The Complete Brunch Catering Menu Guide for Encino & Southern California
Planning brunch for a team, a clinic, a launch party, or a family celebration comes down to three decisions: what to serve, how much of it, and how it gets to the table. This guide walks through the full Jam & Joy menu, our portioning math, and the menu builds we use most often for Southern California events.
How much food to order
Start from per-guest weight rather than tray count. For adult guests we plan roughly 6 oz of protein, 4 oz of pasta or noodles, and 4–6 oz of salad or vegetables, plus 2–3 appetizer pieces during the arrival window. If brunch runs longer than two hours, add about 20% across the board. Our pasta and noodle trays are built for shared service, so divide the pasta portion by 2 whenever it sits next to an entree.
| Guests | Format | Suggested build |
|---|---|---|
| 10–20 | Drop-off brunch | 1 appetizer, 1 salad, 1 pasta, 1 entree, 2 sides, 2 drinks |
| 20–50 | Buffet / grazing table | 2 appetizers, 2 salads, 1–2 pastas, 2 entrees, 2 sides, 3 drinks |
| 50–100 | Full-service setup | 2 appetizers, 2 salads, 2 pastas, 2–3 entrees, 3 sides, 3–4 drinks |
| 100+ | Stations & displays | Split menus across stations so lines stay short |
The full Jam & Joy menu
Every category below is available for drop-off or full-service setup. Mix and match freely — most of our menus pull one or two items from each section.
Appetizers
- Coconut Shrimp Crudo
- Buffalo Wings
Plan 2–3 pieces per guest for a one-hour welcome window.
Salads
- Kasian Slaw
- Caesar Salad
- Medi Salad
- Chinese Chicken Salad
Two salads is the sweet spot: one crisp and light, one hearty.
Pastas & Noodles
- KAsian Cream Pasta
- Sesame Cold Noodle
- Pasta Marinara
- Macaroni and Cheese
Divide by 2 for portioning when pasta is served alongside an entree.
Entrees
- Marinated Grilled Chicken
- Tri-Tip
- Salmon
One entree for groups under 25, two for larger or mixed-diet groups.
Sides
- Garlic Mashed Potato
- Garlic Rice
- Roasted Veggies
- Potato Salad
Two sides per entree keeps the line moving and plates balanced.
Sandwiches
- Classic Burger
- Gourmet Burger
- Shrimp Sando
- Fried Chick Sando
- Grilled Chicken Club
- Veggie Sando
Best for drop-off and desk-side corporate lunches.
Drinks
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Honey Lemonade
- Strawberry Basil Limeade
- Mangochelada (non-alcoholic)
- Thai Tea
- Milk Tea
- Fruit Teas
Two drinks minimum — one citrus, one tea.
Choosing a service style
Drop-off works best for corporate lunches and medical offices: sandwiches, a salad, a side, and two drinks arrive ready to serve with no staffing needed. Buffet suits 20–50 guests where you want hot entrees and a grazing display. Full-service adds setup, customized displays, and on-site attention for weddings, brand activations, and milestone celebrations.
Frequently asked questions
- How much food should I order per guest for a brunch catering event?
- A reliable starting point is about 6 ounces of protein, 4 ounces of pasta or noodles, and 4–6 ounces of salad or vegetables per adult guest, plus 2–3 appetizer pieces during arrivals. Our pasta trays are portioned for shared service — divide by 2 when pasta is served next to an entree.
- What areas does Jam & Joy cater?
- We are based at 17616 Ventura Blvd in Encino and cater across Southern California, including the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles.
- Do you offer vegetarian options?
- Yes. The Veggie Sando, Medi Salad, Pasta Marinara, Macaroni and Cheese, Roasted Veggies, Garlic Mashed Potato, and Garlic Rice are all vegetarian-friendly. Tell us about dietary needs in the catering request form and we will build the menu around them.
- Do you handle corporate and medical office catering?
- Yes. Sandwiches, salads, and drinks travel well and are our most requested format for corporate lunches, medical offices, and brand activations. Drop-off and full-service setup are both available.
- How far in advance should I book catering?
- Two weeks of notice is ideal for larger events. Smaller drop-off orders can often be accommodated with less lead time — call 747-477-9245 or submit a catering request and we will confirm availability.
Ready to plan your brunch?
Tell us your date, guest count, and vibe — we will send a menu built around it.