San Diego Chapter National Association of Catering Executives sdnace.org San Diego

August 2005

President's Message
Summer 2005
by Tracey Amernick, CPCE

CPCE Update - I am proud to report that after meeting every Monday evening for the last five months, six of us finally took the CPCE exam! (Special thanks to Judy Anderson, CPCE for hosting us at the Holiday Inn on the Bay). Congratulations Nancy Changnon-Baron, Angie Kemp, Sandy Maurin, Chris Agrippe, CPCE and Judy Anderson, CPCE for your dedication, and a special thank you to Marcy Seibert-Melley for proctoring. <more...>

Elections

With September elections only a few weeks away we're encouraging "a few good people" to join our board! Some of our current Board members will choose to run again, and there will also be a few vacancies to fill. You may want to run for a position or join a committee. Don’t underestimate your ability to become a leader! Watch for information about elections.

We are going to use an electronic format this year, as well as regular voting at at our September meeting. Eligibility requirements and the respective board positions are listed here.

Please contact Tracey Amernick by August 15, if you are interested in running for a position. 858- 539-7722 or tamernick@bahiahotel.com

Our August Meeting
A Wonderful Summer Evening
by Chris Agrippe, CPCE

Click for pictures

Our August meeting was held in the heart of downtown at the Wyndham Emerald Plaza... the hotel that has graced the San Diego skyline for years with its sleek neon green accents. Upon arrival we were offered small gold mesh pouches filled with the Wyndham’s signature amenities, and fresh baked San Francisco sourdough bread courtesy of Boudin Bakery and Café Catering. Our reception took place in the Crystal I Ballroom, and the team from the Wyndham created a sophisticated gathering area with lounge furniture, exotic florals, and dramatic up lighting complete with a fountain that gave warmth to the room. In addition we enjoyed passed hor’s‘d oeuvres, a martini-style ceviche display, and a wonderful sushi bar provided by Sushi Specialties located in Ocean Beach.

Dinner was held in the Crystal II Ballroom, and for the second time this year we saw a very cool look... several of our dinner tables were set on risers toward the back of the room, creating a cabaret feel. Tablecloths were light blue satin stripe organza pastels over blue satin lower cloths accented with centerpieces that glowed softly. Each place setting was set with a gold charger and bottles of Voss mineral water.

Servers wore white-gloves and we began a delicious dinner with chilled strawberry-merlot soup, followed by micro greens and butternut squash ravioli salad. Our combination entree was petit filet mignon with shitake mushroom demi-glaze, and roasted Moroccan salmon barbecue accompanied by baby vegetables and quinoa risotto.

Our speaker, Jack Gilbert Ed.D, is a noted expert in business ethics, an award-winning author, and a consultant to multinational corporations. His topic was ethical decision making, and instead of a "right and wrong" approach to ethics, he discussed the more subtle nuances of erosion that can take place when standards are allowed to slip and a gradual decline occurs in business practices. His comments were thought provoking as he gave real-life examples of how even good people with good intentions can experience a decline in professional performance. Jack left us with an inspirational message taken from the 200-year construction of the Notre Dame Cathedral, and a lesson on how we can help to make a difference in the world.

At our next meeting in September our Board Elections will be held. A healthy and vibrant association succeeds through membership involvement. You are invited to attend, participate, and cast your vote. Our program for the evening will be an "out of the box" exercise in Creativity and the Five Senses. There is still time to become a board member… anyone interested in running for a position should please contact any current board member.

Affiliate's Corner
by Mike Ryan

Affiliate affinity

David Kotulski of Boudin

How cool would it be to have your Regional Manager show up at your local NACE Dinner Meeting and get invited to talk about your business? That’s what happened to new affiliate member David Kotulski, Catering Sales Manager of Boudin Bakery and Café in San Diego. At our Aug 2nd dinner meeting, David’s “boss” Michael Ramrick, out of San Francisco, talked about catering events and sourdough breads their banner product! Did you catch Michael mentioning that they have the "Mother Dough"? That got a rise out of me! Boudin Sourdough is located at 7007 Friars Rd. #357 – Phone: 619-436-7592. PS Thanks David for the long loaf of bread, I’m still eating it.

Beverly Pamenski-Murray of DreamWorld Backdrops

Our next affiliate offers "Any world you can imagine delivered nationwide"! Beverly Pamenski-Murray is President of DreamWorld Backdrops in San Diego. She is also the immediate past President of the local ISES chapter. Beverly talked to us about her Award Winning business but personally I thought her Backdrop samples spoke much louder . . . jaw-dropping Backdrops, they were fantastic! If you didn't get a chance to view the samples give Beverly a call at 858-452-4922 or 858-382-5278. DreamWorld Backdrops, The World Leader in Scenic Backdrops, is located 6450 Lusk Blvd. suite: E106, San Diego.

With a warm wave, Mike Ryan - Affiliate Representative

Community Service Update 2005
by Geneene Thornton

Late but None the Less Sincere!
Geneene Thornton, and her Community Service Committee, want to thank the members of SDNACE that donated nearly $3,000 (retail) of gently used clothing to the Rachel's Women's Center in San Diego, this past May. To Say THEY were appreciative would be an understatement. They were elated!!

2005 Year End Community Service Calendar

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
Children's School Clothes-clothing Drive
It's August and most of you are out shopping for new school clothes for your kids, right? Stop, don't throw the old clothes out. There are kids out there that don't get new clothes every year and they would love your gently used clothes that children don't wear or can't fit into anymore. Pack them up in bags of girls and boys clothes and bring them with you to the September SDNACE dinner meeting.

SEPTEMBER
"NACE night with the San Diego Padres"
Monday September 26th
Game time 7:05 p.m.
(The last Monday night Padres game of the year)
San Diego Padres vs. San Francisco Giants
$18.00 seats
Discounted SDNACE price $15.00 per ticket
(Must sell at least 25 to purchase at discounted price)
Interested in going?
Call Geneene Thornton (619) 287-6133 (rsvp no later than august 19th, 2005)

NOVEMBER
Holiday Food Drive
Bring a $10.00 bag of non-perishable food items to the November SDNACE dinner meeting. Food will be distributed to the San Diego Food Bank in time for the holidays. Don't have time to shop? Bring $10.00. We'll be happy to do it for you!

DECEMBER
Holiday Party-Toy Drive
December 6, 2005
Joint holiday party with ISES
Humphreys Half Moon Inn
Bring an unwrapped gift for a needy child - all aged gifts are welcomed (don't forget the teenagers)

Anyone interested in the Community Service chair position?
SDNACE 2006 board
The position will be open. Let Geneene Thornton, or any board member, know if you are interested!

Raffle Kudos
by MaryAnn Quinto

A special thank you to all those of you who donated to the August meeting:

2 sets of Prime Rib dinners for 2 courtesy of Tracey Amernick
2 bottle of wine courtesy of Brant @ Phoenix Photography
A bottle of wine & a travel book courtesy of Jason @ All About Honeymoons
A gift surprise courtesy of Ms. Geneene Thornton
2 sets of 4 Bahia Belle passes
A Starbucks card courtesy of Philip @ Ballonatics
A gift certificate for Gordon Biersch courtesy of yours truly
Boxes of chocolates courtesy of Carl Jerris of CJ’s Confections
Brunch courtesy of Darla Mercer of Humphrey’s By the Bay
A one night stay at the Wyndham Emerald Plaza courtesy of Mary Calabria of the Wyndham Emerald Plaza