Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know About Christopher’s
Planning an event, looking for catering, considering The GEM, or joining us for one of our Theme Dinners? Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often.
Christopher’s Restaurant & Catering has proudly served the Dayton community since 1991 and has been voted Dayton’s Best Caterer five consecutive years, 2022–2026. If you don’t find the answer you need below, give us a call. We’re always happy to help.
🏛️ General Questions
Helpful info about our business hours, policies, contact methods, and how to get started with Christopher’s.
1. What does Christopher’s Restaurant & Catering offer?
Christopher’s provides full-service catering, event venue rentals at The GEM by Christopher’s, Wednesday and Friday Theme Dinners, Prime Rib Nights, pop-up events and special seasonal offerings.
Our home base is located at 3425 Valley Street in Dayton, Ohio, and our catering team serves events throughout the Dayton region and surrounding communities.
2. How long has Christopher’s been serving the Dayton area?
Christopher’s has served the Dayton community since 1991. Over more than three decades, we have catered weddings, corporate events, nonprofit fundraisers, family celebrations and community gatherings of nearly every size and style.
That experience matters. We understand that great food is only part of a successful event — timing, preparation, service and communication matter just as much
3. Why do customers choose Christopher’s?
Our customers know us for quality food, experienced service, flexibility and dependable execution.
We have also been honored to be voted Dayton’s Best Caterer five consecutive years, from 2022 through 2026. We are grateful for that recognition, but what matters most to us is earning the trust of every customer and guest we serve.
4. Where is Christopher’s located?
Christopher’s Restaurant & Catering is located at:
3425 Valley Street
Dayton, Ohio 45424
This is also the home of The GEM by Christopher’s, our event facility and the location of many of our weekly Theme Dinners and special events.
🍽️ Catering Services
Everything you need to know about full-service catering, menu customization, dietary needs, delivery options, and more.
1. What types of events does Christopher’s cater?
We cater a wide range of events, including:
Weddings and receptions
Corporate meetings and luncheons
Bridal and baby showers
Graduations
Birthday and anniversary celebrations
Celebrations of life
Fundraisers and nonprofit events
Holiday parties
Rehearsal dinners
Family reunions
Private parties and community events
If people are gathering around food, there is a good chance we can help.
2. Do you provide full-service catering?
Yes. Christopher’s offers full-service catering, which can include food preparation, delivery, setup, buffet or plated service, staffing and cleanup depending on the needs of your event.
We can also provide simpler delivery or drop-off options when full service is not necessary.
3. Can Christopher’s cater at a venue other than The GEM?
Absolutely. Off-site catering has been a major part of Christopher’s for decades.
We regularly cater at event venues, churches, businesses, private homes, parks, barns and other locations throughout the Dayton area and surrounding communities.
Our familiarity with many local venues also helps us anticipate logistics such as setup, kitchen access, service flow and timing before your event begins.
4. How far will Christopher’s travel for catering?
We regularly serve the Dayton region and generally cater events up to approximately 90 minutes from our Dayton location, depending on the size, date and requirements of the event.
Contact us with your location and event details and we’ll let you know what is possible.
5.Can you help us choose a menu?
Yes — and this is one of the areas where our experience can really help.
Our catering menus provide a starting point, but we can help you select food based on your event style, number of guests, budget, venue and preferences.
We want the menu to make sense for your event rather than simply selling you more food.
6.Can catering menus be customized?
Yes. Many of our menus can be adjusted or combined to create the right fit for your event.
We offer everything from breakfast and boxed lunches to buffets, plated dinners, hors d’oeuvres, action stations, BBQ, desserts and specialty menus.
7.Can you accommodate dietary restrictions or food allergies?
We can often accommodate vegetarian, gluten-sensitive and other dietary requests when we know about them in advance.
Because food allergies can vary significantly in severity, please discuss specific allergy concerns directly with our team during the planning process so we can explain what accommodations are possible.
8.Do you offer tastings for weddings or larger events?
Yes. Tastings may be available for weddings and certain larger events as part of the planning process.
A tasting gives you an opportunity to experience selected menu items and work with our team before finalizing your choices.
9.How far in advance should I book catering?
The sooner the better, particularly for weekends, weddings, graduations and holiday dates.
Some events can be accommodated with relatively short notice, while popular dates may book months in advance. Availability is generally first-come, first-served.
10.Do you provide staffing for catered events?
Yes. Depending on the event, Christopher’s can provide experienced staff for setup, buffet service, plated service, beverage service and cleanup.
We’ll recommend the appropriate level of staffing based on your guest count, menu and event format.
11.Are there additional charges for off-site catering?
Some events may include delivery, travel, staffing, equipment or venue-specific charges.
Certain venues also charge caterers a percentage or service fee. When that occurs, any applicable cost will be explained as part of your proposal.
Our goal is to provide clear pricing so you understand the expected costs before your event.
🎉 Theme Dinners, Prime Rib Nights & Pop-Up Events
What are Christopher’s Wednesday and Friday Theme Dinners?
Our Theme Dinners feature rotating menus built around customer favorites, seasonal specialties, comfort food and creative offerings from our kitchen.
Menus change regularly, which gives our guests something different to look forward to throughout the year.
