All photos courtesy Mandee Rae Photography
This past November, two Seattle catering and event companies were tasked with bringing the vibe of their city to attendees from across the U.S. and abroad at an annual executive summit. But not any attendee: these are the crème de la crème of catering and events companies, a consortium of the most successful hospitality companies from each region of the U.S. Let’s just say that “one-upmanship” is a hallmark of the Leading Caterers of America executive summits each year, so throwing parties for peers can be intimidating (but fun).
An obstacle: the event was to be held at DSquared Hospitality/Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering’s commissary—a facility currently undergoing a major expansion. Earlier in the year, walls were being knocked down, new offices were being built—would the space be ready in time? Not to worry—DSquared Hospitality and its partner Lisa Dupar Catering put together a night to remember as they replicated the famed Pike Place Market inside the building.
Seattle grunge was the inspiration, with attendees garbed in all iterations of ratty band t-shirts, flannel shirts, ripped jeans, boots, and Converse tennies. A soundtrack from the '90s played hits from Nirvana, Hole, Pearl Jam, and others when local band Fruit Juice took a break. This casual atmosphere made for the best of events—upbeat and full of laughter and conversation—while people mingled through the kitchen, venue, and warehouse, sampling the distinct cuisines and styles of Seattle neighborhoods that give the city its collective flavor.
The parking lot became an area filled with pizza ovens, buskers, jugglers, and other totable snacks—mostly inside tents, due to the Seattle drizzle. An open bar with signature cocktail The Last Word (a Prohibition-era cocktail made a cult classic by famed Seattle bartender Murray Stenson, who had passed just weeks prior) plus other libations kept people lubricated, kitchen spaces were turned into inviting serving areas, reception was a dazzling display of Dupar-crafted chocolate with small logoed to-go bags to stuff with barks and balls, and stilt-walkers dressed as the Seattle Space Needle posed for selfies as roller girls twirled through the event with delicious bites of all kinds.
It was an evening to be remembered, a success, a win. Or, in the words of Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, and Krist Novoselic’s Smells Like Teen Spirit:
And for this gift I feel blessed
Our little group it's always been
And always will until the end
Hello, hello, hello
Monday event sponsors included
Soft Seating & China: Vintage Ambiance | @vintageambiance
Decor: Seattle Event Décor | @seattleeventdecor
Bar Rental: Happy Hour Bar Rentals | @happyhourbarrentals
Accent Lighting: Bellevue Lighting | @bellevuelighting
Glassware: CORT Party Rental | @cortpartyrental
Linens: BBJ La Tavola | @bbjlatavola
AV & Video Mapping: Live Oak Audio Visual | @liveoakav
Signage: Epoch Design Co. | @epochdesign.co
Coffee Station: Caffe Vita | @caffevita
Stilt Walkers: Maison de V | @maison_de_v_entertainment
Photo Booth: 1000 Words Events | @1000words_wa
Transportation: Butler Seattle | @butlerseattle
Roller Skating Servers: Southside Revolution Jr. Roller Derby | @southsiderevolution
Pasta Station: Executive Chef Michele Casadei Massari for Felicetti Pasta | @michelecasadeimassari
Mushrooms: Sno-Valley Mushrooms | @snovalleymushrooms
Chocolate: Barry Callebaut for Cacao Barry | @cacaobarryofficial
Oysters: Hama Hama Oyster Company | @hamahamaoysters
Scallops & Salmon: Ocean Beauty | @oceanbeautyseafoods
Florals: C Franklin Design | @cfranklindesign
Event Photography: Mandee Rae Photography | @mandeerae
Portrait Photography: Shannon Beauclair | @beauclairphotography
DJ: Atticus | @atticuszenan
Band: Fruit Juice | @the_fruit_juice_show
Busker: Evan Daley | @evancdaley
Singer: Luke Bob Robinson | @lukebobrobinson
Live Artist: Leo Shallat | @leo.shallat
Graffiti Artist: Josh S.
Pike Place Bouquets: WA Hmong Farmers Cooperative | @wahmongfarmers
Cider: Finnriver | @finnriver
Produce: Jon the Farmer | @jonthefarmerseattle
Poster Design: Andrew Martinez | @andrewrawrtinez
Sponsors: SB Value | @wegrowvalue, T-Mobile for Business, US Foods CORT Party Rental | @cortpartyrental, US Foods | @us_foods, Epoch Design Co.| @epochdesign.co
