Personally, having a gluten allergy, I am all too familiar with the struggles that people with food allergies face and how important it is for food purveyors to be knowledgeable about food allergies and the food they are serving to ensure that it is safe for guests.

Recently at the Phoenix Art Museum, Santa Barbara Catering executed a wedding for over 200 people where the fare was 100% gluten free. In addition, we catered to lactose allergies, onion allergies, peanut allergies and a variety of other individual dietary restrictions at the event.

As the bride and her family had severe gluten allergies, they wanted to make sure that they would be safe to eat the food at the wedding but also wanted to show people how delicious gluten free food can be. And delicious it was!

The menu contained a variety of indulgent treats to entice guests from start to finish. The event started with hand passed appetizers such as:

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Served with Hazelnut Pesto

Beef Short Ribs Risotto Cake
Served with Sweet Potato Risotto and
Chipotle Braised Beef Short Ribs

Spicy Cold Clear Tomato and Crab Gazpacho
With Diced Avocado

Brie and Green Apple Quesadilla
With Raspberry Dipping Sauce

For dinner, guests feasted on:

Heirloom Tomato Salad
with MOZARELLA Cheese, Basil Aged Balsamic Vinegar,
Olive Oil

Gluten Free Corn Bread
With honey butter

NY Strip Steak
In Red Wine Reduction

Basiled Chicken Breast
And Aromatic Jus

Fingerling Potatoes
Roasted in Rosemary and Olive Oil

Wild Mushroom Risotto

Grilled Summer Vegetables
Seasoned to Perfection

The meal did not end there. In addition to a gluten free wedding cake, guests were invited to sample chocolate mousse, pistachio crème brulee and were even surprised at the end of the night with late night munchies including:

Quesadilla with Corn Tortilla with Salsa & Sour cream

Gluten Free Mac & Cheese

French Fries Served with Ketchup, Ranch and Mayo

Given the array of the menu, maybe eating gluten free isn’t so bad after all?

-Blog post written by Executive Event Manager, Melissan Falcone

When we learned Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman had previously been in the catering business, we worked with Hallman and members of Tempe’s City Council to put on an event that would give back to the community.

On June 9^th our employees and their families met at the Community Christian Church to help serve dinner to those in need through IHELP (Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program). Helping to serve the food from the Tempe City Council were Vice Mayor Shana Ellis, Councilmember Corey Woods, Councilmember Joel Navarro and his children, and Assistant City Manager Jeff Kulaga.

While many people leave the Valley of the Sun during summer months, the need for food, water and cool shelter still exists for the area’s less fortunate. The summer climate can be deadly for those who are in need.

Tempe Community Action Agency’s IHELP program provides lodging and comfort for an average of 30 homeless people in the community at different faith-based locations each night. Dinner and overnight shelter is provided seven nights per week.

Our executive chef Lex Heijiligers prepared a barbeque-themed meal, which included St. Louis-style BBQ ribs and chicken, jicama coleslaw, homemade red potato salad with apple cider-bacon dressing, corn cob bites, ranchero beans slow-cooked with Southwest spices and herbs, freshly-baked corn bread and Granny Smith cinnamon-apple cobbler with streusel topping and vanilla ice cream.

The IHELP dinner was a great success! Our employees and their family members were excited to have this opportunity to reach out and help those in need in Tempe. We appreciated the opportunity to volunteer, and we look forward to partnering with IHELP and TCAA again soon.

Santa Barbara Catering joined several wedding and event vendors at the Boojum Tree Hidden Gardens in North Phoenix for an event hosted by the Wedding and Event Network. The Boojum Tree is known for its exotic property, filled with tropical plants and multiple water features.

For the event, Santa Barbara Catering created a variety of dishes that could complement a diverse array of occasions.  A trio of Roasted Garlic, Roasted Red Pepper and Sweet Potato Hummus, served with Tortilla Chips and Pita Crisps were presented first. The Hummus dishes were accompanied by beautifully arranged Farm-Fresh Vegetables, served with Pesto-Sour Cream Dip and accented with Fresh Herbs and assorted Olives.

Additionally, a gourmet Mac & Cheese “Martini” was tailored to each guest’s taste with the available combinations of Herbed Bread Crumbs, Bleu Cheese, Roasted Tomatoes and Toasted Green Chilies.

The event was captured by Andy DeLisle from de L’oeil Photography, www.deloeilphoto.com.

