CLAMBAKES COMPARISON CHART
ITEM CASUAL
CATERED		 FORMAL
CATERED		 LITE
LUNCHEON		 CLAMBAKE-
to-GO
Chowder bowls, Platters, Dessert plates, coffee cups, etc. WE provide plastic-lined paper Chowder cups, Chinet platters and dessert plates, paper coffee cups YOU provide ceramic mugs for Chowder and coffee, glass fish plates (DO NOT order dinner plates - they are too small), ceramic dessert plates, etc. (*see note below) WE provide plastic-lined paper Chowder cups, Chinet platters and dessert plates, plastic iced tea cups WE provide plastic-lined paper Chowder cups and Chinet platters
Soup spoons, knives, forks, coffee spoons, napkins, etc. WE provide heavy-duty plastic soup spoons, knives, forks, dessert forks, coffee spoons, etc. YOU provide metal soup spoons, knives, forks, dessert forks and coffee spoons (*see note below) WE provide heavy-duty plastic soup spoons, knives, forks, etc. WE provide heavy-duty plastic soup spoons, knives, forks, etc
Appetizer napkins, Dinner napkins, Dessert napkins WE provide paper napkins for chowder, dinner and dessert YOU provide linen dinner napkins (*see note below).  We can provide paper napkins for chowder and dessert if you request them WE provide paper napkins for the buffet and dessert. WE provide paper napkins for each serving ordered
Lobster crackers, shell buckets WE provide lobster crackers and red plastic shell buckets YOU provide lobster crackers and metal shell buckets (*see note below). NOT REQUIRED WE LEND YOU lobster crackers which must be returned.
Serving platters and utensils, salt and pepper shakers, baskets, serving bowls, coffee pot, creamer, etc. WE provide all platters, utensils, shakers, baskets, bowls and other paraphernalia necessary to properly serve your buffet. YOU must provide large metal serving trays for the Lobster, shellfish and vegetables, as well as smaller round serving trays for melted butter, the rolls and dessert.  You will also have to provide bowls for salad, butter, etc. as well as a 40 cup coffee urn and a cream pitcher (*see note below). WE provide all platters, utensils, shakers, baskets, bowls and other paraphernalia necessary to properly serve your buffet. WE LEND YOU a Chowder Ladle, a pair of tongs to handle hot seafood and a high-speed burner with a tank of gas.  These items must be returned the following day
Tables, chairs, beach chairs, etc. YOU provide any tables or chairs you might want.  They are not usually needed for the 'picnic style' casual clambake and are definitely NOT RECOMMENDED for beach parties.  Beach chairs are available to rent from suppliers on Martha's Vineyard

WE provide the tables necessary for cooking and for the buffet		 YOU provide either round or banquet style tables for your guests as well as banquet style buffet and cook tables for our use.  You also provide seating for your guests, and bus trays and stands for our staff to use in clearing your tables (*see note below).

FORMAL CATERED clambakes are strongly NOT RECOMMENDED for the beach.		 YOU provide any tables or chairs you might want.  They are not usually needed for the 'picnic style' casual clambake and are definitely NOT RECOMMENDED for beach parties.  Beach chairs are available to rent from suppliers on Martha's Vineyard

WE provide the tables necessary for the buffet		 YOU provide any tables or chairs you might want.  They are not usually needed for the 'picnic style' casual clambake and are definitely NOT RECOMMENDED for beach parties.  Beach chairs are available to rent from suppliers on Martha's Vineyard
Tents

NOTE: We are required to have a clean, sanitary place to cook and serve your food.  A cook tent is needed as protection from rain or strong winds if you do not have a clean, sanitary area under roof for us to use (NOT inside a house).		 Tents are optional for the Casual Catered clambake BUT should be considered since weather on the Vineyard can be changeable.
A COOK TENT must be provided if the weather is rainy or very windy unless you have under-roof area available for cooking (not a kitchen!). 

Tents are NOT ALLOWED on any public beach and not recommended even on private beaches (they can blow into the sea).		 Unless you have an indoor venue for your Formal Catered clambake, you definitely should order a tent large enough to comfortably seat your guests.  It is necessary in rainy weather and appreciated as protection from the hot summer sun.

Order a cook tent whether you have an indoor or outdoor venue for your party.		 Tents are optional for the Lite Luncheon BUT should be considered since weather on the Vineyard can be changeable.

Tents are NOT ALLOWED on any public beach and not recommended even on private beaches (they can blow into the sea).		 NOT APPLICABLE
Staffing WE provide sufficient staff to prepare, cook and serve your buffet clambake meal.  They will also bus the shell buckets during the meal. 

We DO NOT provide staff to serve tables, tend bar or serve beverages unless you request additional staff and are willing to be charged for their time. 

