On Saturday, September 6, Zoo Atlanta hosted its first ever Kosher wedding event in its newly opened Savanna Hall venue, with Proof of the Pudding (one of the Southeast’s largest and most well-known catering organizations) leading the event’s culinary direction and execution as Zoo Atlanta’s sole catering partner. Built in 1921 and known as a historic Atlanta landmark, Savanna Hall (which was once known for housing the Cyclorama painting), opened in February of this year. Savanna Hall is part of the Zoo’s Grand New View transformation, a three-part project that also includes the new African Savanna and the new Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Plaza.
Based out of the venue’s newly constructed, state-of-the-art kitchen, Proof of the Pudding’s on-premise POP Kosher team comes fully equipped with specialized capabilities to host events with cultural preferences, dietary needs and menus – taking Atlanta Kosher events to the next level. ]
Photo courtesy Harold Alan Photographers
As the new venue is one of only a few destinations within the Atlanta area offering Kosher dining, both teams were thrilled to celebrate the venue’s inaugural Kosher event in the form of a beautiful fall wedding inside Savanna Hall's largest event space, The Michael & Thalia Carlos Ballroom. “The Proof of the Pudding team and I are very excited about our new Kosher kitchen at Zoo Atlanta,” said Adam Noyes, President of Proof of the Pudding. “This new venue is truly amazing and gives us the ability to serve our community the finest and most innovative Kosher cuisine for all types of events and gatherings.”
“Zoo Atlanta is thrilled to have been able to host such a special occasion at the new Savanna Hall and to introduce the capabilities of the venue to Atlanta,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO of Zoo Atlanta. “While these are challenging times for gatherings, we are very proud to have been able to put together an event that was not only beautiful and memorable, but also designed with impeccable attention to detail when it came to ensuring we were promoting wellness.”
Photo courtesy Harold Alan Photographers
Proof of the Pudding executive chef Dave Stasiulis, who oversees all POP Kosher events as well as Zoo Atlanta’s main event kitchen in Savanna Hall, helmed the September event’s culinary team and executed a beautiful array of themed appetizers like Thai jungle meatballs, apple smoked chicken and vegetarian empanadas along with a selection of chef attended stations that included a taco cantina, grits bar and a more traditional station offering grilled rosemary salmon, white asparagus and vegetable risotto pilaf, all alongside a dessert destination that featured an assortment of sweet treats. While the POP Kosher team delivered delicious cuisine for wedding guests, Zoo Atlanta operations and animal care teams were also onsite to ensure guest and animal safety throughout the event. Visible from the back terraces of the Carlos Ballroom, three Zoo Atlanta elephants roamed the African Savanna while bluegrass music played during cocktail hour.
Photo courtesy Harold Alan Photographers
Given the climate of today’s pandemic, all Proof of the Pudding & Zoo Atlanta teams have re-trained staff and adapted all event and culinary services to strictly adhere to and exceed the CDC’s COVID-19 safety precautions and guidelines. To ensure a safe and sanitary event for all guests and staff, the below measures are in place for every Zoo Atlanta event hosted now and through the near future (including but not limited to):
- Pre-approved floor plans are designed to outline social distancing set up to designate plenty of spacing between guest tables and ceremony set up
- A designated safety representative is present at each event to ensure all safety protocols are followed throughout the evening
- Multiple hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the building
- Use of plexi-glass covers at all food stations
- Face coverings and disposable gloves are mandatory for all employees
- Limited number of guests per table
- Multiple stanchions placed around event spaces to manage foot traffic and avoid lines from forming
Proof of the Pudding is a member of the Leading Caterers of America, https://leadingcaterers.com/
