About Taza Catering & Events
Planning an event in Phoenix shouldn’t feel like a second job. A husband-and-wife catering company, Taza Catering & Events delivers chef-crafted catering for corporate meetings, weddings, and private gatherings across Phoenix—served with polished presentation, clear communication, and on-time execution.
Chef Sandra Lockard builds the menu. Nick Lockard runs the logistics. When you call, you get one of them
Since 2019
GREATER PHOENIX VALLEY
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Didn't miss a detail
Tony W. who ran food and beverage for hotels and casinos has watched hundreds of caterers work. He knows exactly what execution excellence looks like. That's the standard Taza Catering & Events measures against.
"I spent years operating hotels and Casino F&B departments. Taza has my full recommendation. Quality ingredients made with care. A professional service team that not only didn't miss a detail, but successfully exceeded my expectations multiple times. I will be planning my next celebration with Taza and you should too."
TONY WHITTALL /
GOOGLE REVIEW
SERVICE STYLES
Choose the service style that fits your day
FULL SERVICE
Our full-service catering delivers a polished event experience from start to finish. Chef-crafted menus, professional staff, complete setup, décor planning, buffet or plated service, and post-event cleanup are all included so you can enjoy the celebration without worrying about details. Perfect for weddings, large parties, and formal receptions where seamless execution matters most.
Our service style varies to accommodate your vibe and event theme. Cocktail-style receptions with passed hors d’oeuvres or stations keep guests mingling. Buffet or family-style service feels relaxed and flexible. Seated courses offer a more formal, structured dining experience tailored to your event
Taza Catering & Events' full service is available for events large and small. We cater to private social events, backyard weddings, large venue weddings, corporate meetings, bar mitzvahs, banquets, cocktail parties, brunch bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, holiday parties, celebration of life, and more.
Delivery and Setup
Enjoy chef-prepared, artisan-inspired cuisine delivered right to your location with thoughtful setup and presentation. This service brings hot and cold entrées, platters, and buffet spreads arranged beautifully for effortless self-serve at corporate meetings, family gatherings, backyard parties, or social celebrations, all without the need for on-site staff.
Thoughtful food. Because everyone at the table matters.
"They catered a rehearsal dinner for us that had some attendees with Celiac. The food was delicious and they were fantastic about understanding food allergies and adapting so everyone was able to feel treated!"
SHELLY
/ GOOGLE REVIEW
PERSONAL CHEF
Get pampered and treat your guests to an exclusive multi-course meal. Chef Sandra in your kitchen, cooking for your guests, and plating every course straight to your table. Whether it’s a family gathering, milestone birthday, or intimate wedding, having a personal chef develop a custom menu, and prepare it in real time is the ultimate luxury experience.
As a host, you should get to enjoy your own event.
"From beginning to end, Sandra made this an amazing, unforgettable experience... Sandra's warm and welcoming personality made it feel like she was truly hosting us in our own home."
BRE P.
/ GOOGLE REVIEW
Catering for Every Kind of Event
CORPORATE
Whether it’s a board meeting, training session, client luncheon, or executive dinner, our corporate catering is designed for punctual delivery and practical service. Choose delivery with setup or full-service options, customizable menus, boxed lunches, or buffet spreads tailored to keep your event running smoothly and your guests satisfied.
Fresh food. Right on time.
"Food arrived fresh, correct temp & stayed the right temp for our event. Everybody raved about the food — the dipping sauces are fresh, entirely homemade & the best vinaigrette, tzatziki, and aioli I've ever had! Portions are generous!"
J.P
/ GOOGLE REVIEW
WEDDINGS & SOCIAL
From intimate celebrations, milestone gatherings and backyard weddings to grand soirees, and corporate galas, our social event catering adapts to your rhythm and vision. We’ll help you plan menus and service pacing, whether passed hors d’oeuvres, buffet style, or plated dinners, and ensure everything arrives and flows with your day’s schedule so you can savor every moment with your guests.
Phenomenal food gets noticed. Guests remember.
"We recently had our wedding at Desert View Weddings... The food is phenomenal! We had so many of our vendors raving about the food."
HANNAH TYLER
/ GOOGLE REVIEW
OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY
Built for Events of All Sizes
Behind every Taza event is a logistics system built by Co-Owner Nick to keep production, staffing, timing, temperatures, and service working together. His background as a process engineer and Navy submarine veteran shaped the way we approach catering: plan carefully, build reliable systems, and execute every detail with purpose.
