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about us

We’re food people.

More specifically, we’re a well-versed group of full-service catering and hospitality professionals with more than 30 years of relevant industry experience, obsessed with delicious food. We are true food people and we take great pride in crafting thoughtful, inspired dishes for you: the people who enjoy food just as much as we do. We specialize in a variety of events ranging from intimate get-togethers and corporate events to large-scale galas and dreamy weddings. Our devoted and reliable team of chefs, designers, and catering service staff promises to serve high quality cuisine for any occasion.

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We put thoughtful consideration into every aspect of catering.

From time-tested, delicious recipes made from scratch to dazzling décor displays to perfectly match your aesthetic, each element of our menu is carefully personalized and curated to satisfy your unique preference while always delivering an all-around amazing culinary experience.

delivered catering

full-service events

weddings

our green mission

At 12th Street Catering, we take pride in being one of the only green catering companies in Philadelphia. We are deeply rooted in providing and incorporating fresh, seasonal and local ingredients into all of our dishes year-round, and we believe it’s our corporate responsibility to lower our impact on natural resources and the environment. As a green catering company, we are truly adamant about practicing an eco-friendly philosophy with all aspects of our work whether it be in the office, kitchen or at your event.

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Here are a few ways we embrace being a green caterer in Philadelphia by making “going green” a part of our everyday philosophy:

  • We source veggies, herbs and wildflowers from our very own rooftop garden.
  • We compost all leftover ingredients in our facility in Philadelphia.
  • Companywide recycling policies including an on-site compactor for recycling cardboard and plastic.
  • Biodegradable plates and utensils made from fallen palm leaves and corn starch (these come standard with all of our corporate deliveries.)
  • Compostable trash bags.
  • Proud member and supporter of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia.

Leadership

Michele Leff | Principal

Michele graduated from Temple University in 1982 with a Master’s Degree in Business, focused on Organizational Development. She opened 12th Street Cantina, in the historic Reading Terminal Market, in July of 1982 and has dedicated her career to building her business ever since. The following year, she started La Cantina Provisions, a wholesale Mexican food distribution company serving the Mid-Atlantic with Mexican specialty ingredients. In 1986, she opened a fine dining Mexican restaurant called Zocalo. She then began 12th Street Catering in 1988. After years of vigorous business growth, in 2008, Michele moved 12th Street Catering to its current 32,000 square foot location in University City. Michele continues to reinvent 12th Street Catering to meet the needs of her clients and help the community.

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client testimonials

  • I can’t thank you and your staff enough for a job well done last week!  I knew the menu and the overall design concept I requested was a bit risky, considering our audience; however, not only did you “pull it off” but you, your chef and your entire team executed everything, beautifully.  The food, the décor and the service was top notched!  I have received nothing but rave reviews about the entire evening.  As always, 12th Street Catering delivered what it promised, making the event a huge success.  I truly look forward to working with you on many more successful events!

    Aleta A. Corporate Client, Retirement Party
  • Huge huge thanks to the 12th Street team! The set up was gorgeous – the floral arrangement, the company logo-colored linens, the food layout! The food was delicious!  YUM! Staff was pro! We got so many compliments on all of it.  So I wanted to say thank you - I couldn’t have asked for a better night.  

    Anna S. Corporate Client, Awards Ceremony
  • I can't thank you guys enough for ALL your work last weekend! Everyone had a total blast thanks to your wonderful food and staff service. I received such amazing feedback about how accommodating you and your staff were and the food, well, let's just say people are still talking about it! So thank you again so very much, I can hardly wait to do it again with you guys!  

    Jimmy D. Social, Fundraiser
  • It was truly unanimous that 12th Street Catering was amazing!  Everyone was so pleased with the entire evening – the food was great and in particular everyone loved how helpful and friendly your staff was throughout the evening. Thank you so much for everything. It was so wonderful working with you and all of the staff.  You were all so very helpful, understood everyone’s wants and needs, and were incredibly flexible.  I can’t say enough positive things about this experience. I very much hope I’ll be able to work with you all again in the future.  

