FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Louis Gervais Fine Foods & Catering.
FAQs about our team
FAQs about Catering
FAQs about our Bistro
FAQs about Corporate Lunch Delivery
FAQs about our North Vancouver Venue
FAQs about our Cooking Classes
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FAQs about our catering team
Who is Louis Gervais?
Louis Gervais is the Chef/Owner of Louis Gervais Fine Foods & Catering.
Louis was born in Montreal where he lived for the first 25 years of his life. After completing the culinary arts program at Institute of Hotel & Tourism, he spent several years working with some of Montreal’s top chefs before moving to the West Coast in 1982. Louis then devoted his culinary talents and expertise to many of Vancouver’s finest restaurants and hotels.
In 1998 Louis realized his long-term goal of owning and operating his own business by launching Louis Gervias Fine Foods & Catering. Over the past 13 years, Chef Louis has built a reputation as North Vancouver premier Boutique caterer. Read Louis Gervais full bio
Who is the Louis Gervais Fine Foods & Catering Sales & Event Manager?
Sarah Svorinic is the Sales & Events Manager for Louis Gervais Fine Foods & Catering.
You can reach Sarah Svorinic directly at 604-904-7720 or sarah@louisgervais.com with any inquiries about catering and events.
Who manages your day Bistro?
Sarah manages our day bistro as well as corporate delivery and cooking classes.
You can reach Sarah at 604-904-7720 or sarah@louisgervais.com
FAQs about our Catering Services
How far in advance do I need to book?
For orders from our Signature Louis Gervais & Corporate Lunch Menu we request a minimum of 48 hours notice. For larger, more complex events requiring staff & rentals we request a minim of 1 weeks notice with 1 month being our preference. Please do not hesitate to call sooner though, we are happy to prepare proposals for events as far off as 1 year.
How many guests can our catering team accommodate?
Louis Gervais Fine Foods & Catering team has provided its services to groups from 2 to 500 and is happy to work on events of all shapes & sizes. From corporate cocktail receptions to sit down formal dinners, galas and intimate dinner parties our team is excited to help you create a memorable event.
Can you provide staff for my event?
Absolutely, as a full service catering company we have a large staff of professional, fully-trained servers, bartenders, chefs and cooks available for all manner of functions.
See Catering Policies for more information about staffing.
What will your service staff do on-site?
Our staff will take responsibility for the heating, plating and service of all food & beverage products provided by Louis Gervais Fine Foods & Catering. They will ensure that the event space is kept tidy and that any of your guests needs regarding food is met. If you engage one of our bartenders they will provide responsible service of your alcohol, will clear and manage all glassware, and will attend to any of your guests needs regarding beverages. Additionally, arrangements can be made for our staff to provide coat check, hosting, setup and tear down of décor and any other event needs you may have.
Can you provide cutlery, plates, glassware, etc. for my event?
We are pleased to coordinate all your rental needs through our partner rental companies. We will take care of ensuring you have everything you need, in the right amounts for a seamless event.
Can you help me find the perfect Vancouver venue for my event?
Yes! Sarah Svorinic, our Sales & Events Manager has scoured the city to find all the very best event venues in Vancouver available and would be pleased to assist you with recommendations and insight.
I am having a small party and want something really simple. Do you offer any set menus I can just quickly order from?
Designed for just such occasions, Signature Louis Gervais offers a variety of set menus to suit any occasion and can be provided as a pick up or delivery.
Our Signature Louis Gervais Cocktail menu includes a wide selection of canapes, bite sized appetizers, dips and spreads in addition to charcuterie, vegetable, fruit & cheese platters.
Our Signature Louis Gervais Complete Meals menu offers a variety of full meals for easy entertaining.
We are also happy to provide staff and rentals to make the event even easier for you.
I’ve never worked with Vancouver caterers before. How does this work?
Ultimately, we are here to provide you with effortless products and services. Take some time to describe your vision of your event and allow us to guide you through the planning process. Some key information to have before you call: date & timeline for your event, number of guests, theme, dietary restrictions and budget.
Check out our Questions to Ask Your Caterer blog post and download our Wedding Checklist.
I am totally overwhelmed with my wedding plans. Can you help me organize rentals, flowers and décor for my reception dinner?
Our Sales & Events Manager, Sarah Svorinic is happy to help. Sarah has a list of preferred vendors that she is pleased to recommend and will happily coordinate all vendors and timelines. Sarah’s rate for event planning is $50.00/hour. Need even more help? Sarah is happy to recommend a number of fantastic Wedding Coordinators who can make planning your wedding effortless and luxurious.
I am thinking about serving canapés at my party. How many will I need to make sure my guests are happy?
As a general rule of thumb we recommend 1 canapé for every 1/3 hour of service for canapés being served before dinner.
For canapés being served in place of a meal we recommend 1 canapé for every ¼ hour of service, minimum of 12 pieces.
