Private Culinary Events at Babylon Mercantile

Your People.
Your Occasion.
Your Merc.

Celebrate life's most meaningful moments through food, connection and experience. Our private culinary events pair a hands-on activity with a chef-prepared meal and plenty of time to celebrate together.

Plan Your Event Explore the Options
A long table set for a private dinner with greenery and candles
Two guests in Mercantile aprons smiling beside a tray of handmade pasta
Up to 40 guestsYour group only
Four hoursTo cook, dine and celebrate
Chef-led activityLight and hands-on
Chef-catered mealServed buffet style
Want everyone cooking the whole meal? Our Private Cooking Classes are fully hands-on for groups of up to 24.
Plan Your Event

Two ways to party.

Build your own event from our activities and catered menu, or choose a curated theme and let us handle the rest. Either way, you can add enhancements to make it yours.

Handmade gnocchi with pesto
Option 01

Build Your Own Party

Choose a hands-on activity, then build your catered meal course by course.

You choose the activity and the menu Start Building
A styled table with spaghetti, tomatoes and daisies
Option 02

Choose a Curated Theme

You choose the experience. The Merc curates the menu, décor and activities.

La Dolce Vita · Oktoberfest · San Gennaro · Dragalicious See the Themes
Option 01 · Build Your Own Party

Your party, your menu.

Pick one hands-on activity, then choose one item from each course. Focaccia and a cookie platter are always included.

Step 1

Choose your hands-on activity

Hand-Shaped PastaGnocchiMozzarella MakingFocaccia ArtPita Bread & TzatzikiNaanStromboliButtermilk BiscuitsSconesCannoliCookie DecoratingItalian CookiesBrownies or BlondiesApple CrispBerry CrispFruit CobblerDrop DonutsPanna Cotta

Our chef will lead your group through one activity. Some activities may carry an upgrade.

Step 2

Build your catered meal

Choose one appetizer

Crudités with Homemade DipBruschetta BoardWhipped Ricotta with Fruit or CrostiniAranciniCharcuterieProsciutto with MelonProsciutto with Grilled PeachMortadella SkewersMezze PlatterPizzettePanelleCaramelized Onion FlatbreadTomato TartSteak Toast with HorseradishShrimp CocktailChicago-Style Pigs in a BlanketLamb Chops with Grilled LemonUpgrade

Choose one pasta

Blistered TomatoAmatricianaAlla NormaPestoBroccoli Rabe PestoNeranoSpicy VodkaRigatoni al FornoPasta ai FunghiSeasonal RisottoUpgradeLasagna BologneseUpgradePasta BologneseUpgrade

Choose one main

Roasted Pesto ChickenChicken ScarparielloGrilled Chicken with HerbsChicken MilaneseFried Chicken & BiscuitsEggplant al Forno (vegetarian)Maple-Mustard SalmonMiso-Glazed SalmonSliced Sirloin with Salsa VerdeRoast PorkPorchettaBeef BourguignonSunday Sauce with MeatballsBraised Short RibsOsso BucoPremium Steak CutsUpgrade

Choose one vegetable

Roasted Seasonal VegetablesSautéed GreensBroccoli Rabe

Choose one salad

CaesarSpinach CaesarChef's SeasonalSicilian Fennel & OrangeTricolorCapreseUpgradeGrilled Peach, Burrata & ProsciuttoUpgrade

Choose one protein or one vegetarian main. Focaccia and a cookie platter are included with every meal.

Step 3

Choose your service

BuffetFamily StyleUpgrade
Step 4 · Optional

Add a take-home experience

Merc-Cello MakingUpgradeOlive Oil & Vinegar BarUpgradeSpice MarketUpgrade

Upgrade Premium selections are available as upgrades. Extra dishes can be added to your meal.

Option 02 · Curated Themes

You choose the experience. We curate the rest.

Each theme is fully produced by The Merc, with a Chef's Choice menu, themed décor and a hands-on activity chosen together with our chef.

A La Dolce Vita Pasta Making Guide on a place setting with citrus
Curated Theme

La Dolce Vita

A celebration of Southern Italian tradition, where craftsmanship and connection come together in a lively, hands-on experience.

