Seasonal Event Catering in Upstate NY

How Our Farm Country Neighbors Inspire Seasonal Menus

Feeding the Party with a Sense of Place.

Just 30 minutes from the electric energy of Rochester, NY, we’re surrounded by the kind of beauty that doesn’t need a filter. Rolling green hills. Rows of vegetables standing tall in the sun. Avon roadside stands that somehow always have the best corn of the season.

Being nestled in the heart of Upstate New York’s farm country means more to us than pretty scenery. It’s the foundation of how we cook, plan, and serve—with menus that evolve right alongside the landscape.

Our proximity to local farmers allows us to bring fresh, seasonal recipes to every celebration and wedding. In a way, our neighbors help us feed the party—and that’s a story worth telling.

What “Local” Means to Us

At Partyman Catering, “local” isn’t a tagline—it’s part of our daily rhythm. We’re lucky to share our roads (and sometimes our menus) with the incredible growers who live just minutes from our kitchen. These are the neighbors we pass on morning drives, the ones who know the land and the seasons better than anyone—and their work often inspires what ends up on the plate.

Just a few of the neighbors who quietly inspire what we serve:

Schlenker Farm
Their sweet corn and sun-warmed tomatoes always signal summer in the best way—and their fall pumpkins have sparked more than one cozy menu idea.
White’s Farm
The first sign of spring? Their tender asparagus. We love weaving their early greens and bright berries into warm-weather celebrations.
DeConinck Farms
With veggies like eggplant, peppers, and squash, their harvests fuel some of our most colorful, flavor-packed dishes of the season.

That closeness brings a kind of integrity to our work—a quiet kind of credibility that you can taste.

We don’t need to overstate it. We just live it.

Seasons Change. So Do Our Menus.

Every season in Upstate NY brings its own rhythm—and we’ve learned to follow it. Spring favors tender herbs and citrusy vinaigrettes. Summer calls for juicy tomatoes, fire-kissed corn, and vibrant greens. Fall leans into roasted root vegetables, hearty grains, and cozy flavor profiles.

Rather than force a menu to stay the same year-round, we let the seasons lead the way. Many of our signature dishes have been shaped by what’s growing nearby—because when something is in its prime, we want it to shine.

Our Market Station is a perfect example of seasonal flavor done the Partyman way. This build-your-own station is based on the freshest available produce—think charred corn and black bean salad in high summer, lemony orzo with herbs in spring, or a beet and couscous combo when cooler temps roll in. With options like farro-tomato-cucumber salad or a bright Southwest quinoa blend, it’s designed to be versatile, vibrant, and deeply rooted in what’s growing nearby. It’s fresh, it’s unexpected, and it brings a taste of our countryside surroundings to every plate.

Flowers, Flavor, and a Favorite Story

One of our favorite local collaborators is JD Steele—a grower with a gift for stunning florals and a deep love for the land. Their dahlias once stole the show at a summer wedding, and we’ve been smitten ever since.

From delicate blooms woven into buffet stations to lush arrangements that elevate our table styling, JD’s flowers have a way of bringing a little extra magic to the moment. It’s the kind of thoughtful, neighborly gesture that reminds us how lucky we are to do what we do—where we do it.

It’s a connection we value deeply—and a beautiful example of how our countryside community shows up in the details.

Freshness, Community, Seasonality

At Partyman Catering, we believe good food tells a story. And the best stories start close to home.

We’re proud to craft menus that feel connected—to the season, the place, and the people who grow what goes into them. Whether you’re planning a wedding with Upstate elegance or a corporate event that calls for something refreshingly different, we’ll help you bring the flavors of farm country to the table.

Because when the menu is this fresh, you don’t need to say much. You just need to take a bite.