How It Works
Divine Swine Catering®, Inc. has a fleet of roasters and vehicles at your service. We can accommodate up to 20 events per day! We are a fully licensed, insured, and ServSafe Certified catering service operating from a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility located in Lakeville, Minnesota.
While adding to our menu, Divine Swine has kept with the original theme of serving simple, wholesome, and delicious foods in generous quantities at a reasonable price. All of our menu items are made from the freshest ingredients and are the highest quality available. The heart of the experience is still our slow roasted, fresh, whole meats, featuring, of course, whole roast pork.
With our experience, we guarantee that our food, service, work ethic, and professionalism will make your event a complete success. We would love to add you to our growing list of satisfied customers!
We’re a year-round caterer that is at your service for any occasion, at any location. Thank you for considering Divine Swine Catering® for your next event!
About Us
In 1982, Jim Gilmore and Dale Vaillancourt were fresh into the job market after college. Neither had any money, but they did have enough experience renting pig roasters and throwing parties to know that people love whole roast pork along with generous quantities of simple, wholesome foods.
Knowing the value of a memorable and descriptive name, Jim, Dale, and Dale’s sister Judy sat down with a dictionary and a sketch pad, and a few hours later the Divine Swine name and logo were born.
How it Works
- Our menus usually consist of any 2 Slow Roasted Meats (most customers choose from Pork, Chicken, Turkey, or Beef), Wheat and White Sandwich Buns, appropriate condiments, and any number of side dishes. We ask you to designate a Main meat choice, and a Secondary meat choice. The quantity of meat for the main meat will be more than enough to feed everyone, and the secondary meat is there for folks who, for example, may not choose to eat Pork.
- Your price will be determined by
A. The number of guests and…
B. …The number of sides you select.
(Look at our Menu Options for full meat and side dish choices.) - Look at our published price list to get your exact cost based on these 2 factors.
- All of our service is done buffet style, and includes literally everything you will need for a complete buffet. The only thing you need to provide for us is the buffet tables themselves. When you supply the buffet tables, it provides a location for our servers to leave the leftovers for you, which we package into containers you can keep!
- For dinnerware, we do have a few options. Click on this link Elegant Presentation Packages.
- We will reserve a date for you upon your request, and send you an event confirmation. All details, such as final guest count, menu, and a map to your event are due no later than 14 calendar days prior to your event date.
- Our Pork, Turkey, Chicken, Beef, and Smoked Ham are slow roasted. The meats are moist and tender, and literally fall off the bone! We further carve/shred the meat, and then serve it in its own natural juices. You and your guests will love it!
- Whole pigs are similarly prepared, but cooked on a large stainless steel pan. Pigs may be carved/shredded at your location or ours, depending on the weather conditions or as situation merits.
- All other foods are prepared at our location and transported to your site, ready for the buffet table.
- Please provide a parking space for our truck & roaster close to buffet line.
- Server(s) will carve meats, replenish the buffet, clean buffet area, and package leftovers from the table in containers you can keep.
- Customer is responsible for transporting leftovers to a hot oven, refrigerator, freezer, or large cooler with ice. If proper equipment is not available to handle leftovers safely, leftovers will be disposed of on site.
- Encourage your guests to ask questions – That’s half the fun of a Pig Roast!
FYI
Financial Details
- We accept cash, personal check, company check, money order, ACH payments, and credit cards.
- ACH payments carry a 1% processing fee. Credit cards carry a 3.5% processing fee.
- ACH and credit card transactions must be done before the event. We do not process these on-site.
- To pay via ACH or credit card, you may do so via the email we send you via our processor, Square.
Booking your event and final payment:
- To schedule your event, we ask for a deposit via ACH, Credit Card, or mailed check. ($500.00 deposit for events under $2000.00. $1000.00 deposit for events over $2000.00).
- Your deposit applies to your final bill. We will email you to confirm receipt.
- Final payment is due at the event via check OR before the event via check, ACH, or Credit Card. Please call or email to arrange pre-payment.
- Server(s) will arrive to set up your buffet line 30 minutes to one hour before your meal serving time, depending on your group size, menu, and proximity to parking. Please provide a parking space near buffet area for our truck and roaster.
- Industry standard service charge of 18% will be included on your bill. Your server receives a generous portion of the service charge. If you would like to add a gratuity in addition to the service charge, you are welcome to!
- Each customer will be asked to complete an evaluation at the event, rating our food and service. Server year end bonuses are rewarded based on these evaluations. Our servers work hard for you!
- All leftovers from the table belong to you, packaged in containers you can keep. Customer is responsible for proper equipment to handle leftovers safely, or leftovers will be disposed of on site.
- Our reputation is priceless, and food safety is a primary concern. If you intend to serve food of your own, please ensure it is prepared and served following established food safety guidelines. We reserve the right to refuse to allow a customer to serve any potentially hazardous food.
