Hamby Catering & Events has received national recognition from the International Caterers Association (ICA), winning Best Catered Wedding at the prestigious Catered Arts Through Innovative Excellence (CATIE) Awards. The award honors the most creative and expertly executed catered events across the country and is widely regarded as one of the catering industry’s highest honors.
Hamby earned the award for a wedding experience titled “Black Tie on the Back Forty,” a refined outdoor celebration that transformed a private family farm in Aiken, South Carolina into an elevated black-tie dining experience for 128 guests. The event impressed judges with its thoughtful culinary progression, polished service and ability to seamlessly balance luxury with the natural landscape.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this national recognition from the International Caterers Association,”said Candice Culbertson, President and Owner of Hamby Catering & Events. “Our team approaches every event with the goal of creating something truly memorable for guests. This award celebrates the creativity, dedication and craftsmanship our culinary and events teams bring to each experience.”
The menu was designed to evolve throughout the evening, beginning with passed hors d’oeuvres inspired by Southern classics, including fried oyster bites, deviled eggs and shrimp & grit cakes. Dinner transitioned into a synchronized dual-entrée service featuring filet and salmon, paired with full wine service to reinforce the event’s formal black-tie atmosphere. As the evening shifted into celebration, the culinary experience followed suit with playful late-night favorites such as mini pizzas served in custom boxes, chicken nuggets and fries, keeping guests energized well into the after-party.
Behind the scenes, the event required significant logistical creativity. With no kitchen infrastructure available on the property, Hamby’s team constructed a full temporary kitchen and service operation on-site, transporting staff, equipment and refrigerated storage more than two hours from Charleston to ensure a seamless dining experience.
Founded in 1979, Hamby Catering & Events is a woman-owned, full-service catering company known for its elevated cuisine, thoughtful hospitality, and seamless event execution. For more than four decades, Hamby has served the Charleston community with customized culinary experiences for weddings, corporate events, and social celebrations.
Photography credit: Sarah Bradshaw
Planner: Reagan Events