On a daily basis, our team works tirelessly to prepare and produce events. We focus on ensuring our clients are thrilled with the result. Whether it’s an intimate family gathering or a multiple day event serving over 9,000 people, we aim to provide the highest quality food and the most professional service. For us, success is measured by the satisfaction of our clients and their guests.

So when we receive recognition and accolades from our peers, it’s an entirely different type of excitement. This is exactly what happened at this year’s Catered Arts Through Innovative Excellence (CATIE) Awards at the International Caterers Association’s Catersource conference in New Orleans. The spirit of the CATIE Awards is to recognize achievements of exemplary production at an event. The CATIE Awards have been called the Academy Awards of the Catering Industry… and this year (drum roll please), we received three!

We were honored to be named Best Action Station, Best Buffet Presentation & Menu, and Best Multiple Day Event. Receiving this recognition out of a field of exemplary, international catering companies fills us with pride. It is a confirmation of the hard work and dedication each and every member of the Catering by Michaels team puts into every event!

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Is food the one true language of love?

Like most holidays, Valentine’s Day can mean something different for everyone. While flowers and chocolates might have taken center stage in the past, that certainly isn’t the case for everyone.

Though we might be slightly biased, our belief is that food is a love language. Even if it’s just about showing yourself love by treating yourself to something you normally wouldn’t eat. As such, whether you love Valentine’s Day or hate it, we have a recipe (or two…) that will sweeten up your night.

There’s a reason that some people claim that the way to their heart is through their stomachs. A satisfying meal will leave you feeling like your best self, and isn’t that what love is all about?

So what if you aren’t a master chef?

Catering by Michaels would be honored to play the role of Cupid this Valentine’s Day.

There are enough stresses and worries that goes into preparing for this day (including the refusal to acknowledge it altogether, for some!), so outsourcing your time in the kitchen will help you to concentrate on the ones you love most.

Regardless of if you’re spending an intimate night with your beau, or throwing “anti-Valentine” party, we can craft and deliver a perfect meal for either occasion.

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Set inside an old brick warehouse building, Salvage One is a one-of-a-kind space boasting an eclectic mix of antiques, furnishings, and decor.

When first setting eyes on the exterior of the building, you would never assume the dreamy world that lies within the walls.

Step inside and the mix of brick, steel, and wood breathe new life into the aged building.

The 60,000 square foot warehouse is decked out with salvaged indoor and outdoor furnishings. The interior boasts exposed brick, low hanging chandeliers, long tables, and pews — complementing an assortment of antiques and furnishings.

Savage One is dedicated to preserving history through architecture and design. Their mission is to keep these timeless pieces relevant and in circulation.

Salvage One is a dual space, set up for both events and antique shopping.

If you are looking for an event that is sure to awe and inspire guests, look no further. Multiple floors allow for parties to hold cocktail hours in one space, then move up to the second floor for music, dancing, and socializing.

Photo Credits: Michael Novo Photography & Victoria Sprung Photography

If the weather permits, the storybook courtyard is the perfect location for a ceremony or cocktail hour. This space is sheltered by the building’s brick walls and is well-hidden from the urban bustle of Chicago’s city life. There is even a long stretch of grass leading up toward an arch of living greenery, making it a stunning natural aisle runner.

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Catering Alchemy

Recipes succeed when perfect ingredients meet perfect skill. Meals achieve memorable status when simple ingredients join to become more than the sum of their parts. We love this catering alchemy: when all the elements of preparing a perfect dish, meal, menu, or event come together magically. And we know this alchemy is only possible when all of us subscribe to this same philosophy.

It is because of this mindset that Catering by Michaels has gained the reputation for being one of the very best catering companies in the Chicagoland area.

We Are All Michaels

Catering by Michaels is more than just a collection of talented people. We are a team. We are a family. It’s what we think about every time someone asked the (obvious) question, ”Who is Michael?” The elegant and fulfilling answer is, “We are all Michaels!”

One of our greatest assets is the camaraderie we all share. For us, it’s about so much more than just the food: it’s about the people behind the food and service.

We are fortunate to have a collection of dedicated people who all bring unique—and integral— skills to work everyday. We succeed as a company because we thrive as individuals. Our unity, our desire to work toward the same goals, our mélange of skills, perspectives, and personalities all combine to make Catering by Michaels flourish.

At Catering by Michaels, you can really taste the difference this combination makes. We owe it to all the “Michaels” who care about the quality and care that goes into every menu item and every event booked.

We are proud of who we are—individually and as a whole—and we want to share this pride with you.

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On February 3, 2019, people all over the United States will gather together to cheer on their favorite team (and scream at the competition!).

The Super Bowl is somewhat of a sacred day for most Americans, with delicious food as a major focus of the festivities.

If you’ve been charged with acting as a Super Bowl party host, this guide will help you to throw an awesome party that won’t soon be forgotten.

Keep Things Interesting (And Fun!): Off And On The Field

Super Bowl commercials have a reputation for being the very best of the year and those who don’t consider themselves as sports fans are thankful to have many fun ads to watch, interspersed throughout the game. To spark up some competition, guests can rate commercials and make predictions about them before the game.

Alternatively, if you’re hosting a Super Bowl party for die-hard sports fans, print out trivia questions and pass them out for your guests to fill out.

Another fun way to keep people excited for all 5+ hours of the big game is football squares. You can either make your own or print out a pre-made template. Hang it up and let everyone initial the squares they want to buy. Put everyone’s money in a pool and award winners at the end of the game.

Score Fan Fare With Awesome Food

Having delicious food probably seems like a no-brainer, but the finer details can slip through the cracks at the last minute.

Let’s take the slider for example. It’s a staple, but instead of just offering cheeseburger sliders, kick things up a notch. Give your guests something to cheer about with a selection of extraordinary miniature sandwiches.

Bring out a selection of Pulled Chipotle Chicken Sliders, Grilled Portobello Mushroom sliders (for your vegetarian friends), and Vietnamese Pork Bahn Mi sliders.

We assure you, these little delights are always a touchdown with party guests.

Buffalo chicken dip is always a good idea, but consider upgrading to the next level with Buffalo Chicken Monkey Bread. Just imagine sinking your teeth into this knotted bread dipped in blue cheese, jalapeño peppers, and green onions.

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