Industry Leaders

A Toast to Collaboration

When the leaders of Elite Catering + Event Professionals (ECEP) chose the location of the group’s recent annual meeting, they knew what would appeal to their audience. After all, what better place for a group of foodies to come together than a stunningly beautiful locale known for its fine wines and innovative culinary scene?

More attendees than ever convened at ECEP’s fifth annual Symposium, which took place March 9-13 at the Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa Valley, California. And while the picturesque surroundings and world-class dining added to the appeal, the 76 ECEP members and sponsors who attended also found sustenance in interesting discussions, dynamic speakers and plenty of bonding opportunities in the heart of wine country.

Advocating for Change

Change and upheaval can be powerful catalysts for action. This was precisely the case for the founding members of Elite Catering + Event Professionals (ECEP) as they faced the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, which brought a devastating ripple effect to their livelihoods. The catering industry came to a complete standstill, with no relief in sight.

The idea of forming a group with advocacy at its core quickly gained momentum. “Our industry was in dire need of advocacy, leadership and collaboration,” says Susan Lacz, a founding member of ECEP and its inaugural president.

Personalizing the Big Day

Creating weddings that capture a couple’s personalities is what it’s all about for event planner Brian Worley.

Based in Atlanta, Worley has produced and designed about 250 weddings in his career—including his own mother’s. CFE recently caught up with Worley to get his take on wedding design trends and to learn what inspires him when planning a couple’s big day.

Collective Wisdom for Catering Excellence

At the annual symposium for Elite Catering + Event Professionals (ECEP), top catering business owners come together with thought leaders to exchange ideas and best practices. From HR and operations to culinary, kitchen, sales and finance, the event is a dynamic gathering of collective hospitality wisdom. Attendees leave with actionable insights designed to elevate their business and further the relationships started that week.

As ECEP prepares for its 2025 Symposium in Napa Valley, California, we’ve summarized five of the most impactful sessions from previous symposiums, with actionable strategies to help any catering business grow and prosper.

Meet Maneet

At the Florida Restaurant Show in Orlando in November, Chef Maneet Chauhan shared this advice to attendees who gathered to watch her prepare Tandoori Shrimp & Grits: “Be as authentic as possible.”

It’s a maxim Chauhan has clearly followed herself as she’s charted a meteoric rise in the culinary world since arriving in the U.S. in 1999 to study at the famed Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York.

Olympic-Sized Lessons

John Crisafulli—ECEP founding member, and president and CEO of Behind the Scenes (BTS) Catering in San Diego—has produced food at 13 Olympic Games. He’s seen it all, from Covid restrictions to frustrating red tape to perhaps the most exciting challenge—preparing a culinary experience in Paris, the city that sets culinary standards.

Rocco DiSpirito Talks with CFE

With his 15th cookbook, “Everyday Delicious,” Rocco DiSpirito celebrates what inspired him during the pandemic-induced time at home—a renewed appreciation for “what the core of cooking is all about, which is really taking some ingredients, transforming them, and creating a moment around the table.”

Weeks after opening his newest restaurant in the Hamptons—Il Pellicano Southampton, serving coastal-inspired Italian cuisine—DiSpirito spoke with CFE about the cookbook, food TV, the challenges of catering and his upcoming appearance at the California Restaurant Show in Los Angeles on Aug. 26.

A Tale of Two Kitchens

While a kitchen renovation may be high on the wish list, it often gets relegated to the backburner due to cost, disruption and the time you know it will take. And yet, it’s often a major key to growth.

Consider the stories of Ridgewells Catering in Washington, D.C., and 24 Carrots Catering & Events in Costa Mesa, California, two of the largest caterers in the country. The first stands on the precipice of a significant renovation. The latter has been basking in the success of its extensive renovation since 2018. Both owners understand that while kitchen rehauls present many challenges, the investment will pay off for years to come.

The Power of Community

A new catering industry group, Elite Catering + Event Professionals (ECEP), is harnessing the power of the master mind for the benefit of its members.

The group got its start in 2021, in the midst of the COVID pandemic, when executives from four companies came together to elevate the battered catering and events industry through innovation, education and advocacy.

A Charming Tale

Pauline Parry, the award-winning founder and CEO of Good Gracious! Events, shares recipes and memories in “My Culinary Love Story.”

Scroll to Top