eat small plates

What We Do

Eat Small Plates is the antidote to your gathering’s conventional “catering” experience.

We offer shareable, soul-nourishing, sustainably-sourced meals, infused with Chef Zikki and Bengingi’s blend of Israeli + Ukrainian hospitality, and global slow-food-inspired ethos. We make sure you are taken care of from the moment we greet you to the final sweep of the kitchen.

Eat Small Plates combines culinary precision and a team of NYC-based, industry experts to your event who take care of it all.

From your initial consultation, to clean-up at the end of the night – we’ve got you covered: Menu-building, sourcing, chef-ing, rentals, set-up, service, and turn-down…

You celebrate, we host.

Our Philosophy

The Food

Every item on your table is hand-picked by the chefs.
We’re committed to sourcing only the highest quality ingredients, working closely with the brightest and best local purveyors who share our values: authenticity, seasonality, and joy. Sometimes, we even forage ingredients ourselves! We curate a unique Eat Small Plates experience for your gathering.

Every choice, down to the type of pickles and tangy treats, is a precise selection. Your celebration’s menu will vary based on the event size and type. If you have special requests within what we already provide– want Shawarma Station? A Raw Bar?– that is more than welcome, let’s discuss!

Each ESP menu offers intentionally assembled, shareable plates rooted in Ben and Zikki’s blended culinary heritage and varied global culinary traditions to create bold, soul-nourishing, hands-on experiences for every gathering. We want to see people reaching across the table, passing plates, and tearing into warm pita.

YASSS!

The Team

Our team consists of seasoned, NYC-based service professionals whose skills run the gamut: prep cooks, bakers, servers, pastry chefs, and mixologists. We choose team members who are not only talented, but also share our values in service—motivated, precise, and passionate about what they do. From menu design to cocktails, set-up to service, rentals to clean-up—we handle every detail so you can simply… enjoy.

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Our Offerings

Intimate Meals (10–20 Guests)

Hosting a Shabbat dinner? Planning a cozy birthday celebration? Breaking a fast with your family? We love an intimate gathering — sentimental, and full of flavor!

Delicious for: Shabbat dinners, Yom Kippur Break-Fasts, milestone birthdays, casual apartment hangs.

Mid-Sized Gatherings (30–80 Guests)

Whether it’s a team happy hour, a non-profit sponsorship lunch, or your sister’s dream baby shower, we’re here to make it effortless (and delish!).
Delicious for: Office parties, community mixers, showers, nonprofit luncheons.

Large Celebrations (80–200 Guests)

Company holiday party? Graduation bash? Your synagogue’s end-of-year gala? We’ve got you!
Delicious for: Corporate events, big birthdays, community galas, school or temple celebrations.

EPIC Events (250+ Guests)

Planning an XL event? We’re so in. Reach out to us at zikki@bengingi.com and we’ll get into the nitty gritty together. Weddings, festivals, fundraisers — you name it.

You celebrate, we host.

YASSS! Plan your gathering!

Frequently Asked Questions

1

Do you offer bar services/craft cocktails/bartenders or do I bring my own alcohol?

You provide the alcohol, we provide the service. We can handle everything from menu, bartenders, rentals, and ICE (the most important ingredient at any bar!).

2

Who makes the menu?

Chefs Ben & Zikki design each menu for your event within your party’s dietary restrictions and allergies.

3

Can I supply my own servers?

No, we bring our own team members for food service depending on the size of your event. If you prefer to use your own cleaners, please let us know and we can discuss.

4

When do you arrive at the event?

Prep begins days in advance, sometimes weeks: Our team is shopping, prepping, and possibly scoping out your event space to prepare for day-of. We will show up to the event space on the day of your event (on occasion, the day before). The ETA for our team on the day-of will depend on the scale of your gathering. Typically, 7-8 hours before the meal.

5

Can you make my grandma’s lasagna?

Generally, we build the menu specifically to curate the unique Eat Small Plates experience for your gathering. The menu will vary based on your event size and type. If you have special requests within what we already provide– like a Shawarma Station or Freshly Grilled Seafood – that is more than welcome, let’s discuss! Email us at zikki@bengingi.com.

6

What if I have dietary restrictions?

No problem! Please let us know during your consultation call and we can discuss the best way forward. This must be done in advance of menu-building.

7

How does payment work?

Upon confirmation of your date you will receive an invoice for a 50% deposit. This deposit secures your date, and is non-refundable. Within 24 hours of the end of your event, you will receive an invoice for the remaining 50% plus any additional last-minute services requested, and an option for gratuity.

Once you receive the invoice we require payment within 3 days after your event. All payments can be made directly through the invoice link.

8

What about tipping?

We take payment in one all-inclusive sum with a breakdown of our services provided.
At the end of the event, if you feel so inclined, a cash tip is welcome, but you also have an opportunity to add gratuity through the invoice.

9

I’m in Florida, will you come to me?

We typically travel with our team within the Tri-State Area. That said, we are open to discussing destination events, drop us a line!

10

More specific questions?

Reach out to us at zikki@bengingi.com

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