Chef, Caterer and Planner Collaboration
We have a long history of collaborating with chefs, caterers and event planners:
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If the caterer has serving equipment, we can bring buffet linens, decorative accents and display items
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If no additional items are needed, Michelle loves hospitality and frequently serves with the caterers team
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We also enjoy collaborating with caterers and chefs in our Meaningful Gathering space for special event tastings.
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Michelle enjoys serving. Extra hands make for light work. We model integrity and direct all inquiries to the caterer or planner.
Hospitality Matters
When Meaningful Gathering is involved, we don't just want to feed people; we want to serve people. We want you to have the best customer experience.
The picture on the left is a Bride and Groom tasting. The decor and serving items were provided by Meaningful Gatherings in their Gathering Room in Temple Hills, MD. Accents were displayed on other tables for consideration for their upcoming wedding reception. They perused the items while Chef Gwen Dodd prepared the finishing touches in the kitchen shown below. We used Meaningful Gathering chafers so Chef Gwen only had to bring the food. The Bride and Groom chose Chef Gwen to cater and the wedding was at Oxon Hill Manor. Chef Gwen used her catering equipment and Meaningful Gatherings team brought the sweetheart, buffet and favor tablecloths and other accents. Both teams collaborated well with the Day of Wedding Coordinator Team.
The picture on the left is at an Appreciation Celebration for Sistah Joy as she stepped down as Poet Laureate of Prince Georges County, MD after five years of dedicated service. The event was hosted by the Prince Georges Arts & Humanities Council at the Hyattsville Branch Library. The podium florals, table linens, platters, black chafer bases and other serving items were provided by Meaningful Gatherings. Non-profits have to stretch their budgets so "drop off" service was negotiated and Michelle helped serve food. You can't tell by the focus on her face, but she enjoys serving. She recommended Pinky's Eatery to cater the food. Pinky's owns a commercial kitchen and Randy was a little early with the drop off as always. We trust them and there were many compliments on the food. Their contact information is on the Service page. Sistah Joy's contact information is on our Home page.
This is Michelle's birthday celebrated in her Meaningful Gathering Room. We used MG's chaffers and plum buffet linens. Pinky's brought their Carving Station heating lamps to keep their Smoked Brisket warm without drying it out. They also fried fish on the patio so it was served hot and crispy. They brought yams and brocoli cheddar rice casserole, potato salad and corn bread. Chef Rebekah made the Kale Salad with Fresh Mango IG @xclusivecuisinellc or xclusivecuisine.com. The two vegan dishes were prepared by friends to accommodate dietary preferences. See Birthday Video on the Our Story page
Pinky's Eatery catered a wedding in College Park, MD. Meaningful Gatherings set the china, flatware, stemware, napkins ordered by Pinky's and programs provided by the Bride. MG provided the beverage dispensers, bowls and some mini tongs on the grazing table, set-up by Pinky's General Manager. Michelle served the head table during the reception. Lovely people inside and out.
The kitchen pictures are in the Meaningful Gathering space. It is not a commercial kitchen but it works for special event tastings when clients are deciding which caterer to move forward with. It works well because the chef or caterer does not have everything perfectly clean before they serve their prospective clients. They can serve in the Gathering Room. Notice the low entry door allows a rolling car to move from the driveway into the kitchen with ease. MG has three rolling cards on-site.
If the caterer wants to conduct the tasting in the kitchen there are four counter seats and two comfortable seats the right of the island. Meaningful Gatherings has the platters, bowls, dispensers and serving items plus three refrigerators and two freezers to keep food at the optimal temps until service.
Michelle cooked for the gentleman seated at the island. This was a networking lunch for a young man making a career transition to Information Technology. The three other gentleman gave of their time on Martin Luther King Birthday to share their insights and connect with the young man. When Meaningful Gatherings talks about Connection for Empowerment...this is what we mean. Michelle paid for the lunch ingredients as a way to honor Dr. King's legacy and give back while she was working full-time. Now that she is retired, one of the organizers may order food and Michelle can receive the delivery and help set-up if needed. We also hosted the Thirty-Mighty Men when they taught young men financial principles while playing the Rich Dad Poor Dad Cashflow Boardgame. We love connections at the kitchen island.
Meaningful Gatherings facilitated a Event Server Trainer for Sugar Rim Bar & Rentals employees. Notice how excited one of his team members was to choose from multiple options. They enjoyed the creative aspects while learning table setting guidelines and server etiquette.
Founder/Owner Cory Brim probably could have taught the session himself but this allowed him to focus on other things. If you need to rent tables, chairs, bars or event furniture he has a commercial warehouse full of inventory and multiple trucks for delivery. Consider Sugar Rim Bar Rentals. Cory is pictured to the left. https://www.sugarrimbar.com.