Hands-On Activity

Handmade pasta, cannoli, Italian cookies or mozzarella

Inquire About La Dolce Vita
What's Included
  • A generous Chef's Choice feast with appetizer stations, pasta, main, sides, salad and dessert
  • Buffet or family-style service
  • Themed décor, upgraded tablescape and centerpieces
  • One hands-on activity, plus a culinary activation chosen by The Merc
  • Spritz service or a premium beer keg
  • Added service staff and event coordination

Want live entertainment? Ask about adding an entertainment allowance to your theme.

Add-Ons & Enhancements

Make it unforgettable.

Personalize any event with additional catering, stations, entertainment and styling. Enhancements are priced separately and subject to availability.

Additional Catering

  • Extra appetizers & platters
  • Additional pasta, mains & sides
  • Potatoes, mac & cheese & rice sides
  • Brunch trays
  • Custom cake

Menu Upgrades

  • Premium steak cuts & lamb chops
  • Lasagna & pasta Bolognese
  • Seasonal risotto
  • Caprese & burrata salads
  • Family-style service

Stations & Drinks

  • Berkel prosciutto carving station
  • Mozzarella station
  • Omelet station
  • Pizza-making station
  • Ice cream bar
  • Prosecco station & Bestea Bar
  • Calvisius caviar station
  • Wine upgrades, spritz service & beer keg

Take-Home Experiences

  • Merc-Cello making
  • Olive Oil & Vinegar Bar
  • Spice Market spice kits
  • A second hands-on activity

Entertainment & Activities

  • Singers & live performers
  • DJ & MC
  • Drag performer
  • Caricature artist
  • Build Your Bouquet Bar
  • Perfume bar
  • Forever Fused
  • Kids' crafts

Décor, Gifts & Extras

  • Custom tablescapes & florals
  • Premium glassware, chargers & linens
  • Arches, backdrops & Vespa display
  • Custom & embroidered aprons
  • Merc Gift Boxes & favors
  • Photographer
  • Additional event time
What's Included

Every private culinary event includes

  1. A long table set in the Mercantile's glass-enclosed patio

    Four hours with exclusive use of our space for up to 40 guests

  2. Guests shaping pasta together at the Mercantile kitchen counter

    A chef-led, hands-on culinary activity

  3. A platter of roasted chicken served family style

    A chef-catered meal with focaccia and dessert

  4. Beef carpaccio at a table set with red wine and bread

    House wine, beer, sparkling water, coffee & tea

  5. Custom printed Mercantile menu card with eucalyptus

    Custom recipe packets for your guests

  6. Number cake decorated with blue macarons and meringues

    Our Celebration Package for your whole party

Good to Know

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a Private Culinary Event and a Private Cooking Class?

A Private Culinary Event is more social: your group enjoys one lighter hands-on activity and a chef-catered meal, for up to 40 guests. In a Private Cooking Class, your group of up to 24 cooks the full meal together with our chefs.

Should we build our own or choose a curated theme?

Build Your Own lets you pick the activity and every course of your meal. With a Curated Theme, you choose the theme and The Merc curates the menu, décor and experience for you.

How many guests can we bring?

Private Culinary Events are designed for up to 40 guests and run for four hours. For groups of 41 to 60, we can create a custom format.

Can you accommodate allergies and dietary needs?

Share any allergies or dietary needs when you inquire. Our chefs can often make ingredient-level adjustments, and Build Your Own menus include a vegetarian main option. We can't guarantee an allergen-free kitchen.

What drinks are included?

House wine, beer, sparkling water, coffee and tea are included. Curated themes also include spritz service or a premium beer keg. Premium drinks are available as an add-on.

Do you host corporate team building?

Yes. Qualifying corporate groups can Meet First, Cook Later: arrive early for a team meeting on our patio with coffee, tea, breakfast pastries and fruit, plus AV for presentations. Subject to availability. For something more competitive, ask about The Merc DICED Challenge.

Questions? Call 631-818-1100 Email contact@babylonmercantile.com 45 E. Main Street, Babylon, NY 11702
Moments at the Merc
Plan Your Event

Let's start planning.

Tell us about your gathering and our team will be in touch to plan the details.

  • 01Share your date, group size and occasion
  • 02Build your own or choose a curated theme
  • 03Add any enhancements to make it yours
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