Jody Birnbaum is brand new to the Catering by Michaels family but we’ve known her for many years! Her culinary and catering accomplishments precede her.

As of her recent hire, Jody added a new job title to her already decorated dossier—Director of Sales and Marketing! Today on the blog, she goes through her past, her new role at Catering by Michaels, and some fun facts you might not know about her.

Let’s get started then, shall we?

What did you do before working at Catering by Michaels?

It was kind of an unusual situation because I used to own a catering company of my own.

My company and Catering by Michaels were friendly competitors in the market. I sold my company 11 years ago (after owning it for 25 years!) and since then, I’ve been a business management consultant to the food industry. I help caterers, restaurants, food trucks, personal chefs—you name it—either start up or grow their businesses.

At this point, I feel like the reason I accepted this opportunity as Catering by Michaels’ Director of Sales and Marketing is because at this time in my career, I’m passionate about teaching, training, mentoring, leading, and inspiring.

The current sales team is made up of 11 people—I hope to dip into my skill set as a former catering business owner, consultant, leader, and inspirer.

Fun fact: When she was consulting, Jody also taught at Kendall College for 11 years. It was an entrepreneurial class attended by culinary, hospitality, and even business students. The class was all about the business of being in food service.

I’m excited about working with this great company. I think we can accomplish a lot together.

Tell us about your position: what does that day look like on a daily basis, and in general?

I started January 8, 2018, so I’m still very fresh to this role!

When I first came in, it was a study of Catering by Michael’s operations. This took awhile because it’s such a big company. We dug deep into warehousing, the kitchen, sales, and operations. It was an onboarding round robin with a lot of observation.

In the last few weeks, I’ve taken a deeper dive into sales, getting to know everyone. It’s going to be my job to help some of the newer/younger team members understand the industry and fill in some of the blanks regarding why things are done certain ways.

I’ll be helping them meet and exceed their goals for the year. Everyone seems very passionate about the industry— it’s heartwarming! And everyone’s been very receptive to me. No one has had this position for awhile and it’s time to build a group that works well together.

I have a lot of contacts in the industry and in general and I hope to be able to call upon my network to benefit my team.

What’s the best part of your job?

Knowing that I’m working for a company with some great food and very solid operations. In terms of having the support anyone would need to handle a wide range of events and things, there’s a solid team, amazing kitchen, and a lot of delighted clients.

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In celebration of Valentine’s Day, we’re giving you an inside look at Patricia and Fidencio’s vibrant Mexican fiesta themed wedding at Catalyst Ranch. The use of bold, vivid colors were inspired by the couples Mexican heritage and flawlessly carried out through every detail of their special day.

Catalyst Ranch served as the perfect backdrop, bringing the pops of color and festive decor to life! What we really loved about this wedding (besides the very sweet couple) was that is was so different from most of the weddings we typically cater. It’s unique, more casual and energetic vibe was not only fun for all the guests, but for the couple as well. 

As a little treat for anybody feeling the love this Valentine’s Day, let’s wander through all the Mexican fiesta themed elements in the photos captured by the very talented Cage + Aquarium. 

Our frozen margarita push pops — aways a guest favorite!

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We’re lucky to have so many amazing venues in our network, giving you direct access to a variety of unique backdrops to complement any type of event.

As part of our ongoing “Chicago Venues We Love” blog series, we recently spoke to Jazmine Gonzalez, Owner and President of Loft 21, to get the lowdown on Chicago’s newest and most awe-inspiring event space that can be transformed time and time again.

What kinds of events typically take place at your venue?

We have seen clients use Loft 21 for many different events this first year. From mitzvahs and weddings, to corporate and charity galas. We have even done baby showers, 1st birthdays and 50th birthdays. It is incredible seeing how each client transforms the space to fit their vision.

What are your favorite types of events to host at Loft 21?

My personal favorite is an event where the client comes in excited to be creative. There are so many amenities with Loft 21 — from the divisible space, tables & chairs and my favorite feature, the technology. It really allows the client to put their personal stamp on their event.

What are your favorite features of the space?