Whether we're serving 400 people at a corporate event or 25 guests at an intimate dinner, the standard stays the same.
Large-Scale & High-Volume Catering
Four hundred guests. One lunch service. Fresh food, full plates, and a smooth experience from the first guest to the last.
"Recently Taza catered a lunch for our employee appreciation event. Sandra, Nick and their team did an amazing job running the event. The food was amazing. Nick and Sandra are wonderful to work with. They are incredibly kind and professional. I recommend anyone use this great small business for catering events."
NICHOLAS YONKE
/ GOOGLE REVIEW
That kind of execution doesn’t happen by accident.
“Sandra and her team catered our 50th wedding anniversary party and did an awesome job. The food was outstanding and the staff were super friendly. We had close to 100 people and the service was efficient and the entire evening was amazing. Thank you Sandra!”
TED MCMURDO
/ GOOGLE REVIEW
DIETARY INCLUSIVITY
Everyone at the Table Matters
Thoughtful options. Clearly handled.
Halal, gluten-free and celiac-safe, vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and nut-free options are thoughtfully prepared and clearly labeled, so every guest can enjoy the meal with confidence.
We believe dietary needs shouldn't make anyone feel like an afterthought. From menu planning through service, we pay attention to the details so everyone has something delicious to enjoy—and hosts can feel confident that their guests are well cared for.
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“Catered my corporate retreat in our Scottsdale Airbnb every night of this past week. WONDERFUL! They ensured halal options for my teammates.”
KATE PULLEY
/ GOOGLE REVIEW
“Sandra did the hors d'oeuvres for our wedding reception and the vegetarian dishes for our dinner since the caterer we had initially chosen could not provide an alternative for our few vegetarian guests. She was professional throughout the whole process and went above and beyond our expectations. The food was also a big hit with everyone. Would definitely recommend for any events.”
HUGO IBARRA
/ GOOGLE REVIEW
"We had guests that were celiac and they were so accommodating in being food safe to ensure no contamination. There were so many amazing GF menu options."
ALLISON PAYNE
/ GOOGLE REVIEW
“Taza prepared dinner for us each night during our company retreat in Scottsdale... We especially appreciated their ability to prepare halal options for our team.”
KATHLEEN HERN
/ GOOGLE REVIEW
“Chef Sandra is an excellent cook! She had to field various complicating factors, like how to cook for certain guests who had food sensitivities.”
SUZANNE GOODMAN
/ GOOGLE REVIEW
“Sandra offers a menu with many possibilities and is extremely flexible with substitutions and allergies. The food is all delicious and she is such a pleasant person to conduct business with.”
ERIC SOLOMON
/ GOOGLE REVIEW
THE FOOD EXPERIENCE
Food People Get Excited About
Fresh, vibrant, and full of flavor.
Chef Sandra creates food with bold, fresh flavors, seasonal inspiration, and a little something for everyone. Our menus bring together thoughtfully prepared dishes that feel familiar, fresh, and anything but ordinary—with plenty of flexibility to build a menu that fits your event and your guests.
From polished corporate lunches to elegant weddings and relaxed celebrations, Taza menus are designed to make an impression. We balance familiar favorites with unexpected flavors, satisfying mains with fresh sides, and indulgent bites with lighter choices—creating the kind of food guests talk about, go back for, and remember long after the event is over
"Best catering experience that we have ever had. RAVE reviews on the food. These are the items that were over the top good: Greek Feta Chicken, Baked Salmon, Coconut Paradise, Power Salad, & Seared Broccoli."
SARAH BACKER
/ GOOGLE REVIEW
THE TEAM
Meet the team
The people behind the food and service
Taza is a husband-and-wife company. Before every event, Executive Chef Sandra Lockard gets to know you personally, and customizes your menu just for you. Nick Lockard — process engineer, Navy veteran — runs logistics and the systems behind them. Edgar manages operations and trains the staff who serve your guests.
Our event team includes Bambi and Anna on banquet service, and chefs Orlando, Knox and Jorge alongside Executive Chef Sandra ensure every dish is prepared with care, finished with intention, and served hot to make an impression.
Chef Sandra is a delight to work with, from initial questions about menu through final cleanup! She has a relaxed, capable, experienced manner — and, of course, most crucial, she is an excellent cook!"
SUZANNE GOODMAN
/ GOOGLE REVIEW
“The food was so flavorful, balanced and fresh. The desserts were also wonderful. Chef and staff were so kind and fun to be around. Highly recommend.”
