Shaken, Stirred and Zero-Proof: The 2026 CATIE Award Finalists for Innovative Mixology

Industry News
Shaken, Stirred and Zero-Proof: The 2026 CATIE Award Finalists for Innovative Mixology The 2026 CATIE Awards' Innovative Mixology category celebrates exactly that. This year's finalists approached the challenge from three very different angles. One transformed a childhood favorite into an interactive experience. Another reimagined a classic whiskey cocktail for a wedding. The third proved that zero-proof beverages deserve every bit as much ...

GROW is Founding Partner of ASCEND 2026 Conference

Industry News
GROW is Founding Partner of ASCEND 2026 Conference Baltimore, Md. | March 17, 2026 — The International Caterers Association (ICA) is pleased to announce GROW Catering Educational Foundation (GROW) as the first official partner of ASCEND 2026, ICA’s annual conference taking place July 19–22, 2026, in Savannah, Georgia. Designed to bring together leaders, innovators, and operators shaping the future of ...

Stress vs. Burnout: What Every Catering Leader Needs to Know

Health & Wellness
Stress vs. Burnout: What Every Catering Leader Needs to Know The catering and events industry has never been for the faint of heart. Long hours, demanding clients, staffing shortages, tight timelines, and the constant pressure to execute flawless events create an environment where stress is often viewed as part of the job. But according to workplace wellness expert and licensed ...

The 2026 CATIE Awards Finalists & Winners

Industry News
The 2026 CATIE Awards Finalists & Winners The International Caterers Association has announced the 2026 CATIE Awards finalists and winners. The CATIE Awards celebrate innovation, creativity, and excellence in catering, and the 2026 winners have truly set the bar high. Congratulations to all of the CATIE Awards finalists! Chef of the Year WINNER: “David Anderson”, Catering By Design (CO) “Hunter X. ...

GMCC Proudly Recognizes Gina Barber of Gourmet Galley Catering

Industry News
GMCC Proudly Recognizes Gina Barber of Gourmet Galley Catering The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is pleased to shine the spotlight on Gina Barber in our Community Proud series sponsored by Charter Oak Credit Union. While Gina is usually the one orchestrating the details behind the scenes, today she takes center stage. With more than 28 years in the event ...

How Venues Choose Their Caterers—and How to Stay at the Top

Business
How Venues Choose Their Caterers —and How to Stay at the Top In the world of catering, few relationships are as influential as those between caterers and venues. Venues are often the first decision made when planning weddings, social celebrations, and corporate events, and once that space is secured, the preferred catering list becomes the gateway to bookings. Being included ...

Bill Hansen Unveils Innovative Catering Laboratory at 80th Birthday Bash

Industry News
Bill Hansen Unveils Innovative Catering Laboratory at 80th Birthday Bash Bill Hansen in front of the new catering and events lab at FIU bearing his name. Miami caterer Bill Hansen—CEO of Hansen Group and Bill Hansen Catering—celebrated his 80th birthday on Aug. 16 with 300 guests at the Kovens Conference Center at Florida International University (FIU) in North Miami. The ...

Best Small Plate Winner: “Diced Salmon Burger” by Dish Food and Events

Member News
Best Small Plate Winner: “Diced Salmon Burger” by Dish Food and Events Best Small Plate Winner: “Diced Salmon Burger” by Dish Food and Events These standout entries blended elegance with innovation, often using seasonal ingredients and stunning presentations to surprise and delight guests. The 2025 CATIE Awards celebrated the power of a single bite. In the Best Small Plate and ...

Meryl Snow – I Turned Glass Vases Into High End Decor DIY

Member News
Meryl Snow - I Turned Glass Vases Into High End Decor DIY What's longtime ICA member and Founder of Feastivities Events, Meryl Snow been up to these days? Welcome to Boomer Reboot! Today, I’m turning what looked like total trash into high-end home decor, and you won’t believe how easy (and fun) it actually is. As a couple navigating life ...

24 Carrots & Footers Featured in Social Media Strategies

Member News
24 Carrots & Footers Featured in Social Media Strategiesby Sara Perez Webber How much do people “like” you? Are engaged couples engaging with you online? Are you feeding customers who found you through your feed? To learn more about how to increase interaction with potential clients through social media, CFE turned to two experts: Liese Gardner, a content strategy specialist ...

‘Charcuterie on a grill’ trend spices up Indianapolis events

Member News
‘Charcuterie on a grill’ trend spices up Indianapolis events Nameless Catering, one of the largest caterers in Indianapolis, has introduced a new culinary trend called ‘charcuterie on a grill,’ which is gaining popularity for its customizable and interactive dining experience. Read the article and watch the video which posted March 24, 2025 on WishTV.com. The innovative concept allows guests to ...