We deliver across the gta, vaughAn, Ajax, pickering, Newmarket, bowmanville, Aurora, Oshawa and king city

Artful Zest's seed-oil-free catering philosophy serving York and Durham Region.

Artful Zest Catering: Our Story

At Artful Zest, our story is rooted in a simple passion: bringing people together over food that is as nourishing as it is delicious. We have worked tirelessly to provide the best catering in Durham Region and the GTA, not just by delivering exceptional flavors, but by setting a higher standard for quality and transparency. Our kitchen is dedicated to healthy catering practices and locally sourced ingredients that reflect our commitment to the community. Whether it’s a corporate lunch or a milestone celebration, our goal is to bring a fresh 'zest' for life and wellness to every table we serve.

We care about you:

We love good food:

We focus on local and sustainable ingredients, quality herbs and spices. We use fresh ground pepper and Himalayan pink salt. We avoid anything processed, all of our dressings, sauces and toppings are made in house.

Your health is important to us. We wash our fruits and vegetables with an organic pesticide removing rinse. We wash all our meats. We only cook with healthy oils (no vegetable or canola oil). Nothing is deep fried.

Your diet matters:

We understand that people have a very diverse range of dietary necessities. We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, keto, gluten free and any other requirements. Let us know and we will modify or create something fantastic.

Your event matters:

Your event is special. It doesn't matter if it's "just" a regular meal or a once in a lifetime event. Our food is perfectly prepared and garnished in an elegant way. Our white platters and bowls display your food beautifully and our black (or bamboo) disposables give an upscale finish to your table setting.

Meet the Chef

The journey began in the heart of a small, family-owned restaurant. Starting as a kitchen helper,

Portrait of the chef in the kitchen, smiling warmly while plating a dish.

Chris Lockhart immediately fell in love with the rhythm of the kitchen and the power of great food to bring people together. Over the course of almost 30 years, that initial spark evolved into a relentless, lifelong pursuit of culinary excellence.

Driven by a desire to master his craft, Chris steadily progressed through the industry's ranks. He transitioned from bustling, high-volume restaurants into the precision of corporate kitchens, and ultimately into the refined world of fine dining. Moving into the luxury catering space, he took the helm to lead large kitchen brigades. It was here that he truly refined his palate and presentation skills, designing and executing menus for high-end clients, exclusive VIP events, and elegant weddings.

Now, striking out on his own with Artful Zest Catering, Chris is taking the absolute best of those three decades and bringing it directly to your table. His vision is to deliver top-tier food experiences that do not force clients to choose between gourmet flavor and clean eating. By pairing his extensive fine-dining background with a strict commitment to healthy, nutrient-dense, and seed-oil-free preparation, Chris ensures that every event is catered with uncompromising quality and artistry.

We accept

Send us a message

Info@artfulzestcatering.ca

(416) 624-8525

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Secure credit card payment options for Artful Zest Catering on the GTA.

We accept Interac e-transfer for healthy catering orders throughout York and Durham Region.

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Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

After hours/weekends leave a message. Text anytime 24/7 and we will respond within 24 hours.

Proudly serving York Region (Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham), Durham Region (Ajax, Pickering, Whitby), and the Greater Toronto Area.