The International Caterers Association presents the 2008 CATIE Awards; Catered Arts Through Innovative Excellence. Started in 2003, these prestigious awards are designed to recognize the achievements of caterers and are open to entries from caterers in any country in the world.

For fair judging, caterers are not allowed to identify themselves in their actual entry binder, which allows every entry an equal opportunity and consideration.

Exceptions are Chef or the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, and Best Marketing Collateral)  The CATIE winners will be revealed at the ICA CATIEs and Event Solutions Spotlight Awards Ceremonies  on February 25th 2009 during the catersource® 2009 Educational Conference.

And why shouldn’t you win a CATIE Award this year? Consider the benefits of winning one – you can market it to your clients and prospective clients, announce it to your local press, tout it on your website and collateral materials, and KNOW that you’re the BEST.

The entry rules and detailed specs are designed to guide you in preparing a worthy entry, and may be found by clicking the “HERE” box at the top right of this page. For inspiration, sample entries from 2006 are below, and 2007 entries are available to ICA members in the Resource Room area of this website.

So do enter the CATIEs this year as your competitors likely will – and surely a CATIE Award will look much better in your marketing materials.

Example CATIE Award Entries:

Best Celebration Cake [pdf] - Best Mixology [pdf] - Best Themed Buffet [pdf] - Best Plate Presentation [pdf] - Most Innovative Food Centerpiece [pdf]

2007 CATIE Award Winners

Best New Food Concept:

Chef Bars
Feastivities Events, Philadelphia, PA

Best Hors D’oeuvre

Mozzarella Balloons
Feastivities Events, Philadelphia, PA

Best Single Plate Presentation

Watermelon & Cucumber Salad
Elegant Affairs Caterers, Glen Cove, NY

Best Plated Menu

Mona Lisa Smiles
A Legendary Event, Atlanta, GA

Best Buffet Presentation

Club Pressure
Elegant Affairs, Glen Cove, NY

Best Themed Menu And Presentation

Capital Club 1920's
By Word Of Mouth Catering, Johannesburg South Africa

Best Celebration Cake

Topsy Turvy Cake
Culinary Capers, Vancouver Canada

Best Use Of Food as Décor

Intercourses
Good Gracious! Events, Los Angeles, CA

Innovative Mixology

Sugarplum Visions
Good Gracious! Events, Los Angeles, CA

Best Barbeque or Picnic

A Dinosaur Birthday Party
Good Gracious! Events, Los Angeles, CA

Best Marketing Collateral

Good Gracious! Events, Los Angeles, CA

Best Collaborative Effort

Park Creek Surgery Center Grand Opening Celebration
Beyond Events, San Francisco, CA & Chez Gourmet Catering, Boynton Beach, FL

Signature Caterer - Best Wedding

A Midsummer's Dream Wedding
The Casual Gourmet, Centerville, MA

Signature Caterer - Best Event

Raising The Bar
Catering By Design, Dever, CO

Pastry Chef of the Year

Chef James Plocharsky
Michael's on East, Sarasota, FL

Chef of the Year

Chef Eric Levine
Chef Eric Catering & Events, Atlanta, GA

Past CATIE Awards Winners

2006 Winners
2005 Winners
2004 Winners
2003 Winners