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"I think people already know that Gardner's is a
great place to shop," said Susie Franco, director of catering
sales for Gardner's Markets. "But, we want them to know that we
can also help them with catering, from small private parties to large
corporate events,"
Gardner's now offers catering and personal consultation services
Franco, in her position with the market for the last
year-and-a-half, is helping spread the word about the extensive
catering services Gardner's offers, as well as improving and expanding
those services.
 "We
have a brand new catering menu, personal consultation services to help
create truly unique and special events, staffing service and we can
even help with rentals," she said.
"I think our best feature is that we can help you
customize your menu from our repertoire of thousands of gourmet items,
with as little as 48-hours notice. Or, for party emergencies, you can
call our bistro manager direct and choose from the more than 100
prepared foods, appetizers, cheeses, salads, salsas and wines
available every day."
A professionally trained chef and caterer who has
worked for some of the nation's top restaurants and five-star hotels,
Franco has the background and expertise to help customers make the
right selections for their parties.
"Catering is not just about food," explained
Elizabeth Adams, one of Gardner's owners. "Susie has the
experience to help you narrow down our sometimes overwhelming array of
choices into the ones that will be most appropriate for your needs and
expectations. She'll also be your liaison between our pastry chef, our
dozens of bistro chefs, our cheese manager and our wine steward."
From picnics on the beach to formal holiday dinners,
birthdays to bar mitzvahs, brisses and christenings to weddings and
showers, Gardner's is a one-stop-shop.
"We can help you make it look like you prepared
all the dishes yourself, and we can provide service personnel,"
Franco explained.
For example, one recent customer requested a luncheon
party for 50 that was to be held on the outdoor terrace of her
waterfront home. She wanted to present a Mediterranean atmosphere, so
Franco helped her choose a menu that included grilled Charmoula tuna,
roasted vegetable and couscous salad, a Greek salad, marinated olives,
whole roasted chicken, Tuscan white bean salad, hummus and baba
ghanoush, artisan cheese tray and tiramisu trifle for dessert.
"We have both a drop-off and pick-up service for
our catering," Franco. "You can call ahead and come pick up
your order yourself, or we can bring it to you and do the setup for
you. We can put the food on disposable platters, or we can put it on
your own platters and dishes. If your event requires service help, we
can provide people who will take care of everything from serving the
appetizers to cleaning up afterwards. We can also assist with rentals
of china and glassware."
For help in a hurry, Franco recommends that customers
call each store's bistro managers -- Pinecrest, 305-255-2468; South
Miami, 305-667-9953; Brickell Key, 305-371-3701; and Ocean Reef,
305-367-2121.
"Our selection of prepared items is
extensive," Franco said. We always have dozens of selections of
prepared seafood, chicken, beef, cheeses, salads, salsa and dips,
appetizers, side dishes, desserts and pastries, and hundreds of other
items that are all ready to go."
If you need a customized menu or are planning a
special party or event, whether private or corporate, Franco
recommends calling her direct at 305-255-3645.
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