Thoughtfully Crafted Food.

Beautifully Presented.

Thoughtfully Crafted Food.

Beautifully Presented.

Artfully prepared cuisine and seamless service for life’s most meaningful gatherings.

Scenic waterfront boardwalk in Wilmington, North Carolina, with people strolling and dining at outdoor tables, showcasing vibrant atmosphere for luxury catering events.

ABOUT CHEF DEX

Wilmington North Carolina's Destination for Luxury Catering.

Castle Gardens ILM delivers Wilmington North Carolina's premier destination for luxury catering. Led by Chef Dex, we infuse her Bahamian heritage and vibrant Caribbean flavors into every handcrafted menu. Our team specializes in stunning, high-end dining experiences, utilizing locally sourced meats and farm-fresh produce to ensure that every event across the Cape Fear region is defined by exceptional beauty, flavor, and turn-key service

Scenic waterfront boardwalk in Wilmington, North Carolina, with people strolling and dining at outdoor tables, showcasing vibrant atmosphere for luxury catering events.

ABOUT CHEF DEX

Wilmington North Carolina's Destination for Luxury Catering.

Castle Gardens ILM delivers Wilmington North Carolina's premier destination for luxury catering. Led by Chef Dex, we infuse her Bahamian heritage and vibrant Caribbean flavors into every handcrafted menu. Our team specializes in stunning, high-end dining experiences, utilizing locally sourced meats and farm-fresh produce to ensure that every event across the Cape Fear region is defined by exceptional beauty, flavor, and turn-key service

Wilmington, NC’s Trusted Chef for Luxury Catering & Events

ABOUT CHEF DEX

DXtira “Dex” Brown is the CEO and founder of Castle Gardens ILM, a Wilmington-based catering and event planning company inspired by her Bahamian roots and love for lush, natural beauty. After nearly 20 years as a healthcare and emergency frontline worker, the pandemic prompted her to pursue a more purposeful path centered on family, wellness, and creativity. Transitioning from nursing to event planning also marked a personal health journey, leading her to embrace organic living and a healthier lifestyle. Through Castle Gardens ILM, Dex offers thoughtfully curated charcuterie boards, full-service catering, and customized event planning designed to create memorable, stress-free celebrations. Looking ahead to Spring 2030, she envisions expanding into a full-scale botanical garden and venue in Wilmington that promotes organic living, community connection, and meaningful life celebrations.

Chef DXtira “Dex” Brown in a black chef coat from Castle Gardens ILM, smiling and holding a flaming knife, representing luxury catering and event planning in Wilmington, NC.

Wilmington, NC’s Trusted Chef for Luxury Catering & Events

ABOUT CHEF DEX

DXtira “Dex” Brown is the CEO and founder of Castle Gardens ILM, a Wilmington-based catering and event planning company inspired by her Bahamian roots and love for lush, natural beauty. After nearly 20 years as a healthcare and emergency frontline worker, the pandemic prompted her to pursue a more purposeful path centered on family, wellness, and creativity. Transitioning from nursing to event planning also marked a personal health journey, leading her to embrace organic living and a healthier lifestyle. Through Castle Gardens ILM, Dex offers thoughtfully curated charcuterie boards, full-service catering, and customized event planning designed to create memorable, stress-free celebrations. Looking ahead to Spring 2030, she envisions expanding into a full-scale botanical garden and venue in Wilmington that promotes organic living, community connection, and meaningful life celebrations.

Chef DXtira “Dex” Brown in a black chef coat from Castle Gardens ILM, smiling and holding a flaming knife, representing luxury catering and event planning in Wilmington, NC.

OUR OFFERINGS

An Elevated Culinary Experience

for Meaningful Gatherings

Catering display featuring croissant sandwiches filled with chicken salad, garnished with decorative toothpicks, and accompanied by assorted sliders, charcuterie, and fresh fruit cups, showcasing Castle Gardens ILM's elevated culinary offerings for events.

Gather & Graze

Buffet table featuring a variety of dishes including scrambled eggs and baked goods, adorned with decorative autumn leaves and elegant serving utensils, representing Castle Gardens ILM's catering offerings for events.

Elevated Brunch Experience

Elegant grazing table featuring a variety of handcrafted spreads, including pastries, fruits, and salads, adorned with fresh flowers, set in a refined venue for intimate gatherings and corporate events.

Themed Corporate Parties

Elegant catering display featuring an array of fresh fruits, pastries, and desserts, with guests enjoying a coastal gathering in a stylish kitchen setting.

Private Catering

Chef Dex from Castle Gardens ILM wearing a black culinary jacket, smiling in a welcoming setting with a framed military portrait, flowers, and a folded American flag on a wooden table, emphasizing the elevated culinary experience for meaningful gatherings.

Celebration of Life Repasses

Charcuterie board featuring an assortment of cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and decorative garnishes, showcasing an elevated culinary experience for gatherings by Castle Gardens ILM.

