Three Years Running: How Founding Farmers Co. Catering & Events Welcomes Johns Hopkins University Students in Style

Some partnerships get better every year. For the third consecutive year, Founding Farmers Co. Catering & Events had the honor of catering Johns Hopkins University's student welcome reception at the Bloomberg Center, serving over 350 guests with the kind of intentional, scratch-made hospitality that's become a hallmark of our work together.

Large-Scale Reception Catering in DC: What It Actually Takes 

Welcoming hundreds of new students to a campus is more than a logistical exercise — it's a first impression. For Johns Hopkins University, it was important that impression felt welcoming, celebratory, and worthy of the Bloomberg Center's striking space. Our team delivered a multi-station menu designed to keep 350 guests moving, grazing, and genuinely enjoying themselves.

The evening featured passed hors d'oeuvres including Steak Frites with Basil Aioli and Lamb Meatballs with Mint Chimichurri and Tzatziki, alongside interactive stations built for energy and variety: a Global Street Food Station with Vegan Mini Tacos, Adobo Chicken Empanadas, and Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers; a Slider Station with Baby Smash Cheeseburgers and Falafel Baby Cheese "Burgers"; and a dessert spread featuring a Brownie and Bar Board, Cake and Pie Bite Board, and individual Salted Caramel Custards. A curated Beer and Wine Bar rounded out the experience.

The Case for a Trusted Catering Partner 

When you're hosting an event of this scale year after year, consistency matters as much as quality. Johns Hopkins has trusted us to execute this reception three times, because we bring the same level of care to every guest and every dish every year. We are hospitality professionals with over two decades of experience taking care of guests while operating some of the DMV's most-loved restaurants under the Founding Farmers umbrella.

As caterers, we know everything matters. We understand the key to a great event is taking care of every detail — from how we make guests and clients feel and the precision of the timing and service to the deliciousness of the food, the innovativeness of the drinks, and the sourcing of our ingredients. Majority owned by American family farmers, we see everything Through The Eyes Of The Farmer.™ This means we actively care about where our food comes and how it is made.  We make everything from scratch —  our bread, pasta, sauces, chocolate, pastries, even our spirits — using  ingredients from farmers and producers we know and trust. That commitment to quality is baked into every station, every passed bite, every plate.

Planning a Large Reception in Washington, DC? 

Whether you're welcoming a new class, hosting a corporate reception, or bringing together hundreds of guests for a milestone celebration, Founding Farmers Co. Catering & Events is built for it. Contact us to start planning.