IT'S OUR THIRD ANNUAL look at the businesses of some of the biggest caterers in business. Although they predict a 4 percent falloff in revenue and a 7 percent decline in their event load compared with last year, they hold fast to their dedication to excellent food and superb service. Bon appetit!
A JOY WALLACE CATERING PRODUCTION AND DESIGN TEAM, Miami
CEO Joy J. Wallace
WEB SITE www.ajoywallace.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 350
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $5 million to $7 million
ON SITE Vizcaya Cafe at Vizcaya Museum, Miami, The Kampong, Coconut Grove, Fla., and La Cuisine Gourmet in Coral Gables, Fla.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS Busy with Super Bowl XLIV events including a VIP party at the tailgate event, Direct TV Super Bowl Beach Bowl bash and CBS's Super Bowl event, along with a fourth grand opening for upscale retailer Nordstrom, a wedding featured on the TV show “Platinum Weddings” and the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale annual gala.
SIGNATURE STYLE “We create a fusion of delicious food and custom design; we are about personalization, organization, details, timing,” management says. “We listen to the needs of our clients and dedicate ourselves to the success of their event.”
A LEGENDARY EVENT, Atlanta
CEO Tony Conway, CMP
WEB SITE www.alegendaryevent.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 2,500
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $15 million to $18 million
ON SITE Delta Air Lines training center, American Cancer Society national headquarters, Alston & Bird law firm and World of Coca-Cola Museum, all in Atlanta
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS Event roster this year has included the DIFFA Dining by Design gala, Magnolia Ball for the Tanner Medical Center and Atlanta Botanical Garden's Garden of Eden Ball, plus events for Atlanta Magazine, Saks Fifth Avenue and Delta Air Lines.
SIGNATURE STYLE A Legendary Event's attention to detail, food quality and visual appeal, exceptional service and range of capabilities — including catering, design, decor, floral, entertainment and valet parking — are what make the company truly full-service, management says with pride.
ALONG CAME MARY, Los Angeles
CEO Mary Micucci
WEB SITE www.alongcamemary.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 150 to 175
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $10 million
ON SITE Broad Stage at the Santa Monica [Calif.] College Performing Arts Center
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS On the roster this year: Grammy Awards Celebration, Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards, Macy's Passport, Colburn School gala dinner, launch of Jaguar's XJ and Broad Stage opening night gala.
SIGNATURE STYLE In business more than 30 years, this veteran catering and event company is renowned for its experienced event producers and “impeccable” waitstaff — “Experience matters,” they say. Clients clamour for Mary's short ribs, Parmesan bread pudding and signature warm chocolate brownie pudding.
BEHIND THE SCENES, San Diego and Chicago
CEO John Crisafulli
WEB SITE www.btscenes.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 300 to 350
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $12 million to $13 million
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS Busy over the past year with Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Red Bull Air Races, Chicago Gourmet, Rolls Royce Ride and Drive, and Street Scene Music Festival.
BLUE PLATE, Chicago
CEO Jim Horan
WEB SITE www.blueplatechicago.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 6,700 (Includes drop-off)
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $22 million (catering only)
ON SITE Chicago Symphony's Symphony Center, River East Art Center; company holds “preferred status” at more than 85 venues, management says.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS Company points with pride to the American Cancer Society's Discovery Ball in 2009, which was held on a built-out stage at the Civic Opera House for 900 guests. Blue Plate is also revving up for the BIO Welcome Reception at the Field Museum in May for 3,000 guests.
SIGNATURE STYLE Blue Plate offers “complete foodservice solutions,” management says, including events, weddings, drop-off and restaurants.
CATERING BY MICHAEL'S FAMILY OF COMPANIES, Morton Grove, Ill.
CEO Stewart Glass
WEB SITE www.cateringbymichaels.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 600 full-service, 4,000 drop-off
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $11 million to $12 million
ON SITE Independence Grove, Libertyville; Brae Loch Golf Club, Grayslake; Banner Picnic Grounds, Lake Forest; Tamarack Picnic Grounds, Lincolnshire — all in Illinois.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS Busy this year with Alzheimer's Association benefit, Peddinghaus six-day sales event, and WW Grainger and Medline picnics.
