San Diego Chapter National Association of Catering Executives SDNACE.ORG San Diego

February 2006

President's Message
Winter 2006
by Tracey Amernick, CPCE

State of the NACE Address

It's hard to believe that we're already well into 2006, and from what we hear around town, everybody's been staying pretty busy these first couple months. Conferences and tourism are generating some excellent pieces of business and the social market is going strong.

The San Diego Chapter of NACE is also well under way, as we kicked off the year with our annual Board Retreat held on January 18th at the Radisson Hotel Harbor View. This was a full-day meeting for Board members to come together and plan for the upcoming year. This year's meeting saw a good mix of new and returning board members as we chose the direction our chapter would take for the next 12 months.

Some issues discussed were Finances, Membership, CPCE, Communications, Community Service, Scholarships, and Programs. One of the main focuses was to increase the size of our committees so that more members have the opportunity to be a part of the process, and to plan for succession. <more...>

January-February Membership News
by Duffy Fainer

As we launch into a fresh new year, here's your chance to determine how you can gain value from your NACE membership.

There is so much available, whether you be interested in networking, education, developing relationships in your hospitality community, and experiencing one fine dinner per month. Please let me know, how I can help you to enjoy the rewards of your NACE investment.

You can contact me at anytime if you have any changes to your contact information, or have issues of concern.

Here's a suggestion from Charter Member since 1980, Bernie K, of Entertainment Solutions West:

"The one thing that I feel very strongly about is this. If you join an organization, be active. Don't just join to have your name in a roster. If you want to get something out of any organization, you have to be prepared to give something back. It was my pleasure to have served on our board of directors for 13 really great years. Being active does not take a lot of time. You might just write an article for our news letter about something to do with our end of the hospitality business. If you can teach just one member something they did not know that will help them to get ahead, you have accomplished something to be proud of."

Read the TOP 10 REASONS THAT NACE BENEFITS YOU AS A MEMBER

If you have any questions, please call or email your Membership Chairpeople.
Duffy Fainer or Sandy Maurin.

Our February Meeting
by Chris Agrippe, CPCE


Click for pictures

When a group of Caterers and Industry Professionals gather on Valentine's Day, you can be sure that they'll get the theme right. When our meeting fell on February 14th this year we just couldn't resist the temptation, so everything was done in lots of reds, and hearts, hearts, hearts!

The evening had turned chilly with a cold wind blowing off the ocean as we were warmly welcomed by General Manager Mike Staples and Banquet Manager Hollis Bollar at the Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa... They greeted us and directed to the Aviary Room where Event Designer Daniel Hansberger of Special Event Productions had completed the scene with a candle-lit glow. Tables were draped in red crushed velvet linens sprinkled with red rose petals and centered by cut crystal hurricanes with burgundy pillar candles. Chairs were done in magnificent matching covers, and the walls were washed with soft red up-lighting. Nathan Manning provided by Keith Danon of "Music As You Like It" played light classical guitar as Hors d'oeuvres created by "Pascucci" were butler-served.

We were seated at 6:30pm and MC Mike Hogan did a great job of keeping the meeting running smoothly. Angie Kemp CPCE, announced invitations to sign up for our 3rd CPCE Study Group, and our Affiliate Spotlight was introduced by Merrylin Brichmann. Carl Jerris of CJ's Confections and Philip Burge of Balloonatics were both just coming off of a very busy day (Balloons and Chocolates on Valentine's Day!) and we were grateful that they even made it to the meeting let alone provided us with decor and sweets! Chef Alistair Revell treated us to Endive Radicchio Salad graced with Heirloom Beets and Rosemary Skewered Jumbo Shrimp, followed by an Herb Marinated Grilled Veal Chop with Wild Mushroom Risotto. A deliciously presented dessert buffet was designed by Tony Scarcello and Mark Leisman of Euro Living Room, as the Banquet Team under the direction of Banquet Captain Mary Coultier served.

Because many of our members brought guests for the evening, our speaker, Erica Bohm of Healthy Dining presented us with a topic that would appeal to all... heart-healthy ideas for cooking at home and dining out. She gave us an interactive quiz on how to choose "truly healthy" over "healthy sounding", and politely ignored the fact that her entire audience was enjoying a truly decadent evening.

