The Modern Caterease Alternative for Event Caterers
Curate is the cloud-based catering software that gives you everything Caterease doesn't — beautiful proposals, seamless payments, and the flexibility to run your business from anywhere.
"Where this software had been brought to in 12 months was just unbelievable... It's easily the best business decision we've made."
Zach Cohen · Island Kitchen Catering
What is Caterease?
Caterease is a catering management software that has been on the market since 1990. It was one of the first software solutions designed specifically for the catering industry, offering features like event management, menu planning, and invoicing.
While Caterease was revolutionary in its time, the software was built for a different era — before cloud computing, mobile devices, and modern user experience standards became the norm. Today, many caterers find themselves limited by its desktop-only architecture and dated interface.
If you're currently using Caterease and feeling held back by its limitations, you're not alone. Many catering professionals are seeking modern alternatives that offer cloud-based access, beautiful client-facing proposals, and integrated payment processing — all things that Curate was built to deliver.
Why Caterers Are Switching from Caterease
Outdated software holds your business back. Here's what Caterease users tell us they're struggling with — and how Curate solves it.
Desktop-only software
Caterease requires installation on each computer, limiting your flexibility to work from anywhere.
Curate is 100% cloud-based — access your business from any device, anywhere.
Outdated interface
Caterease's dated design makes navigation difficult and slows down your team.
Curate's modern interface is intuitive and easy to learn, reducing training time.
PDF-based proposals
Every revision means exporting a new PDF and sending another email to your client.
Curate sends one web link — updates sync instantly, no more email chains.
Limited payment options
Caterease's payment integrations cause friction and frustration for many users.
Curate integrates with Stripe for seamless, secure payment processing.
See Why Island Kitchen Switched from Caterease
Zach Cohen of Island Kitchen Catering shares his experience transitioning from Caterease to Curate and how it transformed their sales workflow.
"Where this software had been brought to in 12 months was just unbelievable... It's easily the best business decision we've made in 2024-2025."
— Zach Cohen, Managing Partner, Island Kitchen Catering
Curate vs Caterease: Feature Comparison
See how Curate stacks up against Caterease on the features that matter most.
| Feature | Curate | Caterease |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-based access from any device | ✓ | ✗ |
| Modern, intuitive user interface | ✓ | ✗ |
| Beautiful, customizable proposals | ✓ | ✗ |
| One link for proposals, contracts & payments | ✓ | ✗ |
| Built-in e-signatures | ✓ | ✗ |
| Integrated payment processing (Stripe) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Real-time client communication portal | ✓ | ✗ |
| Unlimited categories and tags | ✓ | ✗ |
| Mobile app for iOS and Android | ✓ | ✗ |
| Recipe and production management | ✓ | ✓ |
| Event calendar and scheduling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dedicated migration support | ✓ | ✗ |
What Caterers Say About Curate
Don't just take our word for it. Here's what catering professionals have to say about switching to Curate.
"Curate is easy to use and makes your business look good. For a seasoned pro or a curious mind, Curate can adapt for multiple uses."
"I'm booking 13 out of 15 proposals sent! Booking rate with this program is way higher than it was."
"AMAZING!!! So easy, intuitive, great onboarding staff. I can't say enough. Wish we'd made the move sooner!!"
Who is Curate Best For?
Curate is built for catering and event professionals who want to modernize their operations and impress clients from the first interaction.
Corporate Caterers
Handle high-volume corporate events with streamlined workflows, professional proposals, and efficient communication with event planners.
Wedding Caterers
Create stunning proposals that match the elegance of the events you cater, with easy menu customization and seamless payment collection.
Social Event Caterers
From birthday parties to galas, manage diverse events with flexible pricing, customizable packages, and real-time client collaboration.
Growing Catering Businesses
Scale your operations without the chaos. Curate grows with you, whether you're doing 50 events a year or 500.
Multi-Location Caterers
Cloud-based access means your entire team can work from anywhere — perfect for businesses with multiple locations or remote staff.
Efficiency-Focused Teams
If you're tired of manual processes, endless email chains, and juggling multiple tools, Curate brings everything into one platform.
Real Results from Real Caterers
Hear what caterers say about switching to Curate.
"I really couldn't imagine scaling at the level we're scaling without Curate."
— Chopped Winner Jimmy Matiz, Matiz Cuisine
"I was able to put together a complex event with multiple entree options in less than an hour and the shopping list was put together in seconds."
— Verified Caterer, G2 Review
Our dedicated migration team ensures you're fully operational on Curate within 2-4 weeks of starting.
Go Beyond Bland PDF Proposals
With Caterease, every proposal revision means exporting a new PDF and sending another email to your client.
With Curate, you send one web link that includes your proposal, contract, and payment options. Make updates instantly — your client just refreshes the page. No more lost files or endless email chains.
