NW Meetings & Events Magazine Awards - Best Catering Company 2011!

We are so thankful and humbled to have received the Best of 2011 Award for Best Catering Company at the NW Meetings & Events Magazine awards last night!

Because this award was voted for by the readers, it carries even more significance to us.  Thank you to all who voted this year and we look forward to continually bringing our best to the table at each event we are a part of!

From the NW M & E Magazine website:

>>Best Catering CompanyTHE WINNER IS: Lisa Dupar Catering 

RUNNERS UP: Foodz Catering, Salty’s on Alki

It’s a given that one of the top caterers in the Northwest serves spectacular cuisine. What sets Lisa Dupar Catering apart is outstanding attention to detail. “After 28 years of catering, we also have developed triple-check systems that we religiously stick to,” says Owner Lisa Dupar. If something does happen, “we have back-up plans to our back-up plan. We could have written the Worst Case Scenario book series!” As for service, she says, “we have a joke that if it’s legal, we’ll try our best to make it happen.” Servers have valeted cars, lifted a wheelchair-bound pastor down a rocky path to perform a service and accommodated 12 different diet restrictions in one dinner.

IACP Conference 2011

What an exciting week it has been!  I had the pleasure of experiencing Austin, TX for this year's International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) conference.  You know you have arrived in Texas when you are greeted by a Long horn steer and an invite to “race” armadillos!  Which then was followed by a Texas sponsored Republic Tequila and Texas Dripping Springs Vodka bar.  Cocktails were not mixed for the faint of heart!

Local Chefs served up tastes from their restaurants that left us wanting to book a reservation.

As a caterer, I absolutely LOVED the “FRITO PIE” (only in Texas) How about this for your next company picnic! Open a bag a Fritos, ladle in a hearty spoon of Texas Chili and topped with shredded Jack and Cheddar cheese. Insert plastic fork and serve! Fun Stuff!

I've got to tell you - Fonda San Miguel has the most AMAZING Zucchini and Squash Blossom Gazpacho, served up with Serrano chili oil.  1st course...and my favorite dish. Sublime.

If this soup is in their cookbook, it would be worth the purchase just for this recipe!

I was kidnapped by my favorite Seattle Gal Chefs - Kathy Casey of Kathy Casey Food Studios - Liquid Kitchen and Danielle Custer, director at SAM TASTE - for a HOT whirlwind Street Food Tour of ATX!

Street Food Tour Stops - The Grackle, The Local Yolk, Fried Chicken & Waffle Truck, Japanese Love Balls, Bits & Druthers, Pig Vicious Taco, The Vegan Yacht and...

Last but not LEAST...GORDOUGHS BIG. FAT. DONUTS.

Such a blast!  After being immersed in Texas sized foodie delights, I had an Awards Gala to attend...where Fried Chicken & Champagne was up for an Oscar of the cookbook world - First Book-The Julia Child award!  All the details on the ceremony and our exciting win (YEA!) will be served up next!