ABOUT
Preserving History.
Creating Memories.
For more than 50 years, Country Garden Caterers has been recognized for exceptional cuisine, thoughtful hospitality, and seamless event execution. Whether you are planning an intimate wedding, an elevated corporate function, or a grand celebration, our experienced team is dedicated to delivering a refined experience where every detail is thoughtfully considered and every guest feels genuinely welcomed.
Country Garden Signature Venue
Where History and Hospitality Come Together
Nestled in the heart of Orange County, our beautifully restored historic venue blends timeless architecture with refined elegance, creating an unforgettable setting for weddings, corporate gatherings, galas, and life’s most meaningful celebrations.
Our Story
A Legacy of Family, Hospitality, and Celebration
For more than five decades, Country Garden Caterers has been bringing people together through exceptional cuisine, heartfelt hospitality, and thoughtfully crafted celebrations. As a family-owned and operated company, we believe every event is more than a gathering—it is an opportunity to create lasting memories with the people who matter most. From elegant weddings and corporate events to intimate family celebrations, we approach every occasion with the same care, professionalism, and personal attention that have defined our company from the very beginning.
Today, Country Garden Caterers is proud to serve clients throughout Orange County and Southern California with full-service catering, event planning, venue partnerships, and our beautifully restored historic venue in Downtown Santa Ana. While our services and capabilities have grown over the years, our purpose has remained unchanged: to create meaningful experiences where exceptional food, genuine hospitality, and meticulous attention to detail come together to make every celebration unforgettable.
Our Founder
Barbara DesRochers-Lyons
Country Garden Caterers was founded by Southern California native Barbara DesRochers-Lyons, whose passion for exceptional cuisine, genuine hospitality, and bringing people together became the foundation of the company’s enduring legacy. What began as a love for creating memorable meals soon grew into a lifelong commitment to helping families, friends, and organizations celebrate life’s most meaningful moments.
Barbara began her culinary journey in the mid-1970s with the opening of Sombrero Street, a beloved Mexican restaurant that quickly earned a loyal following throughout Orange County. As demand for her cuisine grew, she expanded into catering, where her talent for creating unforgettable experiences became the heart of her business. Her vision eventually led to the creation of Country Garden Caterers, transforming a historic Downtown Santa Ana landmark into the elegant event venue that continues to welcome guests today.
Before pursuing her entrepreneurial dream, Barbara was a dedicated educator, earning credentials in public school administration. The leadership, compassion, and commitment to serving others that defined her career in education became the guiding principles of her business. As a single mother of three, she built Country Garden Caterers with determination, resilience, and a desire to create opportunities for her family while helping others celebrate life’s most treasured occasions.
Barbara passed away in 2022, leaving behind a legacy that extends far beyond the events she created. Her warmth, generosity, and unwavering dedication continue to inspire our family, our team, and the many clients whose most cherished memories began with her vision.
TODAY
Carrying the Legacy Forward
Barbara’s legacy lives on in every celebration we host. Her warmth, generosity, and unwavering dedication continue to inspire our family, our team, and the countless couples, families, and organizations who entrust us with life’s most meaningful moments. We honor her each day by carrying forward the values upon which she built Country Garden Caterers: bringing people together through exceptional cuisine, genuine hospitality, and unforgettable celebrations.
Today, that legacy is carried forward by her three children, who proudly continue the family business with the same passion, integrity, and personal dedication instilled from the very beginning. While Country Garden Caterers has grown to serve weddings, corporate events, and celebrations throughout Southern California, its purpose remains unchanged: to create meaningful experiences through exceptional cuisine, thoughtful service, and genuine hospitality that make every celebration truly unforgettable.