Blue Ribbon Seattle FACT SHEET

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1 Blue Ribbon Seattle FACT SHEET Overview: Services: Blue Ribbon is an all-inclusive events company based in Seattle, offering gourmet cooking classes, corporate team building activities, top-to-bottom wedding design and execution, world-class catering, kids programs, event planning and more. With multiple unique venues in Seattle and Tacoma, Blue Ribbon prides itself on offering exceptional and diverse event services for celebrations, weddings and corporate needs. With a history rooted in gourmet cooking, Blue Ribbon s culinary team produces classic and contemporary dishes using international flavors and quality ingredients. Corporate Team Building Blue Ribbon Cooking & Culinary Center is Seattle's premier provider of corporate team building events. Each event is custom designed to accommodate each company s team building goals. Blue Ribbon welcomes groups from 10 people to 180 or more, any time of the day, seven days per week. Their team building concepts are innovative and offer variety like no one else. From Food Truck Wars, to Iron Chef style competitions, to cause-based classes that benefit the local community, there is something appealing for every business to help bring employees together and foster camaraderie outside the office. Weddings + Events In a competitive local wedding landscape, Blue Ribbon differentiates itself by providing a unique blend of services from access to multiple distinct and unique area venues, to offering food and beverage catering, custom cakes and personal design touches. Full-service wedding packages, executed by their expert team of organized event planners, leave no detail unturned and affordably take the weight of planning off the bride and groom. Blue Ribbon provides catering services to meet the most demanding needs and the highest standards of excellence. They provide catering for private events at their beautiful facility overlooking Lake Union, or at a location of the guests choosing. They specialize in catering services for wedding receptions, birthdays, anniversaries and corporate events and work with guests to select the perfect menu, taking into consideration any dietary issues or special requests. Cooking Classes Blue Ribbon prides itself on not only offering a quality, educational cooking lesson but also offering an unforgettable experience with a lively atmosphere. Blue Ribbon offers a broad variety of cooking class options with unique menus, presented in various formats and sizes to appeal to a large audience. Classes range from a preset calendar of select events to custom food and beverage focused classes for private parties. Blue Ribbon classes take the challenge out of cooking and give guests the tools to entertain with ease and style. 1

2 Kids Camps Over the last almost 20 years, Blue Ribbon has provided successful kids camps and various children s educational cooking classes and after school activities. From beginner level classic training to advanced lessons and mother/child courses, Blue Ribbon offers something for all kids to enjoy learning how to cook for themselves and their family and become resourceful in the kitchen. Where: Blue Ribbon is nestled over the water on Seattle s Lake Union in the Eastlake neighborhood. The 5,200 square foot venue offers beautiful views of the lake, city skyline and Gasworks Park through their panoramic windows and outdoor deck. The facility boasts a variety of spaces to accommodate any type of event or cooking class including an exhibition kitchen, large dance floor, ceremony area, sound system, bridal room, cozy lounge, catering kitchen and free parking Fairview Avenue East Seattle, WA Website: Social Media: Facebook Ownership: Contact: Vanessa Volkman, Director Lauren Fior McCaffrey Evado PR Lauren@evadopr.com

3 VANESSA VOLKMAN DIRECTOR Vanessa Volkman was raised in the kitchen and began her love affair with cooking as a child. With a chef and cooking instructor mother, Vanessa grew up in a cooking-oriented environment and spent her youth in the kitchen, learning and practicing cooking and baking techniques. Her knowledge grew quickly and at the young age of 13 she was featured in an All About Pies series with Julia Child on television. As a self-taught chef, Vanessa went on to become a private chef and culinary consultant. She began working at her parents cooking school, Blue Ribbon Cooking & Culinary Center, in 2000 as a chef instructor and quickly took on new roles, including revamping Blue Ribbon s catering department and creating Blue Ribbon s all-inclusive wedding packages. Since 2000 she has planned over 1000 all-inclusive weddings and had her own wedding featured on the Style channel and in several local bridal magazines. Vanessa has been featured on a series of radio programs educating locals about how to improve the food choices of today s youth, an important initiative for her and Blue Ribbon. And in 2012 her pie making knowledge came full circle and she was featured on a national television program, For the Love of Pies. In 2008 Vanessa shifted gears and began running the day-to-day operations for Blue Ribbon with her husband. With her parents recently stepping down as full time owners, Vanessa now handles all aspects of the family business as Director of Blue Ribbon, and oversees a large staff of planners and chefs, four venues, and the company s weddings, corporate events, kids camps and more. Vanessa uses her experiences in the culinary industry, in conjunction with her passion for planning and designing events, to personally ensure the success of each event that Blue Ribbon has the pleasure to execute. 3