SIGNATURE STYLE Company takes pride in its strong word-of-mouth referrals. “We are known for outstanding food, prepared with a twist and presented beautifully by professional servers on a very consistent basis,” management says. “We constantly tell our sales consultants that we are in the business of selling confidence, not food.”
CREATE FOOD + PARTY DESIGN, London
CEO Richard Groves, Caroline Gardiner
WEB SITE www.createfood.co.uk
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 470
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $15 million
ON SITE Plaisterers' Hall, Salters' Hall and Wax Chandlers' Hall, all in London; Plumpton Racecourse, East Sussex
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS Busy with banquets attended by Prince William, 40 weddings around the U.K., “many, many conferences and meetings,” and the 125th anniversary event for famed British retailer Marks & Spencer attended by 1,250 VIP guests, management says.
SIGNATURE STYLE “We have five D's in our mantra,” management says: “Detail, design, delicious, destinations, delivery. All aspects of events are custom-made and tailored to the clients, their aspirations and their budget.” The team has spent the year developing menus that include informal service techniques and ingredients that are less expensive but cooked to perfection with traditional kitchen methods.
CULINARY CAPERS, Vancouver, British Columbia
CEO Debra Lykkemark
WEB SITE www.culinarycapers.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 1,500 to 2,000 staff events; 10,000 to 15,000 deliveries
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $10 million
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS A busy year, with work for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. Games contracts included national and international Olympic sponsors, Olympics houses, and Fortune 500 corporate and government clients, management says.
SIGNATURE STYLE Company pride is “our ability to produce restaurant-quality food at off-premise locations and our extensive use of fresh, local and seasonal ingredients,” they say.
DESIGN CUISINE, Arlington, Va.
CEO Kathy Valentine
WEB SITE www.designcuisine.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 2,500
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $24 million to $27 million
ON SITE Union Station, Washington, and Ford Orientation Center and Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center, both at Mount Vernon, Va.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS Galas galore in 2010 — this caterer's event work has included the National Trust on the Mall gala, Prevent Cancer Foundation gala, Children's Hospital gala and Sibley Memorial Hospital gala.
SIGNATURE STYLE Management credits its growth from a small, boutique caterer to a leader in the Washington marketplace to the development of a knowledgeable, responsive sales staff, the creation of a highly organized professional kitchen and the acquisition of an extensive collection of unique rental equipment and linens. “Now, after 30 years of leading the Washington catering and event industry, the company continues to provide the innovative menus, quality food preparation, meticulous service and attention to detail that first defined Design Cuisine style,” they say.
EDDIE DEEN, Dallas
CEO Eddie Deen
WEB SITE www.eddiedeen.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 3,000 plus
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $9 million to $11 million
ON SITE Along with off-premise catering, the company serves as the on-site caterer at Edison's and Eddie Deen's Ranch, both in Dallas.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS The big time: This year's event roster has included the Painted Pony Ball in Tulsa, Okla., for 1,000, the Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball for 3,500, BTS Memphis for 2,200 and an ASIS reception for 3,000.
SIGNATURE STYLE Eddie Deen is known for serving thousands of people — from scratch — in minutes, management says: “We have all the infrastructure to execute at any size at any location; the goal is to create a great catered experience for our customers.”
EPICUREAN CULINARY GROUP, Centennial, Colo.
CEO Larry DiPasquale
WEB SITE www.epicureanculinarygroup.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 900 to 1,100
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $10 million to $12 million
ON SITE Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Invesco Field at Mile High stadium, both in Denver, plus Palazzo Verdi at Fiddler's Green, Greenwood Village, Colo.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS A wide range of events over the past year, including the ICAP convention for 8,000, a $2 million celebrity wedding, Mizel Museum kosher event for 1,600 and Denver Center for the Performing Arts fundraiser for 800.
SIGNATURE STYLE Epicurean credits the longevity and expertise of its key event designers and managers for its success. Clients include the Denver Broncos, professional golf tournaments and the Winter X Games
GLOBAL INFUSION GROUP, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, U.K.
CEO Tony Laurenson
WEB SITE www.globalinfusiongroup.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 750 to 800
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $15 million to $20 million
ON SITE Merriweather Post Pavilion, Baltimore; Music Bank, London; German Centre Pudong, China.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS Global truly works globally: The event roster over the past year has included tours with Coldplay, Alicia Keys and the Blackeyed Peas, 15 music festivals including Glastonbury, the Guangzou Asian Games, G20 Summit, Afghan Summit and JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge. The team opened a restaurant in Shanghai under GIG Asian, started a partnership in the Middle East with its base in Qatar, and attained ISO9001 and 14001 certification.
