Ready for any taste, Washington Pavilion, Orpheum add preferred caterers

This paid piece is sponsored by Washington Pavilion Management Inc.

Your event experience at the Washington Pavilion and Orpheum Theater Center now can be even more delicious.

The venues have added four preferred catering options in addition to an in-house service, and guests already are loving it.

“They love that they can use some of their favorite caterers, especially businesses and families,” event manager Allyson Kasch said. “They have those relationships built, and they’re able to bring them to events that are special to them. Everyone has been so excited for these new options, and we’ve already seen some incredible events because of it.”

For instance, one family used a favorite caterer from their children’s graduations to celebrate mom’s retirement with an outdoor party at the Pavilion’s Paladino Hohm Sculpture Garden.

“It was lovely, and they were so happy to be able to enjoy the same meal they had at other family celebrations,” Kasch said.

“We met with a lot of talented caterers and chose those we felt aligned with our vision, mission and values that could uphold our standards for events and offer our guests so many options for both menu and budget.”

The caterers now available for Pavilion and Orpheum guests are:

• Chef Dominique’s Catering
• Chef Jeni & Co.
• En Place Catering
• Roll’n Pin Catering

“While we’ve hosted plenty of events over the years, many times we have had guests ask about using a favorite chef, so we do think it’s the way,” president and CEO Darrin Smith said. “We think it makes us even more attractive as an event location, and it will open up our venues to even more people with something to celebrate.”

So what can you expect as a guest? Here’s a peek at the experience each caterer offers.

Chef Dominique’s Catering

A Sioux Falls classic, Chef Dominique’s Catering includes a large group of full-time chefs and servers who have been with Chef Dominique Fontenille for decades in some cases.

“That makes us very efficient and very consistent in the quality of service we provide,” he said.

What you can expect: A full-service catering operation, down to the salt, pepper and silverware, glassware and linens.

“We set up the tables just like when you go to a very nice restaurant,” Fontenille said. “We have the servers and chefs wearing professional uniforms, we have all the equipment needed, and that means our clients never have last-minute surprises on cost.”

At the Washington Pavilion, events and their food can take on “many personalities,” he added. “There’s the very beautiful stage of the Mary W. Sommervold Hall that to me screams class, very dressy, and then you have the very relaxed and cool Kirby Science Discovery Center, so in reality you can host anything here, and the same goes for the food. Anything and everything can go here, and that is really neat.”

The dishes: Everything is made from scratch and easily can be customized for dietary needs.

“We cook food that is very relatable with everyone but with some twist. We believe that people will only crave and remember your food if they can relate to it,” Fontenille said.

Your twist: Still remember Chef Dom from his days at Theo’s? You can request a house salad with his hazelnut dressing recipe from decades ago. “People still ask for it every day,” he said. “Just like our chicken piccata or beef Wellington.”

Chef Jeni & Co.

With more than 20 years of experience, Chef Jeni & Co. has catered everything from 15 to 2,500 guests, though the “sweet spot” is about 50 to 250.

“As a custom boutique catering company, we don’t overbook ourselves and focus on delivering beautiful, delicious food and extraordinary service,” owner and chef Jeni Bergan said. “We work with our clients individually and carefully to ensure that we are the right fit for each party.”

What you can expect: Chef Jeni offers a full menu of tried-and-true dishes plus custom offerings. At the Pavilion, options could include a gourmet sandwich and salad box lunch, a brunch for a wedding or shower, or anything else clients can envision.

The dishes: Nibble boards and small bites are a specialty here, and champagne chicken is a favorite entree.

“We make all our sauces from scratch, and most are gluten-free,” Bergan said. “We love a good sauce around here!”

Your twist: This team has done it all – including serving meals in a dirt-floor barn and hiking 50 yards through an open field. But, at the Pavilion, think about having Chef Jeni create a beautiful botanical garden out of cheese and fruit.

En Place Catering

The exceptional flavors of Chef Jordan Taylor, co-owner of Bread & Circus Sandwich Kitchen, shine through at En Place Catering.

“We’re beyond customizable,” catering director Claire Litzen said.

“Chef Jordan Taylor has a vast variety of culinary knowledge and skill. If our clients can think of it, we can almost always create it! At En Place, we offer anything from boxed lunch drop-offs to in-home private dinners to full-service weddings.”

What you can expect: At the Washington Pavilion, En Place can do it all, including corporate events that tend to enjoy a buffet of heavy hors d’oeuvres, Litzen said.

“This typically is the easiest way to make sure everyone has at least a little something to enjoy. When it comes to plated meals, we love to offer multiple proteins and utilize any seasonal and local produce.”

The dishes: Clients here love the Korean pork belly skewers at En Place – “the perfect bites for any cocktail party,” Litzen said. “We tend to see that our guests enjoy our taco bar and anything that reflects the menu at our sister restaurant, Bread & Circus. We often serve different versions of surf and turf, and seafood varieties.”

Your twist: En Place recently offered charcuterie cups, which were a big hit.

“We love to play around with aesthetics, and plating is always important to us, especially at weddings,” Litzen said. “We tend to cater to our clients’ specific requests and do our best to stay on trend!”

Roll’n Pin Catering

Classic meets contemporary with Roll’n Pin Catering, which creates “absolutely delicious dishes that are both comforting and sophisticated,” general manager Michael Hillman said.

What to expect: The goal for all events is something special and unique.

“With an impeccable reputation spanning 50 years, we are a regional leader in creating exceptional catering experiences and are a staple in the Sioux Falls community,” Hillman said, adding he’s excited to combine delicious cuisine with the breathtaking Washington Pavilion and Orpheum venues and their outstanding services team.

“Together, we curate events that captivate visually, are executed flawlessly and taste exceptional,” he said.

The dishes: Popular dishes include Roll’n Pin’s signature Asiago chicken, succulent herb-roasted pork loin, mouthwatering Caesar salad with homemade marbled-rye croutons and quartered ham sandwiches on homemade buns.

Your twist: Roll’n Pin loves to take unique, fun approaches with events – including interactive food stations. Some fun customizations include jumbo grazing charcuterie tables, build-your-own Tex-Mex bars and afternoon or evening breakfast bars.

“For corporate events, we understand the importance of delivering a professional and sophisticated catering service. From intimate gatherings to grand-scale celebrations, we’re well equipped to handle events of any size,” Hillman said.

“Additionally, we provide options for executive lunch boxes, elegant buffet setups, high-quality plated meals and unforgettable cocktail-style stations, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for attendees.”

The WP

Washington Pavilion’s newly rebranded cafe, The WP, also is a fresh, local option for your catering needs. The Pavilion’s chef-led team can work with your event to provide everything from breakfast to a beautifully displayed appetizer buffet.

“We will still be providing in-house catering options for all meals,” Kasch said. “Like our preferred caterers, our focus is on fresh, local and healthy, and we accommodate a wide range of needs.”

In addition, Washington Pavilion Management’s dedicated events team is here to ensure that your planning process flows smoothly and that the details of your special day are unique, delicious and stress-free.

To book your next event, contact 605-731-2345, [email protected] or [email protected]. For information, go to WashingtonPavilion.org/Events.

Ready to learn more about hosting an event at the Washington Pavilion? Click below for a look at how the building accommodates all sorts of settings and occasions.

Saying ‘I do’ to the Washington Pavilion creates memorable, one-of-a-kind events