We don’t like to take sides when Chicago has not one but TWO amazing professional baseball teams, but it only seems fair to cheer on the Chicago Cubs as they attempt to break their 100+ year dry spell of World Series wins.

Chicagoans all around the city and across the globe are collectively biting their nails and hoping that this year is FINALLY the year. As of this writing, the Chicago Cubs still have to defeat the LA Dodgers before they even have the chance to compete for the title of World Series champions. Fox Sports shares the playoffs and World Series schedule if you need to keep up with game dates and times!

As we wait around and see what happens for the Chicago Cubs in 2016, it can be fun to shift the focus slightly from the intense competition, to ballpark food and the weird Chicago Cubs goat curse.

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When you hear the phrase “box lunches,” how does it make you feel?

You might feel nostalgic for the lunch mom packed you back in your elementary school days. Or, perhaps, you’ve had lackluster box lunches in the past and are a little turned off by the concept. At Catering By Michaels, we take every food item that leaves our facility very seriously – even if it’s not an elaborate action station or catering set up for VIPs at a big festival like Lollapalooza.

That’s why we think that no matter your past experiences, you’ll love our box lunches. Trust us, you’ve never seen anything quite like them before.

Here’s how we think “out of the box” to bring you the best in boxed lunches.

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Did you know that Catering by Michaels handles a wide scope of events for many prestigious schools in the Chicago area? Some of these schools include Northwestern, Columbia, Roosevelt, University of Chicago, and also K-12 schools like Niles West and Glenbrook North.

Our catering services include full service and delivery for homecoming, reunions, departmental meetings, and more.

We chatted with Shannon Sherwood and Meredyth Brook, who both work with our educational partners at Catering by Michaels, to get their insights on catering for Chicago area schools.

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Have you met David (“Dave”) Sandler? He insists that he’s a boring guy, but interviewing him led to a lot of interesting industry insights, not to mention some great suggestions regarding proper storage of cheese and how to use different types in the perfect homemade macaroni and cheese dish.

Dave Sandler is the Executive Vice President of Catering by Michaels, and has been involved with the company from a very young age. It’s pretty safe to say that working here is something that will never change!

What did you do before working at Catering by Michaels?

Honestly, I’ve worked here more or less my whole life, originally starting when I was 12. I’ve done other things, like when I went away to college (where I ran a local restaurant and bar program), but all of my jobs have been in this field. For the most part, Catering by Michaels has been my career.

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Are you looking for a little something extra from your catering company?

We love full service events, because they give us the chance to bring new life to our catering offerings, and customize dishes based on each guest’s unique preferences

We’re talking of course about our various action stations – staffed by friendly and knowledgeable chefs trained to put a smile on your face while your dish is being prepared.

Our most requested action stations include:

• Ramen Station
• Raclette Station
• Champagne & Seafood Cart

Let’s take a look at what makes each one special.

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