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.

Zion & Zion, one of Phoenix’s top five full-service marketing agencies wanted to celebrate the opening of its new facility just off Mill Avenue in Tempe with a by-invitation-only party for over 200 guests.

They wanted to present dishes in a creative ways to reflect the creativity of their agency.  In addition they wanted to incorporate southern-comfort foods with an elegant touch, while not straying from their environmentally-friendly values.

By generating new trends for the industry, such as the DJ performing on the ceiling of one of the Zion & Zion conference rooms, to the specialty lighting and the unique presentations of the fare, we’re proud to say that our event execution received rave reviews from invited media and secured us a 2010 ZONIES award.

Santa Barbara has created three catering packages to suit any Inspirador wedding. The Delightful, Delicious and Decadent packages include hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinners, fun food stations and even a breakfast brunch option. These packages are ready to meet a bride’s every need.

Once a month, Inspirador hosts a themed open house. It’s the perfect opportunity for brides to check out the venue and sample some of Santa Barbara’s exquisite menu creations: Peach Almond Empanadas, Mini Tuscan Pizzas, Tomato, Basil and Fresh Mozzarella Bruschetta, Mini Brie en Croûte, Mini Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse Desserts, and a Signature ‘mock’-tail of Bubbly with a Sweet Hibiscus Flower.

Also at Inspirador, The Inspiration Lounge is a complimentary shop and browse retail boutique showcasing a collection of event professionals for today’s bride, an aspiring hostess with the mostess, or a clever DIY party planner.

Inspirador is located at 63 E. Boston Street Chandler, AZ 85225. For more information you can visit them at www.inspirador.com

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.

Healthy eating and sustainable foods were among the topics discussed by the Arizona Chapter of the International Special Events Society at its inspiring meeting this month.  Arizona’s professionals gathered to relax, enjoy delicious food and discuss personal balance. Santa Barbara Catering was happy to share its exquisitely made cuisine while industry peers gathered and discussed sustainable living, time management and healthy cooking.

Santa Barbara’s fare truly highlighted the healthy eating discussions with dishes such as Lemon Parmesan Chicken Skewers with Garlic, Baked Brie en Croûte with Apricot Preserves, and fresh cheese and fruit platters—perfect examples of why Santa Barbara was the right choice for the ISES meeting.

We at Santa Barbara pride ourselves in providing innovative and delicious cuisine with our clients’ goals always in mind and are glad to have done this at the ISES meeting.

The night was sensational. The combination of The Farm at South Mountain’s peaceful surroundings and Santa Barbara’s delightful fare provided both a serene atmosphere and tasty delights.

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.

Santa Barbara Catering Company was honored to have been a part of an amazing wedding reception at the Phoenix Art Museum recently. The beautiful day and remarkable venue allowed for some wonderful photo ops. Check out The Bride’s Café, one of the top wedding blogs, to see more pictures. Thank you Phoenix Art Museum for hosting another great event.

Valentine’s Day weekend was celebrated Euro-style as guests glided around the Phoenix Art Museum in costumes and masks, surrounded by European art and mystery.  “Friends of European Art,” a support organization for the Phoenix Art Museum, hosted a “Carnivale” themed party on Friday, February 12^th.  Santa Barbara Catering provided stimulating food and drink, including Espresso Pot de Crème with a Chocolate Cookie Spoon, pictured below.

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!”