Main Event Caterers

hirshhorn: The Hirshhorn’s signature After Hours event returns...

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:13:43 -0400

The Hirshhorn’s signature After Hours event returns Friday, October 19, with a special program featuring the premiere of a new live show, “The World,” written and performed by Peter Glantz.

Peter, a performer and director known for his whimsical videos and fantastical performances, takes you on a colorful journey through time and space as he inhabits three traveling characters whose destinations and stories change with the rhythm and energy of the crowd. The piece interweaves storytelling, experiments in telepathic communication, and an ever-changing selection of his recent videos, including cartoons for MTV’s “Liquid Television,” music videos for Wilco and Andrew W.K., and “We Can Do It!,” an interview show hosted by Lavender Diamond’s Becky Stark with guests like John C. Reilly and OK Go’s Damian Kulash. Click here for more information.

Purchase Tickets online

We’re honored to cater the event and are looking forward to one of our favorite nights of the year.

One of our on-site event chefs – Paul Maloney – is featured in...

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 11:43:16 -0400

One of our on-site event chefs – Paul Maloney – is featured in an article in the The Culinary Institute of America’s magazine, CIA ProChef.

Paul is now a Certified ProChef and has won numerous military culinary competitions.

Two Upcoming Events on Our Calendars

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:17:29 -0400

If you’re in Washington, DC, these two local food events can’t be missed.

Introducing our Aquaponic System

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 09:36:00 -0400

This week we unveiled our Aquaponic system at our Arlington, VA headquarters. Years in the making—both in concept and construction—we’re thrilled to be the first catering company in the DC metro area to use this technology, and further our commitment to sustainable business practices.

A cutting-edge form of urban farming, Aquaponics is a closed-loop ecological system combining aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soilless plant culture). Both fish and plants are grown in one body of water, using one infrastructure wherein water circulates through the fish tanks, filters and plant beds and then flows back to the fish tanks, completing the loop. The nutrient-rich water that results from raising fish provides a natural source of fertilizer for the growing plants, which then helps to purify the water the fish live in. This natural microbial process helps sustain an environment in which both fish and plants can survive.

The rewards of the system are numerous, not only for the environment, but for our business, as well.

“Less water and fertilizer use, the ability to grow a large volume of crops in a small space, and the value of our clients knowing exactly where their food comes from are just a few of the benefits we’ve experienced.” - Joel Thevoz, CEO of Main Event Caterers.

Our commitment to sustainability runs deep, in addition to the use of aquaponics, we use the most up-to-date techniques including: wind and solar-powered electricity, 100% compostable materials, geothermal heat transfer, mainstay crop production, rain water reclamation and more.

Learn more about our commitment to sustainability, here.

Oh, and be sure to take a look at our feature in this week’s Washington Business Journal: Main Event Caterers invests thousands in a newfangled kind of vegetable garden

Our very own Nancy Goodman, President of Main Event Caterers,...

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:24:11 -0400

Our very own Nancy Goodman, President of Main Event Caterers, attended the A Billion + Change in Action: Connecting to the Future of Corporate Service forum yesterday morning at the White House.

The national campaign was launched by the Corporation for National and Community Service in 2008 and now continues as an initiative under the federal agency. A Billion + Change aims to mobilize billions of dollars of pro bono and skills-based service by 2013 to address core issues our communities face across the US, and around the world. We’re proud to participate and encourage you to tell your employer about this fantastic initiative. Learn more on their website and make the pledge!

Our first queen hatched last week, pictured above is the royal...

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:31:00 -0400

Our first queen hatched last week, pictured above is the royal queen cell. This larvae was fed royal jelly exclusively in order to mature into an egg-laying bee.

Our Rooftop Apiary, An Update

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:00:00 -0400

The first generation of our Italian honeybees have hatched, and are now producing honey and pollen. After the female mates, she lays eggs which go through the same stages as caterpillars and butterflies. First they hatch into larvae, and then emerge from the cocoons as adults.

Our rooftop apiary serves as a real-life science lesson, plus we’re helping to pollinate local flowers and trees, and getting fresh honey out of it. Have you ever thought about urban beekeeping? There are some great resources out there to help you get started.

Pin your dream wedding, and win $5,000 towards your big day....

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:26:06 -0400

Pin your dream wedding, and win $5,000 towards your big day.

To be eligible to win:

Event location must be within a 50-mile radius of Washington, DC.
Join Pinterest (if you haven’t already) and follow Main Event Caterers.
Create a “My Dream Wedding” board in the Wedding & Events category
Pin photos and videos that reflect your ‘dream wedding,’ five of these pins must come from one of Main Event Caterers’ boards or Flickr
Post a link to your board to our Facebook page no later than August 15, 2012

Main Event Caterers’ wedding and event design experts will have two weeks to review entries and select a winner, to be announced September 1, 2012. The winner will receive $5,000 towards their wedding with Main Event Caterers. Our judges include,

Rachel Glaws, RGI Events

Courtney Swierczek, A Sweet Soiree

Aimee Dominick, A Dominick Events

Julie Savage, Strawberry Milk Events

Our Facebook fans. That’s right, the board link with the most ‘likes’ and comments will receive the 5th vote.

