Founded by our mother-daughter team, led by (mom) Chef Alishba Panjwani, The Saffron Strand is rooted in decades of culinary expertise and a love for sharing soulful food. Chef Alishba, trained at the Institute of Culinary Education and the French Culinary Institute in New York, has led a five-star-rated restaurant and is certified as a Health Coach. Together with her daughter Bisma, a student at NYU, she crafts luxury grazing tables and charcuterie experiences that connect people of all backgrounds—making every occasion truly special.
What truly sets The Saffron Strand apart is our passion for themed creations. When clients share their vision—whether it’s a color palette, cultural motif, or a favorite celebration—we design a bespoke grazing table that reflects their tastes and hospitality. This personalized approach is our specialty, transforming every event into a unique, memorable experience that captures the spirit of your celebration and delights every guest.
Discover recent catering for events in New Jersey, New York, and surrounding states on Instagram below!
We aim to please, and our reviews showcase the effort we put into every single catering event. Browse them below!
"I have a new appreciation for the work on charcuterie boards! I had seen Saffron Strand work at parties and I admired all the work that Alishba had put in. I then hosted my backyard party and requested a smaller board from The Saffron Strand. Everything was fresh and delicious. Everybody loved it and my table looked extra attractive and yummy!
I then wanted to share smaller boards with my clients and upon my request, Alishba came up with non-perishable boxes that were so tasty and so beautiful. My clients loved the idea and I could take a little bit longer to give them away.
I have my go-to person for personal gifts and bigger grazing tables for my events. Highly recommend."
"I recently had the pleasure of using The Saffron Strand custom charcuterie board service for my daughter's baby shower, and I couldn't be more impressed with the entire experience. From start to finish, the service was exceptional and the final product exceeded all expectations. The board was customized for the Bear baby shower theme. The board had a swing and also cute custom bears.
Overall, my experience was nothing short of delightful. It was the highlight of our event, garnering rave reviews from all our guests. Whether for a casual gathering or a formal occasion, I highly recommend their service for anyone looking to add a touch of gourmet elegance to their event."
"It was such a pleasure working with Alishba for a grazing board for my pre-wedding event! We requested something vegetarian and the spread was not only visually stunning but also delicious! The board was devoured in such a short time. Alishba is very talented and would definitely reach out again for any future events. Also, her viral Dubai Chocolate Bars are unreal."
"Thank you so much for helping me with my husband's 50th!!!
They truly went above and beyond. The food was excellent, beautifully presented, and customizable to my preferences. I cannot express how stress-free the setup for my event made me feel. This was a fantastic experience!
I highly recommend hiring @thesaffronstrand. I will definitely be calling them again."
"I had the pleasure with working with Alishba and her team recently for my sister in law’s bridal shower party, and I was genuinely impressed by both the quality of the food and the overall experience. From the moment I reached out to Alishba, it was clear she has a strong and clear attention to detail and client care. Her team was friendly, efficient and seemed genuinely so passionate about their work. She had taken the time to explain the menu and offered helpful recommendations, which really made the experience feel so personal.
Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or lingering for a while, the Saffron Strand has created a welcoming and well-organized set up for any given occasion. Clean, inviting, and thoughtfully arranged. Even to-go boxes were provided for the guests afterwards! The Saffron Strand stands out for their delicious food and desserts, kind service, and thoughtful aesthetically pleasing touches that elevate the whole experience! It’s the kind of catering service you immediately want to hire again and tell all your family and friends about. Highly recommend for anyone looking to hire a catering service for any special events!"
"The Saffron Strand was absolutely amazing to work with! They pulled everything together so beautifully with just three days’ notice — from the gorgeous catering to the stunning decor. They even added extra special touches that made everything feel so thoughtful and personal. Communication was easy and seamless the whole way through, and they were such a joy to work with. So grateful for everything they did to make it all so perfect!"