This isn’t just a dream—it’s what happens when you choose Emily’s Catering and Cakes for your special day.
A Love Story That Started in Culinary School
Emily Scott’s journey to becoming Nevada County’s most beloved wedding caterer began as a private chef while attending culinary school. “One event after another, I kept investing in myself and more equipment, getting referrals from each event that finally led to the opening of Emily’s Catering,” she recalls.
Since opening in 2007, Emily and her husband John Arbaugh have built something truly special: a catering company where culinary artistry meets heartfelt hospitality.
Emily explains, “I get to talk about catering, cakes, and event planning with our clients to learn their full vision and get to their wants and needs; and then create the perfect proposal for their event. I love recipe development, food styling, working with farmers, and keeping up on trends and techniques. I work directly with venues, planners, and vendors so I can get the most current inside scoop for our clients. I meet for all our site tours, and my secret passions are logistics maps and timelines.”
What sets Emily apart isn’t just her culinary expertise (though her food styling and recipe development skills are legendary). It’s her genuine passion for creating memories.
“I imagine myself at their party and think about the time of year, location, vibe, and what would elevate and make each moment memorable. And when it all comes together and guests are on the verge of bursting with happiness—that’s my favorite part! I love seeing the joy of our clients and their guests after curating the perfect menu and detailed touches for their event,” Emily shares.
Meet Your Wedding Dream Team
Behind every perfect wedding meal is an extraordinary team, and each member of Emily’s crew brings unique expertise and passion:
John Arbaugh, Chef de Cuisine, Emily’s husband and business partner, is the operational mastermind who keeps everything running smoothly while crafting all the savory dishes. His management background and passion for building up those around him make him the team’s steadying force.
Katie Codney, the Pastry Chef, has been whipping up top-notch pastries since 2018. From artisan breads to show-stopping wedding cakes, this “Pastry Goddess” makes everything from scratch with pure talent and love.
Tanya, the Event Manager, has been creating seamless wedding experiences since 2010. She’s worked more events than any other team member and offers the kind of genuine hospitality that makes couples feel completely at ease.
Your Menu, Your Way—Completely Customized
Forget cookie-cutter catering packages. At Emily’s, your menu is 100% customizable. Their seasonal menus are designed à la carte at consistent price points, so you can mix and match to create the perfect culinary experience for your guests. Want to combine their famous taco bar elements with elegant plated entrées? Done. Dreaming of a BBQ with gourmet touches? They’re on it.
But here’s what truly sets them apart: their innovative pricing approach. For example, if you have 200 guests, instead of forcing you to order 200 chicken dishes, Emily’s lets you order 115 chicken and 115 beef. This flexibility saves you money while giving your guests more variety. As one grateful bride shared, “It was like eating a homemade meal, only it fed 200.”
Farm-to-Table Excellence You Can Taste
Emily’s commitment to quality starts at the source. They partner with local farms, including Starbright Acres, source meat locally from SPD Market, and get daily-fresh seafood from the coast. Their flour and grains come from Early Bird Mill, and they even make their own jams and condiments.
Their “California Style” approach means vegetable sides are naturally vegetarian or vegan, most items are gluten-free, and there are no hidden ingredients—perfect for couples with diverse dietary needs.
“We make everything from scratch, so we know exactly what goes into each recipe and can discuss any dietary adjustments that may be needed,” Emily explains. It’s this attention to detail that had one wedding guest with multiple food allergies celebrating that she “could enjoy every single dish.”
Tasting is Believing
Emily’s offers two tasting options to ensure your wedding menu is absolutely perfect. Start with their $50 to-go tasting for two, featuring your choice of entrées and sides.
Once you’ve booked them as your caterer, upgrade to their signature $100 in-person tasting experience. It includes a full hour where their chefs create a beautiful dining setting complete with seasonal appetizers, your chosen entrées and sides, beverages, and dessert bites.