We closed with another tribute to the heart, this time a heart-felt donation to the founders of "Friends of Scott". "Friends" was started by a family who recently lost a son to cancer. The San Diego Chapter of NACE has officially adopted "Friends" as our charity for the year, and a donation of $450.00 was made toward the purchase of backpacks for children undergoing or about to begin cancer treatment. FOS provides craft activities, celebrations, meal/phone/grocery vouchers, and direct financial assistance to families and patients, and is involved in a weekly dinner program at the San Diego Ronald McDonald House. www.friendsofscott.org

Affiliate's Corner
by Merrylin Brichmann

Philip Burge was raised in the Los Angeles Area and learned to surf and play sports at a young age. His mother and father were both educators and stressed the importance of honesty and hard work. He has three sisters, two still live in Los Angeles and are in the television and film industry.

At 18 he left home to play soccer at San Diego State University, where he graduated in 1985. He played guitar and bass in bands throughout this time to help support his way through college and beyond, and still plays professionally from time to time, although it is definitely only a "side job".

Burge started working in the balloon industry while he was still in college and has been working at the same job (almost 27 years) ever since. The balloon and party industry has been very good to him and he owes a great deal of thanks to all those that have supported him thru his career.

He is married (again) and has three beautiful children, ages 1, 3 and 9, who, thank goodness, look like their mothers.

His hobbies include collecting original Mexican artwork, has an obscene CD and record collection, enjoys fine scotch whiskey and raising Dalmatian dogs. He has slipped comfortably into middle age and looks forward to the second half of his life and the challenges he will face.

And then everyone learned a bit more about our favorite Balloonatic, Philip Burge. 619-238-6080

Our second affiliate said when he was growing up, his mother said "son, you"d better learn how to cook because I can tell you there are precious few women who will cook the way you like to eat"! Years later this proved to be true. When Carl Jerris married Susan and asked, "what are you making for dinner", she would reply, "reservations, which restaurant do you want?"

Jerris got a degree in Food Science from the U of CA, which taught him the molecular basis for food, nutrition and food engineering. But absolutely nothing about how to make anything that tasted good! Instead, he was self-schooled in making tasty delights by following one rule: "eat your mistakes and you will not make that mistake again"!

As a hobby he made candy and chocolates for friends at Christmas and was told, "hey, this is good stuff. You should try and sell it". He has been selling it every since. We enjoyed listening to our favorite chocolate maker, Carl Jerris, the CJ of CJ"s Confections. 619-447-5858

If you are interested in showcasing your business at a future meeting, please contact me at 619-593-7367 and I will gladly get you on the schedule!

Keep smiling affiliates and know that you can make a difference!

Merrylin Brichmann
Artistic Productions
Disc Jockey & Emcee
Affiliate Representative for NACE

Community Service Update 2006
by Nancy Changnon-Baron

DECEMBER

Thanks to all for their contribution to the Holiday Party-Toy Drive, Humphreys Half Moon Inn.

The unwrapped gifts will go to appreciative children and families for Christmas, and you know that you've participated in putting smiles on many faces for our San Diego neighbors in need.

Great opportunities for giving in 2006 are in the works, so stay tuned. See you in February!

For more details contact Nancy at 858-488-1725

Raffle Kudos
by MaryAnn Quinto

Thank you to all who donated to the February meeting:

2x dinner for two at the Bahia Cafe, Baron gift basket - one night stay from Catering Dept. from Amy Burke & Tracey Amernick
Gift basket from Artistic Productions from Merrylin Brichmann
Balloon bouquets & Starbucks card from Ballonatics! from Philip Burge
2 Gift Baskets from CJ Confectionery from Carl JerrisGift basket from Sheraton Marina from Anna Maria Sanfilippo
Gift basket from French Gourmet from Nancy Chagnon-Baron
Crystal paper weight from Holiday Inn on the Bay from Judy Anderson
24 party lite cubes from LiteFX from Terrence Hickey
Frame from Kathy Zeigler Photography

If you would like to make a raffle donation, contact MaryAnn Quinto, 619-252-7874

New Members

Pam Milan - Pam's Productions DJ's

Ray McKewon - The Xceptions

Erica Mendoza - Bahia Resort Hotel

Anthony Milkey - La Costa Resort and Spa

Jay Cabus - AztecShops, LTD

Joe Sands - Sushi Specialties

Larry Monet - Photography by Monet

Chad Cryder - Anheuser-Busch Sales of San Diego

Lee Siegel - Kabobs, Inc.

Rick Mitrovich - Manchester Grand Hyatt

Lauren Finley - Rancho Valencia Resort

Jennifer Lim - Sheraton Suites San Diego

If you know a prospective member who could benefit from NACE, and through whom our chapter could benefit, please direct them to our website, and to the Membership Chairpeople.

Newsletter Archives