Santa Barbara Catering Company recently catered a luncheon at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix. The Herberger Theater Center is a non-profit organization whose main focus is to support and foster the growth of performing arts in Phoenix as the premier performance venue, arts incubator and arts advocate. The Herberger Theater Center has contributed to the cultural and educational development of the Valley since 1989. Each year, approximately 175,000 patrons, including 30,000 school-aged children share the unique experience of live performing arts.

The 20^th anniversary celebration luncheon took place on Center Stage to honor its patrons and to induct Richard Mallery into the Performing & Broadcast Arts Hall of Fame.  Entertainment was provided by SCAN Originals.

The afternoon was filled with appreciation and warm admiration for all patrons involved. The menu included Chilled Avocado Soup topped with Cilantro Cream and Toasted Pepita’s, a Greek Salad that had not only Kalamata Olives and Roasted Tomatoes but also Grilled Shrimp served on mixed greens with Soft Feta and Garlic Hummus. To top it all off, guests received a rich, layered Chocolate Mousse topped with Whipped Cream and a Hazelnut Crunch.

All proceeds from the luncheon went to benefit the Herberger Theater Center’s Youth Outreach programs.

Santa Barbara has teamed up with the Orpheum Lofts Penthouse, located in the historic District of Copper Square in Downtown Phoenix, to provide extraordinary downtown events that combine the character of a truly unique venue with that of Santa Barbara’s outstanding service and cutting edge cuisine and presentation. The combination of exquisite food and timeless elegance in this 1930’s brick high rise building will provide anyone a truly special and memorable event in an environment sure to exceed all expectations.

From start to finish, Santa Barbara and the Orpheum Lofts Penthouse will take care of everything. From lobster beignets to your very own “signature” cocktail – the possibilities are endless. Your guests will arrive at the penthouse via a private elevator and will receive a customized welcome announcement sure to impress.

Your guests will never forget the feeling of impact and style that they experience at The Orpheum Lofts Penthouse 11th floor rooftop patio, while sitting next to the fireplace or listening to the cascading rooftop fountains and taking in the striking view of downtown Phoenix. An in-house, state-of-the-art sound system, including rooftop audio and plasma TV’s, can be used to ensure additional sensory delight.

Whether you are interested in an elegant rooftop wedding ceremony at sunset, a company event or a private gathering, Santa Barbara and the Orpheum Lofts Penthouse will provide you with the perfect surrounding for an elegant and flawless event.

*Grand Opening Night of Orpheum Penthouse captured by Rhonda Lewis Photography who can photograph any event held at the Orpheum Lofts Penthouse.

On November 5th, Zion & Zion, one of Phoenix’s leading full-service marketing, PR, advertising and interactive agencies celebrated the opening of its new facility just off Mill Avenue in Tempe with a by-invitation-only party.

At the core of the fantastic event, attended by well over 200 of Zion & Zion’s clients, as well as members of the media, political figures and business leaders from throughout the Valley, was Santa Barbara Catering.

Santa Barbara prepared fare for the guests that included such trendy delicacies as Shrimp and Grits, Chicken and Waffles, and a Mac & Cheese bar with martini serving glasses suspended in mid air.

As if the amazing cuisine and exceptional guest list wasn’t enough, Santa Barbara event planners coordinated with Zion & Zion’s internal PR and event planning team to bring to life the Ziontini—an Elderflower, Grey Goose and Bombay Sapphire based concoction, conceived by Scottsdale bartender Cole Apodaca in response to a Valley-wide competition held by Zion & Zion to create the signature Ziontini for the event.

Comments on the event included, “This was THE agency event of the year!” and “Phoenix has never seen an agency party this well done!”

The Santa Barbara catered Zion & Zion spectacle was made complete by the placement of popular Phoenix figure DJ Brazilia atop one of the Zion & Zion conference rooms, playing a variety of modern music, and complemented by lighting effects from Sound Lighting FX and modern centerpieces and illuminated décor from Petal Pushers.

Zion & Zion CEO, Aric Zion, commented, “The event was a runaway success. Clients networked with other clients and found new business opportunities; our firm closed significant additional business as a result of the event; and the rave reviews from the media and community leaders continue to echo.”

DuGué Zion, Zion & Zion’s COO, added, “Santa Barbara was key in making this event so successful. I can’t even count how many people commented on the food and the service and asked for Santa Barbara’s contact information.”

