Stirring with the Staffords

If I could give Stirring Stafford Catering zero stars, I would. This company single-handedly managed to turn what should have been a joyous celebration of my father-in-law’s 70th birthday into an absolute disaster. From the moment we signed the contract, it was a cascade of unprofessionalism, incompetence, and frankly, appalling behavior. Contract? What Contract? Our contract clearly stated a 3 pm arrival time for setup, giving them ample time to prepare for our 5 pm event. Not only did the owner, Pat Stafford, request a change to 4 pm the day of the event, but she then proceeded to show up a staggering **hour and a half late** for that revised time, without a single phone call or apology. Guests were arriving, stomachs were grumbling, and we were left scrambling, frantically trying to get ahold of someone who seemed to have vanished into thin air. When we finally did reach her, she offered a flimsy excuse about her husband’s surgery and assured us she was “20 minutes away.” Lies. It was another hour before she finally arrived, a full **hour and a half after the event was supposed to start.** **Filthy Utensils and Ice-Cold Food** As if the egregious tardiness wasn’t enough, the nightmare only continued. The utensils provided were absolutely disgusting – crusted with old food, unwashed, and utterly unsanitary. We were forced to scrub them clean in the bathroom before guests could even use them. To add insult to injury, the food itself was stone cold. The mac and cheese was so cold it bent the spoon, the collard greens were congealed, and the chicken was barely lukewarm. And where were the warming trays promised in the contract? Nowhere to be found, of course. Beyond Incompetent, Downright Offensive When I attempted to address these issues with Pat the next day, I was met with the most astonishing display of arrogance and misogyny I have ever encountered. Her husband, Roy Stafford, immediately launched into a tirade about how I, as a man, had no right to speak to his wife, the “womanfolk.” He accused us of lying about the filthy utensils and cold food, even going so far as to suggest that women are incapable of handling business matters. This blatant sexism was not only offensive but also completely irrelevant to the fact that they had utterly failed to deliver on their contractual obligations. **A “Refund” That Adds Insult to Injury** After much back and forth, and my wife’s exhaustion with their excuses and refusal to take any accountability, they finally agreed to a paltry $450 refund – a slap in the face considering the $1400 we paid for this fiasco. They even had the audacity to present this as a generous offer, with Pat claiming she wouldn’t be able to pay until the end of December! Avoid Stirring Stafford at All Costs Stirring Stafford Catering is an absolute disgrace. Their unprofessionalism, incompetence, and blatant disregard for their customers are beyond unacceptable. If you’re looking for a caterer to elevate your event, look elsewhere. If you choose Stirring Stafford, be prepared for cold food, filthy utensils, sexist remarks, and a complete and utter ruin of your special occasion.