By Sara Perez Webber Chris Tucker worked as a hair stylist for nearly a decade before pivoting to a baking career, drawing on a love instilled in him as a child by his Southern grandmother. A turn as a contestant on ABC’s “The Great American Baking Show” led him to opening Betta With Butta, a Los Angeles-based bakery. Like many others in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, … [Read more...] about Mixing It Up
Business Tips
How to Hire Seasonal or Temporary Workers
Bring on temporary help efficiently by heeding these five tips By Becca Freiberg, Society Insurance Typically, this is the time of year when ski resorts across the country would be hiring tens of thousands of workers, and the retail industry would be looking for people to staff the holiday shopping season. College students would be planning to work during winter break to … [Read more...] about How to Hire Seasonal or Temporary Workers
Butler’s Pantry Micro Wedding
How the St. Louis-based caterer transformed a wedding for 150 guests into one for 25 St. Louis-based Butler’s Pantry “has mastered the Pandemic Pivot—taking an event originally planned for hundreds and transforming it into a private ceremony for 50 or less,” says Bridget Bitza, vice president of sales and catering. The challenge is harder than it may seem. Not only do … [Read more...] about Butler’s Pantry Micro Wedding
Staying Safe
Melissa Johnson of Cameron Mitchell Premier Events shares the company’s best post-COVID safety practices By Sara Perez Webber As vice president of Cameron Mitchell Premier Events (CMPE) in Columbus, Ohio, Melissa Johnson oversees a team that generates more than $15 million in revenue for the Cameron Mitchell Restaurant group, one of the largest and most successful … [Read more...] about Staying Safe
How to Organize Your Business Finances
Position yourself for recovery by streamlining your financial systems By Gerri Detweiler Organizing your finances may be the last thing on your mind right now, especially if your business is just struggling to survive. “So many food-based businesses are pivoting right now, and pivoting in multiple directions. Caterers are no different,” says Kristy McDonough, a … [Read more...] about How to Organize Your Business Finances
It’s Your ONE Chance to Reset
Steps caterers can take now to be successful and profitable Every two weeks, 11 successful catering CEOs from across the country meet via Zoom. Our sales range from $1 million to $13 million. For our first couple of meetings in March, we used the “pivot” mantra. But since that time, every one of us committed to immediate performance that will guarantee our company’s … [Read more...] about It’s Your ONE Chance to Reset
The Brunch Buzz
Ideas for creatively serving up this comforting, popular meal By Connie Jeske Crane Some decades ago, South Carolina-based chef and food writer Belinda Smith-Sullivan started her work life as a flight attendant based out of New York. “Back then we were called ‘stewardesses,’ just to give you an idea how long ago that was,” she says with a chuckle. It was then, in … [Read more...] about The Brunch Buzz
Long Live Greek Cuisine
Cooking show host Diane Kochilas educates an international audience on Greek food’s history, variety and health benefits By Sara Perez Webber With roots on the Greek island of Ikaria, Diane Kochilas knows first-hand the health benefits of a Greek diet. Ikaria is one of five global Blue Zones—identified by author Dan Buettner as a region where people live longer, … [Read more...] about Long Live Greek Cuisine
Forget the Numbers, Keep the Clients
Strategies for connecting with your customers in the COVID-19 era and beyond By Darryl Brisebois, Mackasey Howard Communications All industries have been changed by COVID-19. Every owner in the market has lost sleep, planned for a bad quarter, then planned for another. With gatherings capped and events canceled, the catering industry is among the countless sectors facing … [Read more...] about Forget the Numbers, Keep the Clients
Back to Business
For its first full-service wedding post-COVID-19, Thomas Caterers of Distinction employed extensive protocols to keep guests and staff safe By Sara Perez Webber CATERER: Thomas Caterers of Distinction • thomascaterers.com VENUE: Black Iris Estate • blackirisestate.com EVENT DETAILS: On June 5, Indianapolis-based Thomas Caterers of Distinction catered its first … [Read more...] about Back to Business