For more information about appropriate portion sizes check out our ‘How much food do I need for my event?’ blog post.
How much does catering a private party cost?
This one is tricky. There are so many variables that go into determining the cost of an event that there are no hard and fast rules around pricing. The best place to start is to ask yourself how much you are willing to spend and then create your wish list of products and services. From there we can create a proposal that honours your budget while incorporating as many of your wish list items as possible.
With that said, we know that you want some numbers so here they are:
- Buffet menus (based on 50 guests or more) start at approximately $25.00/person for a simple menu. Additional costs (approximately $50.00/guest) would be incurred if you decided you wanted staff and rentals.
- Canapés menus (based on 50 guests or more) start at approximately $35.00/person for a simple menu of canapes in leiu of dinner. Additional costs (approximately $25.00/guest) would be incurred if you decided you wanted staff and rentals.
- Plated menu (based on 50 guests or more) start at approximately $40.00/person for a simple menu. Additional costs (approximately $60.00/guest) would be incurred if you decided you wanted staff and rentals.
Keep in mind that the larger your party the better the price per person.
I’m hosting a children’s party. Are you able to cater to children as well as adults?
Louis is a big kid at heart and definitely knows how to feed the little ones. From finicky eaters to smaller portions we are experts at the kid’s menu.
My company is hosting a farewell dinner for one of the managers. Can you cater for business events like this?
We are happy to caterer corporate events of any kind be it in your office, a private home or our Event Space.
Are you able to accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions in your menus?
At Louis Gervais Fine Foods & Catering we take allergies and dietary restrictions very seriously and are happy to prepare custom menus to meet your needs. *Please note while every effort will be made our kitchen is not nut free and items may have come into contact with nuts.
My corporation is hosting a fancy gala and fundraising event. Have you ever catered for elaborate parties like this before? Who have you worked with?
Louis has decades of experience creating elaborate menus and executing large-scale events. Previous clients have included: Art for Life, Samsung, Raymond James Investments, Warner Brothers, Banana Republic, Collingwood Private School and many more.
When do you required a final guest count?
We request your final guest count be submitted 1 week prior to your event. From there we will do our best to accommodate increases but will no longer be able to honour a decrease in the guest count.
For more details and information check out our Catering Policies Page.
FAQs about or North Vancouver Bistro
Where is your Bistro located?
Our Bistro is located at 107-850 Harbourside Drive in North Vancouver (right behind the North Shore Auto Mall).
What are the Louis Gervais Fine Foods Bistro hours of operation?
Monday – Friday: 8:00 – 4:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Sunday: CLOSED
Statutory Holidays: CLOSED
*we will be closed Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day for Christmas holidays.
Which days will Louis Gervais Fine Foods & Catering be closed?
Louis Gervais Fine Foods & Catering is pleased to offer their catering services 365 days a year (subject to availability).
The Bistro will be closed on all Sundays and statutory holidays.
Which forms of payment are accepted at the Bistro?
Louis Gervais Fine Foods & Catering is pleased to accept VISA, Mastercard, debit, cash and Louis Gervais Fine Foods gift cards. Personal checks, travelers checks, AMEX and foreign currencies are not accepted.
Can catering be ordered through the bistro?
Items from our Signature Louis Gervais menus or Corporate Lunch Menu may absolutely be ordered through the Bistro manager. However, any orders involving custom menus, staff, rentals or special requests must be referred to Sarah Svorinic, our Sales and Event Manager (sarah@louisgervais.com).
Can I call in my lunch order to the Bistro?
We are happy to receive phone in orders before 10:30am. We do not accept telephone orders during our peak lunch time of 11:00am-1:30pm as we are busy helping other customers. We do not accept lunch orders by email.
The Bistro salads, soup and special changes every day. How do I know what the daily specials are?
Sign up for our Daily Specials Email list and we will send the specials straight to your inbox every morning by 9:30am. The daily specials are also posted on our facebook fanpage.
Do you serve alcohol at the Bistro?
The Louis Gervas Bistro is licensed and offers a selection of red & white wine and bottled beer.
My running group needs a place to meet up. Can you accommodate our group on a Saturday?
We would love to have your running group join us on Saturday for a healthy breakfast/lunch or coffee & dessert. Call ahead and let us know you are coming and we will reserve space for your group.
Given our convenient location by the North Shore’s Spirit Trail we are the perfect choice for dog walkers, cycling groups and running clubs. Or stop in for a light lunch after a treatment at Spa Utopia across the street.
FAQs about our unique North Shore Venue
Can the Bistro host meetings or small gatherings?
We are happy to accommodate small groups of 12 people or less during regular bistro hours. Talk to Bistro manager Sarah (sarah@louisgervais.com) to reserve your table and organize a menu for your group.
We are also pleased to provide our space for private events outside of regular store hours. All inquiries should be directed to Sarah Svorinic (sarah@louisgervais.com).
How many guests can the Bistro accommodate for private events?
