Earthworks Catering is Western North Carolina's most celebrated and genuinely extraordinary organic farm-to-table wedding caterer — led by Chef Ed Winebarger, a Johnson & Wales University culinary graduate who resides on a 7-acre fully operational organic farm in Vilas and has spent 25+ years bringing the finest High Country cuisine to estate weddings and destination celebrations throughout Boone, Blowing Rock, and Banner Elk. What makes Earthworks unlike any other caterer in the region is absolute and total from-the-ground-up authenticity: Chef Ed grows his own produce, sources his meats from trusted local farms, arrives at every estate wedding with fresh ingredients harvested that same day, and cooks everything — meats, vegetables, antipasto, and all — on-site over a live hardwood fire, giving every dish a complexity and depth of flavor that propane grilling and institutional food service simply cannot replicate. No Sysco. No precooked food reheated on-site. No shortcuts. Just honest, extraordinary cuisine cooked by the same hands that grew it. Consistently described by couples and guests as the best food they have ever had at any wedding — "from A to Z-elicious" — Chef Ed also serves as boots-on-the-ground for destination couples planning from out of state, offering a year-long collaborative planning presence that makes him as much a trusted partner as he is a caterer.
SERVICES & EXPERTISE
Everything we offer for your perfect day
Organic Farm-to-Table Wedding Catering
Low Country Boil Wedding Service
Gluten-Free Wedding Menus
Estate & Outdoor Destination Wedding Catering
Live Hardwood Fire On-Site Cooking
BBQ & Grilled Wedding Entrees
Vegetarian Wedding Menus
Custom Wedding Menu Design
Cocktail Hour Antipasto & Charcuterie
Rehearsal Dinner Private Chef
SERVICE AREAS
Where we create magic
Vilas, North Carolina · Free within 50 mi
Jefferson
Boone
Blowing Rock
Banner Elk
Vilas
Watauga County
High Country
Western North Carolina
Local travel free within 50 mi of Vilas
Destination weddings available
8 areas covered
PORTFOLIO & WORK
From his farm to your table — Western North Carolina's most celebrated organic farm-to-table wedding caterer.
Johnson & Wales Culinary Arts Graduate25+ Years High Country Culinary ExperienceChef Ed Winebarger — Owner-Operator on Every Event7-Acre Fully Operational Organic FarmAll Produce Grown on Chef Ed's FarmLive Hardwood Fire On-Site Cooking — Not Propane
CLIENT REVIEWS
Couples love Earthworks Catering
4.9 out of 5 (33 reviews)
John T. Orcutt
Food & Bev
Beautiful food and presentation
“Beautiful food and presentation at our wedding in Blowing Rock, NC. Recommend very highly.”
Google ReviewJanuary 1970
Mike Nichols
Food & Bev
Unbelievable experience
“Ed Winebarger worked with my family to provide an unbelievable experience for my Daughter’s wedding in Linville North Carolina. We had to coordinate every aspect of the event and without Ed we could not have done it. Ed’s crew set up, prepared, served and cleaned up the entire event. I highly recommend Ed Winebarger of Earthworks for any event in and around the communities of Blowing Rock, Boone and Sugar Mountain. Thank you so much!”
Google ReviewJanuary 1970
Alanna Jones
Food & Bev
Fabulous job at outdoor wedding
“Earthworks catered my wedding reception at our outdoor destination in a state park. They did such a fabulous job from the service, display, and quality of food. Everything was so yummy! All of the 150 guests loved each bite!”
Google ReviewJanuary 1970
Sandra Wheless
Food & Bev
5 Star experience
“Ed and Melody arrived about 3:00 on a Saturday afternoon and spent the afternoon preparing the most wonderful dinner for our group of 12. This group of 12 have been friends since 1968 and we try to meet annually to stay in touch. The owner of our rental home shared Earthworks Catering’s number with me. Ed and I discussed the menu and it was a 5 Star experience from beginning to end. They served fabulous appetizers, then when we were seated, Ed presented each course with an explanation of the ingredients and preparation.”
