Hot Off the Presses
Constellation Culinary Group is proud to announce an exciting hospitality partnership with The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee and its 28,000 sq. ft. Morganroth Event Center on the Larry and Mary Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life, opening in summer 2023. The celebrated food and beverage operator will serve as the exclusive caterer for the expansive space, which is located on a scenic 32-acre campus in Sarasota, Florida. Notable features of this exciting new facility is the expansive lobby, which will provide space for pre- or post-event receptions for as many as 300 participants and a 10,000-sq. ft. ballroom, which will accommodate up to 1,000 participants. Additional spaces include meeting rooms that can be configured into separate spaces able to accommodate groups of various sizes. The multi use complex will also have expansive parking facilities with enough spaces to accommodate large groups visiting the center for events, with 300+ parking spaces. Constellation Culinary Group will curate all chef-driven menus for the center’s internal events as well as external events/facility rentals in the onsite 3,000 sq. ft. kosher-style kitchen, offering the same innovative culinary practices that the brand is known for in regional markets across the country. Constellation Culinary Group has an impressive reputation for execution at the highest level, offering top-tier service for group functions both large and small.
New York City’s culinary landscape just became a little greener with the April 13 debut of Mae Mae Café as The Bronx’s first plant-forward restaurant and potted plant emporium (arguably the city’s first) in Mott Haven at 2417 Third Avenue, in the Bruckner Building. The cozy new 22-seat urban rustic eatery’s vegan menu is Latin inspired as a nod to The Bronx’s culture and population. Mae Mae Café is operated by Great Performances, the catering and hospitality company, that was an early embracer of plant-based dining. Situated on the street level at the Bruckner Building, home to Great Performances’ commissary kitchen and offices, Mae Mae Café also presents an array of plants for sale, the display of which complements the space’s natural wood decorative accents. Additionally, the new restaurant offers the opportunity for local residents to participate in Katchkie Farm’s CSA. They can sign-up at the café now and pick-up weekly produce shares there every Wednesday, June through November. Farm flower bouquets will be available throughout the summer season.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic halted traditional catering, businesses have started to welcome workers back in-office, and as a result, have increased demand for off-premises catering and group dining options. What’s more, according to a recent report, the number of consumers working from home at the beginning of 2022 dropped to a new pandemic low of 14.4%. To better meet these demands and serve new customers who have returned to the office, Smashburger worked diligently to enhance the menu offerings for its catering program. Smashburger’s catering menu also offers assorted drinks, Chocolate Chip cookies from Sweet Streets and a variety of a la carte menu items for consumers to enjoy. The catering menu offerings start at $7 per person and will vary depending on the location and specific number of people you are looking to serve. Guests can place catering orders directly on Smashburger.com or EZCater.com.
People on the Move
Barton G., the award-winning hospitality group with a dynamic event production and design enterprise alongside innovative dining establishments in Miami and Los Angeles, names Melissa Moten as Senior Vice President of Sales. Moten is an industry leader who comes with a strong background in events both nationally and internationally. She has a goal-oriented approach with clients, strategically identifying growth opportunities whilst exceeding topline objectives. At Barton G., Moten’s responsibilities will include leadership of the event and restaurant sales teams, new business development, and driving event marketing functions. Previously, she was with PRA Business events as a top strategic contributor. Moten has won many industry awards including 40 under 40 from Connect Corporate, Supplier of the Year from several clients and SITE, to name a select few.
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel's accomplished Executive Chef Daniel Corey recently added a second title: Director of Food & Beverage (commonly referred to as “Chef & B”) at the hotel. Chef Corey oversees the menus in the iconic Redwood Room and the new Fredericks eatery, as well as the culinary offerings in the posh Spanish Suite, and all in-room dining. With his new duties, he also runs The Clift’s beverage program, manages the Front & Back of the house for Redwood Room and Fredericks (plus private events), directs the programming in Redwood Room, and governs the stewarding department. Before coming to The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, Chef Corey was Executive Chef at LUCE Restaurant and Bar 888, where he was awarded one Michelin star for nine years in a row. He has perfected his cooking style at various other restaurants on the West Coast as well, using his environment as his muse. At The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, he continues to build on the restaurant’s ingredient-driven, sustainable approach to cuisine, incorporating his experience in fine dining and his love for California, and cooks with the seasons, using only the best ingredients the Bay Area has to offer.
Productst on the Market
Kari-Out Company, a leading manufacturer, importer, and nationwide distributor of paper, aluminum, recyclable food containers and food ingredients in the restaurant takeout industry, today announced that it has acquired Paper Bags USA based in New Brunswick, NJ. The acquisition expands Kari-Out’s focus on paper packaging and complements the company’s vast import network with new domestic production. “With this new facility, we will be able to service our customers faster and with a higher level of supply security,” said David Epstein Vice President for Kari-Out.
