Who's News in Catering for August 28, 2021

Hot Off the Presses

Charlie Barlett's newest catering sales book, Playing to Win or Afraid to Lose, has been released. Barrett, a catering and event sales veteran of Marriott International, shares a blueprint to not only survive but thrive in sales. Whether you are a newcomer to sales, a veteran or thinking of switching careers, you will find value in this manual that covers the all-important very basics of selling. Barrett counters the myths, misconceptions, and self-imposed limitations salespeople place on themselves --and reveals how to overcome them. The book is available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as well as at archwaypublishing.com.

Crain’s New York Business has honored Liz Neumark, the founder and chair of New York City’s premier catering, events and hospitality company, as one of its Notable Women Business Owners.  The list of 63 prominent businesswomen recognizes them for having forged remarkable career paths that have powered the city’s economy, while making a point of giving back to their communities. Women-owned companies represent more than 40 percent of the city’s registered businesses, nearly 600,000, generating more $70 billion in revenue annually. Neumark, who established her company a waitress-staffing agency to provide a flexible source of income for women in the arts, has built Great Performances (GP) into one of the country’s top catering concerns, renown for industry trend-setting innovations; it is the largest food service company in the NY Tri-State region owned by a woman.  During the pandemic, she pivoted GP to adapt to virtual events, produce meal kits for at-home entertaining and develop creative micro wedding packages in addition to playing a critical role in emergency efforts to feed New Yorkers.  

Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, located on 342 acres of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, announces culinary experiences that showcase the local cuisine.  The waterfront property offers everything from oyster shucking demonstrations to crab picking lessons for its culinary team. Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay partners with Hoopers Island Oysters, a locally-based company dedicated to a globally thriving and sustainable oyster industry.  Groups can enjoy oyster-shucking demonstrations where they can taste locally-farmed oyster varieties including “Chesapeake Golds” and “Mermaid Kisses” and learn more about the company’s fully-integrated system for sustainable oyster production.  Guests can also visit the company’s dockside aquaculture farm and Oyster Farming Exhibit which are located on-site at the resort. Planners can also arrange traditional crab boils as an add-on to any banquet menu.  At the crab boil, a representative with the resort’s culinary team provides crab picking tips and demonstrations for attendees.  

Products on the Market

World Centric® has announced that it has expanded its NoTree® collection of 100% tree-free, bio-based and compostable packaging with seventeen new products. Now available across North America, the expanded range provides more sustainable alternatives to traditional disposable foodservice ware for operators. As with all items in the NoTree collection, the new product additions are made of renewable plant fibers like bamboo and sugarcane with bio-based moisture barrier linings instead of petroleum plastic. They are also heat lamp tolerant, warming oven friendly, and are suitable for hot or cold foods. All NoTree items are 100% compostable in commercial composting facilities.  

People on the Move

Carpigiani North America, an Ali Group Company, is pleased to announce Corey Burns, CFSP, has joined the group as the Director of After Sales Services. Burns will be responsible for the after sales strategy and deployment. He will work closely with the team to strengthen the service and parts operations while driving operational improvements and customer satisfaction.