We DO NOT provide staff to set up or take down tables, chairs, linens, etc. 		WE provide sufficient staff to set up your tables and chairs, cover tables with linen and do the place settings.  The additional staff we provide will also bus tables and clean up and knock down the tables and chairs after the party (provided it is over within a reasonable time).

We DO NOT provide staff to serve tables, tend bar or serve beverages unless you request additional staff and are willing to be charged for their time.		 WE provide sufficient staff to prepare and serve your Lite Luncheon buffet. 

We DO NOT provide staff to serve tables, tend bar or serve beverages unless you request additional staff and are willing to be charged for their time. 

We DO NOT provide staff to set up or take down tables, chairs, linens, etc. 		NOT APPLICABLE
Bartending We are not licensed to handle alcoholic beverages.  We can recommended an excellent professional bartender at your request We are not licensed to handle alcoholic beverages.  We can recommended an excellent professional bartender at your request We are not licensed to handle alcoholic beverages.  We can recommended an excellent professional bartender at your request NOT APPLICABLE
Trash Containers and haulage WE provide trash barrels and liners so that your guests may dispose of their used paper and utensils after the meal

We haul our trash away at no extra charge to you.  However, if you have a large number of beverage containers or other trash that is not directly related to the meal service, there may be an additional haulage charge.		 WE provide trash barrels and liners placed conveniently around the party area for disposal of any trash.

We haul our trash away at no extra charge to you.  However, if you have a large number of beverage containers or other trash that is not directly related to the meal service, there may be an additional haulage charge.		 WE provide trash barrels and liners so that your guests may dispose of their used paper and utensils after the meal

We haul our trash away at no extra charge to you.  However, if you have a large number of beverage containers or other trash that is not directly related to the meal service, there may be an additional haulage charge.		 We provide you with a plastic trash liner to use in cleaning up your waste after your Clambake-to-Go.
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*NOTE: All of the items you may need for a Formal Catered clambake are available from any one of the three tent and equipment suppliers on Martha's Vineyard.  Click the
"Tents/Supplies" button on our Home and Clambake Pages and you will be taken to a list of suppliers who we have used before and can recommend to you.
Telephone 1.508.627.8809
Toll Free 1.877.262.0310
Fax 1.508.629.0250
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CLAMBAKES DESCRIPTION
The CASUAL CATERED CLAMBAKE
is designed for a laid-back, fun party such as family reunions, friendly get-togethers, wedding rehearsal dinners and casual business functions.

In spirit, the Casual Catered Clambake is similar to a picnic or a back-yard barbecue with casual seating and buffet style food service on Chinet platters, with plastic cutlery, paper napkins, etc.  Blankets or beach chairs are great for your beach party while the same type of seating you would use for an at-home barbeque works wonderfully well in your yard or function hall.

The Casual Catered Clambake is great for your back yard, the beach or wherever you decide to hold your party.  The Casual option works to give you an event that your guests will talk about for years to come.
MORE INFORMATION
We require a minimum of 15 ADULT guests for reservation on Monday through Thursday and 20 ADULT guests for reservation on Friday through Sunday and major Holidays. 
The FORMAL CATERED CLAMBAKE

is a perfect choice for wedding receptions, some corporate functions and formal celebrations.  This classy-but-casual party uses tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware, metal cutlery, etc.  Your Formal Catered clambake should be held either in a hall or under a tent so that the long-planned event is not subject to the vagaries of weather. We do not recommend formal events at a beach setting. 

When you want elegance without being stuffy, you want the never-to-be-forgotten Formal Catered Clambake offered by Bill Smith's Martha's Vineyard Clambake Co.
MORE INFORMATION
We require a minimum of 30 ADULT guests to reserve a Formal Catered Clambake
OUR UNIQUE
CLAMBAKE-TO-GO
is a delightfully fun do-it-yourself clambake for groups as small as six persons.

We prepare everything you need and place it in two kettles: one for the chowder and one for
the clambake.  You pick them up from our commercial kitchen on the afternoon of the day you booked them, together with a high speed burner, a tank of propane and everything else you need for a fabulous picnic. Then off you go to a beach or your summer cottage for the fun of a do-it-yourself clambake. 

We can usually book a Clambake-to-Go within 48 hours of request EXCEPT for holidays and July or August weekends. 
MORE INFORMATION
We require a minimum of 6 persons to reserve a Clambake-to-Go
OUR NEW CATERED LITE LUNCHEON
has been designed for that in-between area where you don't want a full-blown catered dinner but do want more than just cocktails or cakes and coffee.

The Lite Luncheon consists of our famous Chowder, delightful lobster rolls, our special recipe cole slaw, chips, and iced tea (or lemonade if you prefer).    Dessert is freshly baked chocolate chip cookies

Lite Luncheon reservations are not available on some weekends and major holidays.  Check with us to ascertain if the date you want is open.
MORE INFORMATION
We require a minimum of 20 ADULT guests for reservation