Google ReviewJanuary 1970
Mary Davis
Food & Bev
Best caterer ever
“Ed and his staff far exceeded expectations. The food was fresh, delicious and elegantly displayed. The food and service for our daughters wedding was raved about by all the guest. The best caterer we have every had the privilege to work with. Highly recommended!!!”
Google ReviewJanuary 1970
Upper Cumberland
Food & Bev
Outstanding service and food
“We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary and Ed catered our dinner. We could not have possibly have a better service and outstanding food anywhere. We highly recommend Earthwork Catering to anyone who is planning a special dinner.”
Google ReviewJanuary 1970
Corey Iacofano
Food & Bev
Awesome food and service
“Had Ed Cater our wedding back in August. Was absolutely awesome food at a very good price. His service team was the best and very professional. Food was so good, and everyone stated that they couldn't believe how good the food was. Thank you Ed!”
Google ReviewJanuary 1970
EventMaker Boone
Food & Bev
Red carpet service
“Earthworks catering kicked it out of the park! Red carpet, Apollo theatre themed party, 120 guests, exquisite presentation, amazing flavor, perfect service. I can’t recommend them high enough.”
Google ReviewJanuary 1970
Theresa Powell
Food & Bev
Amazing food and service
“Not sure where to start… but AMAZING to “Z”ELICIOUS!! And the wait staff- hands down the most attentive fabulous team I have ever seen!! Could not be happier with the food, presentation of service for my daughter’s wedding this past weekend!”
Google ReviewJanuary 1970
Nick Greene
Food & Bev
Best decision we made
“We used Earthworks Catering for our wedding. Best decision we made. Ed is not your typical chef. He was very personable to all the guests. We would recommend him without reservation!”
Google ReviewJuly 2026
Andrea Rice
Food & Bev
Amazing farm-to-table dining
“One word: AMAZING. Ed’s penchant for using only the best, fresh, high quality ingredients is what packs his dishes with the most incredible flavor profiles. He is just THE BEST. Period.”
Google ReviewJuly 2026
Courtney Hartzog
Food & Bev
Intimate wedding reception success
“Wow! Earthworks catered our intimate wedding reception of 60 people. The food and service were both amazing! Our guests are still talking about the food and what a wonderful meal it was! Professional and delicious!”
Google ReviewJuly 2026
Heather Jenkins
Food & Bev
Incredibly delicious food
“Ed is fantastic! He was able to create exactly what we wanted for our daughter’s wedding. The food was incredibly DELICIOUS! I will recommend Earthworks over and over again.”
Google ReviewJuly 2026
Michael Burke Jr
Food & Bev
Best Thanksgiving ever
“Our Thanksgiving Day was catered by Earthworks Catering. Everything he made was put together with love and hard work. We’ve never met a person like Ed who enjoys cooking and making people happy as much as he does. We highly recommend Earthworks Catering and will use them again.”
Google ReviewJuly 2026
Sissy Melotte
Food & Bev
Graduation party success
“Earthworks Catering did an amazing job preparing dinner for my daughter’s graduation party last weekend. The food was delicious, the setup was beautiful and by the time they left we felt like we had made new friends. We highly recommend Earthworks Catering for all of your catering needs.”
Google ReviewJuly 2026
Philip Myers
Food & Bev
Seamless catering experience
“We recommend Earthworks without hesitation. Ed and his team showed up and not only prepared some amazing food – we got so many compliments from our guests – but their service was also top notch.”
Google ReviewJuly 2026
Jessica Blythe
Food & Bev
Exquisite wedding catering
“Chef Ed catered our wedding and it was exquisite. Everything from the food to display to service was incredible. I highly recommend Earthworks catering to everyone.”
