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The Gramercy touch
Classically trained chef caters to wide range
of personal tastes
By Robin Shepherd
In case you have any doubts that a day in the
kitchen can be as tough as a desk job, you should spend a day shadowing
Christie Barrett West, proprietor of Gramercy Park Catering. West
established her flagship catering business in 1984 after discovering an
unmet need for first-class catering delivered with a personal touch.
West
caters both corporate and private functions to satisfy a wide range of
client preferences, ranging from upscale formal affairs to everyday informal
gatherings. Gramercy Park Catering offers customized personal chef services
as part of a hot new Bay Area trend. A classically trained chef, West adds a
creative culinary touch to special occasions such as weddings, christenings,
baby showers, holiday gatherings, corporate events, anniversary celebrations
and graduation parties. Like a feng shui food master, West pays careful
attention to every detail of the presentation as well as the food itself.
West is as savvy on the
business side as she is in the kitchen. When she needed backing during the
startup phase of developing Gramercy Park, West applied to Cornell
University to participate in a special “Women in Business” study. She
learned quickly, and expanded her business into a full-service operation
that includes menu planning, food preparation, food and beverage service,
table decorations, themed centerpieces, specialty linens and costumed
servers. Clients rely on Gramercy Park for party planning extras such as
open-air tents, tables and chairs, musicians and disc jockeys and special
venues.
Variety in her work keeps West on her toes.
She may be planning a Greek-themed dinner at a private residence one day,
and the next day, be immersed in creating a black-tie event for the Palo
Alto Art Center or a professional luncheon for the Knight Fellowship at
Stanford University.
Gramercy Park Catering operates from a
state-of-the-art, 2,700-square-foot kitchen that West has outfitted with
cooking equipment from Hobart, Wolf and Blodgett, and a tasting area for her
clients. West regularly showcases her offerings at modern bridal faires, and
her wedding business is growing as a result. Her reputation for quality,
reliability and professional, courteous service has won her a growing base
of loyal customers.
Clients can choose from a mouthwatering array
of foods for breakfast, luncheons and dinners, with salad entrees,
salad/specialty bars, menus for clients with special dietary needs and
unique themed party menus, assorted barbecue options, and delectable
desserts. Gramercy Park provides extensive choices from sample menus, or
clients can opt for a custom-designed event theme and menu.
Gramercy Park Catering was voted 2004
Corporation of the Year by the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
For more information, contact Gramercy Park
Catering, (650) 823-3025, e-mail gramercyparkctrg@aol.com, or logon to their
website, www.gramercyparkcatering.com.
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