Small
10–20 guests
$22–$28
per person
- Choice of 1 protein, 2 sides, 1 dessert
- Disposable serving ware and utensils
- Delivery and setup within Benicia
- Drop-off service (pickup dishes next day)
From $18 per person
Soul food that shows up.
Authentic catering for Benicia events — from backyard gatherings to boardroom lunches.
OUR KITCHEN
Rooted in tradition, built in Benicia.
Benicia's only soul food specialist.
Chef Larry Cowling grew up in his grandmother Larrae's kitchen in southern Louisiana, where Sunday suppers were a two-day affair — gumbo starting Friday afternoon, cornbread cooling on the counter, the whole house smelling of onion, bay leaf, and caramelized sugar. Recipes weren't written down; they were passed across a countertop, measured by hand, tasted for truth.
He carried those recipes with him when he moved to Benicia, and he's been cooking them for his neighbors ever since. Larrae's Kitchen — named for the grandmother who taught him — isn't a trend and it isn't fusion. It's soul food done the way it was taught: slow-braised, seasoned by memory, generous with portions, and served exactly the way Larrae would have served it on a Sunday afternoon. Every plate that leaves his kitchen is a direct line to the hands that taught him how to cook.
He caters small family gatherings, backyard celebrations, and corporate lunches across the greater East Bay. If you're feeding people you love, he'd be honored to help.
THE MENU
From our kitchen to your table.
Seasonal selections tuned for your event. Full menu customization available on request.
-
Smothered Chicken
Slow-cooked bone-in chicken with caramelized onion gravy.
- GF
-
Braised Oxtails
Fall-off-the-bone oxtails braised with red wine, carrots, and thyme.
- GF
- DF
-
Cornmeal-Crusted Catfish
Southern-fried catfish with a crisp cornmeal crust and house remoulade.
- DF
- NF
-
Low-and-Slow Pulled Pork
Twelve-hour smoked shoulder finished with a vinegar-pepper sauce.
- GF
- DF
-
Three-Cheese Baked Mac
Sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and smoked gouda with a buttered breadcrumb crust.
- Veg
-
Smoked-Turkey Collards
Collard greens simmered with smoked turkey, garlic, and apple cider vinegar.
- GF
- DF
-
Candied Yams
Roasted yams glazed with brown butter, cinnamon, and bourbon vanilla.
- Veg
- GF
-
Honey Buttermilk Cornbread
Skillet-baked, split-top, served warm with honey butter.
- Veg
- NF
-
Georgia Peach Cobbler
Flaky buttermilk biscuit crust over brown-sugar peaches.
- Veg
- NF
-
Sweet Potato Pie
Roasted sweet potato, brown sugar, and a hint of bourbon in an all-butter crust.
- Veg
- NF
-
Banana Pudding
Homemade vanilla custard layered with bananas and vanilla wafers.
- Veg
CATERING PACKAGES
Pick a package. Customize from there.
Every package is a starting point — menu, service, and setup all tailorable.
Medium
21–30 guests
$20–$26
per person
- Choice of 2 proteins, 3 sides, 2 desserts
- Premium serving ware and utensils
- Delivery, setup, and breakdown within East Bay
- 90-minute on-site service
- Complimentary cornbread and sweet tea
Large
31–75 guests
$18–$24
per person
- Choice of 3 proteins, 4 sides, 3 desserts
- Full serving station with chafers
- Delivery, setup, 2 hours of on-site service, breakdown
- Dedicated event lead
- Complimentary cornbread, sweet tea, and lemonade
- Custom menu consultation included
THE GALLERY
Table settings that tell a story.
A sampling of recent events — from backyard gatherings to corporate lunches.
WORD OF MOUTH
Hosts, planners, and families we've fed.
“Chef Larry catered our daughter's baby shower for 22 people and somehow made it feel like a family reunion. The collards alone had three people asking for the recipe.”
“Hired Larrae's Kitchen for my 40th birthday — 35 guests, backyard setup. The smothered chicken was the first thing gone. Everything on time, everything hot.”
“We booked Chef Larry for a client lunch in our Vallejo office. Professional start to finish, and the food made the meeting memorable for all the right reasons.”
“A small dinner party of twelve. Chef Larry planned the whole menu around our guest list's allergies and still made it feel special. We'll be back.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Answers, before you ask.
Ordering
-
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend at least 7 days for most events, 14 days or more for groups over 40, and 21 days for weekend dates during peak holiday weeks. -
Can I adjust the guest count after booking?
Yes. You can increase or decrease your guest count up to 72 hours before the event at no charge. Changes inside 72 hours may incur a small adjustment fee. -
Is there a minimum order size?
Our smallest package is ten guests. For parties smaller than ten, reach out and we'll help you figure out whether a package or a drop-off order fits better. -
How do I reserve a date?
Start with a quote from our wizard, then Chef Larry follows up within 24 hours to confirm availability and send a booking agreement. A deposit secures the date.
Delivery & setup
-
What's your service area?
We serve Benicia, Vallejo, Martinez, Concord, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek. Events outside this area are possible with a travel adjustment. -
Do you handle setup and breakdown?
Our Medium and Large packages include full setup and breakdown. Our Small package is drop-off with setup; pickup of serving ware the next day is included. -
How long do you stay on site?
Small: drop-off only. Medium: 90 minutes of on-site service. Large: 2 hours of on-site service with a dedicated event lead. -
What if I need earlier delivery?
We typically arrive 60 to 90 minutes before your start time. If you need earlier, let us know in the notes field on your quote and we'll confirm availability.
Menu customization
-
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes. We handle gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, and nut-free needs routinely. Mention them in the notes field and we'll tailor the menu. -
Can I swap menu items?
Absolutely. The packages are starting points — any protein, side, or dessert can be swapped. A menu consultation is included in the Large package and available for a small fee on Small and Medium. -
Do you offer a tasting?
For Large events, we offer a tasting session during the menu consultation. For Small and Medium, we can arrange a tasting for a small fee applied to your final invoice. -
Can you source regional specialties?
Most traditional soul food is on our standard menu. If there's a specific dish you grew up with, ask — we've cooked plenty of family recipes to order.
Payment
-
How does payment work?
A 25% deposit secures your date. The remaining balance is due 48 hours before the event. We send an invoice with multiple payment options. -
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept credit/debit card, ACH bank transfer, Zelle, and check. Card payments include a small processing fee; ACH and Zelle do not. -
Is gratuity included?
Gratuity is not included in the per-person rate. For Medium and Large packages with on-site service, we suggest 15 to 20 percent of the service cost if the team went above and beyond. -
What's your cancellation policy?
Cancellations more than 14 days out are fully refundable. Between 14 and 7 days, the deposit is retained. Inside 7 days, the full balance is due.
GET IN TOUCH
Serving Benicia and the surrounding bay.
CALL
(510) 555-0123SERVICE AREA
Benicia · Vallejo · Martinez · Concord · Pleasant Hill · Walnut Creek
We respond within 24 hours
Based in Benicia, serving the greater East Bay.