We have built the 31,000 sq ft venue to be an event space with a distinct blend of industrial and ultra-modern design. With state-of-the-art sound, lighting, 11 giant screens, and 15 mechanical walls, a client can truly transform the space to be personalized every time. There are so many amenities including; tables, ghost chairs, linens, lounge furniture and more. We have a VIP suites, 4 outdoor terraces, private parking and are surrounded by a nature preserve and trails. With 4 trap doors in the ceiling, guests are in awe when aerialists come down to serve drinks and sweets. Truly a dream venue allowing the client to design their event to fit their style.

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When you’re looking for a caterer, it’s best to inquire with multiple parties to determine the best fit for your event. As a standard practice, caterers share proposals with prospective clients that lay out their plan of action for your event, based on your initial consultation with them.

It’s important to know that you shouldn’t take these proposals at face value. Some catering companies work hard to address every detail, down to the number of cocktail napkins on hand. Others bulldoze through the details, which could result in a bit of chaos when necessary items are missing on the day of your event (or a higher budget to compensate!).

Because of this, it’s best to ask all the catering companies you’re considering some questions before signing a contract. The right questions (and catering proposal comparisons) will help you to avoid last-minute emergencies like not having enough food, or not having linen ready on the day of the event.

Here are five important things to look for when comparing catering proposals:

#1 The Menu

Even when comparing similar menus across multiple catering companies, the execution will undoubtedly be different in terms of ingredients used, serving size, taste, cost, and quality. There are caterers that offer cheap but quality food but compromise when it comes to the serving size and others that compromise size for quality.

When you initial consult with your caterer, be ready and straight up about your event non-negotiables: quality, quantity, or cost—or are you sparing no expense to get the absolute best food?

Some things to consider:

• Flexibility of menu options. Some catering companies only offer a fixed menu, while others, like Catering by Michaels, will work to accommodate your requests (including certain dietary concerns for guests).
• Included beverages. Are they included in the package? What type of drinks will be served? Well drinks or top shelf? Which mixers will be included? Ask about all the drinks that will be included in the package, and make your special requests known as well.
• Can you bring your own drinks? If so, will there be an additional charge per person? When it comes to bringing in outside beverages, there is usually a small charge for insurance purposes. And if you’re planning to have alcoholic beverages, don’t forget to ensure your caterer has a liquor license in the county where you’re holding the event.

If you aren’t sure about the taste and quality of the caterer’s food and/or beverages, you can ask about tastings, but usually, this is not covered until after the proposal is accepted.

#2 Payment and Extra Charges

Let’s be real—cost is a big factor in choosing a caterer. Fortunately, there are options for every budget. But here’s where it gets tricky: some include all charges with their final proposal, while some incorporate sneaky hidden charges to make it seem like they are an affordable alternative. Because of this, it’s imperative to be aware of and ask about any possible costs that may be billed to you.

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Taco Bell put a name to the concept of snacking after dinner, which you may be familiar with as the “Fourth Meal”. Since dinner tends to happen early in the evening when it comes to staying up late, guests may be craving the extra energy that late night snacks can provide.

Including late night snacks as part of your party catering is a must if you want your guests to stick around and dance the night away. Though late night snacks seem to be most popular at weddings, they really are a must-have for any late night event. 

Let’s set the stage: your guests are partying it up on your big wedding day. They’ve already been going for hours in terms of attending the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and socializing with other guests.

By the time the dance floor opens up, they’ll only have a little bit of energy left—even if you just dug into dinner! Multiple cocktails and a champagne toast are further adding to their need for a late night pick me up. Are you starting to see how late night snacks can be the cherry on top of a perfect night?

Here are a few guest favorites:

Ramen Station: Assisted by a Uniformed Chef

Miniature Tilapia Tacos + Warm Sourdough Pretzel Nuggets

Miniature Choco Tacos

Mini Beef BLT Burger + Firecracker Shrimp

Strawberry Banana Pop Rock Truffles

Which late night snacks will you serve at your next late night event? Check out Catering by Michael’s favorite menu offerings for some inspiration. We apologize in advance for making you hungry.