Charcuterie

OUR OFFERINGS

An Elevated Culinary Experience

for Meaningful Gatherings

Catering display featuring croissant sandwiches filled with chicken salad, garnished with decorative toothpicks, and accompanied by assorted sliders, charcuterie, and fresh fruit cups, showcasing Castle Gardens ILM's elevated culinary offerings for events.

Gather & Graze

Buffet table featuring a variety of dishes including scrambled eggs and baked goods, adorned with decorative autumn leaves and elegant serving utensils, representing Castle Gardens ILM's catering offerings for events.

Elevated Brunch Experience

Elegant grazing table featuring a variety of handcrafted spreads, including pastries, fruits, and salads, adorned with fresh flowers, set in a refined venue for intimate gatherings and corporate events.

Themed Corporate Parties

Elegant catering display featuring an array of fresh fruits, pastries, and desserts, with guests enjoying a coastal gathering in a stylish kitchen setting.

Private Catering

Chef Dex from Castle Gardens ILM wearing a black culinary jacket, smiling in a welcoming setting with a framed military portrait, flowers, and a folded American flag on a wooden table, emphasizing the elevated culinary experience for meaningful gatherings.

Celebration of Life Repasses

Charcuterie board featuring an assortment of cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and decorative garnishes, showcasing an elevated culinary experience for gatherings by Castle Gardens ILM.

Charcuterie

WHY CASTLE GARDENS ILM

Chef-Led, Not Factory Catering

Every menu is personally crafted by Chef Dex. No templates. No shortcuts. Just intentional cuisine designed around your event.

Seamless, Professional Service

Clear communication, polished execution, and a calm presence from planning through cleanup.

Designed for Meaningful Moments

Weddings, milestone celebrations, and private gatherings where details matter and memories last.

Boutique by Choice

We take on a limited number of events to ensure each client receives full attention and care.

WHY CASTLE GARDENS ILM

Chef-Led, Not Factory Catering

Every menu is personally crafted by Chef Dex. No templates. No shortcuts. Just intentional cuisine designed around your event.

Seamless, Professional Service

Clear communication, polished execution, and a calm presence from planning through cleanup.

Designed for Meaningful Moments

Weddings, milestone celebrations, and private gatherings where details matter and memories last.

Boutique by Choice

We take on a limited number of events to ensure each client receives full attention and care.

Table setting at Castle Gardens ILM featuring a floral centerpiece, elegant table runner, and menu cards for a memorable event experience.

Seamless. Elevated. Completely Turn-Key.

Castle Gardens ILM provides comprehensive event-space design and professional day-of wedding coordination, all delivered as a fully managed, turn-key experience. We oversee every detail so you don’t have to. From concept to execution, our team ensures your event unfolds effortlessly.

What's included in all our Turn-Key Catering Packages:

Setup/Breakdown of Venue 

Custom Table Scapes

Custom Menu

Fresh Florals in your color scheme 

Servers

Custom Decor for your venue. 

Custom Linens for your venue. 

Custom Welcome Board

Food Set Up

Custom Cutlery 

Table setting at Castle Gardens ILM featuring a floral centerpiece, elegant table runner, and menu cards for a memorable event experience.

Seamless. Elevated. Completely Turn-Key.

Castle Gardens ILM provides comprehensive event-space design and professional day-of wedding coordination, all delivered as a fully managed, turn-key experience. We oversee every detail so you don’t have to. From concept to execution, our team ensures your event unfolds effortlessly.

What's included in all our Turn-Key Catering Packages:

Setup/Breakdown of Venue 

Custom Table Scapes

Custom Menu

Fresh Florals in your color scheme 

Servers

Custom Decor for your venue. 

Custom Linens for your venue. 

Custom Welcome Board

Food Set Up

Custom Cutlery 

Short Notice. Exceptional Results.

We understand that sometimes events come together quickly. Castle Gardens ILM specializes in fast turnarounds while maintaining the same level of quality, presentation, and service, without excessive rush charges. If your event is within 30 days, please call us directly to secure your date.

Bride and groom seated on elegant couch, showcasing wedding attire, floral accents, and natural outdoor setting, reflecting luxury event design by Castle Gardens ILM.
Smiling group photo featuring a Castle Gardens ILM staff member in a branded apron with two guests, showcasing a welcoming atmosphere for luxury event catering in Wilmington, NC.

Our turnkey luxury catering services in Wilmington, NC and surrounding coastal areas begin at $3,000.

Castle Gardens ILM Local Features

Recognized across Wilmington North Carolina and the surrounding NC coastal communities for exceptional catering and event design.

WECT News 6 logo featuring bold blue text and a colorful NBC peacock symbol, representing local news coverage in Wilmington, North Carolina.
StarNews Online logo featuring the initials "SN" in a circular design, representing a local news outlet in Wilmington, NC, relevant for updates on luxury catering and event planning services.
WILMA logo featuring bold red letters, representing Wilmington's Successful Woman publication, emphasizing local empowerment and community engagement.
ServSafe and Enderun Extension certified food handler badge with a gold star background.

Contact Us Today

877-732-2785