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We bring the fire to you

Catering by El Jefe

From corporate functions to weddings and backyard fiestas, we bring the feast to you. Buffets loaded with meat from our smoker, canapés, our food trailer cooking to order, or self-serve taco stations ready to pick up — hot, generous and unforgettable.

An El Jefe buffet laid out in bain-maries with breads and salads at a catered event

Catering Packages

Every event is different — these are our most popular starting points. All packages are customisable.

Buffet Service

$42per person, from

A generous two-hour buffet: two hot proteins off the smoker, four fresh sides, rosemary focaccia with dips and sweet Portuguese tarts to finish. Always leaves guests impressed.

Minimum 20 people

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Christmas Buffet

$42per person, from

Smoked ham, tender brisket slow-cooked in red wine and four fresh salads, with focaccia, dips and Portuguese tarts. Your end-of-year function, sorted.

Minimum 20 people

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Fair Style Service

$35per person, from

Order straight from our food trailer: smoked cheeseburgers, hot dogs and crispy pork belly rolls, cooked fresh to order. Festive, interactive and always a good time.

Minimum 20 people

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Canapé Service

$21per person, from

A delicious selection of bite-sized canapés, freshly prepared and served to your guests. Perfect for weddings, cocktail parties and networking events.

Minimum 20 people

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Taco Station

$29per person, from

Pulled pork or pulled brisket with flour tortillas, pineapple slaw, guacamole, slow-cooked beans and all the fixings. Self-serve pick-up from the shop — no service fee.

Minimum 10 people

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Shared-Style Meal

$32per person, from

One hot protein and two fresh sides of your choice, with Portuguese tarts for dessert. Self-serve pick-up from the shop — no service fee.

Minimum 10 people

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How It Works

  1. 1

    Tell us about your event

    Fill in the quick quote form — who you are, how many people, and your preferred date range.

  2. 2

    We plan the menu together

    We'll call you within one business day to tailor the package, dietary needs and logistics.

  3. 3

    We bring the feast

    Buffet set up and served, the trailer cooking to order, or your self-serve package hot and ready at the shop.

Catering FAQs

What areas does El Jefe Meats cater to?

We cater across Mount Maunganui, Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty. For events further afield, get in touch and we'll do our best to make it happen.

What is the minimum group size for catering?

Our buffet, fair style and canapé packages start from 20 guests. The self-serve Taco Station and Shared-Style Meal start from just 10 people.

Is there a service fee?

Serviced packages carry a service fee that covers local transport, setup, staff, equipment, compostable plates and cutlery, and rubbish removal — from $300 for 20-50 guests, from $600 for 50-100 and from $900 for 100-150. Self-serve pick-up packages (Taco Station and Shared-Style Meal) have no service fee.

Can you cater for dietary requirements?

Yes — we can tailor every package, and our warm lentil risotto with feta and salsa verde is a vegetarian and vegan-friendly option we recommend as one of the sides so everyone can share it.

How far in advance should I book catering?

We recommend booking at least 2-3 weeks in advance. For weddings and large corporate events, 4-6 weeks is ideal.