Blue Plate was founded in 1983 by Jim Horan, a social worker who spent his weekends cooking for friends’ parties - driven by a passion for bringing people together through food. What began with a grill and a big heart has grown into one of Chicago’s most trusted catering companies.
Today, over 40 years later, Blue Plate is an award-winning hospitality leader known for delivering exceptional experiences across weddings, corporate events, and social celebrations. Our philosophy, “We Care More,” is at the heart of everything we do - brought to life by a team of dedicated culinary and service professionals who bring creativity, warmth, and precision to every event.
Our chef-driven menus are made fresh from scratch at our USDA-certified facility in Fulton Market and fully customized to reflect your style and needs. Whether you're hosting an intimate gathering or a large-scale gala, we offer full-service catering, staffing, and event coordination, ensuring every detail is thoughtfully handled.
With preferred status at over 100 of Chicago’s most iconic venues, and the distinction of being the city’s first Green Restaurant Association-certified caterer, Blue Plate is proud to lead with purpose, passion, and a commitment to making every event unforgettable.
Great Performances is NYC’s premier catering and events company, creating exceptional food experiences since 1980. A dynamic leader in hospitality, Great Performances is known for its culinary excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to social responsibility and sustainability.
As the exclusive caterer for some of New York City’s most iconic institutions—The Plaza Hotel, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Apollo Theater, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Wave Hill—GP brings memorable hospitality to thousands of events each year for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, cultural organizations, and private clients.
GP's portfolio extends beyond catering, with more than 10 restaurants, cafés, and food trucks across the city, as well as partnerships with major festivals and events country-wide including the NYC Wine & Food Festival and Miami Open.
Great Performances is also proud to be the first catering company to own and operate its own organic farm. At Katchkie Farm in Kinderhook, NY, GP grows food that connects its hospitality operations to the land and reflects their commitment to a more sustainable food system.
Great ingredients. Exceptional experiences. A more sustainable future. Because Life Happens Around Food®
Local.
Today’s savvy traveler demands higher quality, authentic food experiences. We are a specialty restaurant operator that successfully brings local chefs and food concepts to life in today’s airports.
Delicious.
We bring to terminals some of the top restaurants, bars and chef concepts that a community has to offer and replicate its authentic experience for the traveler.
Relaxing.
Modern travel can be often times hectic and stressful. Our restaurants put travelers at ease because they know that a fresh, delicious meal is available right next to their gate.
A High Quality Taste of Place.
When four restaurant entrepreneurs started Tastes on the Fly in 1999, they had a singular focus. Bring airport travelers a high quality taste of place by executing with the same passion as the original restaurant locations from the community. Each partner brought a variety of skill sets and experience from a slew of successful restaurant and event ventures. From its inaugural opening of a pair of Il Fornaio Caffes in San Francisco's new international terminal in 2000, Tastes has grown into one of the world's leading boutique airport dining operators. With meteoric sales growth to more than $110 million in annual revenue, the company delivers on its promise to bring top tier food and beverage options to passengers at New York's JFK, Boston's Logan Airport, its home base of San Francisco International Airport, and Denver International Airport.