Google ReviewJuly 2026
Lisa Alliss
Food & Bev
Wonderful experience
“We had such a wonderful experience with Earthworks. They were professional, thorough, and extremely helpful. The food was absolutely delicious! Highly recommend Earthworks Catering!!”
Google ReviewJuly 2026
Elyse Serrano
Food & Bev
Delicious food at wedding
“We just had the privilege of working with and eating Earthworks Catering at a wedding this past weekend and WOW– it was some of the most delicious food we have ever had. I will definitely be recommending Earthworks catering to future clients!”
Google ReviewJuly 2026
TIN CAN Event Co
Food & Bev
Best catering in the High Country
“Earthworks Catering is one of the best catering options in the High Country! Ed provides amazing quality food. If you are looking for a caterer that delivers great service and unparalleled local food options, you can not go wrong with Earthworks!”
Google ReviewJuly 2026
Jane Boone Kroening
Food & Bev
Huge hit at dinner party
“We had a small dinner party catered by Earthworks Catering. It was a huge hit with the entire group. All menu items were carefully selected and delicious!”
Google ReviewJuly 2026
Cathy Cole
Food & Bev
Absolute perfection
“Earthworks catered my husbands retirement dinner for 130 at The Apple Barn in Valle Crucis, and it was absolute perfection…from the planning (Ed is so easy to work with), to the execution (the food looked as beautiful and was displayed as wonderfully as everything tasted).”
Google ReviewJuly 2026
Jami B
Food & Bev
“10000% have Earthworks cater your event/wedding! The food was absolutely delicious! At our wedding, we served bison steak, rainbow trout, fresh grilled veggies and mac and cheese. The owner, Ed, is so great to work with! He took time to meet with us to talk about his menu options AND HE GRILLS IT ONSITE! This was a huge reason we booked this company. The food was fresh and all locally sourced. Support local and book Earthworks!”
Google ReviewMay 2026
Kendall A
Food & Bev
“10/10 recommend! I am extremely grateful to Earthworks and the team for the wonderful service they provided. The food was fresh and delicious. The team was punctual and professional. We had one small container of leftover vegetables at the end of the night, everything went! The team made the perfect amount of food (and guest went for seconds)! Worth every penny!”
Google ReviewSeptember 2024
Ethan B
Food & Bev
“Ed and his team catered our wedding last Saturday. They did an outstanding job, and it was the best wedding food I have eaten. Being a cooking enthusiast, it was important to me to serve our guests great food at our wedding. In my experience, wedding catering is typically pretty bad: Dry, bland food intended to appease a wide audience, using cheap ingredients sourced from companies like Sysco, prepared the morning of, refrigerated, transported and then reheated. Earthworks Catering didn't do any of that. Ed brought completely fresh produce from his farm and sourced the meats (bison steak + chicken) from other local farms. He brought his grill to the wedding venue and cooked all of the food onsite. Everything tasted fresh, was very well seasoned, and the flavors were nicely paired. The antipasto he brought for cocktail hour was also outstanding. It included a mixture of aged imported cheeses such as manchega and pecorino, olives, veggies, crackers and more. The dessert he sourced for us, tiramisu and macaroons, was also very nicely done. In terms of his servers, everything went very seamlessly. Ed is also a nice guy and is easy to work with. I would highly recommend Earthwork Catering if you are looking at catering your own wedding or doing another event that requires catering.”
Google ReviewAugust 2024
Michael Brown
Food & Bev
Best Catering Ever!
“Absolutely loved the farm-to-table concept! Each dish was fresh and flavorful. Highly recommend!”
Google ReviewAugust 2023
Emily Johnson
Food & Bev
Decent Catering
“The food was good, but the service could have been better. Would recommend but with some reservations.”
Google ReviewJuly 2023
Jane Smith
Food & Bev
Great for Events
“We hired Earthworks for a corporate event. The service was professional, and the food was delicious!”
