Vendor Spotlight: Sonoma Caterers

Amber Belshaw of Sonoma Caterers is fascinating. A formally US- and European-trained chef she also has people skills down to a science. It’s probably why Sonoma Caterers is such a success. While Amber serves as Executive Chef, she still insists on meeting every couple face-to-face and minimizes her number of commitments to devote the utmost attention to each event. She prides herself on making sure that she delivers exactly what couples want on the menu for their Big Day. “We are not platinum or over the top, I specialize in real events for real couples,” she says humbly.

Amber tells us that unique venues can help to spark unique experiences. “If I have power and water I am happy,” she says. “It’s not uncommon to be on a dirt road in a vineyard or on a mountain top. I have twice cracked the oil pan in my car on the roads that we cater. Yes, a four course wine dinner with no water, no power and you have to bring in all of the equipment.” Clearly she has to think of the location when creating a menu, as there are some things that cannot be made without an oven. “I can do a great menu on a BBQ and you would never know it” she admits.

So beyond the fact that you will have fantastic, fresh food at your wedding, Sonoma Caterers are friendly and warm. “We are a company with a green-certified and moral conscience; my staff has options for medical, health and retirement. Happy staff to me equals happy guests. When you work with us you will feel that you planned it yourself. We sit down and talk about the guests wants, likes, dislikes and put those in the event. I really listen. Our style is ‘good food done well’. We are in Sonoma County and do business in that style. I am blessed that I get to spend everyday doing what I love.”

Vendor Spotlight: Organic Chef Catering

For couples out there wishing to provide sustainable, organic food at your wedding, consider Organic Chef Catering. Eden Benavides, Director of Events, tells us all about OCC: “Through a program of environmental accountability, we've created a system that incorporates high quality organic cuisine, fine table service, sustainable transportation and our goal of producing zero waste.”

Eden also tells us about their team of highly trained and experienced event professionals. Each season, they bring together new talent and are supported by a team of professionals and alumni from the Culinary Institute of America and Cornell University of Hospitality. They’re highly influenced by local organic farmers, Bay Area winemakers, creative chefs and the fine arts. “It’s truly a victory for everyone when we deliver an event with a strong farm-to-table connection,” she explains.

As far as weddings go, Eden tells us they adore catering weddings because it gives them the opportunity to create menus that reflect the abundance of organic products. “Starting with a foundation of California cuisine, we infuse the cultural and flavor diversity to complement a couple’s unique wedding.”

Eden stresses that their service is geared towards environmentally conscious couples with a taste for local organic California cuisine. Their signature amenities include lead-free glassware by Riedel, dinnerware by Rosenthal, elegant linens and sustainable delivery powered by locally sourced bio diesel. And on behalf of their clients, they donate a portion of event sales to the Arbor Day Foundation. Organic Chef Catering could just be the ideal vendor to cater your quintessential Northern California wedding.

To learn more about them, visit: http://organicchefcatering.com/

Vendor Spotlight: California Rose Catering

Dov Sims, Executive Chef and COO of California Rose Catering (CRC) is a great example of a local, family run and generational business. Started in the 80s by Dov’s mother, Rose, he remembers waking up as a kid at 6am and helping to pack trucks with grills, coolers and other kitchen equipment. He joined in 2001 and helped transform the business into a premier events catering company. Their first catered wedding was in 2002 and they haven’t looked back since!

So what makes his company tick? “The staff. They’re the reason we are who we are. All my managers have been with us for more than eight years. The dedication comes through at each event.”

CRC offers more than just food and service. They have gained a great reputation over the past several years, not only for their food, but because they work the pricing around budget-minded couples, which happens to be almost everybody these days. And couples work directly with the owners with no middle men. The attention paid to each couple is direct and prompt. Their attitude is far from corporate because their company is a family company, so couples can feel safe and secure when working with them: “We allow couples to really take part in the creation of their wedding, not just in the menu, but in the entire production.” And 50% of the time, he introduces foods that couples and guests have never eaten, and if they have, not in the form that he presents.

So if you’re not convinced yet, here another reason why CRC is one to beat: they give couples a to-go basket at the end of their wedding, as they’re not always able to eat during the festivities. We love that.

Visit their website at: www.californiarose.com

Vendor Spotlight: Hugh Groman, Caterer

Connect with Hugh at:

http://www.hughgromancatering.com/
http://www.greenleafplatters.com/

For Hugh Groman, business goes beyond the simplistic and flavorful culinary reputation he’s known for. He's worked with the same friendly, professional staff for years and credits them with helping him to achieve success as a premier Bay Area eco-friendly caterer. Oh, and he makes sure to credit his dog, Scratchy, too.

Hugh’s career started in New York at Gramercy Tavern, which gave him the aesthetic sense that he now uses everyday. From there, he did a culinary tour of the U.S. where he staged in many restaurants. Returning to New York, he began a catering business out of his kitchen and opened the Boerum Hill Food Company in Brooklyn, which was an immediate success. Two years later, he moved back home to California, where he now runs his two catering companies: Hugh Groman Catering and Greenleaf Platters.

Hugh loves helping couples plan and simplify their wedding so that they can actually enjoy the day. “If you have great food and drink at your wedding, a beautiful set-up, great staff and a fun group of guests, many of the little extras aren’t always necessary.” Enough said.

Luckily for Hugh, creative freedom is part of almost every job he accepts. Often his clients are so busy they just ask him to suggest a menu – something he’s always happy to do. A balanced and seasonal theme will always get his juices flowing. And one last thing worth mentioning, Hugh constantly tries to be an outstanding member of the community through his commitment to the environment, giving 1% of his proceeds to the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Kudos to Hugh, his business practice and his charitable spirit.