SBB Gourmet Catering has worked with Armando Martinez of Alegria By Design for many years on many amazing events. From a beautiful wedding day to an incredible corporate dinner, Armondo is simply an astounding local event planner.

Below is an interview we recently conducted with Armondo regarding his approach to assembling the perfect event. SBBGC is also looking forward to participating in the local Wedding Courtier Fair, which is the brain child of Armando’s. The Courtier Fair will be taking place on March 27, 2010 at the University Club from 2:00 to 6:00.

For more information on Armondo’s event planning services with Alegria By Design, or for more information on the Courtier Fair, you can search his website or use the following information to contact him directly:
www.alegriabydesign.com
armando@alegriabydesign.com
805.452.0450

All the Best ~ SBBGC

(SBBGC) How long have you been in this business?

I established Alegria by Design in 2001.
 

(SBBGC) How did you get your start?

I have a background in retail store design, visual direction, retail branding, photo shoot styling and project management. After taking some time off to reflect on what in life makes me happy, I created Alegria. Alegria reflects my personal dedication to beauty, style, cultural diversity and most importantly, happiness.
 

(SBBGC) What are the most important things that an event planner provides to a client?

I believe that having professional assistance is a wedding gift a bride and grooms give to themselves. From the day planning begins, through the final dance, I want my clients to relax and enjoy the experience. Designing an environment, developing and managing a budget, collecting vendor recommendations and interviewing vendors, not to mention coordinating the wedding day, can be a daunting task. For me, it all comes down to celebrating what matters most in our lives. I feel lucky to be a part of making memories.
 

(SBBGC) What sets a good event planner above the rest?

I begin by working with each couple to determine their dreams for the day: how they want the event to look and feel, what they want guests to remember, and how they envision the day unfolding. The most important thing for couples is to work with people they trust and enjoy, who can help them articulate exactly what they want from their wedding day. From there, all the other decisions come together so much more easily.
 

(SBBGC) What are some of this year’s trends in events and weddings

”Design with precision” and a trend to the “updated Classic” is what I’m experiencing. Excess and unnecessarily overly layered décor has been replaced with impactful placement, functional furniture and more personalization than ever! Soulful events that reflect personal style and tell a story or send a message transform a party to an event!
 

(SBBGC) What do you look for in a good food caterer?

I look for creativity in a caterer. Creating a menu that not only looks beautiful but tastes amazing, requires an innate artistry.
 

(SBBGC) What was your experience working with SBB Gourmet Catering

I refer SBB Gourmet Catering to my clients because I trust and have tremendous confidence in them. SBB Gourmet Catering offers excellent service, years of experience and incredible food at a great price! My reputation is everything and who I refer my clients to is critical. This is a tremendous and highly professional Santa Barbara catering company and to top it off, they are a lot of fun and joy to work with.
 

Armando Martinez
Alegria By Design
www.alegriabydesign.com
armando@alegriabydesign.com
805.452.0450

SBB Gourmet Catering was pleased to provide food catering at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum’s holiday fundraiser in December 2009.   The event’s theme was “Remember The Magic” instilling the wonder and joy of the holiday season to all attendees young and old with yuletide carolers, a bit of snow and a visit from Father Christmas.

We provided the Museum’s guests with a dinner consisting of our Santa Barbara Pear Salad followed by a main course of Bistro Medallion of Beef and four cheese ravioli.  Dessert was chocolate cups with a seasonal treat of “Believe Berries”.   The dance floor filled quickly following dinner with the wonder of the season continuing to be felt throughout the evening. The Museum and event organizers truly put on an evening of magic to remember and we are proud that we were included.

We sincerely appreciate and thank Cori Arnold of the Museum staff for her comment about our food and service:  “SBB Gourmet Catering went beyond exceeding my expectations!  Sidney Adams-Raney and Bia Pessoa are highly organized and efficient and brought along a service crew that carries the same of professionalism.  The Santa Barbara Historical Museum staff and Board of Trustees have not stopped raving about the presentation and flavor of the cuisine.  We cannot say enough about what a pleasure it is to have worked with them as a caterer and anxiously await our next event together!”

We are excited about working with the Museum again too.   It is one of the great institutions of Santa Barbara and we feel honored to be one of their premier caterers.   Some of our photos from the “Remember The Magic” event are posted in a gallery below.  You can also find an expanded set of event photos taken by Amore Dolce Photography.  Amore Dolce did a fantastic job of capturing the beauty and energy and magic of the event.

Thank you again Santa Barbara Historical Museum for giving Santa Barbara Gourmet Catering the honor of catering your holiday fundraiser event!!!

One of our favorite non-profit groups in Santa Barbara is Hearts Adaptive Riding, a unique therapeutic center which focuses on helping those with special needs. Hearts employs the power of horses to enhance the capabilities of children and adults with a range of disabilities, from brain injuries and autism to strokes and fibromyalgia.

Hearts Adaptive Riding recently hosted their largest fundraiser of the year, a silent auction and Hoe Down. The Executive Director, Kirby Gillispie, invited SBB Gourmet Catering (us!) to cater a delicious dinner for them on site. The evening was a great success, with the horses nearby to saying hello and the sun setting in the background - you couldn’t have asked for a more picture perfect dinner! Not only was there good food, but there was a live band, dancing, and an unveiling of a very special portrait of the Hearts Adaptive horse Max by artist Katie Upton.

We here at SBB Gourmet Catering greatly appreciate all that Kirby and Hearts have done for the community and those with special needs. It warmed our own hearts to help their organization with their fundraiser and we look forward to seeing all that they achieve in the coming year.

If you are interested in learning more about Hearts Adaptive Riding, check out their website: http://www.heartsadaptiveriding.org

Best ~ SBB

There is an area of town that has special significance for us at SBB. The Godric Grove area of Elings Park has simply stolen our heart with its breathtaking vistas and cozy atmosphere. We cater dozens of events in Godric Grove every year, but on August 28th we had the opportunity to give a little back to the park that we love so much. We catered “An Evening Under the Moon and Stars”, which was a grand fundraiser for the operations of Elings Park. We spent the evening grilling up a delectable selection of Argentine asado BBQ to go along with fantastic wine, tango dancing, and beautiful scenery.

If you aren’t familiar with Elings Park then take a few minutes and surf over to http://elingspark.org learn more about this incredible location. It is a 230-acre private, non-profit park that has some of the most beautiful views you will find of our city. Constructed upon the old City of Santa Barbara landfill, it has become a real recreational jewel in the time since its creation. Almost 250,000 people use the park each year, and for good reason - it is truly beautiful. If you are thinking of an outdoor venue for your reception or event you might consider putting Elings Park (in particular the Godric Grove area) on your list to check out.

~SBBGCG

SBB Gourmet Catering spent the July 4th holiday serving about 1000 patriotic citizens at the 14th Annual Montecito Village Fourth of July celebration in Montecito, California. This is the fourth consecutive year the event has been catered by SBB Gourmet Catering and we are very proud of this and our support of this wonderful tradition. The town’s citizens of all ages lined the local streets to watch the annual parade and then moved down to the adjacent city park to enjoy festivities, tug-of-rope competitions, great music, and our sumptuous barbeque hamburgers and hot dogs.

A special thanks to the Montecito Association, who orchestrates the event every year and all the other multiple supporters including the Montecito Rotary Club. From the pancake breakfast served up by the Montecito Fire House to the parade to the afternoon celebration – it was a great time.

Click on the photos below to check out the celebration.

~SBBGCG