FAQ · 21 answers

Everything you'd ask before booking the cart.

How raclette works, what's included, who we are, where we go, how to book. Pulled directly from the questions guests and clients have actually asked Tomasz over 100+ events. Skip to a topic with the index — or scroll, every answer's short.

01

What is raclette?

Raclette is a traditional Swiss cheese melted in front of guests, scraped live from a half-wheel directly onto food. It's the centerpiece of a Swiss alpine tradition that goes back centuries — equal parts performance and dinner.

The Melted State brings an authentic raclette cart to Tampa Bay weddings, private events, and pop-ups. The wheel goes on the heat, you build your plate, and Tomasz scrapes the molten layer over the top right in front of you.

02

How much raclette do I need per guest?

Plan roughly 4-5 oz of melted raclette per guest for a main-course portion. We scrape live from the wheel at a service pace of about 60 guests per hour, so timing and queue flow are part of the planning conversation.

03

How much does raclette catering cost?

Pricing starts at the 10-guest minimum. A $100 deposit holds your date for groups up to 40 guests; $200 deposit for groups of 40 or more. Final quote returned inside 24 hours of inquiry — pricing depends on guest count, menu add-ons, location, and travel distance.

04

How many guests do you cater for?

Minimum 10 guests. One cart serves up to 200 guests at a service pace of about 60 guests per hour. For larger events, multiple carts or scheduled service waves can be arranged.

05

How far in advance should I book?

Corporate events and private parties: 2 weeks minimum lead time.
Weddings and larger events: 1 month minimum.
Pop-up market dates fill weeks in advance — check the live calendar for upcoming locations.

06

What areas do you cater in?

The Melted State catering service area covers Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties in Florida — including Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Wesley Chapel, and coastal Florida.

07

Do you cater weddings?

Yes — and weddings are some of our favorite events. The Melted State is a popular wedding catering pick for Tampa Bay couples who want something memorable. Tomasz brings 15+ years of hospitality experience including time at Michelin Guide restaurants in Poland.

Wedding bookings require 1 month minimum lead time. The cart handles up to 200 guests at a service pace of about 60/hr.

08

Do you cater corporate events?

Yes. Office parties, conferences, holiday gatherings, and corporate client events are a regular part of our calendar. The interactive live-scraping experience makes corporate catering feel less like food service and more like an event. 2-week minimum lead time for corporate bookings.

09

What's included with raclette catering?

The cart, the half-wheel of raclette, a live attendant scraping cheese, all toppings on your selected menu, all gear (heat lamps, prep stations, serving setup), and full setup & breakdown.

You provide: the venue, the guests, and (for indoor events) a standard power socket.

10

What can guests build with raclette?

Guests pick a base: petite potatoes (garlic, rosemary, olive oil) or toasted ciabatta.

Then they layer spreads: raw honey, bacon jam, fig jam, honey mustard, dijon, hot honey.

Then toppings: prosciutto, salame, pulled chuck roast, pickled onion, baby pickles, sun-dried tomatoes, lingonberry, sweet pear, sour Granny Smith, balsamic glaze, truffle oil.

Then the molten raclette is scraped over the top, right in front of them. No menus, no limits — every plate is a one-off.

11

Do you serve anything besides raclette?

Yes. Beyond the wheel we offer French Onion Soup, Pulled Beef, House Salad, and Salted Caramel Basque Cheesecake as menu add-ons for events. All scratch-made.

12

What's the cart footprint & setup?

The full raclette cart setup is 6 feet by 6 feet. Setup takes about 1 hour from arrival to first scrape.

Outdoor events need no power. Indoor events require a standard wall socket.

13

Do you handle dietary restrictions?

Most spreads and toppings are vegetarian, and raclette itself is gluten-free. The ciabatta base is wheat-based; the petite potato base is gluten-free.

We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan (limited), gluten-free, and most allergies — flag dietary needs in your inquiry and we'll build the menu around them.

14

What if it rains?

For outdoor events affected by weather, we offer rescheduling within 60 days of the original date. Indoor backup locations work just as well — the cart only needs a 6×6 ft footprint and a standard outlet.

15

Do you require a deposit?

Yes. $100 deposit holds your date for groups up to 40 guests. $200 deposit for groups of 40 or more. The deposit applies to your final invoice.

16

Who's behind The Melted State?

Tomasz Golebiowski founded The Melted State in 2025 after 15+ years in hospitality, including time as a sommelier and restaurant manager at Michelin Guide restaurants in Poland.

He moved to the United States to chase the American dream and built The Melted State around a simple belief: great food should bring people together. The cart is the latest iteration of that idea.

17

Where can I see The Melted State at a pop-up?

Recurring pop-ups happen at:

Safety Harbor Market on Main · Dunedin Downtown Market · Tarpon Springs First Friday · Tampa Midtown Sunset Market · St. Pete Distillery Makers & Shakers · 86 Wine Bar (St. Petersburg).

The live calendar updates monthly with all upcoming dates.

18

Have you been featured in the media?

Yes — The Melted State was featured on WFLA Channel 8 Daytime in 2026, with Tomasz demonstrating live raclette on TV alongside hosts Farron Hipp and Maggie Rodriguez.

We've also been covered on Instagram by local food creators including @cravingswithkatrina, @stpete_foodandwine, @foodfreaksguide, and @robsgastronomy.

19

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept multiple payment methods for both the deposit and final invoice. Specifics confirmed during the booking conversation.

20

What's your cancellation policy?

Deposits are non-refundable but transferable to a rescheduled date within 60 days of the original event. Final invoice is due before the event date. Full specifics are covered in your booking confirmation.

21

How do I book?

Use the inquiry form on the home page with your event date, guest count, event type, and venue details. We come back inside 24 hours with availability, a price range, and any clarifying questions.

Or skip the form — call (727) 717-5330 directly.

Ready to book the cart? Drop event details and we'll respond inside 24 hours with availability and a price range. Or call (727) 717-5330.
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