• People’s Choice Award "Best Caterer" 9 Consecutive Years
• Voted "Best of the Best" 2002, ‘03, ‘04, ‘05, ‘06, ‘07
• Voted "Best of Show" at the 2007 Taste of Desoto
• Recipient of The International Ambassador’s Award

John Woods, Owner

John Woods, former owner of Catfish Corner Restaurant in Horn Lake, Mississippi began the Catfish Corner Catering Company in the Fall of 1996 as a result of the requests of his customers who desired the same quality and consistency of food at catered events that they received in his popular restaurant. The new catering business grew to the point that Woods sold his restaurant in 1997 to devote full time to his on-site catering service.

Since most of Woods’ business was repeat, he decided to expand into other types of foods, thus creating First Choice Catering. Both of Woods’ companies have received National and International recognition for the quality and consistency of food and service they deliver to their customers and for their versatility in preparing a wide variety of menu selections.

Woods and his staff have worked with six different countries from around the world and have catered for some of the largest and most prestigious events in North America. They have received the People’s Choice Award for "Best Caterer" for 9 consecutive years.

First Choice Catering is proud to be a member of these organizations: Better Business Bureau, National Association of Catering Executives (NACE), Southaven Chamber of Commerce, Horn Lake Chamber of Commerce, Tunica Chamber of Commerce, DeSoto Economic Counsel, Germantown Chamber of Commerce, Hernando Chamber of Commerce.

First Choice Catering, a sister company of Catfish Corner Catering, was formed to provide a wider selection of menus for the ever increasing request of our clientele. Over ninety percent of the companies that invite us to cater one event ask us to come back time after time to meet all of their catering needs. Catfish Corner Catering has catered for some of the most prestigious events in the world, including four consecutive years, 1997≠2000, Smithsonian Institution American Folklife Festival (World’s Largest Festival), Belzoni Catfish Festival (World’s Largest Fish Fry), U.S. Ambassador’s Residence - Ottawa, Canada 1999 (Largest Private Party in Canada), five consecutive years Mississippi on the Mall in Washington, D.C. and People’s Choice Best Catering Award. Numerous companies, churches, schools, and private parties throughout the Mid-South and across the country have depended upon our professional services.

Best of Show for the 2007 Taste of Desoto
Pictured left to right: Chef Miguel Palmieri, John Woods, Owner First Choice Catering,
Celebrity Chef, Carissa Seward, Chef Antonio Taylor

• Voted People’s Choice Award - Best Caterer for the past 9 consecutive years.
• Started in November of 1996 as a secondary company to Catfish Corner Restaurant in Horn Lake, MS. Catered for small private parties and corporate functions.
• Has developed into one of the leading catering companies in the area, now having catered for hundreds of corporations, churches, schools and other private functions across the United States and Canada.
• Selected in 1997 by the Smithsonian Institution to represent the State of Mississippi at the American Folk-Life Festival on the Mall in Washington, D.C.
• Selected in 1998 by the Smithsonian Institution to assist the countries of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania at the American Folk-Life Festival on the Mall in Washington, D.C.
• Selected in 1999 to be the exclusive caterer for the World Catfish Festival in Belzoni, MS. (World’s Largest Fish Fry)
• Selected in 1999 to cater at the United States Ambassador’s personal residence in Ottawa, Canada for the largest party in Canada (approximately 6000 in attendence).
• Selected in 1999 by the Smithsonian Institution to assist the country of Romania at the American Folk-Life Festival in Washington, D.C.
• Selected in 2000 by the exiled country of Tibet to manage their concession at the American Folk-Life Festival in Washington, D.C.
• Selected in 2000 by the Smithsonian Institution to manage the Rio Grande Region at the American Folk-Life Festival in Washington, D.C.
• Selected in 2001 by the country of Bermuda to represent and manage the concessions at the American Folk-Life Festival in Washington, D.C.
• We have catered six consecutive years for Mississippi on the Mall in Washington DC.

Whether your next event is formal or informal, large or small, let First Choice Catering be your first and only choice. Contact us today to schedule us for your next event.