Dallas catering by Chef Kent Rathbun: a long dinner table set for guests in a backyard

Dallas Catering and Special Events

Dallas Catering and Special Events by Chef Kent Rathbun

I've been catering in Dallas since 1990. Back then I was cooking and running every event myself. Today I lead a full-scale catering and special event company. From backyard parties to ranch weekends to corporate events, we bring the food, the team and the equipment.

1990Catering in Dallas since
3Rolling kitchens
4xJames Beard nominee
IRON CHEFAmerica champion

Our Rolling Kitchens

We cook on site, right in front of your guests.

Each rolling kitchen is an add-on for events we cater, and each one comes with our team. We bring them to your home, your ranch or your venue.

Chef Kent Rathbun's team grilling for guests at an outdoor catered event in Dallas
Dallas catering rolling kitchen: HQ mobile kitchen and coffee bar trailer lit up at dusk, Rathbun's Curbside BBQ, Dallas catering

HQ

The Rolling Headquarters

HQ was built to be the rolling headquarters for Rathbun's Curbside BBQ. It served the public at Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas. We still take HQ out for public pop-ups. Its main job today is being the centerpiece of our catered events.

  • Gas grill and full gas kitchen: barbecue, burgers, tacos or breakfast
  • Full coffee bar with espresso, cappuccino and nitro cold brew
  • Sound system and three TVs
  • Patio setup available, with tables, chairs and linens as rentals

$2,500 per dayFollow HQ pop-ups on Instagram

The Transformer

Rolling Kitchen by Pitmaker

The Transformer is the newest rig in our fleet. It's a full rolling kitchen, custom built by Pitmaker in Humble, Texas.

  • The Vault, a vertical smoker
  • The Long Rifle Sniper, a horizontal offset smoker
  • Wood-burning grill
  • Hot running water, cabinetry, lighting and a sound system

$1,500 per day

The Transformer rolling kitchen by Pitmaker with vertical smoker and offset smoker at a Texas ranch event
Big Red rolling kitchen with a catered buffet set in front, Dallas catering

Big Red

Rolling Kitchen by East Texas Smokers and Grills

Big Red is a full rolling kitchen, custom built by East Texas Smokers and Grills.

  • Wood-burning grill
  • Offset smoker with an oven section
  • Plenty of storage and counter space to prep on
  • Hot running water, lighting and a sound system

$1,500 per day

Signature Display

The Sushi Forest

The Sushi Forest is a display I designed. Sushi and sashimi are set among bonsai trees, beautiful stones and driftwood. It's really stunning, and it's something special we do for our events.

The Sushi Forest, sushi and sashimi displayed among bonsai trees, stones and driftwood by Chef Kent Rathbun

From Our Kitchen

Dallas Catering Menus, Cooked On Site

Red Wine Glazed Pork Belly, Dallas catering by Chef Kent Rathbun
Red Wine Glazed Pork Belly
Tuna Tataki Salad with Mango Cucumber Slaw, Dallas catering by Chef Kent Rathbun
Tuna Tataki Salad with Mango Cucumber Slaw
Chicken Lollipops with Maple Black Pepper Glaze, Dallas catering by Chef Kent Rathbun
Chicken Lollipops with Maple Black Pepper Glaze
A Catered Dinner Party, Dallas catering by Chef Kent Rathbun
A Catered Dinner Party
Espresso Martini Pot de Crème, Dallas catering by Chef Kent Rathbun
Espresso Martini Pot de Crème
Cooking On Site, Dallas catering by Chef Kent Rathbun
Cooking On Site

How It Works

1. CATERED EVENTSOur rolling kitchens are add-ons for events we cater. They come with our team.
2. RENTALSTables, chairs and linens are available as rentals.
3. TRAVELWe travel well beyond Dallas. Events more than 50 miles out have a fuel and labor surcharge.
4. ANY SIZEWe specialize in all types of social catering, small to large.

Dallas Catering From a Chef Who Still Runs the Show

I started catering in Dallas in 1990. Back then I cooked and ran every event myself. When you book Dallas catering with us today, you get my menus and my team.

Today we are a full-scale catering and special event company. We handle backyard parties, ranch weekends, corporate events and all types of social catering, small to large. We bring the food, the team and the equipment.

What sets us apart is where the cooking happens. Our rolling kitchens park at your home, your ranch or your venue, and we cook right in front of your guests. The food comes off the grill or out of the smoker hot, and your guests get to watch it happen.

Plan Your Dallas Catering Event

Fill out the form on this page or call 469-576-6407. Tell us your date, your guest count and what kind of party you want. We will call you back to talk through the menu and the setup.

Want to know more about my background? Read my story, or see our private events. The Transformer was custom built by Pitmaker in Humble, Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Chef Kent Rathbun been catering in Dallas?

Chef Kent Rathbun has been personally catering and running events in Dallas since 1990.

Do you cater events outside of Dallas?

Yes. We travel well beyond Dallas. Events more than 50 miles from Dallas have a fuel and labor surcharge.

Can I rent a rolling kitchen without catering?

No. Our rolling kitchens are add-ons for events we cater, and each one comes with our team.

How much does a rolling kitchen cost?

HQ is $2,500 per day. The Transformer and Big Red are $1,500 per day each.

Do you provide tables, chairs and linens?

Yes. Tables, chairs and linens are available as rentals.

How big of an event can you cater?

We specialize in all types of social catering, small to large.

Plan Your Event

Tell us about your event and we'll call you back.

Catering and Events
469-576-6407
geri@chefkentrathbun.com