    Sarah M. Social, Family Reunion
  • I do not know how to say thank you for providing a flawless afternoon to evening party. You and your staff did an outstanding job that was executed with perfection. You were able to put Fred and me at ease to concentrate on our guests as 12th Street Catering concentrated on the food, drinks, and cleanup. I do not know how to fully thank you for a great experience. ...shout from the highest mountaintop, circulate flyers, go door to door. You made the night a perfect night for us. Thank you.  

    Jay G. Wedding, Groom
  • I could not thank Michele and her team at 12th St. enough for providing our guests with fabulous service at our event. Attendees could not say enough about how helpful the staff was and how delicious the food and beverages were - we even had people posting photos of the food on social media throughout the day. Everything from helping me conceptualize our layout, creating a signature cocktail, choosing linens and on-site execution was flawless. I'm looking forward to working with 12th Street Catering again in the future!  

    Megan F. Corporate, Gala
  • 12st catered our wedding of 250 this past June. Genna was incredible. So on point and easy to work with. Food was delicious, certainly a highlight of the wedding. Two words: polenta stack. Two more: Greek quesadilla. One more: sliders. Staff was very courteous and professional. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.  

    Libby D. Wedding, Bride
  • Simply put, 12th Street Catering blows my freaking mind. The level of service this company provides is unrivaled. I have never had such a pleasant experience working with a group of people. Michele and her staff are all so very kind, professional and accommodating. I guarantee you will not find a company more capable of making your event an exceptional experience. Oh, and did I mention the food? Because holy crap, their food is out of this world. I won't claim to be familiar with the catering business, but preparing a hot and delicious meal made with love for hundreds of people seems a Herculean task to me. 12th Street makes it seems like a breeze. Choose 12th Street Catering for your event and you will not be disappointed. They are a huge part of the reason me and my wife's wedding day was as magical as it was. I cannot recommend this company enough.

    Drew D. Wedding, Groom
  • The event went beautifully! The food was beyond exceptional and completely exceeded expectation. I loved your staff. This was indeed this was an A list crew.  Together they ran a fantastic, tidy kitchen, very competent and organized. It was a beautiful beautiful evening and more than a few guests, including our Head of School, mentioned that this was one of their more lively, tasty and fun events! The way your crew placed and set everything up, along with their welcoming attitude had a lot to do with that!  

    Flavia V. Social, Fundraiser
  • I cannot say enough good things about Genna and her team and the incredible job they did for our wedding. The room looked fabulous, the food was sensational, and your staff was courteous and professional and lovely. And, because Genna is the very model of "I've got this," our memories of that day are an unqualified, happy blur. Many, many thanks, again -  

    Susan H. Wedding, Bride
  • Without a doubt the number one catering company in the Philadelphia area.  Would (and have) recommend time and time again!

    Caitlyn G. Social, Book Launch
  • Saturday was an absolutely lovely evening.  The venue was fun, the food delicious and the staff lovely. Thank you for working with us to come up with a fresh, interesting, yummy menu.  We are still enjoying leftovers.  It was a pleasure and I know all our friends enjoyed themselves.

    Elizabeth P. Social, Dinner Party
  • I wanted to THANK YOU and the 12th Street team for your expert handling of our two VIP events this week! Not only did the food receive rave reviews for being unique and AMAZING, but your delivery/set-up teams were super-prompt (nice and early, in fact!), super-friendly, and super-responsive. Thank you for coming through for us and for validating my memory of my very positive 12th Street experiences.  

    Liz M. Corporate, Drop off
  • Thank you so much for a splendid job this weekend.  Your service was highly rated for prompt and timely delivery, courteous staff and delicious food.  I am a rock star because of you! Thanks again, and I look forward to working with you on future events.  

    Bernadette S. Corporate, Drop off

Our Clients

3312 Spring Garden Street Philadelphia PA
215.386.8595

info@12stcatering.com