I recently hired Ess to cater my mother's retirement party at our house in North Berkeley. From my first interactions with Rachel, I knew I had made the right call. She was warm, friendly, and professional. She collected all relevant event information and then sent me a sample menu to select choices from. Both my husband and I have busy jobs so having someone who is able to make decisions and handle things without a lot of back and forth is essential. She showed up ahead of time and set everything up while I was working in my office on a last minute deadline. This didn't seem to affect her at all. The food was beautifully presented, very high quality, and enjoyed (actually demolished) by our guests. I even heard one guest remark "This food is delicious! I feel like we are back in Sicily." Ess was wonderful to work with and I cannot recommend them more highly!
— Megan
"Rachel is an absolute lifesaver for working parents. To come home on a weeknight and actually be able to sit down to a healthy meal with my family, that my children will actually eat is an incredible gift. Her food is delicious and family friendly. Thank you, Rachel."
— Sarah
"As someone with a demanding work schedule, it has been amazing having Rachel cook for me this year. It's just so nice to end a long day knowing that dinner is taken care of, and her meals are so delicious that I easily forget how healthy they are. Rachel's menus are carefully balanced, her vinaigrettes are perfect, and she is an absolute genius when it comes to soup. Plus, she is incredibly warm and easy to work with! These meals truly are prepared with love."
— Alex, 4th grade teacher at a Berkeley public school
"My family always looks forward to a meal cooked by Rachel! It is amazing to have a delicious home-cooked meal without having to do all the prep work. Even my kids liked it!"
— Becca
"Rachel's meals are fresh, creative, and delicious. She creates a good balance of protein and veggies and the flavors are wonderful. I enjoy the variety of her menus and it all seems very healthy. It's easy to reheat or just eat as is. It's a delight to have a fully prepared dinner ready on busy days!"
— Gaby
"Rachel's cooking has been such a gift to my family! It has introduced us all to new delicious dishes and allowed us to eat together as a family more often. Since she has picky kids too, she always is thinking about how her dishes can be modified for the little ones. And for myself personally, her food has helped me eat healthier than I typically would. Her services are a godsend to any busy, on-the-go family!"
— Molly
"Rachel has catered several in home events for me. Her dishes are delicious, unfussy and beautiful to look at. When Rachel caters, I know no one will leave hungry. She is also a pleasure to work with and have in my home. She is enthusiastic, energetic, and focused. Her love for cooking and food is contagious and inspires me to cook better for my family."
— Emma
"With all of my kid's after school activities, sometimes I don't have any time to cook. Rachel's food is perfect, because it's ready made, family friendly, and as my kids like to point out, way better than my cooking! It's delicious. Thanks Rachel!"
— Sarah F.
"Rachel catered my small dinner party and it made my event so much more special. She really took the time to listen to what I wanted and i love that she uses local and high end ingredients. You could feel the love and my guests were very impressed with her presentation and the flavors!"
— Deidre
""Between my crammed schedule as an attorney and custodial parent to my three kids, I obviously do not have the time nor the mental space to prepare healthy meals for my kids. I tried and failed miserably. Rachel to the rescue! She makes delicious, nourishing meals which please all of us. Imagine, pleasing a 45-year-old, as well as kids between 6 and 10. We all love the food, and I am relaxed knowing that it is balanced, healthy, and appealing to palates of all ages. And, at the end of a long day I do not have to scramble to prepare anything. Hail Rachel. May you continue the good work until my kids are grown and out of the house!"
— Max
