Who's News in Catering for March 25, 2021

People on the move

Celebrated hotel brand and management company Dream Hotel Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Chef Marc Marrone as Culinary Consultant at the highly anticipated Dream Hotel & Residences in Doha, Qatar opening early 2022.

Association Updates

ICA president, Jeffrey Selden, Managing Partner of Marcia Selden Catering & Events is pleased to announce the 2021 International Caterers Association (ICA) executive committee and board of directors. ICA Executive Committee: President: Jeffrey Selden, Marcia Selden Catering & Events; President Elect: Steve Sanchez, The JDK Group ; Treasurer: Jonathan Jennings, CT Wedding Group; Secretary: Lee Ann Kelly, American Metalcraft; Immediate Past President: Karen O'Connor, Daniel et Daniel; President's Council: Robin Selden, Marcia Selden Catering & Events ICA Board of Directors: Lizzy Desibia, Russell Morin Catering & Events; Laura Fabian, 24 Carrots; Katie Fleury, Ridgewells Catering; April Lambatos, Footers Catering; Renee Miner, Empyrean Events and Catering; Jolie Oree-Bailey, Low Country Quisine; Joanne Purnell, Good Gracious! Events; Chris Sanchez, LUX Catering & Events; Charlie Schaffer, Schaffer; Syd Sexton, Catering by Design; Suzi Shands, Mintahoe Catering & Events; Nicole Stephens, Blue Plate; Culinary Council Chair: Jason Sutton, Footers Catering; Lisa Ware, Catering by Michaels.

The Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA) and the Timothy S.Y. Lam Foundation are pleased to announce a partnership to advance diversity and inclusion initiatives in the events industry. The Foundation has committed to an educational grant, which will be used to offer virtual diversity + inclusion education to WIPA members across the US and internationally.

Products on the Market

Vitamix® has updated The Quiet One® commercial beverage blender with an enhanced design and features allowing for improved speed of service and easier cleaning.

TextBadge, created by JobSiteCare, is a monitoring, messaging, and compliance tool that works with all mobile phone devices allowing organizations to keep their employees safe during COVID-19. TextBadge is especially beneficial for the restaurant industry, due to employees working closely together in a common location.

Monika Tournis created Herbologie Teas in order to make ‘olena easier for local farmers to sell and turn into value-added products that could extend the shelf life of their goods. This certified woman-owned business that operates with the philosophy that “Food is Medicine” is now expanding online retail sales to help others benefit from this powerful plant.

General Mills is offering new Pillsbury Thaw & Serve Molten Brownies and the Pillsbury Triple Layer Bar, an individually-wrapped item, in response to the demand for single serve desserts.                                                                                                                                                                                
Rock Paper Coin, a software firm that simplifies the billing process for both wedding businesses and their clients, has locked an additional $1.625M from investors as it looks to expand on its organic growth amidst an industry rebound.

Hot Off the Press

The $120 billion RESTAURANTS Act of 2021 will finally provide a much needed safety net to those working in the hospitality industry. On Thursday, President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan into law.

Chic Chef Co. focuses on all-natural, organic products and is expanding from online commerce to a brick-and-mortar location this May 2021. The brand, created by Celebrity Chef Nik Fields, is a source for gourmet foods, spice blends, olive oils, vinegars, and professional quality cooking utensils. The Chic Chef marketplace will carry all of Chef Nik’s products and other female artisans carefully chosen by Chef Nik. She says, "Female empowerment meets retail in this collaborative marketplace filled with treats that are unique to the culinary industry.''