A Gala Event

On a Sunday evening in early November, a pre-conference cocktail party found the Leading Caterers of America atop the Russell Investments Center SkyGarden in downtown Seattle, with a panoramic view of the waterfront and Mount Rainier like a ghost in distant view. 

 With sweeping views, Benaroya Hall’s circular Samuel & Althea Stroum Grand Lobby was home to the main event: a seated, coursed dinner for the Leading Caterers of America Executive Summit. DSquared Hospitality are the exclusive partners for all food and beverage services at Benaroya Hall.

Stunning tableset with the menu printed upon the napkins.

Hosted by DSquared Hospitality/Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering and Lisa Dupar Catering, it was a drink and a delicious bite or three, a chance to catch up, and then many were off with dinner plans before the start of a two-day executive summit.

Trip Wheeler of SB Value receives wine service. 

Monday night found caterers dressed head to toe in flannel and band t-shirts, bobbing their heads to grunge-style Seattle tunes while they toured a commissary kitchen and took selfies with stilt walkers dressed as the Space Needle.

So, for the final event of a three-event stretch, it was time to pull out the glitter and glam Seattle-style, the “tuxedos and tennis shoes” as it were, with a seated dinner at Seattle’s sumptuous Benaroya Hall.

One of DSquared Hospitality’s exclusive venues and home to the internationally acclaimed and Grammy Award-winning Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the hall sparkles with the beauty of Dale Chihuly chandeliers, and hosts a seriously pretty promenade overlooking the Grand Lobby, where dinner was set for about 150 people. 

Passed appetizers during the cocktail hour included this Dungeness Crab Pierogi with Ponzu Dipping Sauce from Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes, a DSquared Hospitality Company.

Welcome beverages upon arrival.

Pre-event cocktails and small bites were served, then a surprise! All imbibers were given “sippy cups” to pour their cocktails into and then were led into the acoustically optimized auditorium for a short program. Despite being seated in the “wayback” of the auditorium, the sound carried magnificently.

Guests were invited into the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium of the renowned Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, for a short recital, pre-dinner. 

A standing ovation in the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, which normally seats 2,500 people. The LCA members had the space all to themselves!

But more surprises awaited the group as they took their seats and enjoyed a stellar menu that once again fully opens the argument that caterers deserve a place within the James Beard Awards! With a musical interlude between courses, and light music throughout that allowed for conversation among friends and newly-formed connections, each course outdid the next with a stunning end—an interactive apple dessert from Lisa Dupar Catering that one had to crack with a spoon to open. 

Vegan Apple  Pear Crisp with Hazelnut Oat Streusel & Spiced Coconut Cream (GF/V) was one dessert option.

Bread course accompanied the first course of Roasted Sugar Pumpkin Bisque.

The second course (GF) was Slow Cooked Wild Salmon with Late Harvest Corn Cream Sauce, Celeriac-Parsnip Puree and Roasted Brassicas. 

An alternate second course (GF/V) offered Grilled Eggplant & Heirloom Tomato Terrine with Arugula Pesto, Tomato Pomodoro Sauce and Micro Salad.

This incredible dessert from Lisa Dupar Catering was interactive: “How ‘Bout Them Apples” offered a chocolate exterior that when cracked, revealed an interior filled with vanilla apple mousse and spiced apple compote.

Finally, as caterers are such gracious people, a nod and applause for those behind the scenes, the servers, bartenders, chefs, and other staff who made the event flawless by their presence.

Guests were treated to original music in between courses  by vocalist Rich Gray, including his “Sweetness of Seattle.”

All photos courtesy Mandee Rae Photography

As guests below applauded the back of house staff, they too raised a glass to the people they’d served all evening, knowing we’re all in the same business: hospitality. 

Event sponsors included

Venue: Benaroya Hall | @benaroyahall

Musical Pairings: Rich Gray with Gennavieve Smith, Levi Redmill, Carolyn Scherbinske, Sophie Sen, and Theo Blackmun
from @cornishcollegeofthearts | @guywithsongs

Soft Seating: Vintage Ambiance | @vintageambiance

Rentals: CORT Party Rental | @cortpartyrental

Linens & Chargers: BBJ La Tavola | @bbjlatavola

Decor: Seattle Event Décor | @seattleeventdecor

Accent Lighting: Bellevue Lighting | @bellevuelighting

Signage: Epoch Design Co. | @epochdesign.co

360 Photo Booth: 1000 Words Events | @1000words_wa

Double R Ranch Signature Tenderloin: Double R Ranch | @snakeriverfarms

Wine: Mark Ryan Winery | @mark_ryan_winery

Coffee Service: Cafe Lusso Coffee Roasters

Chocolate: Barry Callebaut for Cacao Barry | @cacaobarryofficial

Transportation: Butler Seattle | @butlerseattle

Florals: C Franklin Design | @cfranklindesign

Event Photography: Mandee Rae Photography | @mandeerae

Busker: Evan Daley | @evancdaley

Singer: Luke Bob Robinson | @lukebobrobinson

Sponsors: CORT Party Rental | @cortpartyrental, US Foods | @us_foods, Epoch Design Co.| @epochdesign.co