Do I need a reservation for Theme Dinners?
Many of our Theme Dinners require or strongly encourage reservations, especially when seating is limited.
Because popular dinners can sell out, we recommend checking the current event listing and reserving early.
What is Prime Rib Night?
Prime Rib Night is one of Christopher’s popular recurring special dinner events featuring our slow-roasted prime rib and accompanying menu selections.
Dates and availability vary, so watch our website, email list and text updates for upcoming nights.
What is Christopher’s Red Top Pop-Up Grill?
Christopher’s Red Top Pop-Up Grill is our mobile pop-up concept, allowing us to bring Christopher’s food to neighborhoods, community events, businesses and other locations throughout the Dayton area.
How can I find out what Christopher’s is serving next?
Visit our What’s Cooking at Christopher’s page for upcoming Theme Dinners, Prime Rib Nights, pop-ups and special events.
You can also join our email list or text THEME to 937-646-8878 for updates.
The GEM by Christopher’s
What is The GEM by Christopher’s?
The GEM is the event space located inside Christopher’s Restaurant & Catering at 3425 Valley Street in Dayton.
It offers flexible space for weddings, showers, birthdays, anniversaries, corporate gatherings, celebrations of life, rehearsal dinners and other private events.
What event spaces are available at The GEM?
The GEM offers three rental options:
The Green Room — our smaller front event space, ideal for gatherings of approximately 40–50 guests.
The Main Room — our larger event space for weddings, receptions and larger celebrations.
Full Facility — includes both The Green Room and The Main Room for events requiring additional space and flexibility.
How many guests can The GEM accommodate?
The Main Room can accommodate up to approximately 150 guests, depending on the layout and style of the event.
For many seated events, approximately 75–130 guests provides a particularly comfortable flow for dining, service and entertainment.
Does The GEM have private parking?
Yes. The GEM has its own private parking lot for guests.
Is The GEM ADA accessible?
Yes. The facility includes ADA-accessible entrances and restroom accommodations.
Can Christopher’s provide the catering for events at The GEM?
Yes. One of the major advantages of hosting at The GEM is having Christopher’s catering and event services available in the same facility.
That can simplify planning, setup, food service and coordination on the day of your event.
Does The GEM offer beer and wine service?
Yes. Christopher’s holds the appropriate permits to provide beer and wine service for qualifying events.
Our team can explain available options during the planning process.
Can I rent just one room?
Yes. The Green Room and Main Room can be rented separately, or you may reserve the Full Facility depending on your event needs.
Planning Your Event
Can Christopher’s help me plan more than just the food?
Yes. Years of catering and event experience mean we can often help with more than choosing entrées. We can assist with considerations such as buffet placement, guest flow, service timing, room setup and other practical details that can make an event run more smoothly.
Can you recommend event venues?
Yes. Our team has worked at many event venues throughout the Dayton region and can often suggest locations based on your guest count, style, location and budget.
What information should I have when I contact you?
You don’t need to have everything figured out. The most helpful information is: Event date. Approximate guest count. Type of event. Venue or general location. Style of meal or service you are considering. Approximate budget, if known. From there, we can help you work through the remaining details.
What is the best way to get started?
Click Plan Your Event to send us your event information, call our Catering Line at (937) 299-0343, or email info@christophers.biz.The more information you can provide about your event, the better we can help you build the right plan.
🍰 Desserts & Special Orders
Explore options for whole and individual desserts, custom treats for events, and how to order them.
1. Do you make desserts in-house?
Yes! Most of Our desserts are made from scratch, including pies, cakes, mini desserts, and seasonal favorites.
2. Can I order desserts separately from catering?
Absolutely. We sell desserts a la carte for holidays, office parties, weddings, and everyday indulgence.
3. Do you offer individual and whole dessert options?
Yes—we offer both single-serve desserts and full trays or whole cakes for events. You can also order whole desserts for pick up!
4. Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
We offer gluten-free and nut-free dessert options. Let us know your needs, and we’ll suggest the best fit.
5. How far in advance do I need to order?
For small orders, 48 hours is usually enough. For larger custom orders or holidays, we recommend at least 5–7 days’ notice.
📍 Venue Partnerships
Learn more about venues we cater at, and what that means to you
1. Do you cater at venues outside your own?
Yes! Over the past 30+ years we have developed long-standing relationships with local venues throughout Dayton and beyond
2. Can you help me find the right venue for my event?
We’d be happy to. We know the ins and outs of dozens of great spaces and can recommend one based on your style, size, and budget.
3. Do you have preferred venue partners?
Yes—we frequently cater at venues like The Brightside, Polen Farm, Bicentennial Barn, Reverie, Cedar Springs Pavilion,Magnolia Estates, Rosewood Manor, Canopy Creek and many more!
4. Are there extra fees for off-site catering?
NBO, however, some venues charge the caterer a fee ranging from 10-20% of food and beverage. When our guests choose a venue that has that policy, we do add it on to their invoice. The only “extra” fee for off-site catering is we do charge a trip fee. We’ll give you a full quote up front with no surprises.
5. Can I provide my own venue and just use your catering?
Absolutely! Whether it’s a church, a park, or your backyard—we’ll bring the food and staff to you.