Hiring a wedding caterer isn’t just about the food; it’s about understanding exactly what experience you’re giving your guests.
When the Unexpected Happens, They Deliver
Emily’s team doesn’t just handle the expected—they excel when things get complicated. They’ve catered a surprise wedding where even the couple’s family didn’t know it was actually a wedding ceremony. They’ve delivered dinner and cake to newlyweds who went into labor on their wedding day. And in one legendary story, they navigated snow berms and flooding to feed 200 guests at a Kirkwood wedding that required 4WD vehicles and creative problem-solving.
“We had to rent a truck and strap all our food and equipment into the bed. We had to cross snow berms, a rushing creek, and then found the catering kitchen had flooded. We evaluated the situation and made it work,” Emily recalls with a smile.
What Couples Are Saying
After 18 years in business, Emily’s has accumulated testimonials that read like love letters. A recent client shared: “I could focus on my guests, and her staff never needed to ask me a single question—it was all handled beautifully.”
Another raved: “All of our wedding guests really enjoyed the food. It has been several weeks, and I’m still getting comments about it. I was told by guests that it was delicious, warm, flavorful, tender, and even people with a lot of food allergies could enjoy it.”
More Than Catering—Complete Wedding Support
When you book Emily’s, you’re not just getting exceptional food—you’re getting a complete wedding support system. Their full-service package includes logistics mapping, timeline creation, vendor referrals, design ideas, and even day-of coordination. Emily personally handles site tours and works directly with venues, planners, and other vendors to ensure every detail aligns perfectly.
Their full-service wedding catering package includes:
- A non-alcoholic beverage station: fresh lemonade, iced tea, lemon cucumber water, and locally roasted coffee service
- An appetizer grazing table
- A dinner buffet (including artisan bread and your choice of salad, starch, vegetable, and two entrées)
- Service staff, including a manager and bartender
- Help planning your wedding from Emily’s team
“When you book with Emily’s, you get our whole team and all their expertise and attention,” Emily emphasizes. “There’s no one else like us!”
Your Wedding, Your Way
Emily’s philosophy is simple but profound: “This is one day, one weekend—make it YOURS! Let’s celebrate you, pick your favorite foods, fave colors, make this day fit you! That is what your guests will remember, and you will never, ever forget!”
After nearly two decades of creating unforgettable wedding experiences, Emily’s Catering and Cakes has proven that exceptional food, genuine care, and passionate dedication create something magical—the kind of wedding day where everything flows seamlessly, your guests are delighted, and you can focus on what matters most: celebrating your love story.
Your wedding deserves caterers who care as much about your special day as you do. It deserves Emily’s Catering and Cakes.
And the relationship doesn’t end when the last dance is over. You can continue savoring Emily’s delicious creations through their Pop-Up Bakery events, or join the Cupcake Club for a special dessert each month—a sweet way to celebrate your anniversary milestones while reliving those amazing flavors that made your wedding day so memorable.
Emily lights up when talking about these ongoing connections: “Just last week we had a bride from last year order cupcakes for her anniversary in the same flavor—such a sweet gesture for her new husband! We love the idea of staying in touch with our clients and often get to see them for special occasions. We have one client who keeps ordering our layered polenta and veggie lasagna that was served at her wedding, and she lives in London now! So she orders by email for her local loved ones. So many fun stories, we are so thankful!”
Ready to start planning your dream wedding menu?
Visit EmilysCateringAndCakes.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram to see their latest creations and seasonal offerings.
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Heidi Keefer is a seasoned content creator with nearly 20 years of experience in professional writing. Specializing in wedding planning and lifestyle topics, Heidi combines industry expertise with a passion for storytelling to inspire and guide couples on their journey to the big day. When not crafting articles about wedding trends, budgeting tips, or romantic inspirations, Heidi enjoys exploring new venues, collaborating with vendors, and sharing insider advice to help every couple create the celebration of their dreams.
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