THE CATERING RACE : LA Classic

Who feeds Hollywood? A small group of professionals who are constantly jockeying for position. The stakes are high. The stories are hot.

1. ALONG CAME MARY

Owner: Mary Micucci

Turf: Entertainment

Party Line: “Catering is like producing a movie except on a smaller scale.”

Chef: Bill Starbuck

Largest Party: 4,500

Years in Business: 17

Star Client: Michael Ovitz

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2. AMBROSIA

Owner: David Corwin, Carl Bendix

Turf: Entertainment

Party Line: “We practice socially responsible ways of entertaining.”

Chef: David Rubell

Largest Party: 5,000

Years in Business: 15

Star Client: Arnold Schwarzenegger

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3. ROCOCO

Owner: Robert Ehrman

Turf: Society / Entertainment

Party Line: “We are really food oriented, really, really food oriented.”

Chef: Al Viera

Largest Party: 20,000

Years in Business: 18

Star Client: Ronald and Nancy Reagan

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4. SOMERSET

Owner: Hallee Gould, Michael Prud’Homme

Turf: Museums / Corporate / Entertainment

Party Line: “We do absolutely wonderful food.”

Chef: Michael Sullivan

Largest Party: 3,500

Years in Business: 13

Star Client: Duchess of York, “Fergie”

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5. SOMEONE’S IN THE KITCHEN

Owner: Joann Roth

Turf: Corporate / Entertainment / Politics

Party Line: “It’s boring to get some tired little chickie on a plate.”

Chef: Brian Lovemore

Largest Party: 7,000

Years in Business: 13

Star Client: Roseanne and Tom Arnold

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6. GAI KLASS

Owner: Gai Klass

Turf: Entertainment / Dinner Parties

Party Line: “We don’t open cans.”

Chef: Gai Klass

Largest Party: 1,600

Years in Business: 14

Star Client: Barbara Walters

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7. LA CUISINE

Owner: Tom Byrne

Turf: Entertainment / Fashion

Party Line: “We’re not right for events where food takes second place to decor.”

Chef: Tom Byrne

Largest Party: 2,000

Years in Business: 4

Star Client: Liz Taylor

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8. L.A. CATERWORKS

Owner: Mario Ernst

Turf: Entertainment / Weddings / Politics

Party Line: “We don’t do deviled eggs.”

Chef: Jeff McLean

Largest Party: 1,000

Years in Business: 2

Star Client: Pete Wilson

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9. GOOD GRACIOUS!

Owner: Pauline Parry, Karen Marquez

Turf: Museums / Malibu

Party Line: “We can’t be too pushy.”

Chef: Pauline Parry

Largest Party: 900

Years in Business: 2

Star Client: Larry Hagman

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