Most importantly, we would love to cater your event, and we will do what it takes to make it a great success! Our entire staff works hard to provide you with the best food and service possible. We know how important your event is to you – it is equally important to us!
Frequently Answered Questions
Do you cook the pig at my house?
If you carve the pig at my location, can you take the trash with you when you leave?
Health Department regulations prohibit us from transporting trash of any type in our vehicles. We will, however, double line your trash barrel before carving.
How many pigs do I need for my event?
We order pigs of varying sizes depending on the group size. The smallest pig will feed a group of 50, the largest around 200. The bottom line is, we almost always leave leftovers!
I'd like a change of pace - do you offer other meats?
Yes! All of our roasted meats are prepared the same way as our whole pigs. They are slow cooked for a long time, and generally served shredded. Slow Roasted Meats are our specialty, and include Pork, Turkey, Beef and Smoked Ham. Specialty cuts (extra charge) include; Memphis Style Ribs, Prime Rib, Assorted Chicken Wings, or Chicken Breasts.
Do you offer meats grilled on site?
We do offer meats grilled on site, such as Brats, Burgers, Hot Dogs, and Chicken Breasts. There are additional charges for grilling on site, as we need to send extra servers for grilling.
What is included in the price?
The price listed in our brochure and on the website is the food price, sales tax, and service charge and includes any two meats (one main, one secondary), Wheat and White sandwich buns, side dishes (1 to 10), condiments, disposable plates, forks, napkins, buffet table covers, table skirting if you specify it, buffet setup, one hour of serving time, and packaging leftovers.
Are there any other additional charges?
Do I need to tip my server(s)?
We include an industry standard 18% Service Charge. The server(s) keep a generous portion of that Service Charge, and a small percentage goes to support staff who are vital in the server's success.
So the short answer is no, you are not expected to tip in addition to that.
With that in mind, we recognize that our servers work very hard for you, and they welcome any extra you may want to give them directly.
What are my choices for side dishes?
When is final payment due?
Payment is due at the conclusion of the event. If you are an established business with a 30 day payment policy, or if you need to do a check request, we'll work with you.
What are some reasons to select Divine Swine Catering for my event?
We offer over 40 years of experience and a growing list of thrilled customers. Most importantly, we would love to cater your event , and will do what it takes to make it a great success. Our entire staff works hard to provide you with the best food and service possible. We know how important your event is to you - it is equally important to us!
How do I book an event with you?
Give us a call 952-469-2635 to let us know the date of your event. We will collect all the necessary information over the phone or send you a link to an online form for you to submit the details to us. Then, we will put you on our schedule and email, fax or mail you a contract.
We are a non-profit group. Do you do fundraisers?
Due to the nature of our business, we are asked frequently for discounts for fundraisers. Since it is impossible to accommodate all such requests, we limit our charity donations to groups we are personally involved with or have an interest in.
Examples include our kids' school and scout groups, Cornerhouse, The Commemorative Air Force, and our employee's family and church functions.
What if I would like more than 1 hour of serving time?
No problem, as long as we know ahead of time so we can plan for it. We charge $50.00 per server for each additional hour.
When does the server arrive at my event?
30-60 minutes before the start of your serving time, depending on the menu, group size, proximity of parking to the buffet line, and traffic. In catering, there are lots of variables! The bottom line is, our server will hustle to serve you on time, regardless of when he or she arrives.
How many servers does it take to cater my event?
In our company, organization and preparation are King and Queen! Everything is ready when we arrive. That being said, one of our most experienced servers can cater an event of up to 250 guests alone - even larger groups for simple menus over extended serving times. We add servers based on the group size, requested service, or for grilling on site. This approach helps keep the cost down!
Do we get to keep the leftovers?
Yes! Your server will package them in containers you can keep, and leave them on the buffet table for you. It is your responsibility to get them to refrigeration or an oven for safe temperature control after we leave. If the server sees that you do not have the proper equipment for this, he/she will dispose of them on site to protect you and your guests.
Why is it that some other companies will not leave the leftovers?
Perhaps they are working them into tomorrow's menu? Be sure to only pay for fresh, wholesome foods!
Do you clean up before you leave?
Buffet area cleanup is included in the price. If you would like assistance with bussing dishes, taking down chairs and tables, etc, please call us and ask for pricing and services we may be able to offer.
Can I rent tents, tables, chairs, or dinnerware through Divine Swine Catering?
For Tents, tables, and chairs, contact the party rental company closest to your event site to keep delivery fees down. We are not affiliated with any particular rental companies.
Do you cater for groups of smaller than 50?
Yes! Pick out a menu and give us a call with your date and time. We will give you a price. Keep in mind that the smaller your group size, the more you will pay per guest. Conversely, we offer discounts for very large groups!
So the short answer is no, you are not expected to tip in addition to that.