Google ReviewJune 2023
Kourtney H
Food & Bev
“The BEST meal we ever had at a wedding and it happened to be our wedding :) My husband and I are big foodies and don’t mind spending on a great meal. This was worth every penny! The food was out of this world. Ed nailed it with his crew and to top it all off he’s an extremely easygoing guy. Ed gave me some great advice on dinnerware as well. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts!”
Google ReviewMay 2023
John Doe
Food & Bev
Amazing Catering Service!
“Earthworks Catering provided exceptional food for our wedding. Every guest raved about the meal!”
Google ReviewMay 2023
Beth A
Food & Bev
“Absolutely loved working with Ed and his INCREDIBLE team! Not only was the food talked about all night, but the staff were so amazing it truly goes beyond words! We honestly recommend them for any occasion and are looking for excuse to hire them again! Can’t say enough nice things!”
Google ReviewSeptember 2019
Andrea R
Food & Bev
“One word: AMAZING. Ed's penchant for using only the best, fresh, high quality ingredients is what packs his dishes with the most incredible flavor profiles. He takes farm-to-table dining to the next level! He's not just a caterer, but will go above and beyond to get to know your palette and aesthetic to develop the best menu he can possibly come up with. Since we don't live in the area but were planning a big wedding in the High Country, Ed was our boots on the ground for a solid year during the planning phase. We are so grateful for him and—for his unmatched talent, his professionalism, and also his kindness. It is truly impressive that he runs his own farm, grows his own food, and literally brings it to your table. It doesn't get any more local than that. From a savory low country boil to the juiciest barbecue chicken, to the ultimate taco bar and, by unanimous votes from our guests, the best damn collard greens anyone had ever tasted. They were somehow vegetarian and still insanely flavorful! Ed is just THE BEST. Period. Hire Ed and his impeccable team and you will not be disappointed!”
Google ReviewOctober 2018
Jessica B
Food & Bev
“Chef Ed catered our wedding and it was exquisite. Everything from the food to display to service was incredible. We received rave reviews on the food and everyone said it was the best meal they had ever had, let alone at a wedding. Ed is so passionate about food it shows through his food. As a bit of a foodie myself I was blown away by the taste and quality of everything we had. I highly recommend Earthworks catering to everyone.”
Google ReviewNovember 2017
100%
Would Recommend
33
Client Reviews
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Important things to know
Contact Earthworks Catering directly for current availability, deposit requirements, and booking lead times.
WedStay provides vendor information for reference only and does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Always verify pricing, policies, and availability directly with Earthworks Catering before making any commitments. Your agreement is with the vendor, not WedStay.
Every vendor in our network is carefully vetted to ensure you receive exceptional service and peace of mind for your special day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about working with Earthworks Catering
Absolutely! Earthworks Catering is a highly-rated Food & Bev vendor with several years of experience and over 50+ successful weddings. They specialize in Johnson & Wales Culinary Arts Graduate, 25+ Years High Country Culinary Experience, Chef Ed Winebarger — Owner-Operator on Every Event and have consistently delivered exceptional results for couples in Vilas and surrounding areas.
Their approach focuses on understanding your unique vision and bringing it to life with professional expertise and attention to detail. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, Earthworks Catering has the skills and experience to exceed your expectations.
Earthworks Catering offers custom pricing tailored to your specific wedding needs. They understand that every wedding is unique and work with couples to create packages that fit both their vision and budget.
Contact them directly for a personalized consultation and quote. They're happy to discuss various options and help you find the perfect solution for your special day.
When you book with Earthworks Catering, you receive comprehensive Food & Bev services including:
• Organic Farm-to-Table Wedding Catering
• Live Hardwood Fire On-Site Cooking
• Custom Wedding Menu Design
• Low Country Boil Wedding Service
• BBQ & Grilled Wedding Entrees
• Cocktail Hour Antipasto & Charcuterie
• Gluten-Free Wedding Menus
• Vegetarian Wedding Menus
• Rehearsal Dinner Private Chef
• Estate & Outdoor Destination Wedding Catering
Additionally, Earthworks Catering provides:
• Free initial consultation
• Customized service packages
• Professional liability insurance
• Experienced, dedicated team
• Backup plans for emergencies
• Travel within 50 miles of Vilas
Every booking includes their commitment to excellence and attention to detail that has earned them recognition as a top Food & Bev vendor in North Carolina.
