Local and seasonal.
We've been working with local farms since before 'farm-to-table' was a phrase on a menu.
Portrait of Emily and Jim in the kitchen
About
A husband, a wife, two chefs, one small town.
Emily's Café & Catering has been on North Main Street in Pennington since 2004.
Photo: storefront in 2004
Photo: Emily + Jim today
Our story
How Emily's started.
Emily and Jim Matticoli both trained in New York City kitchens before coming home to New Jersey. In the spring of 2004 they opened a small café on Main Street in Pennington with one idea: bring the food they'd been cooking in big-city restaurants to the people they actually knew. Twenty-two years later, that's still the job. Jim runs the kitchen. Emily runs the events. The café keeps the lights on. And every wedding, memorial, and birthday we cater is one more reason to keep going.
What we believe
Three things we don't compromise on.
Made here, by us.
Focaccia, cakes, sauces, dressings — house-made, daily.
Built around you.
Catering menus are never copy-pasted. Every event gets a custom menu in a tasting session.
The team
The people you'll work with.
Our catering managers are who clients work with directly from inquiry to plate.
Portrait: Beth
Beth
Catering manager
Portrait: Jennifer
Jennifer
Catering manager
Portrait: Samantha
Samantha
Catering manager
Portrait: Lauren
Lauren
Catering manager
Portrait: Christina
Christina
Catering manager
Recognition
Awards & press.
WeddingWire Couples' Choice
Multiple-year winner — top-rated catering in Central NJ.
TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice
Recognized for consistent guest experience year after year.
New Jersey Monthly
Featured 2024 — local favorite.
NJ.com
2015 feature on Pennington's independent kitchens.
Plan your event with us.
Get in touch and one of our catering managers will be in your inbox within one business day.