Private Events & Galas
Celebrations
From milestone birthdays to black-tie galas, intimate engagement parties to 500-guest fundraisers — refined cuisine and white-glove service for the moments that mark your life.
Plan Your EventSome events deserve
more than catering.
They deserve choreography.
At Selene, private events and galas mean every detail is intentional — the cadence of service, the warmth of the welcome, the way each course finds its way to the table. Our team treats your 40th birthday with the same care as a 500-guest charity gala, because for the people in your life, both nights matter.
We cater private events of every scale across New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester, and into New Jersey — from intimate engagement dinners to coming-of-age celebrations to formal black-tie fundraisers. Every menu is bespoke. Every event is custom. Every guest is considered.
Catering for Every Celebration
From the milestone you've been planning for years to the gala that's defined your year of giving — we cater the moments that mean the most.
Milestone Birthdays & Anniversaries
Fortieth, fiftieth, sixtieth, golden anniversaries — the celebrations that anchor a lifetime. Refined plated dinners, family-style service, or cocktail-reception programs built around the guest of honor.
Galas & Fundraisers
Black-tie fundraisers, charity galas, awards ceremonies, non-profit dinners. Large-scale plated service or station-style receptions with full bar programs and the polish your donors expect.
Coming-of-Age Celebrations
Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, Quinceañeras, Sweet Sixteens, graduations. Multi-generational menus with kosher and dietary accommodations, late-night dessert programs, and a service style that fits both the parents and the kids.
Engagement Parties & Intimate Dinners
Engagement celebrations, rehearsal dinners, family reunions, retirement parties, and small-format private dinners. Family-style or plated service with the warmth of an at-home gathering.
The Golden Hour
From First Conversation to Final Toast
Initial Inquiry
Tell us your event date, venue, guest count, and the moment you're celebrating. We respond within 24 hours.
Discovery Consultation
A complimentary 30-minute conversation about your vision, traditions, must-haves, and budget. No commitment required.
Menu Design & Tasting
We design your custom menu, refine over a private tasting at our kitchen, and finalize every detail of service.
Your Event
Our team arrives early, executes flawlessly, and breaks down after the last guest leaves. You're a guest at your own celebration.
Full-Service Private Event Catering
White-Glove Service Staff
Trained chefs, sommeliers, bartenders, and uniformed servers — staffed to your event size and formality.
Dedicated Event Producer
A single point of contact from inquiry through the final breakdown. We coordinate with your planner or stand in as one.
Bespoke Menu Design
Every menu custom-designed for your event — honoring family recipes, cultural traditions, dietary needs, and the spirit of the occasion.
China, Glassware & Linens
Premium rentals included with every package, styled to match your venue, palette, and the formality of your event.
Full Bar Program
Licensed bartenders, premium spirits, beer, wine, glassware, mixers, ice, and complete bar setup — including signature cocktails.
Setup & Breakdown
Full arrival, staging, service, and cleanup — venue walk-through, trash removal, and discreet load-out included.
Private Event Questions
What kinds of private events do you cater?
Milestone birthdays, anniversaries, engagement parties, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, Quinceañeras, Sweet Sixteens, graduation parties, retirement celebrations, family reunions, charity galas, fundraisers, awards ceremonies, and black-tie events. If it's an occasion worth marking, we cater it.
What's your typical event minimum?
We cater private events from 10 to 500+ guests. Intimate engagement dinners and rehearsal-style events typically start around $2,500; large galas and milestone celebrations are scoped individually based on guest count, service style, and venue requirements.
How far in advance should we book?
For peak-season events (spring and fall) and any Saturday in the calendar, we recommend booking 6–10 months in advance. Smaller weekday and off-peak events can often be accommodated with 2–4 months' notice. Galas and large fundraisers benefit from 12+ months of planning.
Can you accommodate religious or cultural traditions?
Yes. We regularly cater Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, Quinceañeras, and events honoring specific cultural and religious traditions. Kosher, halal, and other observance-conscious menus are designed in collaboration with your family or community and prepared with appropriate handling and certification where required.
Do you cater black-tie galas and formal fundraisers?
Absolutely. We're experienced with formal galas, non-profit fundraisers, awards ceremonies, and donor receptions — full plated dinner service for hundreds of guests, premium bar programs, branded presentation for sponsors, and the kind of staffing ratios that keep elegant evenings elegant.
Do you provide event design and styling, or just catering?
We provide catering, bar programs, china/glassware/linens, and on-site coordination. For full event design — florals, lighting, custom décor — we partner with NYC's leading event designers and coordinate seamlessly with your planner of choice. Many of our clients use us alongside their existing planner.
Do you cater outside of New York City?
Yes. We serve all five NYC boroughs, plus Long Island, Westchester County, the Hudson Valley, and northern New Jersey. Out-of-region destinations are considered case-by-case with travel logistics discussed during your consultation.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies?
Every menu accommodates gluten-free, vegan, kosher, halal, nut-free, and other allergen-conscious needs at no extra cost. We collect dietary preferences during planning and prepare each meal accordingly — clearly labeled at service for staff and guests with confidence-level allergen handling.
Let's plan something memorable.
Every celebration starts with a conversation. Tell us about the occasion — we'll tell you how to make it unforgettable.
Begin the Conversation