Barrington’s White House has the privilege of working with gifted, trustworthy vendor partners to help give each of our couples their dream wedding day. Our new blog series, Vendor Spotlight with BWH, will feature a few preferred vendors each month to highlight what services they provide and how they can make your wedding all you want, even during COVID-19 restrictions.
Caterers are facing new challenges during these times, with safety being the number one priority for events right now. We ‘sat down’ (on Zoom) with one of our preferred caterers, SBR Event Group (Sweet Baby Ray’s & True Cuisine Catering), to ask all the questions you’ve been wondering – please enjoy.
What is SBR Event Group and what services do you provide couples?
SBR: SBR Events Group is a collection of two of Chicago’s leading special event brands working together collectively to provide our clients with proven excellence in culinary and event production. Sweet Baby Ray’s & True Cuisine Catering are two powerhouse full-service event brands specializing in fresh menu selections, trend-setting food presentation, and impeccable service. Our scratch kitchen utilizes seasonally-inspired recipes that feature local and organic ingredients. Together as one company, we are dedicated to creating truly memorable events.
As a full-service caterer, we can assist with not only the food and service for our guests’ special day but also help with china, glassware, linens, and all of the other items associated with event hospitality. We help to plan seamless and stress-free events, from start to finish.
How has your business model had to change during COVID-19?
SBR: Since COVID-19, we have had to rethink how we run our business. Due to the crisis, we have been very lean in terms of staff and inventory. We have adjusted, simplified and streamlined our menu offerings in order to reduce costs, overhead, and food waste. We have updated the verbiage on our event contracts, allowing more flexibility when it comes to postponements and cancellations.
While we are still catering micro-weddings, small private events, and a few essential service clients, we are finding new, innovative ways to provide great food, and a great experience, while keeping our clients, guests, and our own employees safe.
What new products or services are you offering to your clients and the community during this time?
SBR: We are known for our Sweet Baby Rays award-winning smoked meats and signature sauces, and these items have been produced and enjoyed by our clients for many years and will continue to be the backbone of our business. We have created some exciting new BBQ boxed meals that are great for a grab-and-go option. If a client doesn’t want an all-in-one boxed meal, and still wants to have a variety available, we are able to take any of our barbecue offerings, entrees, and sides, and individually package each item for service.
In addition, we are still catering buffet services, however, we highly recommend to clients to secure a “buffet attendant” to ensure food service safety and minimize the amount of contact around the food and serving pieces for the food. If a larger group is served buffet-style, we secure multiple service staff to serve the food, or we set up multiple buffet stations to alleviate lines and keep guests socially distanced. This is also true when it comes to sweets, late-night snacks, and coffee stations.
For cocktail hours, we have successfully passed hors d’oeuvres by utilizing small individual serving vessels and sending 2 servers per hors d’oeuvre; one server to pass napkins to each guest, and one to serve the hors d’oeuvre to the guest via tongs.
What would you like readers to know about your offerings?
SBR: Sweet Baby Ray’s Catering is a full-service event catering company specializing in farm-to-table new American cuisine, including our spectacular barbecue dishes and phenomenal grilled meats. All our food is made from scratch using inspired recipes that feature local and organic ingredients. You will know a Sweet Baby Ray’s event if there is a warm, rustic vibe.
True Cuisine is dedicated to creating truly memorable events with superior cuisine, stunning presentation, and impeccable service. Whether your style is seated, buffet, small plates, or globally inspired specialty stations, True Cuisine’s famous “a la minute” cuisine offers a world-class experience. We combine fresh, creative menus with trendsetting designs for a stunning food presentation to create a guest experience that is as appealing visually as it is in taste. You will know a True Cuisine event if there is a sleek, modern feel.
What do you want to say to couples that have had to reimagine their weddings? What are you offering to help with potential smaller weddings that will happen in the last half of the year?
SBR: We know that tomorrow is uncertain, and we are flexible when it comes to postponing and understanding when it comes to cancelling, or making alternate plans. We are family-owned and operated, are empathetic and sincere, and, along with your other wedding vendors and venues, we are willing and able to adjust to change, no matter what this crisis brings.
We can help with a small intimate event of 5-10 people at the venue, or at a private residence, and we can safely cater groups of a larger size, based on current government mandates. Our team is hands-on, up-to-the-last-minute, and we are able to work with our clients, no matter when the date or where it is hosted.
How can readers best get in touch with you?
SBR: Find us at sbrevents.com or contact us at info@sbrevents.com or 312-724-6000.
Barrington’s White House is a unique, historic venue located in the heart of downtown Barrington at 145 West Main Street. This meticulously restored 1898 mansion hosts cultural and community events, and is also available for rental for weddings, corporate meetings, non-profit fundraisers and family celebrations. Visit the web site or call 224-512-4292 for your private tour.