4 CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING In 1995 Blue Ribbon was one of the first companies to offer cooking-based team building activities after noting that cooking and food was an exciting and creative way for companies to bond and build morale. Their offerings have since grown to include multiple formats and options for groups large and small. The hands-on team building activities may be competitive in the manner of an Iron Chef style cook-off, or an orchestrated collaboration that strengthens the cohesiveness of the entire team. Using the kitchen as a learning environment, groups or corporate executives, management and sales teams work together to create a gourmet meal, then sit down to enjoy together. Challenges to the group s creativity, communication, cooperation and time/resource management are inherent in the team building process, weather a competitive or collaborate format is used. Team Building Overview: Themes from any of Blue Ribbon s classes can be transformed into corporate team activities for groups of up to 150. Blue Ribbon provides an instructor for every 12 guests. Participants receive hands-on cooking instruction and then feast together on the delicious meal they've created at Blue Ribbon s lake view dining tables. Standard classes are three hours, offered in several different formats, and can be arranged to cover any topic or ethnic cuisine. The first half hour guests will enjoy an array of appetizers and a beverage bar, cook for the next hour and a half, then enjoy their meal for the final hour. Each class is custom-designed with the company's needs and goals in mind. Classes are fun, educational and designed to allow everyone from the novice cook to a master chef to participate comfortably. Team building activities are held at the 5,200 waterfront culinary center on Lake Union. Team Building Formats Include: Food Truck Wars The popularity of food trucks has spurred an exciting new team building competition at Blue Ribbon where companies can flex their business development muscles to create a food truck business. The three-hour competition consists of: Company breaks into equal groups and each is assigned a professional chef. Chosen leader from each group draws a random food truck theme, provided by Blue Ribbon, for their group to create a business around. Blue Ribbon provides an overview including the dynamics of cooking and serving in a food truck and tips for working within those parameters. Groups have 90 minutes to create two savory main dishes and one sweet treat that embody the theme they have drawn, as well as naming their truck and designing a menu. Winners will be selected by the judging panel based on flavor, ability to adhere to the theme, a well-rounded menu, and how well the dynamics of food preparation and service in a food truck were considered in the execution of their food and overall menu. Option to have appetizers served from a local food truck of their choice.* *Blue Ribbon will provide a rotating selection of local food truck partners. Cooking For A Cause A unique and powerful way to bring corporate teams together for an interactive team building workshop, while giving back to the community. Cooking For A Cause involves teams working together to create delicious meals; one to be enjoyed by the company during the event, and one to be donated to Orion Youth Center for Homeless Youth or Hope Place run by Seattle s Union Gospel Mission, that provides emergency food and shelter to 1500 men, women and children each day. The format includes: 4

