has designed a creative selection of delicious menu items using the freshest and best ingredients available. Our creativity is dedicated to providing the Bay Area with a European marketplace & cafe that serves the finest house-made foods. Unlike other caterers, is also a bustling cafe and market where many of the items available for catering are also available to be enjoyed on the premises or at home.

"The selection is so vast at Why Cook? that dishes can range from the ordinary to the more creative entrees we took home. It's a cafe you wish was closer to your home because the dinners-to-go are good enough to offer to your family or present at a dinner party." (Joan Zoloth, Oakland Tribune)

Those in the Alameda, Piedmont, and Oakland areas are among the lucky ones who have ready access to - located at Harbor Bay Landing on Bay Farm Island in Alameda.

TAKE-AWAY GOURMET -- We have designed our take-away menu so that you can create a delicious meal for yourself, a party or buffet: a cost-effective way to host an event. Ask for a menu or stop by our cafe and pick one up.

CATERING SERVICES -- offers a complete, personalized catering service to help you plan a menu to meet your budget and event needs. We can assist in coordinating every detail of event including equipment rentals, floral design, customized box lunches and much more!

's catering manager is available for consultation in person by appointment only, or by telephone 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. In order to provide you with the best service possible, appointments are recommended for events that require detailed planning.

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