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CFE News The leading digital news platform for catering, foodservice and event professionals

When it comes to its culinary scene, World Equestrian Center–Ocala isn’t horsing around. 🐴🍽️The largest equestrian compl...
08/21/2026

When it comes to its culinary scene, World Equestrian Center–Ocala isn’t horsing around. 🐴🍽️

The largest equestrian complex in the U.S., World Equestrian Center–Ocala has evolved into a culinary destination, featuring 13 restaurants and an annual food-and-wine festival.

Fun fact: The very first employee hired at WEC–Ocala back in 2020 wasn't a trainer or a riding instructor—it was Executive Pastry Chef (and 2025 James Beard Semifinalist) Yohann Le Bescond. 👨‍🍳

Read the full story on our website to discover:

✅ How WEC grew its dining concepts and 600-member food-and-beverage team
✅ Four new restaurants: The Polo Pony, Genievieve’s, The White Willow, and Emma’s Patisserie
✅ Details on their annual Ocala Food & Wine Festival and culinary tours

🔗👇
www.cfe-news.com/how-world-equestrian-center-ocala-became-a-culinary-destination

By Sara Perez Webber

Featuring
World Equestrian Center
World Equestrian Center - Ocala Resort





Catering 1,200 guests is demanding enough. Doing it across three distinct spaces, two floors and eight culinary experien...
08/19/2026

Catering 1,200 guests is demanding enough. Doing it across three distinct spaces, two floors and eight culinary experiences—while contending with Colorado's unpredictable weather—is a logistical triumph. 🍽️

Denver's Footers Catering pulled off the event, which was produced by Maritz, for the 70th-anniversary celebration of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). 🎉

Rather than creating one large reception, the Footers team designed three completely different experiences, each with its own atmosphere, menu and personality. 🍷

For Footers—a member of ECEP, a growing organization of top global caterers—the event was months in the planning, overseen by Tabitha Hossfeld, senior sales coordinator. 📋

At the client’s request, the company made sure to showcase local specialties on the menus, with design elements that complemented the culinary experience. 🏔️

👉 Read the full article below for all the menu details!

www.cfe-news.com/three-venues-1200-guests-how-footers-catering-made-it-seamless

By Liese Gardner
Liese Gardner

Featuring
Footers Catering
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
Mile High Station
Ironworks Denver
ecepglobal





As Butler's Pantry celebrates its 60th anniversary, the St. Louis catering company is honoring the family vision that la...
08/14/2026

As Butler's Pantry celebrates its 60th anniversary, the St. Louis catering company is honoring the family vision that launched it while relying on a new generation of leaders to shape what comes next. 🎉

Under the leadership of the founders’ son, Richard Nix Jr., the company employs more than 300 people, operates three exclusive venues and holds preferred-caterer status at more than 40 venues across the St. Louis area. 🍽️

Helping guide the company’s continued growth is a senior management team in which women hold eight of 11 positions, including key roles overseeing sales, operations and culinary development. 👩‍🍳

CFE News recently spoke with three of those leaders: Coleen Donovan, vice president of sales and catering; Ciara Johnson, vice president of operations; and Samantha Pliler, chef de cuisine. 👏

Their perspectives offer three practical lessons for catering companies hoping to build a lasting legacy like Butler's Pantry's. 🥂

👉 Visit our website below to read the full article!

www.cfe-news.com/butlers-pantry-at-60-3-legacy-building-lessons-for-caterers

By Sara Perez Webber

Featuring
Butler's Pantry






In its very first year at West Virginia University, Elior Collegiate Dining didn't just show up—they showed OUT:✨ 65% in...
08/12/2026

In its very first year at West Virginia University, Elior Collegiate Dining didn't just show up—they showed OUT:

✨ 65% increase in catering sales
✨ 80%+ student satisfaction score
✨ 13.5% growth in retail sales

How'd they pull it off? A Catering Showcase to introduce their refreshed catering program, a partnership with celebrity chef Fabio Viviani to bring chef-driven dining concepts to campus, and a smart collaboration with the Morgantown Area Partnership to strengthen ties to the local business community.

"By delivering consistent offerings paired with exceptional hospitality, we are focused on creating memorable experiences for every guest," says Dan Ball, Elior Collegiate Dining.

And they're not slowing down—an expanded Catering Showcase is set for Aug. 27 to keep the momentum going into the new school year. 🔥

Congrats to the entire WVU Hospitality Group team on an incredible first year! 👏🎓

📖 Read the full story here: https://cfe-news.com/elior-collegiate-dining-boosts-catering-sales-65-at-west-virginia-university/

Every caterer has stories. The question is: Are you telling the ones that connect? ✨In our latest CFE News Business Tips...
08/07/2026

Every caterer has stories. The question is: Are you telling the ones that connect? ✨

In our latest CFE News Business Tips article, marketing strategist and author Liese Gardner shares four simple ways to tell stronger stories about your business. 📣💡

Gardner, author of "Reframe: Rewrite Your Story, Reimagine Your Work, Redesign Your Future," explains how shifting the way you tell your story can help clients—and the media—see your brand differently.

