‘Tis the Season for Party Time!
Pier 22 Catering Now Booking Holiday Events
Bradenton’s celebrated waterfront restaurant brings its innovative regional and international cuisine, outstanding presentations and highly professional service to banquets, holiday parties, wedding receptions, galas and fundraisers to festivities both on and off site.
(Bradenton, Florida) What’s cooking when it comes to holiday catering trends? According to Pier 22 Catering’s seasoned event planner, Michelle Bell, “global cuisine and small bites are very popular. We see more clients requesting Asian and Mediterranean-themed menus. We’re also getting more requests for craft beers and cocktails.” She adds that the locavore trend is as hot as ever. “People are opting to pay a premium for artisanal cheese platters and other menu items that are locally sourced. We’re also getting more requests for gluten-free and vegetarian offerings, which, contrary to popular belief, can be delicious and crowd-pleasing.” According to Bell, another new trend is inviting clients to a company’s holiday party. “It’s a wonderful way to celebrate your clients and the holidays together,” says Bell. “An added bonus is that clients get to meet each other—and spread the cheer.”
Pier 22 Catering has been spreading such cheer for 39 years, bringing its award-winning, gourmet creations to events big and small throughout the region. Led by Michelle Bell and the award-winning executive chef and general manager Greg Campbell, the company’s catering expertise provides top-notch onsite and offsite catering service and a full range of the restaurant’s world-class cuisine.
Under Bell’s and Campbell’s leadership, Pier 22 Catering has become the go-to resource for clients seeking wedding receptions and dinners, banquets, holiday parties, corporate luncheons, and galas and fundraisers. Its regular customers comprise a broad spectrum of businesses and non-profit groups, including Manatee Community Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County, Manatee Memorial Hospital, the Horne & Moon Social, and the Bradenton Blues Festival.
What’s behind this success story?
According to Campbell, “We give every event, large or small, the same level of individual attention—and that kind of fine-tuning is the opposite of a one-size-fits-all approach. We literally cater our menu and presentation for the needs of different customers.”
That degree of personalized attention has paid off. Pier 22 Catering has become a recognized industry leader for its offsite events, bringing a blend of innovative regional and international cuisine, outstanding presentations and highly professional service to wedding receptions, banquets, holiday parties, galas and fundraisers. From formal dinners to light refreshments, large events, small groups or weddings to remember forever, Pier 22 Catering’s professional and experienced special events team offers unsurpassed services and presentations.
“We’re extremely dedicated to the concept of bringing the full Pier 22 culinary experience to events well beyond the walls of our flagship restaurant,” says Bell. “We pride ourselves in our ability to offer detailed management of events so that clients and their guests are free to enjoy their special occasion.”
Onsite, Pier 22 offers 13 uniquely appointed, private and semi-private dining areas—indoors and outdoors. The catering team can create a sophisticated luncheon for 35 executives in Pier 22’s waterfront Sunset Room or a festive holiday banquet for 200 in Pier 22’s ballroom overlooking the Manatee River. The dockside lounge area can comfortably seat 100 people—perfect for a sunset cocktail party. Other ballrooms and dining areas create the perfect setting for an unforgettable wedding.
Campbell suggests that people looking to create the perfect holiday event, should reserve the date now. “There’s still plenty of time to put together a really fabulous holiday event for your company or organization,” he says. He adds that bookings for onsite events are filling up fast, “but as far as offsite events are concerned, the sky is the limit! Contact us to find out more about how we can create holiday magic in any setting!”
Pier 22 is located at 1200 First Avenue West in Bradenton. For more information, visit www.pier22dining.com or call 941-748-8087.
About Pier 22
Pier 22 is a sophisticated and casual restaurant in downtown Bradenton located on the Manatee River and the historic Memorial Pier with breathtaking views of the water and Twin Dolphin Marina. Its award-winning menu includes locally caught fish, locally supplied meat, and produce from area farmers. The restaurant is a member of The Sarasota-Manatee Originals, a group of 50+ independent restaurateurs. As an event location, Pier 22 features a waterfront terrace, patio and elegant ballroom. The property also offers six unique indoor private rooms and five outdoor waterfront settings and can accommodate groups from 10 to 300 in private event spaces that boast spectacular water views. The company also offers full-service, off-site catering. For reservations, a tour of the facilities or more information, call 941-748-8087 or visit www.pier22dining.com.
