GETTING BACK TO BASICS BY ANTHONY MICHAEL
To say it’s been a whirlwind year for celebrity caterer Andrea Correale is an understatement. Helming the renowned Elegant Affairs, Correale was not unlike many business owners who used exceptional ingenuity to adapt her business model to COVID-19 while simultaneously eyeing the future.
They also introduced the Party In A Box concept for people who wanted great catered food that they could safely and easily put out for their close friends or loved ones, without any staff involved. Finally, Elegant Affairs organized a fundraiser to support meal delivery to healthcare professionals at Glen Cove Hospital and has been extremely involved in food preparation and delivery to many NYC hospitals throughout the pandemic. Thankfully, the light at the end of the tunnel is upon us, and Correale is ready and excited for the summer of 2021 and beyond. She and her team are poised to ramp up the business to meet the need of the phone “ringing off the hook.” Meanwhile, she’s preparing to open a new event space in Southampton, innovating a new Manhattan location, and get this, there might even be a reality TV appearance in her future. On the last note, Correale is staying mum, but everything else is fair game for this interview. SLM: All the buzz right now is the new event space you’re opening. Tell us more! AC: It’s so exciting because it’s the only place of its kind—nothing else like this exists in the area. It’s 230 Elm Street and was
Photo credit: BEN POTTER
Today, Correale is full steam ahead. That’s not to say that she had much downtime in 2020 and the early months of 2021. For instance, at the onset of the pandemic, she and her team (who she kept employed throughout the year) pivoted quickly and helped their customers set up for even the smallest “elegant affairs.” They started an online grocery store and grocery delivery service (Grocery to Go) as well as gourmet family dinners to go (Dinner Delivery), all made in the signature Elegant Affairs style: local, fresh and gourmet.
originally a Polish gathering hall. Elegant Affairs is renovating the interior and exterior to be absolutely beautiful while blending with the overall feel and look of the Village of Southampton. SLM: When is it opening, and what will it be used for? AC: We are scheduled to open in 2022. The renovated venue will be a great spot for weddings, not-for-profit galas, corporate events, and private parties. Designer Beth Donner is helping with the interiors and JM2 Architecture is heading up the exterior design. I’d say it will be a beach meets barn vibe, yet very earthy. We are taking the bones and respecting its history and now making it a truly upscale event space. SLM: This isn’t your only real estate venture. What’s happening in Manhattan? AC: We moved into our city office, called 2430, but it’s more than just an office. It’s our New York City home base, an event space that can accommodate up to 75 guests, and it’s a hub for other businesses in the industry. One of the things that’s cool about it is it’s the oldest former firehouse in
New York City (Anderson Cooper owns the other one!). SLM: That’s very cool! Tell us about the hub aspect. AC: We’re making it possible for people in the industry who have lost their offices due to the pandemic to have office space, come together, hold meetings, and build businesses together. We’re all helping each other out, which is essential right now. SLM: So, we’re coming out the other side of this. How did you and the business hold up? AC: Well, as you know, the catering and event industry came to a complete halt and it only got worse as the year went on. We continued to innovate with our various delivery services and did our part to support the hospitals, so we stayed busy and kept people working. We were fortunate to put our heads together and generate income, but it’s been tough. Let’s say we are ready to get back to doing what we love—catering fabulous parties and events. ElegantAffairsCaterers.com insta @ElegantAffairs1 Social Life
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