Earthworks Catering is based in Vilas, North Carolina and provides services throughout the region.
Primary Service Areas:
• Jefferson
• Boone
• Blowing Rock
• Banner Elk
• Vilas
• Watauga County
• High Country
• Western North Carolina
They're willing to travel up to 50 miles for weddings, and may consider destinations beyond that for an additional travel fee. If your venue is outside their standard service area, contact them to discuss travel arrangements and any associated costs.
Earthworks Catering brings exceptional qualifications and experience to your wedding:
• 5+ years of professional experience
• 50+ successful weddings completed
• Verified and vetted by WedStay's quality standards
• Fully insured and licensed
• Highly recommended by past clients
Their expertise in Food & Bev includes:
• Johnson & Wales Culinary Arts Graduate
• 25+ Years High Country Culinary Experience
• Chef Ed Winebarger — Owner-Operator on Every Event
• 7-Acre Fully Operational Organic Farm
• All Produce Grown on Chef Ed's Farm
Past couples consistently praise their professionalism, creativity, and ability to capture the essence of each unique celebration.
Booking Earthworks Catering is simple and straightforward:
1. **Initial Contact** - Reach out through WedStay or directly via their contact information
2. **Consultation** - Schedule a free consultation to discuss your vision and needs
3. **Custom Proposal** - Receive a detailed proposal with pricing and service options
4. **Contract & Deposit** - Secure your date with a signed contract and deposit (typically 25-50%)
5. **Planning Phase** - Collaborate on details and timeline leading up to your wedding
6. **Final Payment** - Complete payment according to the agreed schedule
7. **Wedding Day** - Enjoy exceptional service on your special day
Earthworks Catering typically books 6-12 months in advance, especially for peak wedding season (May through October). Contact them as soon as possible to check availability for your date.
Earthworks Catering stands out in the Food & Bev industry for several reasons:
**Unique Approach**
Earthworks Catering is Western North Carolina's most celebrated and genuinely extraordinary organic farm-to-table wedding caterer — led by Chef Ed Winebarger, a Johnson & Wales University culinary gra...
**Proven Track Record**
• 50+ successful weddings
• 5+ years of excellence
• Consistent 5-star reviews from happy couples
**Professional Excellence**
• Verified WedStay vendor with background checks
• Full insurance and professional licenses
• Reliable, punctual, and organized
• Excellent communication throughout the process
**Value & Flexibility**
• Competitive pricing starting at affordable rates
• Customizable packages to fit your needs
• Travel up to 50 miles included
• Flexible payment plans available
Choose Earthworks Catering for peace of mind knowing your food & bev needs are in expert hands.
The ideal booking timeline for Earthworks Catering depends on your wedding date and season:
**Peak Season (May - October)**
Book 12-18 months in advance to secure your preferred date. Popular Saturdays in summer can book up to 2 years ahead.
**Off-Peak Season (November - April)**
Book 6-12 months in advance. You'll have more flexibility with dates and may find special off-season rates.
**Last-Minute Bookings**
Earthworks Catering occasionally has availability for bookings with shorter notice. Contact them directly to check current availability.
**Why Book Early?**
• Secure your preferred date
• Lock in current pricing
• More time for planning and coordination
• Peace of mind knowing this vendor is confirmed
• Build a relationship with your vendor team
Even if your wedding is more than a year away, reach out now to discuss your vision and reserve your date. Earthworks Catering typically limits bookings to ensure quality service for each couple.
Have more questions? Earthworks Catering is happy to help!
