Our Story
Hi, I’m Caleb, and I’m proud to carry on the Layton family tradition at Layton’s Catering for the third generation. My dad, Ricky Layton, started it all—his journey in the food industry began when he was just 14, working at Don Murray’s BBQ in Raleigh, NC. By his early 20s, he was a co-owner of the restaurant and made it a local favorite. Even after selling it in the late ‘80s, demand for his signature barbecue never faded, leading him to launch Layton’s Catering in 1988.
The family business quickly became a true family effort. My grandparents, affectionately known to all as Granny and Papa, joined Layton’s Catering in the early ‘90s after retiring from their careers in state government and many years of tobacco farming. For nearly 30 years, they played an essential role in shaping the company’s reputation for exceptional food and warm hospitality.
I grew up immersed in the business, learning everything from customer service to what it takes to make an event special. But after college, I took a different path, spending 18 years in pharmaceutical research. Even so, catering was always in my blood, and in 2025, I made the leap to take over Layton’s Catering, continuing the family legacy as the third generation.
There’s one other important part of my journey: in 2007, I met my wife, Molly. She’s a vegetarian, which initially threw me for a loop—I grew up thinking meat was the star of every meal. The first time Molly met my Grandpa (Papa), there was a full-sized pig strapped down in the back of his Buick, ready for the smoker. Welcome to the family, babe!! But over the years, she’s broadened my culinary perspective, helping me explore new flavors and creative ways to cook. Thanks to her, I’ve expanded my skills beyond BBQ, learning to craft dishes that satisfy every palate.
Today, I bring that experience—along with three generations of family dedication—to every event we cater. Whether it’s a backyard BBQ, corporate lunch, wedding, or anything in between, you can count on Layton’s Catering for exceptional food made with passion, tradition, and a touch of creativity.
When I'm not catering, you can find me wrangling my wild and wonderful family. I have two daughters who keep me on my toes (and keep my coffee or bourbon pour strong), but I wouldn’t trade the chaos for anything—being their dad is the best gift God ever gave me. We’re an outdoorsy bunch, spending as much time as possible hunting, fishing, and just soaking in the fresh air. It’s my way of staying sane in this noisy world, and luckily, my girls love it just as much as I do. Our family motto? “We bring the party!” - and that’s exactly the energy I bring to Layton’s Catering. Whether it’s a backyard BBQ or a wedding, I’m all about good food, great company, and making sure everyone has a memorable time. I can’t wait to share that with you!
The family business quickly became a true family effort. My grandparents, affectionately known to all as Granny and Papa, joined Layton’s Catering in the early ‘90s after retiring from their careers in state government and many years of tobacco farming. For nearly 30 years, they played an essential role in shaping the company’s reputation for exceptional food and warm hospitality.
I grew up immersed in the business, learning everything from customer service to what it takes to make an event special. But after college, I took a different path, spending 18 years in pharmaceutical research. Even so, catering was always in my blood, and in 2025, I made the leap to take over Layton’s Catering, continuing the family legacy as the third generation.
There’s one other important part of my journey: in 2007, I met my wife, Molly. She’s a vegetarian, which initially threw me for a loop—I grew up thinking meat was the star of every meal. The first time Molly met my Grandpa (Papa), there was a full-sized pig strapped down in the back of his Buick, ready for the smoker. Welcome to the family, babe!! But over the years, she’s broadened my culinary perspective, helping me explore new flavors and creative ways to cook. Thanks to her, I’ve expanded my skills beyond BBQ, learning to craft dishes that satisfy every palate.
Today, I bring that experience—along with three generations of family dedication—to every event we cater. Whether it’s a backyard BBQ, corporate lunch, wedding, or anything in between, you can count on Layton’s Catering for exceptional food made with passion, tradition, and a touch of creativity.
When I'm not catering, you can find me wrangling my wild and wonderful family. I have two daughters who keep me on my toes (and keep my coffee or bourbon pour strong), but I wouldn’t trade the chaos for anything—being their dad is the best gift God ever gave me. We’re an outdoorsy bunch, spending as much time as possible hunting, fishing, and just soaking in the fresh air. It’s my way of staying sane in this noisy world, and luckily, my girls love it just as much as I do. Our family motto? “We bring the party!” - and that’s exactly the energy I bring to Layton’s Catering. Whether it’s a backyard BBQ or a wedding, I’m all about good food, great company, and making sure everyone has a memorable time. I can’t wait to share that with you!