GREAT PERFORMANCES, New York
CEO Liz Neumark
WEB SITE www.greatperformances.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 1,500
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $30 million
ON SITE Sotheby's, Plaza Hotel's Grand Ballroom, Jazz at Lincoln Center, BAM, Wave Hill, Caramoor, El Museo del Barrio, Apollo Theater and Studio Museum in Harlem.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS Busy with Sony Ericsson tennis tourney in Florida, opening-night parties for Broadway shows, Red Dress Awards and the “Today” show wedding.
SIGNATURE STYLE The company's eco-friendly “100 Mile Menu” is a hit for both social and corporate events, management says. “We are also known for our innovative culinary approach, exquisite presentation and impeccable customer service, transforming each event into a great performance.”
HOSPITALITY INC./FESTIVITIES, San Diego
CEO Lisa T. Richards, John K. “Rick” Richards
WEB SITE www.festivitiescatering.com; www.picnicpeoplesandiego.com; www.tka-catering.com; www.simchakoshercatering.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 1,800
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $8 million to $10 million
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS This year's event work has included Fleet Week/Speed Festival car faces and an awards dinner for a blue-chip corporate client.
SIGNATURE STYLE Operations include Festivities Catering and Special Events, Festivities Express drop-off service, Picnic People outdoor barbecue, TK&A Custom Catering and Simcha Kosher Catering.
JEWELL EVENTS CATERING, Chicago
CEO George L. Jewell
WEB SITE www.jewelleventscatering.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 2,500
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $20 million plus
ON SITE The Rookery and EnVent, both in Chicago; also serves as a preferred caterer at “all major venues in Chicago,” management says.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS The last 12 months have seen Jewell handling the groundbreaking event at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Ravinia Festival gala, and the opening of two new restaurants at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
SIGNATURE STYLE Clients “count on our 40-plus years of logistic experience and our deep culinary knowledge to guide them through large and complex events,” management says.
LUNDY'S, Lexington, Ky.
CEO Jerry Lundergan, principal; Abigail Dobson, CFO; Alissa Tibe, v.p. development
WEB SITE www.lundyscatering.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 1,800
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $28 million to $32 million
ON SITE Morehead Conference Center, Morehead; Carrick House, Lexington; Limestone Center, Maysville; and Frankfort Civic Center, Frankfort — all in Kentucky.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS Busy this year with Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Maker's Mark Ambassador event, Rolex Kentucky Derby three-day event, and High Hope Steeplechase — a charity benefit.
SIGNATURE STYLE Lundy's believes “food should be celebrated and savored with friends and family,” management says. “We honor local farming and sustainable practices, no matter our destination. We respect Southern tradition but we think it's all about coloring outside the lines when it comes to fun, creativity and imagination.”
MCCALL ASSOCIATES, San Francisco
CEO Dan McCall, CEO; Lucas Schoemaker, president
WEB SITE www.danmccall.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 650
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $21 million
ON SITE De Young, Palace of the Legion of Honor and Asian Art museums, all in San Francisco
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS This high-end caterer has been busy with opening galas for San Francisco's symphony, opera and ballet; the Black and White Ball; opening galas for the Shanghai, Cartier, Bouquets to Arts, Fall Antique and Tut exhibitions; the Academy of Science gala; and an “extensive” list of corporate events, management says.
SIGNATURE STYLE Seasoned catering pros made all the difference: “McCall Associates has over 60 employees with 10-plus years' experience,” they say. “Our turnover rate is very low; this enables us to be extremely reliable in catering large events requiring a high standard of service.” Along with catering, the company provides lighting, rentals, flowers and design.
MUSTARD CATERING LTD., London
CEO James Hurworth
WEB SITE www.mustardcatering.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 120 to 150
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $6 million to $8 million
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS Event roster this year has included the Pirelli Calendar launch dinner for 800, the “Fantastic Mr. Fox” premiere for 1,400, and a U.S. in-bound stockbrokers' gala for 900 at Hampton Court Palace.
SIGNATURE STYLE Mustard takes pride in its “persistent and first-class quality,” management says, along with its “innovative approaches to classic dishes.”
