12 minute read
Corporate Dining Revival
Groups are returning to restaurants and taking part in more catered gatherings, once again enjoying being face-to-face, engaging in conversation, sharing ideas and bonding with staff while experiencing new dishes in a variety of unique and memorable settings.
Good food has long been a great unifier. Corporate meal functions have played an important role in bringing groups together and providing the opportunity for attendees to socialize while at the same time being productive. Perhaps now even more so, restaurants and caterers throughout the area are playing a pivotal role in bringing people together and providing them with extraordinary experiences.
“More than ever, group clients are looking for a full-service, customized experience,” observes Lindsey McClaren, event manager for Steak 48 in Philadelphia, PA. “They are requesting assistance with décor, transportation, custom cakes, personalized menus, gifting, audio-visual equipment and more. We have created strategic partnerships throughout the city to ensure that we are able to offer and coordinate all these extra amenities to ensure the event booking and planning process is as easy as possible.”
The staff of Steak 48 pride themselves in their ability to offer both variety and flexibility, McClaren says. “We have spaces that accommodate private groups from 8 to 100 guests. Each has its own personality and features that set the stage for a perfect event. Our Library Room, for example, is cozy and versatile, with decorated glass enclosed bookshelves that have shades that can be drawn for those who prefer a more intimate experience.”
MEET IN CHESTER COUNTY Versatile Venues
Connect with industry peers and explore three unique Chester County venues.
1ST STOP
Phoenixville Foundry
Sip and socialize in the historic, 18,000-square-foot venue, once the foundry of Phoenix Iron & Steel Company.
Cocktails and Appetizers J. Scott Catering An Exclusive Event for Meeting and Event Planners
2ND STOP
Franklin Commons
Dine in the industrial-chic ballroom overlooking the beautiful outdoor courtyard. Main Course Drexelbrook Catering Wednesday, March 30 2022 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
3RD STOP
Bistro on Bridge Enjoy a relaxing atmosphere in the reinvented event space for apps, drinks & desserts. Desserts & Drinks
Transportation Provided Limited Capacity
Hosted by The Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau For more information, contact Courtney Babcock at Courtney@BrandywineValley.com
Event goers enjoying the carousel at Giggleberry Fair in Peddler's Village, Lahaska, PA;
photo courtesy: Peddler's Village Alternatively, the second-floor Atlantic Room can host a business presentation or be combined with the restaurant’s Mezzanine Bar to accommodate a networking event. “We utilize our event menus as a starting point and can adjust them to ensure all the guests’ favorites are featured as part of their experience,” McClaren adds.
Business events have been trending up in the last several months at Steak 48, and McClaren feels confident that will continue. “As the theaters and convention centers open for larger gatherings, I anticipate we will see a correlating increase in larger group bookings, as well.”
According to Domenick Savino, CPCE, chief executive officer for The Drexelbrook Special Event Center and Holiday Inn & Suites Hotel in Drexel Hill, PA, “As we move further into 2022, event profiles have changed from pre-pandemic events. Among the most frequently asked questions we are receiving is whether we can host hybrid events. At Drexelbrook, we invested heavily prior to the pandemic in both Internet and cell phone capability, so we are now in a perfect position to offer very high-speed wireless and, more importantly, we also back it up with ‘hard-wired’ Internet access as an extra safeguard.”
For those looking to add true Italian flavor to their event, Maggiano's Little Italy creates that experience for them.
In the short term, questions remain about mandates and protocols and whether they will continue to be relaxed. Regardless, Drexelbrook is ready and prepared to help clients navigate the changing landscape. “Overnight accommodations are also very important today,” explains Savino, “and our new 100-room Holiday Inn & Suites hotel, connected to our Event Center, is a huge benefit to our corporate clients.”
Drexelbrook offers their clients and their guests many unique spaces, including everything from a high-ceiling, clear span grand ballroom to a newly reimagined conference center to outdoor terraces to their Mansion Ballroom. The venue also is completely ADA compliant and offers easy trade show load-in.
In addition, Savino says, “We are proud to have the only STREETLIGHT Kitchen & Bar, which offers indoor and outdoor seating, local craft beers and a wood-burning oven.”
Looking ahead, Savino has seen an uptick in inquiries for all types of events, though they have been tempered by concerns over any changes in CDC regulations. “The more that restrictions are lifted, the quicker the event industry will come back to fullstrength,” asserts Savino.
Flexible Contracts | National Partnership Program In-House A/V | Catering Available
Di Bruno Bros. Wayne, PA location hosts a variety of culinary experiences
In Our Place Or Yours, Make It An Unforgettable Event
No matter what you’re celebrating, from a once-in-a-lifetime wedding to a family reunion, our team will transform any occasion into an unforgettable event.
BOOKING NOW
CATERING@DIBRUNO.COM | 215-665-1659 DIBRUNOCATERING.COM Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, PA strives to provide a comfortable and accommodating environment for clients and their guests as more planners seek to return to group dining. “Some clients have brought in a ‘safety station,’ while others have requested ample space between guests,” notes Ann Lipcsey, assistant director of sales for Peddler’s Village. “We also have been asked to open windows for air circulation. We always do whatever we can to bring comfort to our clients and their guests.”
People have differing levels of comfort currently, and Peddler’s Village is able to offer an array of options when it comes to private events, whether for an intimate gathering or large celebration. “We have indoor event spaces at the Cock ‘n Bull, which can accommodate 20-200 guests, and
Earl’s New American for parties of 20-50,” Lipcsey explains. “We also have a spacious, open-air outdoor event tent that can accommodate 80 guests or more.”