Aric Zion summed up by saying, “By all accounts, the event was even more of a success than we had hoped for, and we couldn’t have pulled it off without the contributions of the Santa Barbara team!”

It’s a family affair! On October 12th, CEO and owner of Santa Barbara Catering Company, Pat Christofolo, along with her son Dustin Christofolo, Chef at The Farm Kitchen at The Farm at South Mountain, will present a cooking class at Tempe’s historic Hackett House.

On the menu is a delicious dinner including appetizers, salad and homemade pasta, all featuring local ingredients. Finish off this great meal with homemade cream puffs…perfect for easy and informal entertaining!

The class is priced at $45 and attendees will learn how to prepare a complete dinner, enjoy wine and taste the dishes as they are prepared. Prepaid reservations are required and may be made by calling the Hackett House at 480-350-8181.

The class kicks off a series of 6 cooking classes located at the Hackett House event venue in downtown Tempe. Funds raised through the Hackett House support City of Tempe programs, as well as the award-winning Tempe Sister City Organization.

More information is available at http://www.hacketthouse.org.

Although he’s shown cooking at a Los Angeles food festival, local chef and hero Chris Bianco of the famed Pizzeria Bianco and Panne Bianco shouts his love for Arizona products. In this clip from Jimmy Kimmel Live, Chef Bianco crafts a beautiful focaccia sandwich using Queen Creek Olive Oil.

Bianco is a fine example of celebrating flavors and products grown right here in our own back yard. With all the international buzz and fame, he still proudly boasts his affinity for local ingredients, local dining and just about any business and resource in our nearby surroundings.

In fact, fall is a terrific time for everyone to celebrate the bountiful harvest of Arizona’s farmers and artisans.

Get your taste of Bianco’s legendary pizzas and sandwiches at his restaurants. http://www.pizzeriabianco.com

Santa Barbara Catering Company and ABC 15 News discovered how the recycling process works at the grand opening of the education center within the Hudson Baylor West Materials Recovery Facility.

ABC 15 News reported, “Inside the center visitors can use hands-on exhibits showing how recycling materials are collected and processed. There’s also a recycled robot named “Murph.” Visitors can also participate in games, interactive displays and watch a short film showing the “cradle-to-cradle” philosophy that outlines a successful recycling program.”

Santa Barbara was on hand at 6am to cater a celebratory breakfast inside a custom tent filled with tables and linens featuring Hudson Baylor’s signature royal blue color. Guests enjoyed freshly-baked scones, turnovers and danishes with seasonal preserves, butter and cream cheese.

As a long-standing “green business” itself, Santa Barbara Catering used eco-friendly plates made from fallen leaves, compostable cups and recycled napkins.

Plan your next “green event” with Santa Barbara Catering Company by calling us at 480-921-3150 today!

Learn more about visiting the education center within the Hudson Baylor West Materials Recovery Facility by visiting their website or calling 602-495-9929.

[ Checkout ABC 15's coverage of the grand opening ]

Tempe’s multi-million dollar lakeside fine arts facility has chosen Santa Barbara Catering Company to exclusively manage catering, bartending, and concession services for the venue’s events. The strategic partnership will help boost private event booking while adding value to the community and public events scheduled at the complex.

In just two years since its opening, the Tempe Center for the Arts has already become a cultural beacon for public, community and private events in Arizona. The center presents engaging spaces with breathtaking views of Tempe Town Lake and the nearby Papago Mountains.

Imagine your next lakeside event overlooking a negative-edge pool with state-of-the-art light displays. Or, dazzle your guests indoors in one of the many spectacular event spaces.

“Santa Barbara Catering is thrilled to represent such a visually striking and culturally important institution in the Valley,” says SBCC CEO Pat Christofolo. “The contemporary design and style of our cuisine will be a perfect match for the distinctive architecture and vibrant atmosphere of the complex.”

The Tempe Center for the Arts is available for:

Weddings, Banquets, Receptions, Team meetings, Performances, Business Presentations, Celebrations and more.

Available event spaces at the facility include the:

• Theater (600 seat capacity)
• Studio (200 seat capacity/257 flat floor)
• Lakeside (219 capacity)
• 201 Lounge (64 capacity)
• Rooftop Terrace (64 capacity)
• Gallery (235 capacity/food restrictions apply)
• Sculpture Garden (50 capacity)
• Lobby (650 capacity)
• Entire Facility

Book your next event at the Tempe Center for the Arts! Schedule an event consultation by calling us at 480-921-3150.