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THE JOURNAL

Vendor Spotlight: Inspired Catering & Events


Inspired Catering Events - Photo Credit: Laetitia Donaghy Photography

Inspired Catering Events – Photo Credit: Laetitia Donaghy Photography

Vendor Spotlight:  Inspired Catering and Events

When I first moved to Chicago a couple years ago, I had come from working in catering for weddings in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. While looking to get my foot in the door in the Chicago market, I began going to every industry event I could find.After being to several small gatherings, I had anticipated the next, an intimate gathering with a few light treats, wine and beer, and a few floral samples.  Boy, was I off!I walked into the venue,Resolution Production House in the West Loop, to find some of the most exquisite food, specialty cocktails, and stunning presentation! I was blown away as I walked into each room. Each was filled with creative displays. There was a steampunk themed room, life size plaster pigs beings used as buffet tables which floated up and down floors to be refilled and so much more! Besides that, the food was AMAZING!!!! I had never seen or tasted catered food like that in my life. My next thought, was who catered this incredible event?!

..and who was the caterer?

Inspired Catering and Events by Karen and Gina Stefani, formerly knows and Phil Stefani Signature Events, was the mastermind behind the food and beverage.  After the event I reached out to them which was followed by an incredible lunch and learning more about their company. Their mission as a premier caterer was truly inspiring (pun definitely intended).Their entire team is professional, kind, and wonderful to work with.  Not only have we had the opportunity to work closely with the special events managers, we also began a very close relationship with several of their key staff that work the day-of. We couldn’t forget to mention, Executive Chef, Liz Tokarczyk! She is a force to be reckoned with! (FUN FACT: Nicole Hensley, the fonder of Storybook, had Liz create a custom menu for her very own wedding!)Inspired Catering and Events creates innovative dishes that flirt with the idea of entertainment more than just food to eat.  They care so much about their clients and without fail, go above and beyond for them! It is incredible how an event for 500 can still seem like an intimate and very personal relationship with their team.For weddings, Inspired Catering and Events can literally do anything you can imagine! Whether you are wanting to do a stationed dinner, buffet, brunch wedding, completely plated and assigned table service, or just passed foods they will never disappoint.  Their attention to detail and food quality speaks for itself and is the reason we keep going back. 

Premier Chicago Wedding Venues

Inspired Catering is on many of the preferred lists for premier Chicago wedding venues.  Check out their list of venues (not limited to these):

1st Ward Events

31st Street Boat Harbor

63rd Street Beach House

Aragon Ballroom

Architectural Artifacts

Auditorium Theater

Bentley Gold Coast

Berger Park Cultural Center

Bridgehouse Museum

Bridgeport Art Center

Buckingham Fountain

Cancer Survivors Garden

Catalyst Ranch

Center on Halsted

Chicago Architecture Foundation

The Chicago Children’s Museum

Chicago Cultural Center

Chicago Dance

Shakespeare Theater

Chicago Theater

Clark Park Boat House

Columbus Park Refectory

Creativo Loft

Douglas Dawson

Douglas Park

Drum Bar of Rafaello Hotel

Firehouse Studios

Floating World Gallery

Garfield Park Conservatory

Gene Siskel Auditorium

Grant Park Rose Gardens

Harold Washington Library

Harris Theater

Humboldt Park Field House

Ignite Glass Studios

International Museum of Surgical Science

Jack Perno Studio

Jack Junge Gallery

Level Office Space

Library Club

Lincoln Park Conservatory Gardens

Lincoln Park Zoo

Loft 644

Loft on Lake

Loyola Museum of Art

Mars Gallery

Merchandise Mart

Millenium Park Rooftop

Moonlight Studios

Morgan MFG.

Morgan’s on Fulton

Murphy Auditorium

National Hellenic Museum

National Italy American Sports Hall of Fame

A New Leaf

Northerly Island

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Ovation

Park West

Peabody Mansion

Plumbers Union

Prarie Productions

Primitive

Promontory Point

Ravenswood Billboard Factory

Resolution Digital Studios

Riveria Theater

Room 1520

Salvage One

Shore Club Chicago

Shoreline Sightseeing Charters-Celebration

Smart Museum of Art

South Shore Cultural Center

Tall Ship Red Witch Cruises

The Ballroom at 12 East Erie

The Penthouse at Chicago Architectural Foundation

Tiffany Gardens-Out Door

Venue One

Vic Theater

Wendella Sightseeing Boats

Wilder Mansion

Need a caterer?

For a traditional cocktail hour passed hors d’Ouerves , open bar, plated dinner, passed sweets, and late night snack package pricing on average is $145-$185 per person depending on entrée options and level of bar.  They are very much in line pricing wise with other caterers in their class.  With Inspired Catering and Events, you do not just getting the food. Also, you are getting trained, trusted, and a full time catering staff. Many of the staff has been with the Stefani team for years.  They require a certain level of expertise and knowledge of wine and food and a know-how to clear and serve tables with swiftness and strategy. Additionally, your glassware, dinnerware, flatware, serving equipment, and bar equipment is all included in your catering costs.Here at Storybook we absolutely love working with the whole Stefani team! We have trust and confidence that they will make our couples thrilled with their food and beverage experience on their big day.  We can’t wait for the next one. If you are looking for a great caterer, look no further!

Xoxo,

Lisa

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