The Bistro can accommodate 40 guests for a seated event and 60 guests for reception-style event. Additional space can also be arranged for outdoor events.
How large is your patio, will it be open year round?
Our sunny patio will seat approx 30 guests and will be weather dependent. We will endeavor to make this area available to guests as often as possible.
Read more about this unique North Vancouver event space.
FAQs about our North Vancouver Cooking Classes
Who teaches your cooking classes?
Chef Instructor Bernard DesLauriers teaches all of our public and private cooking classes. A chef’s assistant will also be on hand to ensure each attendee gets plenty of attention.
Are the cooking classes hands on?
Our cooking classes are very hands on! You will be right in the kitchen preparing each dish. Be prepared to get your hands (and your apron) dirty!
I’m a total newbie in the kitchen. Will your cooking classes be too advanced for me?
Our cooking classes are designed to give you more confidence in the kitchen. Instructor Bernard starts each class with a quick demonstration on proper knife safety and technique. Our instructors move from station to station during the class so there is ample opportunity for one on one instruction.
I’ve already been to a few cooking classes and am pretty confident in the kitchen. Am I going to learn anything at your cooking classes?
Our instructors move from station to station so there is lots of opportunity for one on one instruction. Let them know you are interested in more advanced techniques and they will show you tricks & techniques to take your cooking to the next level. That being said, our cooking classes are not meant to prepare you for the professional level or a career in the culinary arts.
Do we get to eat what we make in the cooking classes?
Yes. Make sure you bring your appetite. You get to enjoy everything you prepare in your cooking class!
Do I get to keep the recipes? I’ve been to a cooking class before where they used ‘secret ingredients’ we weren’t allowed to know.
There are no secrets here! You will go home with all the recipes you prepared during the cooking class. Make sure you take notes too; the instructors will often provide tips and suggestions for ways to alter the recipes to create new dishes.
Does the price of the cooking class include any wine or drinks?
The price of the cooking class does not include wine. For those interested in having a beverage during the class wine, beer and specialty coffee drinks are available for purchase.
I want to do something fun for my friend’s birthday party. Do you offer private cooking classes?
Absolutely. Our private cooking classes are a great idea for stagettes, birthday parties or girls night out. We have a variety of great themes for our private cooking classes.
Our private cooking classes are also a great idea for Corporate Teambuilding Exercises and offer a unique alternative to the standard Corporate Christmas Party.
What does a private cooking class cost?
The price of your private cooking class depends on the number of participants. The minimum spend for a private event Monday through Thursday is $1500.00
Read more about our fun and interactive Cooking Classes.
Corporate Delivery
Do you cater for business lunches and boardroom meetings?
Absolutely. We offer a full Corporate Lunch Delivery Menu including breakfast options, platters, artisan sandwiches, healthy salads, gourmet hot entrees, desserts and drinks for delivery right to your office.
My office is in North Vancouver. What areas do you deliver to?
Our corporate delivery covers North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Deep Cove, Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver and Burnaby.
See our detailed list of delivery areas, minimum spend requirements and delivery rates for Corporate Lunch Delivery.
Do you have a minimum order for deliveries?
The minimum order is dependent on the location of your business.
See our detailed list of delivery areas, minimum spend requirements and delivery rates
My boss gave me a budget per person for a boardroom luncheon. Can you help me choose a lunch menu that fits the budget?
We are more than happy to help you choose a lunch menu that will fit your budget.
I only need catering for 6 people. We’re just up the street from you. Can you deliver lunch to our office?
Our minimum order for delivery on the North Shore is 8 people. We would be happy to prepare your lunch order and have it ready for you to pick up at our Bistro. See our full Corporate Lunch Delivery policies.
Our office has some vegetarians. Do you have vegetarian and healthy options on your Corporate Lunch Menu?
Our Corporate Lunch Delivery Menu offers many choices of gourmet catering for vegetarians from grilled vegetable baguette sandwiches to gourmet salads and hot entrees. Our menu also includes healthy options such as range egg frittata, yogurt & muesli, gourmet salads and any of our artisan sandwiches can be prepared without mayo and served in heart smart wraps instead of baguette.
How do I order breakfast or lunch for delivery to my business?
Call our catering team at 604-904-7720 or send us an email at sarah@louisgervais.com and we will contact you shortly to complete your corporate delivery order.
Careers
I want to join your catering team. How to I apply for a job at Louis Gervais Fine Foods?
We are always looking for professional, skilled and enthusiastic people to join our catering team.
Interested in working in our professional kitchen?
Email Chef Louis Gervais at chef@louisgervais.com
Do you have a background in serving or bartending at private catering events?
Email Sales & Event Manager, Sarah Svorinic at sarah@louisgervais.com
Interested in serving delicious food and specialty coffee in our Bistro? Drop your resume off in person to the Bistro Manager Monday through Friday. Resumes will only be accepted before 10:30am or after 2:30pm.