OCCASIONS CATERERS, Washington
CEO Mark Michael
WEB SITE www.occasionscaterers.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 4,000 to 5,000
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $27 million to $29 million
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS Founded by twin brothers in 1986 with a $500 van and some pots and pans, Occasions has grown to serve corporations and institutions including Exxon-Mobil, Smithsonian Institution museums, Google and MSNBC, along with social events and cultural galas including the legendary Corcoran Ball in Washington.
SIGNATURE STYLE Occasions is known for customized menus and “top-notch cuisine displayed with a classic yet innovative presentation,” management says. The company assists clients with a range of services including hiring servers and entertainment, renting equipment and arranging for floral, lighting and decor.
PATINA CATERING, Los Angeles
CEO Joachim Splichal, chef/founder; Nick Valenti, CEO
WEB SITE patinagroup.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 5,500 plus
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $20 million to $25 million
ON SITE Handles landmark venues including the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A., along with San Francisco War Memorial and the Rockefeller Center Ice Rink in New York.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS A long list that includes the Primetime Emmy Governors Ball, NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall and the Tony Awards.
SIGNATURE STYLE Patina takes special pride in “à la minute cooking at large events, custom menus and impeccable service” for more than 20 years.
PUFF 'N STUFF, Orlando, Fla.
CEO Warren G. Dietel
WEB SITE www.puffnstuff.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 7,500
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $7 million to $8 million
ON SITE The Ballroom at Church Street, Summerlin House and Town Manor, all in greater Orlando, Fla.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS Events this year have included parties during the Floor Covering Show, ICA Regional Education Day, Berkeley Prep gala and Frontline Productions' Night in Tuscany.
SIGNATURE STYLE Plated, family, buffet, stations, bistro — the company does “really just about anything,” they say, along with unique twists on expected themes.
RIDGEWELLS, Washington
CEO Susan Lacz
WEB SITE www.ridgewells.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 14,000
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $20 million
ON SITE Preferred caterer at venues in Washington, Maryland and Virginia.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS On tap this year: U.S. Soccer gala and Nuclear Security Summit.
SIGNATURE STYLE Ridgewells maintains its client base by continually providing “fresh, creative culinary products with a green and sustainable focus,” management says. “We strive to make every event unique and memorable by consistently providing top-quality service.”
STEPHEN STARR EVENTS, Philadelphia
CEO Stephen Starr, CEO; Simon Powles, president
WEB SITE www.starrevents.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 400
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $10.5 million
ON SITE Barnes Foundation, Mann Center for Performing Arts, Franklin Square, Philadelphia Cruise Terminal, the Hub (three locations), all in greater Philadelphia.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS Philadelphia Auto Show black-tie preview gala, Fairmont Park Conservancy gala, Rittenhouse Row Festival, Ball on the Square, Manna Nourish Awards, Philadelphia Union soccer team launch and Episcopal Academy gala.
SIGNATURE STYLE The Starr team “reinvents the traditional event,” management says, with “delectable cuisine, stellar service, hip music and cool settings.”
WINDOWS CATERING CO., Alexandria, Va.
CEO Henry L. Dinardo
WEB SITE www.catering.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 14,500
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $16 million to $18 million
SIGNATURE STYLE “We offer our clients a turnkey solution with full-service catering, party planning and event management services for corporate entertaining, galas and fundraisers, social events, weddings and receptions as well as business breakfast/luncheons,” management says.
WOLFGANG PUCK CATERING, Los Angeles
CEO Carl Schuster
WEB SITE www.wolfgangpuckcatering.com
2010 EVENT COUNT FORECAST 10,000
2010 REVENUE FORECAST $100 million
ON SITE Serves as exclusive caterer for more than 40 venues in cities including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis and Washington.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS Just served the Academy Awards Governors Ball for the 16th year; also busy with Grammy Celebration, “Avatar” premiere and Independent Spirit Awards.
SIGNATURE STYLE WPC uses the “freshest, finest ingredients to provide award-winning restaurant-quality cuisine and service,” management says. The company is “dedicated to the unequivocal celebration of life through good food, good company and welcoming hospitality.”
All information is supplied by the companies listed. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors and omissions sometimes occur. All figures are in U.S. dollars.
Should you be on this list? Let us know by sending an e-mail to [email protected].
