How to Have Elegant, Convivial Corporate Affairs as We Emerge From COVID and Move Towards Normalcy

Image: The Municipal Art Society of New York, Photographer: Cameron Blaylock.

The past few years have required a seemingly endless number of pivots and adjustments. And now, we seem to be at a place where we need—for the good of the economy, our communities and yes, our sanity—to return to work, and to play. That includes gatherings, celebrations and corporate affairs.

At Diane Gordon Catering, we take your safety and that of our staff and fellow vendors, very seriously. By studying local and federal guidelines, and consulting with a variety of health experts, we have found ways to work with clients who wish to host elegant, delicious and safe galas and corporate events in the era of COVID.

Below, a brief overview of two very different, but equally successful events that demonstrate just how “normal” events can be in late 2021.

The Municipal Art Society of New York Brendan Gill Prize Award Ceremony

We were thrilled to work with The Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) for their award ceremony in honor of Julia Wolfe. The event was especially meaningful as it had been cancelled from its original March 24, 2020 date due to the COVID necessitated lockdown in New York City. Fortunately, MAS turned to Diane Gordon Catering again once they were able to reschedule the reception to September 14, 2021.

MAS envisions a future in which all New Yorkers can share in the richness of the city’s cultural life. For more than 125 years, MAS has worked with New York City planning, preservation, arts and civic organizations to lift up the voice of all New Yorkers and create an inclusive and livable city environment for all.

Julia Wolfe, an American composer and professor of music at New York University, exemplifies the vision of MAS. As The Wall Street Journal puts it, her music has “long inhabited a terrain of its own, a place where classical forms are recharged by the repetitive patterns of minimalism and the driving energy of rock,” drawing inspiration from folk, classical and rock genres, and imbuing her work with a modern sensibility that brings those worlds together.

The event was held for 100 guests at the recently restored Prospect Park Concert Grove Pavilion in Brooklyn on a gorgeous late summer night. Designed by Calvert Vaux in 1874, the Concert Grove Pavilion is a beloved landmark and has served as a location for celebrations, special occasions and concerts for generations. It is a key piece of the identity of Prospect Park and, as was typical of the time, borrows motifs from Hindu, Chinese, Moorish and Egyptian architecture.

There were remarks honoring Ms. Wolfe’s legacy and work followed by a performance with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City. Guests mingled freely, enjoying nonalcoholic mocktails. (Our White Peach and Cardamom Fizzy was the standout - recipe here). Passed hors d’oeuvres focused on sustainable, plant based foods including vegan selections like Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls with Soba Noodles and seasonal classics such as Golden Beet Tartare with Herbed Goat Cheese in Parmesan Frico.

Attendance was limited to allow for physical distancing and all attendees were asked to wear masks when not eating or drinking, regardless of vaccination status. Aside from these precautions, everything was incredibly, beautifully … normal.

Healthy Humor Fifth Anniversary Celebration

Healthy Humor is an arts organization created to provide moments of joy, wonder, laughter and comfort for hospitalized children and others in need. Professional performers donate their time and talent, working in hospitals across the country, including Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami and Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.

We agree with Oscar Wilde that indeed, “Life is too important to be taken seriously,” and we could not wait to throw one of the first largescale galas of the season on the eve of the autumnal equinox. The venue for the event was the Sixth Floor Loft entertainment space off Union Square. Door attendants checked for required proof of COVID vaccination before anyone (including catering staff and vendors) was allowed to enter the space.

This Fifth Anniversary Soiree for over 100 guests included mingling and a DJ, with cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres such as Korean Barbecued Beef Short Rib Sliders with Kimchi, a Vegan Homemade Falafel on Flatbreads with Vegan Cucumber Tzatziki and Butternut Squash and Ricotta Quesadillas with Crispy Sage Leaves. The color theme of the evening was red – red linens, red food trays, a red specialty cocktail (Strawberry Moscow Mule) and the ubiquitous red noses.

Watching the laughter, engagement and fun at this event gave us—and we hope, the guests—a renewed sense of hope for the future.

We would love to work with you on all of your holiday, corporate and celebratory gala needs, and give you that same sense of joy and delight in the here and now, and the tomorrow.

Please reach out to us at info@dianegordoncatering.com, and we would be happy to walk you through all of the sanitary and safety rules and suggestions we have recently provided for private clients, not-for-profit organizations, law firms and corporate board dinners.

Kathleen Willcox and Diane Gordon have known each other for a long time. Kathleen worked for Diane Gordon Catering in 2010-2012, planning incredible parties and feasts for the Company’s many private and corporate clients. In 2012, Kathleen moved Upstate to start a family, but they stayed in touch. Kathleen now lives in Saratoga Springs with her husband and twins, and writes about food and wine for Wine Enthusiast, Liquor.com, Edible Capital District and several other regional and international publications and works as a consultant and writer for small businesses. She’s thrilled to have an excuse to work with Diane again.