With that in mind, we recognize that our servers work very hard for you, and they welcome any extra you may want to give them directly.
What if my group size is between those listed in the brochure?
We pro-rate the price based on your actual guest count and menu.
References
Listed are some recent customers. Please call us for phone numbers and contact persons!
Corporations
3m Fuel Cell
Allianz Life
Amcon Construction
Apple Valley Ford
Associated Builders
BAN-KOE Systems
Bernco
Bolander and Sons
Burns Engineering
Cargill
Cedarvale Bowl
Cemstone
Clark/Bardes Consulting
Con Agra Foods
Conwed Plastics
Dart Transit
Deli Express
Detector Electronics
Ecolab
Edition III
Endocardial Solutions
Foreward Air
Freightmasters
G & K Service
General Electric
General Mills
GMAC
Gray, Plant and Moody
Greif Bros. Company
H.B. Fuller
Harvest States Foods
Home Depot
ITT-Cannon
Katun Corporation
Knutson Construction
Kraus Anderson Realty
LSS Data Systems
Marathon Ashland Petroleum
Medtronic
Minnesota Wild
NCS Pearson
Nextel
North Star Fire
Northland Paving
OnCue Corporate Event Mgmt.
Opus Northwest
Original Mattress Factory
Park Nicollet
Patterson Dental
Primerica
Prudential Financial
Quality Restoration
Rytway Corporation
Sawhorse Construction
Sears
Select Comfort
Target
U.S. Bank
Valvoline Oil
WAM!Net
West Group
Weyerhauser
Xerox
Weddings
Ander/Matestic
Anderson/Schevek
Bader/Swanson
Barron/Myron
Beekman/Lund
Berry/Pauly
Bynon/Forsberg
Bredenburg/Driver
Brooks Post Wedding
Burke/Westacott
Carlson/Gundry
Dack/Mannins
Dahlberg/Anderson
Davis/Manning
Deaver/Edwards
Dian/Steffer
Dressen/Newgard
Ebbesen/Wilson
Follingstad/Fuglie
Goffin/Stevens
Grossman/Booth
Hatton/Diana
Kelly/Pollock
Kemna/Johnson
King/Nederhiser
Kowski/Erickson
Kriesle/Riedle
Larson/Bauer
Lundahl/Olson
Mesko/Lee
Meyer/Reeves
Monear/Fulmer
Nordahl/Anderson
Norris/Hamel
Petricka/Grinde
Plante/Dietz
Ponthan/Spotte
Pushing/Brostrom
Rau/Belter
Reardon/Crawford
Schmidt/Krueger
Stephan/Severson
Strack/Peters
Swanson/Hurlburt
Weaver/Mott
Wills/Hwang
Church Groups
Ark on the River
Bethany Lutheran
Bridgewood Church
Evangelical Free Church
Grace Lutheran
Lord of Life Church
Maplewood Good Samaritan
Mount Olivet
Our Savior Lutheran
St. Peters
St. Thomas the Apostle
Wood Dale Church
Civic Groups
Armed Forces Reunions
Childrens Chance
Commemorative Air Force
Cornerhouse Fundraiser
Courge Alpine Skiers
Cub Scout Pack 342
Down Syndrome Association
East Side Hockey
Excelsior Art Fair
Family Academy
Farmington/Lakeville Rotary
Great River Greening
Inner City Tennis
Mike Opat Volunteers
Minneapolis Police Athletics
Minneapolis Police Federation
Neill School Carnival
Normandale Lake Townhomes
Old West Society of MN
PATH
Pine City Legion
Prime Timers
Red Fox Association
Regions Hospital Foundation
Sitzmark Ski and Social Club
The Big Golf Day II
The Villagers of North Oaks
Town Square Television
Willow Pond
Schools/Colleges/Cities
AFSCME Local 1011
Augsburge College Wrestling
Centennial Senior High
City of Eden Prairie
City of Minnetonka
City of Savage
Columbia Heights Class of 82
Dakota County Employee Club
Dakota County Tech. College
Lakeville Fire Department
Macalaster College Physical Plant
Macalaster College Special Ed.
MN DOT
MN Transportation Museum
Prior Lake Class of 97
Shakopee Public Utilities
St. Cloud Alumni Association
St. Paul Schools Transportation
St. Thomas Academy
U of M Department of English
U and M Zone 4
University of St. Thomas
U of M Wrestling
Directions
Divine Swine Catering®
23840 Pillsbury Avenue South
Lakeville, MN 55044
Interstate 35 South to County Road 70. Go East on County Road 70 (back over the freeway). Past the McDonalds, at the stop light, take a right. Follow this road south to our buildings. It is 2.9 miles south of this intersection. Look for our sign on the right. If you made it to the tree farm, you went 1 drive way too far! Office is at the rear of the building – you’re there!