TINSLEY DEMPSEY
/ GOOGLE REVIEW
Taza Catering & Events Service Areas
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DELIVERY RELIABILITY
Hot Food Arrives Hot. Cold Food Arrives Cold. We Arrive Ready
Great food deserves a great delivery plan. We account for drive time, menu, guest count, and service style when we plan every event, using professional hot-holding equipment, digital temperature monitoring and carefully timed preparation to protect food quality and temperature along the way. It's part of the system Co-Owner Nick built at Taza—and why getting your food from our kitchen to your table is something we take just as seriously as preparing it.
Whether you are hosting an outdoors event or indoors party, We think of all the details from wind, temperature, and even your pets, we are ready to blend into the background so your event is flawless.
PHOENIX SERVICE AREA
Catering across the Phoenix Metro
Taza Catering & Events is focused on Phoenix events—so your catering plan matches Phoenix traffic patterns, venue rules, and the way people actually gather here. We regularly support events.
Downtown Phoenix and Roosevelt Row
Arcadia Lite, Camelback East, and the Biltmore area
Midtown and the Encanto area
Uptown, North Central, and the Central Avenue corridor
Deer Valley and the I-17 business corridor
Desert Ridge and North Phoenix
Laveen and Southwest Phoenix
Maryvale and West Phoenix neighborhoods
Ahwatukee and the South Mountain foothills
Because Phoenix venues vary, we plan around your specific site: where guests enter, where food can be staged, and how long the setup can take. If your event is near major hubs like the Convention District, the 24th Street corridor, or the I-10 spine, we’ll build timing that protects your start time.
Catering Across the Valley
Taza Catering & Events services comes to you, wherever your home or venue is located. In addition to Phoenix Metro and Scottsdale, we also service the following areas:
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Central Valley - Paradise Valley · Tempe
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East Valley - Apache Junction · Mesa · Gilbert
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North Valley - Deer Valley · Cave Creek · Carefree
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South Valley - Ahwatukee · Chandler
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West Valley - Glendale · Goodyear · Litchfield Park · Peoria
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Sedona
GOOD TO KNOW
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book?
Peak spring weekends and December book earliest. Corporate events can often be scheduled on shorter notice — ask and we'll tell you honestly.
What's the largest event you've catered?
400 guests at a single corporate employee appreciation lunch. We staff events up to 600.
Can you provide a certificate of insurance for my venue?
Yes. Send your venue's requirements and deadline and we'll handle the paperwork before it holds anything up.
Do you handle dietary restrictions?
Halal, gluten-free and Celiac-safe, vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and nut-free, labeled at every station. Send counts in advance and we build the spread around them.
What do you need to send a proposal?
Date, guest count, venue or address, service style, and any dietary needs. If you have a run-of-show, include it — we'll pace service around it. Fill out the form to request a quote —> https://www.tazacateringevents.com/request-quote
THE PROCESS
How We Work
Our Process For Phoenix Catering, Step by Step
A smooth Phoenix event starts with a clear plan. Here’s how Taza Catering & Events moves from your request to a ready-to-serve setup—without confusion or last-minute chaos.
1
Catering Request Details
Send your date, Phoenix location, guest count, event type, and preferred service style. If you have a schedule such as meal time, breaks, speeches, cake cutting, include it.
3
Quote and Booking
You receive a straightforward proposal that outlines the details of your event, pricing and menu selection. If your venue requires documentation, we flag it early so nothing gets delayed.
5
Final Check
Before the event, we confirm headcount, dietary requests, and timing. If something changes, we’ll suggest the most appropriate adjustments and what the impact will be.
2
Recommendations
We suggest the best format—full-service, delivery with setup, corporate, or social—and guide you to the best menu options to fit your event and vibe. We discuss portions so the spread is generous without excessive waste.
4
Logistics Confirmation
We confirm access details: where to park, where to unload, how to check in, elevator use, gate code, and the best staging area for setup. For outdoor events, we plan around shade and timing so presentation holds up in Phoenix conditions.
6
Day-of Event
We arrive on schedule, set up cleanly, label all dishes, decorate the buffet and stations, are ready on time, and keep the service area organized. For staffed events, we manage service flow, continuous bussing and handle breakdown.
As Seen In
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Companies We’ve Served
We’ve partnered with businesses of all sizes to deliver consistent, high-quality catering for meetings, events, and team gatherings across the Valley.
