Menus
Dietary Menus accommodate allergies, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free requirements without compromising flavor. Developed by experienced chefs, these options are available for all events, ensuring inclusivity while maintaining the same high standards of taste and presentation as standard offerings.
Wedding Catering
Wedding Catering includes tastings, rehearsal dinners, and full reception services. With over 100 weddings annually, we offer customizable packages, discounted brunch options, and coordination with preferred venues. Staff handle setup, service, and cleanup, allowing couples to focus on their special day without stress.
People
Bob Elam
Co-Owner
Co-Owner Bob Elam has led BJs Catering & Event Center since 1973, combining culinary expertise with personalized service. He oversees operations and client relations, ensuring every event meets the company's high standards for quality and customer satisfaction.
Ronda Elam
Co-Owner
Co-Owner Ronda Elam partners with Bob to maintain the family-oriented values of BJs Catering. She manages staff training and event coordination, drawing on decades of hospitality experience to ensure seamless execution of weddings and large-scale events.
Questions
What types of events do you cater?
We cater weddings, corporate events, graduations, family reunions, government functions, and college campus events across Northern Michigan.
Do you offer menu customization?
Yes, our Johnson & Wales-trained chefs create customized menus with dietary accommodations available upon request for all events.
What is your deposit requirement?
A $500 non-refundable deposit secures our catering services, with final payment due one week before your event.
Are your facilities ADA compliant?
All five event spaces meet ADA accessibility standards with wheelchair access, appropriate seating, and assistive technologies.
Do you work with outside vendors?
Yes, we partner with venues like Castle Farms and Sonshine Barn to provide integrated catering and event planning services.