“We’ve been able to get more creative with our events, too,” Lipcsey adds, “hosting cocktail receptions in our iconic gazebo garden, which provides a charming, yet relaxed space for intimate events. For guests who want to make their special event a full weekend experience, they can stay at our very own on-property hotel, the Golden Plough Inn. With 66 charming guest rooms and suites spread throughout the Village, guests can stay, play and be safe.”
Peddler’s Village is seeing an influx of events for 2022 as more people are ready to get out and celebrate once again, Lipcsey notes. “We are seeing more last-minute bookings than ever before, as well as smaller, more intimate events.”
Another venue with plenty of options for groups seeking varied spaces and offerings is the one-year-old Live! Casino and Hotel in Philadelphia, PA.
“Whether planning a one-day meeting or a multi-day conference, Live!’s team of seasoned event planners will handle every detail, including the creation of creative menus,” notes Kelley Maddox, vice-president of sales for Live! Casino and Hotel Philadelphia. “Live! can host a dinearound casino event, where our team will bring guests light bites and flavors of The Prime Rib, Luk Fu, Sports & Social, and Termini Brothers to their meeting room.”
Olive & Shae Catering serves up creative dishes that spark conversation.
Changing the way you think about catering
215.285.4453 oliveandshae.com Info@oliveandshae.com
STREETLIGHT Kitchen & Bar at The Drexelbrook in Drexel Hill, PA, offering both indoor and outdoor seating, local craft beer, and a wood-burning oven; photo courtesy: The Drexelbrook The Prime Rib offers multiple luxury private spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows, and a custom-designed wine cellar with personalized audio-visual and lighting capabilities.
Luk Fu, an Asian fusion restaurant, is equipped with two private rooms with the opportunity for karaoke. The venue features street art designs, graffiti-style murals and neon lights, which are complemented by a robust menu, cocktail list and selections of sake.
Sports & Social features versatile space that includes a state-of-the-art AV system, 52-foot LED display, 24 televisions, booths, lounge areas, and a FanDuel Sportsbook and Lounge for entertaining any group.
As the appetite for a return to in-person events continues to grow, these culinary professionals are prepared to work hand-in-hand with planners to ensure that every need is expertly attended to and every attendee savors not only the food, but also the experience.
FRANK'SWine
& Spirits
The NA Dark & Stormy is made the same way as the classic cocktail but uses a non-alcoholic rum. Ginger is the front and center taste of this drink, with added hints of warm vanilla, bitter orange, and toasted cinnamon.
1206 N Union St Wilmington, DE 19806
800-AT-FRANKS FranksWine.com
NA DARK AND STORMY 2 oz Ritual Rum Alternative Fever Tree Ginger Beer Lime wedge
Add ice to a cocktail glass Add in Ritual Rum Alternative Top with Fever Tree Ginger Beer Garnish with lime wedge and serve The Non-Alcoholic Negroni (NAgroni) is a take on the classic Negroni. It has the same slight bitterness and sweet aperitif tasting notes with the added botanicals from the gin alternative.
NON-ALCOHOLIC NEGRONI (NAGRONI) 2 oz DHOS non-alcoholic gin 1/2 oz Roots Divino NA aperitif 1/2 oz Stirrings blood orange bitters 1/4 oz Stirrings simple syrup
Combine all ingredients and stir over ice. Strain and pour over ice in a chilled rocks glass.
Creativity is Key
Now, more than ever, planners are seeking industry partners who can bring expertise and experience to help with their upcoming events. There are many caterers able to do just that while elevating a meal function to the next level.
Whether it’s experienced planners or those who plan only a few dinner meetings a year, most rely on caterers and their chefs to guide them when it comes to designing menus, keeping up with what’s new and trendy, and satisfying their group’s needs while also staying within budget.
Greg Shockley and his team at Sage Catering are definitely among these caterers, blending creativity with culinary skill to help their clients look like rock stars.
Sage Catering brings the same quality food, impeccable service, and attention to detail to their corporate events and holiday parties as they do to galas, fundraisers and other social functions. Whether a client is looking for an off-site venue or to hold an event in their corporate headquarters, Sage creates a seamless experience for the planner and their guests.
“We’re using our vast experience in social catering and applying that to the corporate world,” explains Executive Chef Greg Shockley, owner and co-founder of Sage Catering. “We put the same level of creative thought into all of our events. From an ‘Around the World’ theme to a formal gala, we will create and custom design a menu to fit our client’s needs.”
Sage works with each planner, as well as the host location, to design the event, the menu and every aspect of the occasion and to provide the planner and their attendees with a truly creative, unique and individualized experience.
In fact, Greg notes that Sage customizes nearly every event menu. “Wedding clients are a one-time experience,” he explains. “Corporate clients may book you for dozens of events, and we will create unique menus for each one, always bringing in something fresh and new.”
Several of Sage’s corporate clients, which include a number of law firms and tech companies, have been very pleased with the results.
The desire to return to in-person meetings is strong, and it’s important to plan ahead and plan early. “From venues to vendors, planners are going to find that bookings are pushed out much further than past years,” Shockley explains.
With corporate functions continuing to return, he adds that the event landscape is looking very positive. Sage Catering is excited to work with planners in bringing a creative approach to their corporate events while providing attendees with outstanding and unique dining experiences.
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