ECEP - Elite Catering & Event Professionals

A NEW ECEP blog in time for upcoming inaugural events! The Ultimate Washington insider, Ridgewells Catering, and ECEP founding member, has been catering inaugural balls and events (both official and unofficial parties) since John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961! Susan Lacz, CEO of Ridgewells, spills the tea on how her company navigates the traffic, logistics and the etiquette of the season. There are takeaways and pro tips for every catering company that produces milestone events. https://lnkd.in/gTxH3ZWV #ecep #topcaterers #ridgewells #inauguralevents

Just out! The Whole Foods Market Forecasts for 2025. Some interesting trends here that might affect your catering menus! There is everything from new uses for tea as a flavor profile, sourdough on the rise 😁, packaging made for composting and more. Do you see anything that you have already implemented, or are planning to do in 2025 in this forecast?

CATERING TRENDS You saw it here first -- a sound bath cocktail! This was one of the five menu items that touched on the senses for an event catered and produced by Butler's Pantry. This Cucumber Mint Margarita and the making of it by Director of Beverages, Ryan Manka, in a Tibetan sound bowl was a highlight of the evening! Read the article to find out how they addressed the rest of the senses. https://lnkd.in/gfDgV6vH #ecep #cateringtrends #topcaterers #cocktails

Members in the Press! ECEP Founding Member John Crisafulli from Behind the Scenes Catering talked to Catering Foodservice & Events Magazine about what it was like to cater the company's 13th Olympics in Paris! https://lnkd.in/gi7PRDaj #elitecaterers #eventprofs #ecep #catering #qanda

Love to see how our members interact with their community. The Catered Affair is a leader in this area with the Community Table initiative!

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS! This month, a profile in Sophisticated Living St. Louis by Gerald Dlubala, focuses on Richard Nix Jr., president of Butler's Pantry, and his impact on St. Louis since taking over the company in 1994. Full Life. Full Pantry! Read it here, plus, see video clips from vintage interviews! https://lnkd.in/ghNfte7D Photo: Carmen Troesser

Calling all catering chefs! 📞 What is the most underrated tool in your tool box (it might even be the toolbox itself)? See our blog for several tools that will surprise you from chefs at Butler's Pantry and The Catered Affair! https://lnkd.in/gBRbeWWx Photo of recycled tool box from Puebco.

NEW ON OUR BLOG! A series of member-contributed articles. Our ECEP members are on the front lines of trends in business, cuisine and entertaining. By sharing their work, we're bringing you glimpses into what is happening in their regions, and yours too! The first of this series is from Kori Carter Gillespie writing for The Catered Affair in Boston about the company's fall wedding menu trends. https://lnkd.in/gFTWsbwA #weddingtrends #topcaterers #eventprofs

EVENT TREND Roaming carts at weddings and events are being given carte blanche on charm and whimsy! Our blog today features two of our favorites from ECEP members. One, a made-to-order cannoli cart from 24 Carrots Catering and Events and the other, a well-stocked gin and tonic cart from Vestals Catering. See the blog for more ... https://lnkd.in/gJYen7XM Photo: Amelia Lyon #cateringtrends #eventprofs

Our members work on some of the most awesome events around the world. We're so proud of the team at Behind the Scenes Catering and Events for their work at the 2024 Olympics! #olympics #weareecep #eventprofs #caterers