Service offers new, sophisticated menu; zero-waste event assistance
The University of Michigan officially launched M|Catering, its new on-campus catering service, at a Taste of Michigan Catering: The Showcase Event on January 26 in the Michigan League Ballroom.
Treating more than 500 attendees to samples of menu items such as smoked duck breast and risotto, gorgonzola and toasted walnut crostini, panini sandwiches, mediterranean salads and delectable desserts, M|Catering’s chefs de cuisine prepared foods to highlight the diverse variety of menu offerings. The showcase, which included the university’s Conference & Events Services representatives, also provided information on event planning, room design and hosting zero-waste programs.
M|Catering is the exclusive caterer for the Michigan League, Michigan Union, and Pierpont Commons on the University of Michigan campus. It is the in-house caterer for Palmer Commons, providing full-service catering for all types of social or business occasions on or off campus. In addition to menus, staff assist with furniture rental, floral design, linens, site location, tenting, and much more.
“From informal working lunch meetings to conferences to elegant donor galas, we will work with the client’s budget, tastes and goals for their individual event,” says Rahul Shrivastav, the Director of Michigan Catering. “Our menu is versatile, creative and of high quality. Our focus is on the food. Our focus is on excellence.”
Shrivastav says that M|Catering will work to build on-going relationships with on- and off-campus clients by offering resources to meet their exact event needs.
“Also of note, we offer many items that match MHealthy nutrition guidelines, and can work with your guests to provide food that meet dietary requirements,” he says.
Sustainability is also a key feature in the M|Catering plan. By purchasing more local foods and reducing food waste — in cooperation with local farmers and producers — M|Catering will feature sustainable foods whenever possible. More than 30 percent of its food will be purchased from Michigan farms and companies. The staff will help event planners create zero-waste events, including providing composting assistance on-site.
“All of our paper products are compostable. We also provide full service, reusable china, silver and glassware,” Shrivastav says.
In addition, a portion of every dollar goes to support student programs, he said.
M|Catering creations will be led by chefs de Cuisine, Eric Mughannem and Matt Zatirka. Mughannem, who has a passion for fresh ingredients, vegetable-centric cuisine and farm-to-table cooking, was previously a chef at The Henry Ford in Dearborn where he managed both culinary operations for catering. Zatirka, holds a culinary arts degree from Schoolcraft College and a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Eastern Michigan University. He has cooked for some of the largest gatherings in Detroit, including the North American International Auto Show.
About Michigan Catering
From meeting breaks to presidential galas, Michigan Catering delivers attentive customer service, the freshest foods, mouth-watering dishes and awe-inspiring presentations. In the area of allergen management and nutrition information, M|Catering offers sophisticated online tools and point of service messaging to help guests make safe and informed food choices. M|Catering partners with the university’s Conference and Event Services group to provide seamless solutions for all of your event details, from music and entertainment to floral, audio/visual/staging, décor, lighting, linens and more. A percentage of every dollar spent with M|Catering goes to support University of Michigan student programs and campus facilities. For more information, call 734-764-2000 or visit catering.umich.edu.
