Business Details
12 Years
experience
Your Trusted Catering Partner in Vancouver, WA
The Mad Hatter Caterer is a boutique catering company based in Vancouver, WA, serving the greater Clark County and Portland metropolitan area. Founded in 2014 by Chef Matt Hategan and his wife Riley, our business combines decades of culinary expertise with a passion for creating rustic, scratch-made Pacific Northwest-inspired cuisine. We specialize in crafting custom themed menus and delivering exceptional food presentation for events ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale conferences accommodating up to 1,500 guests. Our commitment to using locally sourced, organic ingredients ensures every dish reflects the region's seasonal flavors. With Chef Matt's formal training at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute and over a decade of experience working alongside Portland's leading chefs, we bring both technical mastery and creative flair to every event.Riley oversees event presentation and food styling, ensuring our clients receive a seamless blend of service, taste, and visual artistry. Our team's dedication to excellence has earned us a reputation for transforming ordinary occasions into unforgettable culinary experiences. We pride ourselves on personalized service, attention to detail, and the ability to accommodate special dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. Whether planning a wedding, corporate event, or private celebration, our goal is to make every client's vision a reality through exceptional cuisine and professional execution.
Services
Wedding Catering
Themed Buffets
Custom Menus
Gluten-Free Options
Vegan/Vegetarian Meals
Corporate Events
Private Parties
Cocktail Service
Food Presentation
Event Planning
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We use locally sourced, organic ingredients for every dish
- Our team has catered events for over a decade, serving up to 1,500 guests
- We offer fully customizable themed menus for unique events
- Our staff includes professionally trained chefs with fine dining experience
- We accommodate special dietary needs including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options
What people say
Best food ever
Outstanding service
Beautiful presentation
Perfect for weddings
Excellent large event catering
Services
Wedding Catering
We create custom wedding menus featuring scratch-made Pacific Northwest cuisine with elegant presentation. Our team handles events from intimate ceremonies to grand receptions for 1,500 guests. With experience in 200+ weddings, we ensure flawless execution and exceptional food quality that impresses couples and guests alike.
Themed Buffets
Our themed buffets include Italian feasts, Taco bars, American BBQ, and heavy appetizer spreads. Each concept features locally sourced ingredients presented with artistic flair. We customize themes to match event decor while maintaining high standards for taste and food safety during service.
Custom Menus
We collaborate with clients to develop unique menus reflecting personal tastes or event themes. Our culinary team creates dishes using seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients while accommodating dietary restrictions. This service includes tasting sessions to finalize menu selections before event day.
Corporate Catering
We provide meals for corporate functions ranging from small meetings to large conferences serving 500+ attendees. Our offerings include plated dinners, buffet stations, and cocktail hour appetizers with professional service staff. Clients appreciate our reliability for multi-day events and consistent food quality.
Food Presentation
Our team specializes in artistic food styling and buffet presentation. Riley Hategan leads this aspect, ensuring visually striking displays that complement event themes. We use locally sourced ingredients arranged with creative plating techniques to enhance guest experience.
People
Matt Hategan
Chef & Owner
Chef Matt graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in 2002 and worked with Portland's leading chefs for a decade before founding The Mad Hatter Caterer in 2014. He specializes in scratch-made Pacific Northwest cuisine using local ingredients.
Riley Hategan
Event Director
Riley co-founded The Mad Hatter Caterer with Matt in 2014. She oversees event presentation and food styling, bringing creative vision to buffet displays and ensuring exceptional client experiences through professional service coordination.
Questions
What types of events do you cater?
We cater weddings, corporate events, private parties, and conferences ranging from 25 to 1,500 guests with customized menus and professional service.
Do you offer dietary accommodations?
Yes, we provide gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian meal options while maintaining our commitment to scratch-made, locally sourced ingredients.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking 6-12 months in advance for weddings and large events, though we can accommodate shorter timelines when available.
Can you create custom themed menus?
Yes, we specialize in creating custom themed menus including Italian, Taco bars, American BBQ, and unique one-of-a-kind dining experiences tailored to your event.
What's included in your catering packages?
Packages include food preparation, presentation, staffing, and service with optional add-ons for specialized equipment, rentals, or additional services.
