About Us

Full Service Since 1988

Karen Ellen Goodman is a third generation Buffalo caterer. Karen received her degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Food, Hotel and Tourism Management and trained at three of Buffalo’s most prominent restaurants, the Park Lane Manor House, the Niagara Hilton Hotel, and the Parkway Ramada Inn. She and her talented staff make parties sparkle with specially prepared appetizers, entrees, beverage service and desserts. Whether you’re planning a weekend brunch, a sophisticated private dinner, a festive milestone event or a corporate banquet, let her prepare a theme, menu and service guaranteed to wow your guests!
Banquet facilities are available.

Without both my Mom and Dad’s love and constant support, none of this would have been possible.

Chef extraordinaire Karen is now Karen Goodman Catering
Buffalo Jewish Review

She looks young and she is young, yet she has many years and broad experience in her chosen field: Catering.

How did Karen Goodman, recognized and awarded for her immense talent and expertise, have the opportunity for so much experience in the culinary arts?

Daughter of Neil S. Goodman, long-time restaurateur and fine caterer in the Buffalo area, she began assisting him when she was only 14 years old at three of the most upscale and prominent restaurants in the area: the Park Lane Manor House, the Niagara Hilton Hotel and the Parkway Ramada Inn. She trained with the executive chefs at those elegant establishments with which her father was associated.

Beyond her hands-on practical experience, Karen has academic credentials in her field: a degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Food, Hotel and Tourism Management.

Karen opened her business in May 1988 and since then has catered all manner of life-cycle events, corporate parties and home gatherings. She has catered weddings for as many as 300 guests, dessert and cocktail receptions for 1,000, private dinners for 25, and for numbers of guests in between. Her parties sparkle with specially prepared appetizers, entrees, beverage service and uniquely creative desserts that can be adapted for a weekend brunch, a formal dinner party, a milestone event or a corporate banquet.

Karen’s culinary skills were awarded at the Chai Society Gala for the best dessert and early on she received Rookie of the Year Award at the Taste of Williamsville award. Her skills are currently applied to events at our local temples, Beth Zion and Shir Shalom. She has also been in-house caterer for Westminster Presbyterian Church since 2011.

The Jewish Federation, the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies and the Jewish Center’s private and public receptions have engaged Karen and her professional, skilled staff for kosher catered events. The receptions typically include fresh-cut fruits, assorted kosher pastries, Dove mini ice cream bars and hot and cold beverages.

For a kosher home-catered event, a hostess need only bring Karen into her kitchen, provide her with the necessary utensils and kosher-supervised food items, then watch her perform her culinary magic. Whether it be for the hostess’ simple cocktail buffet or a major sit-down dinner, she will be assured of Karen’s elegant presentation and her savory gourmet specialties.

Karen Goodman Catering can be reached at (716) 636-0673.