Business Details
25 Years
experience
Award-Winning Catering Services in Niagara
The Heat Is On Catering is a Niagara-based culinary enterprise led by award-winning chef James Cuttriss, who brings over two decades of fine dining expertise across French, Thai, Italian, Southern, and Spanish cuisines. Founded in 2001, our company specializes in creating immersive dining experiences that blend artistic presentation with exceptional flavor profiles. With a foundation built on formal culinary training at Fanshawe College and hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions, we have established ourselves as a trusted partner for weddings, private events, and interactive cooking experiences. Our commitment to quality is demonstrated through our 'Weddings At Cost' program, which eliminates markups on food and rentals, and our personalized approach to menu design.We maintain a team of certified culinary professionals with over 20 years of collective experience, ensuring each event receives meticulous attention to detail. Our dedication to client satisfaction is reflected in complimentary menu tastings for up to eight guests and special considerations for immediate family members at wedding events. Through consistent service excellence and creative culinary execution, we have become a recognized name in Niagara's event catering industry.
Services
Wedding Catering
Chef Table Events
Interactive Cooking Classes
Menu Tasting
Late-night Service
Venue Partnerships
Custom Plated Dinners
Passed Tapas Service
Ceremony Options
Consultation Services
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of fine dining culinary expertise across multiple global cuisines
- Our 'Weddings At Cost' program provides transparent pricing with no markups
- Certified chef and culinary team lead every event with professional expertise
- Complimentary menu tastings available for up to eight guests prior to booking
- Bride, groom, and both sets of parents dine free at wedding events
Services
Weddings At Cost
Our unique wedding catering program passes all costs directly to clients with no markups on food, service, rentals, or linens. This approach provides complete pricing transparency while maintaining premium quality. Ideal for couples seeking professional-grade catering with full budget control.
Chef Table Events
Curated multi-course dining experiences featuring global cuisine influences, including Paella Party, Tapas Experience, and Diamond Dinner options. Each event combines artistic presentation with sophisticated flavor profiles for intimate gatherings or larger celebrations.
Interactive Cooking Classes
Hands-on instructional sessions transforming standard events into educational culinary experiences. Participants learn professional techniques while preparing dishes from our signature menu offerings, guided by certified culinary instructors with extensive industry experience.
Custom Menu Design
Personalized menu development service tailoring dishes to client preferences and event themes. Our culinary team collaborates directly with clients to create unique dining experiences, including specialized options for late-night service and champagne toasts.
Venue Partnerships
Curated selection of Niagara wedding venues offering diverse atmospheres and facilities. We maintain exclusive partnerships with locations that meet our standards for beauty, functionality, and guest experience, ensuring seamless event execution.
People
James Cuttriss
Chef/Owner
Award-winning chef with 20+ years in fine dining across multiple cuisines. Voted Chef of the Year twice during culinary education. Founded The Heat Is On Catering in 2001 after business training at Fanshawe College.
Questions
What makes your wedding catering different from other providers?
Our 'Weddings At Cost' program offers complete pricing transparency with no markups on food, rentals, or service. We also provide complimentary menu tastings and special considerations for immediate family members.
Do you offer menu customization options?
Yes, we work directly with clients to create personalized menus featuring global cuisine influences. Options include 3-5 course plated dinners, live stations, and 12-item tapas style dinners.
Are venue coordination services included?
We provide curated venue options in Niagara with established partnerships. Our consultation includes guidance on ceremony and reception options, as well as coordination with selected venues.
What service styles do you offer?
We offer full-service catering including passed tapas, plated dinners, champagne toasts, and late-night services featuring grilled pizza and pastry selections. Staffing levels are customized to each event.
Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Our culinary team can accommodate common dietary restrictions and allergies. Please discuss specific requirements during the initial consultation to ensure proper menu adaptations.
What is included in the wedding package?
Packages include menu design, food service, linens, cutlery, stemware, and staff. Optional add-ons include venue coordination, ceremony services, and late-night dining options with no additional markups.