- Stunning, customizable proposal templates
- Built-in e-signatures and contracts
- Integrated payment collection
"Using Curate helps me focus on why I started my business, rather than trying to learn new software."
Lisa Stonehouse · Stonehouse Catering
Keep All Client Communication in One Place
With Caterease, client communication happens outside the app. Finding the right email thread or message can become a time-consuming task.
With Curate's communication portal, all conversations stay connected to each event. You can even email clients from outside the app and it's automatically logged inside Curate.
"We've sped up the time we spent doing proposals by a thousand percent!"
Whitney Fredin · Whitney Fredin Catering & Events
Easy, Integrated Payment Processing
Caterease's limited payment integrations cause frustration for many users. Getting paid shouldn't be complicated.
Curate integrates with Stripe — the global industry standard — for secure, seamless payment processing. Collect deposits, send invoices, and get paid faster with payments built right into your proposals.
Why Caterers Choose Curate Over Caterease
Beyond the features, here's what makes Curate the smarter choice for modern catering businesses.
Built for the Modern Caterer
Caterease was designed in 1990. Curate was built from the ground up for how catering businesses operate today — mobile-first, cloud-connected, and client-focused. No legacy code holding you back.
Faster Learning Curve
Caterease's complex interface can require weeks of training. Curate's intuitive design means your team can be productive within hours, not weeks. Less training time means more time serving clients.
Impress Clients from Day One
Your proposals are often the first impression clients have of your business. Curate's beautiful, interactive proposals help you stand out from competitors still sending static PDFs.
Work From Anywhere
Visit a venue, meet a client, or work from home — Curate goes with you. Access your entire business from any device with an internet connection. No more being tied to a specific computer.
Get Paid Faster
With payments built directly into your proposals, clients can review your menu, sign the contract, and pay their deposit — all in one place. No friction means faster payments.
Continuous Improvements
Curate is constantly evolving based on feedback from real caterers. New features and improvements roll out regularly — no expensive upgrades or manual installations required.
We'll Help You Make the Switch
Switching business software can feel overwhelming. That's why our dedicated migration team works with you every step of the way to ensure a smooth transition from Caterease to Curate.
Data Migration
We'll transfer your customers, menus, and historical data from Caterease.
Personalized Training
Get one-on-one onboarding to ensure you and your team are confident with Curate.
Ongoing Support
Our team is always here to help with phone, email, and chat support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about switching from Caterease to Curate.
How long does it take to switch from Caterease to Curate?
Most caterers are fully operational on Curate within 2-4 weeks. Our dedicated migration team handles data transfer and provides personalized onboarding to ensure a smooth transition.
Can you migrate my data from Caterease?
Yes! We work with you to migrate your customer data, menu items, and historical information from Caterease to Curate. Our team handles the heavy lifting so you can focus on your business.
Is Curate really easier to use than Caterease?
Curate was built with modern design principles and user experience in mind. Our customers consistently report that Curate is more intuitive and requires less training than legacy systems like Caterease.
What if I need help after switching?
Curate provides ongoing support via email and scheduled video calls. You'll also have access to our extensive knowledge base with an AI assistant, video tutorials, and regular training webinars.
How does Curate's pricing compare to Caterease?
Curate offers transparent pricing with plans designed to grow with your business. While we may cost more than Caterease, our customers consistently find the value in time saved, higher booking rates, and professional proposals quickly pays for itself. Schedule a demo to get a personalized quote.
Can I use Curate on my phone or tablet?
Absolutely! Curate is 100% cloud-based and fully mobile-friendly. Access your proposals, client information, and event details from any device with a web browser — whether you're at a venue walkthrough, meeting with clients, or working from home.
Does Curate integrate with other tools I use?
Curate integrates with popular business tools including Stripe for payments, QuickBooks for accounting, Nowsta and Staffmate for staffing, Galley for kitchen management, and Google Calendar for event scheduling. Our Enterprise plan also includes API access — a feature no other catering software offers — allowing you to build custom integrations with your existing systems.
What happens to my existing proposals and contracts in Caterease?
During migration, we work with you to determine which historical data to bring over. Active proposals and client information can be migrated, while you'll still have access to your Caterease records during the transition period.
Can multiple team members use Curate at the same time?
Yes! Unlike desktop software that's tied to one computer, Curate allows your entire team to access the system simultaneously from anywhere. Each team member gets their own login with role-based permissions.
Is my data secure with Curate?
Curate takes security seriously. We use industry-standard encryption, secure data centers, and regular backups to protect your business information. Your data is safer in the cloud than on a single desktop computer.
Ready to Switch from Caterease?
Schedule a free demo to see why caterers are choosing Curate as their modern Caterease alternative.
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