Our Rooftop Apiary

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:44:00 -0400

Our Italian honeybees arrived a few weeks ago, and we’ve officially taken the leap into urban beekeeping - assembling hives in our warehouse and laying out the apiary on the roof. The benefits of urban beekeeping are numerous; they are an important component of vertical farming and their honey is likely to have significantly less chemical residue than commercial honey. Urban beekeeping benefits the planet as well, cutting transportation and manufacturing costs and side effects, with minimal processing and simple recyclable packaging.

This is one of the many steps we’re taking as a company towards our goal of sustainability. Stay tuned on more updates from our new friends.

{assembling the hives in our warehouse}

{placing Queen Bees}

GROWING CITIES is a feature-length documentary that examines...

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:40:04 -0400

GROWING CITIES is a feature-length documentary that examines the role of urban farming in America and asks how much power it has to revitalize our cities and change the way we eat. The film follows two friends on their journey across the country as they meet the men and women who are challenging the way this country grows and distributes its food, one vacant city lot, rooftop garden, and backyard chicken coop at a time.

We’re excited to pledge to GROWING CITIES. Watch the trailer above, make your pledge, and spread the message. The filmmakers need to raise at least $35,000 by May 12th to prepare for an early 2013 release. Get behind this great food movement.

Last Saturday night we catered an event to commemorate the 100th...

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:57:00 -0400

Last Saturday night we catered an event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Guests dressed in period attire, arrived in vintage automobiles and dined on the same menu that was served in first class on that fateful night, while images of the ocean were projected on the windows of the dining room.

Adding to the authenticity, a musical trio played the same set of music that was heard on that evening. There was even a replica of the ship and a mural of the grand staircase. A grandson of a surviving couple attended and regaled the group with tales of the ordeal.

Recreate this menu and transport yourself and your guests to the early 20th century.

Passed Hors D’Oeuvres

Oysters a la Russe - lemon splashed
Leek, Caramelized Onions + Chévre - puff pastry squares
Port Poached Pears + St Andre - pastry envelopes

First Course

Cream of Barley Soup - a French country favorite

Second Course

Poached Salmon - mousselin e sauce

Third Course

Beef Forestiere - bacon lardons + wild mushrooms

Fourth Course

Punch Romaine - mint + rose water sorbet

Fifth Course

Asparagus Salad - champagne-saffron vinaigrette

Sixth Course

Waldorf Pudding - creamy + vanilla scented, apples, raisins. walnuts

Artini 2012 at Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art +...

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 10:29:14 -0400

Artini 2012 at Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design, March 31st.

Nearly 800 guests and VIPs enjoyed savory options like sliders, chicken quesadillas, and three varieties of grilled cheese to balance out the cocktails.

Event Designer - Spencer McCormack

Photos: Tony Brown/imijphoto.com

Let this menu our head chef created for an exclusive event we...

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:31:05 -0400

Let this menu our head chef created for an exclusive event we recently catered serve as inspiration for this weekend’s big meal!

Combine beets, orange, candied hazelnuts and arugula + radicchio for a fresh burst of spring flavors.

Some of our favorite dishes we’ve created over the years....

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:30:00 -0400

Some of our favorite dishes we’ve created over the years. View more here.

Looking for some weekend dining inspiration? Chef Joel created...

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:28:18 -0400

Looking for some weekend dining inspiration? Chef Joel created this modern take on comfort food for a recent event we catered. The unlikely and delicious combination of tarragon, apricot and jasmine rice-stuffed quail paired with a walnut mint pesto is a great way to impress any guest or loved one.

Head Chef Joel’s latest menu creation for an exclusive...

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:29:00 -0400

Head Chef Joel’s latest menu creation for an exclusive event. One of many in a new series coming to our Tumblr.

Try mint pesto and cherry wine jus for a fresh spin on roasted chicken for the perfect Spring meal.

A little tableware and centerpiece inspo for you on this...

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:54:12 -0500

A little tableware and centerpiece inspo for you on this Valentine’s Day eve. Are you cooking at home tomorrow or dining out?

{Photo by: The Observatory}

It’s been a wonderful week for us! We’re so proud...

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:12:23 -0500

It’s been a wonderful week for us! We’re so proud and honored to have been recognized by WeddingWire as a 2012 Bride’s Choice Award Winner, AND as the 2012 Best Wedding Vendor by Washingtonian Bride & Groom.

Not a bad way to start 2012, not bad at all.

S.F. raw foods bakery, Sidesaddle Kitchen’s sign. How do...

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:28:10 -0500

S.F. raw foods bakery, Sidesaddle Kitchen’s sign. How do you get your family and friends to give raw vegan dishes a chance? List the health benefits? Lie?

Washingtonian tasked us with whipping up the perfect winter...

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:00:20 -0500

Washingtonian tasked us with whipping up the perfect winter menu, here’s what we came up with. What would be on your perfect winter menu?