Because great marketing doesn’t just tell people what you did. It shows them why it mattered. 🎯

🔗 Read the full article:
https://cfe-news.com/reframe-your-brand-tell-better-stories-with-4-easy-steps/

Legendary Miami Caterer Bill Hansen Ties the Knot ❤️After more than 55 years in the catering business, Bill Hansen has o...
08/05/2026

Legendary Miami Caterer Bill Hansen Ties the Knot ❤️

After more than 55 years in the catering business, Bill Hansen has overseen his share of spectacular weddings. But this time, the longtime Miami caterer had a very different role: groom.

In June, Bill married event designer Dilia Melean, now Dilia Hansen, in front of about 320 guests in a lavish celebration at the Coral Gables Country Club. 💍

With just three months to plan their big day, Bill and Dilia drew on decades of relationships with designers, rental companies and entertainers to bring the celebration together. 🥳

Standout appetizers included open-faced Wagyu sliders. Guests raved about the saffron scallop arancini with sweet pea hummus. 🍢

Among the biggest dinner hits were the Meat Market station's dramatic bone-in tomahawk steaks and miso-glazed Chilean sea bass. 🥩🐟

Chandeliers, drapery and dramatic lighting helped transform the look of the ballroom. ✨

👉 Read all event details and takeaway tips from this joyous celebration! Visit our website for the full article, click the link below.

www.cfe-news.com/event-spotlight-legendary-miami-caterer-bill-hansen-ties-the-knot

Select Reception Vendors

Bride & Groom: design
Bill Hansen

Catering:
Bill Hansen Catering & Event Production

Venue:
Coral Gables Country Club

Event Planner:
Creativa + Co

Florist & Décor:


Dress Designer:


Draping:
Created By Kourtnay Events

Photography:
La Vie Studios

Rentals & Décor:



Elements And Accents
Over The Top Rental Linens
Imperial Event Rentals
Diamonette Event Rentals
Chrome Event Furnishing

Performers: tomassetti


Bands:
Chic Supernova







It’s International Albariño Day! A great time to try the 2024 Albariño from Wilson Creek in Southern California’s Temecu...
08/01/2026

It’s International Albariño Day! A great time to try the 2024 Albariño from Wilson Creek in Southern California’s Temecula Valley.

This dry, crisp wine has a lively acidity that pairs well with burrata and Edam cheeses, grilled shish*to peppers, poached fish, buttery shrimp scampi and Baja-style fish tacos. Cheers!

The secret to catering growth? Know who you are—and who you’re built to serve. 🎯Steve Short—chief operating officer and ...
07/31/2026

The secret to catering growth? Know who you are—and who you’re built to serve. 🎯

Steve Short—chief operating officer and chief culinary officer of Steve Short Culinary Team in Phoenix—shares how brand clarity, strategic restraint and a clearly defined culinary philosophy helped transform his family catering operation into a diversified hospitality company with nearly 100 employees.

Discover the lessons he learned about growing a business without losing what made it successful: https://cfe-news.com/steve-shorts-key-to-catering-growth/

This interview launches a CFE News series profiling the industry leaders who are members of our Editorial Advisory Board.

By Sara Perez Webber

Featuring:
Steve Short Culinary Team
Atlasta Catering

CFE News' editor-in-chief, Sara Perez Webber, is excited to be speaking at the California Restaurant Show, August 23–25 ...
07/29/2026

CFE News' editor-in-chief, Sara Perez Webber, is excited to be speaking at the California Restaurant Show, August 23–25 at the Anaheim Convention Center! She'll be moderating a panel discussion with three top California caterers:

• Joann Roth-Oseary, president of Someone's In-the Kitchen in Tarzana
• John Crisafulli, president of Behind the Scenes Catering & Events in San Diego
• Charlie Schaffer, founder and CEO of Schaffer in Los Angeles

If you're a chef, restaurant operator, or foodservice professional, this is an event you won't want to miss. Register FREE (a $99 value) using my complimentary registration code included in the graphic. I hope you'll join me as we explore the latest trends and innovations shaping our industry. See you in Anaheim!

🚚✨ The Great Food Truck Race is back for Season 19, premiering this Sunday, July 26, on Food Network!If you’re a fan of ...
07/24/2026

🚚✨ The Great Food Truck Race is back for Season 19, premiering this Sunday, July 26, on Food Network!

If you’re a fan of the show, make sure to check out CFE News’ interview with host Tyler Florence.

Florence—who’s hosted The Great Food Truck Race since its premiere in 2010—told Sara Perez Webber, CFE News’ editor-in-chief, that he considers the hit show “my greatest contribution to the American restaurant scene.”

This season, Florence takes teams through an epic tour of the Great Smoky Mountains, with all-new head-to-head redemption battles, and a $50,000 grand prize on the line! 🍔🍰🏆

In Florence’s interview with CFE News, he shares his no-nonsense perspective on restaurant trends, branding, and survival in today’s challenging industry.

Read the full article on our website at CFE-NEWS.com, and don’t miss Florence’s appearance at the California Restaurant Show on Monday, Aug. 24.

www.cfe-news.com/what-california-cooks-the-country-eats-tyler-florence-on-restaurant-trends-branding-and-survival

To watch a portion of our video interview with Tyler Florence, visit our YouTube channel

Links in bio!

Featuring
Tyler Florence
The Great Food Truck Race
Food Network
California Restaurant Show




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