5 Prepare one, two, or three approachable one-dish meals to be donated to one of the charities above, or a charity of the company s choice. Blue Ribbon will package, coordinate and deliver donations with or without the company s name attached. After cooking, guests will enjoy a meal that Blue Ribbon s chefs have catered and in some cases that the guests have partially prepared themselves. Learn new culinary techniques and enjoy an effective team building event while helping fill a genuine need and making a meaningful donation to those less fortunate. Iron Chef A classic competitive format, Iron Chef is an effective vehicle to bring together employees that are not familiar with each other to integrate and/or work as a team. Program includes: Guests divide into teams of approximately 12 and a professional chef instructor is assigned to assist each team as much or as little as they would like. During the hands-on cooking portion of the event, each team must design and execute a complete meal consisting of a protein, side dishes and a dessert. Different main ingredients for each group s protein component and dessert are assigned and sample recipes utilizing those ingredients are provided. When the cooking is complete, each team s creations are placed on a buffet and everybody enjoys the meal while the judging takes place behind the scenes. Teams are awarded certificates for different accomplishments. As many teams can be awarded as the coordinator would like to recognize one team or all teams. Collaborative With the collaborative format, companies determine the menu from Blue Ribbon s seasonal list of menu courses. The group works with the chefs during the hands-on cooking portion to cook the predetermined recipes in order to create a spectacular meal. When the cooking is complete the group enjoys lake view dining while Blue Ribbon chefs plate and serve the meal. Additional Formats In addition to Blue Ribbon s collaborative and competitive activities, they offer other formats and add-on options, including: Pike Place Market shopping excursion with your chef. Wine tastings, cheese tastings, cocktail classes or cocktail competitions, an amuse bouche competition. Restaurant Wars where each team creates a restaurant by choosing a name, designing table settings and creating full menus for their establishments, in addition to a three course meal. Satisfied Team Building Clients Include: AT&T Wireless Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Boeing Costco Wholesale Eddie Bauer Expedia Google Microsoft Starbucks New York Times PEMCO Premera Blue Cross T-Mobile Travelocity University of Washington Verizon Rates Base price for a three-hour event per guest is $ Blue Ribbon requires a minimum of 10 guests or $ Groups of 18 guests or larger will have a minimum charge calculated on the guest count at the time of booking. 5

6 WEDDINGS + EVENTS Each wedding planned by Blue Ribbon s expert team is a unique and distinctive event tailored to emphasize the personality, taste and style of the bride and groom. Blue Ribbon assists the couple by using their skills, knowledge, and experience to take some complexity out of wedding and event planning. Blue Ribbon strives to provide couples with an experience that is stress free and seamless so they can enjoy the day. Blue Ribbon s wedding offerings run the gamut from all-inclusive packages, to off-site catering, rentals and wedding planning services, as well as rehearsal dinners, showers and more. All-Inclusive Wedding Package Includes: Gourmet Catering Custom Wedding Cakes or Dessert Display Fresh Floral Designs & Arrangements (centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages) Table Linens & Décor (candles, vintage furniture, cake stands, lighting and draping) Tables, Chairs, China & Glassware Ceremony Set-Up & Breakdown Service Staff Dance Floor Non-Alcoholic Beverages Onsite Day-of Coordination 40 hours planning assistance by Blue Ribbon s wedding planning specialists (awardwinning chefs and pastry chefs, event designers, interfaith ceremony specialist and signature floral stylist) Catering Rates Include: Tables, Chairs, French-country Linens, Glassware, Silverware, & China Non-alcoholic Beverages Dance Floor, Microphone & Projection Screen Use Use of Blue Ribbon s waterfront facility for two hours for breakfast and lunch events (additional hours can be purchased) Use of Blue Ribbon s waterfront facility for three hours for dinner events (additional hours can be purchased) Hosts may provide wine and beer for their catered event as long as Blue Ribbon is notified at least two weeks in advance and a banquet permit supplied by the host. There is a $5 corkage fee per bottle of wine. The corkage fee is calculated based on the number of bottles brought into the facility, not the number of bottles consumed. The corkage fee includes the use of Blue Ribbon's wine glasses and corkscrews. There is no additional fee for bringing in beer. Event Venues Blue Ribbon offers four distinct and unique Puget Sound area venues to accommodate varying tastes, locations and seasonal weddings and events. Blue Ribbon Blue Ribbon is nestled over the water on Seattle s Lake Union in the Eastlake neighborhood. The 5,200 square foot venue offers beautiful views of the lake, city skyline and Gasworks Park through their panoramic windows and outdoor deck. The facility boasts a variety of spaces to accommodate any type of event including an exhibition kitchen, large dance floor, ceremony area, sound system, bridal room, cozy lounge, catering kitchen and free parking Fairview Avenue East Seattle, WA

7 Velocity Located on Capital Hill, Velocity is a one-of-a-kind urban loft-inspired space that blends industrial chic with warm traditional accents. Blanketed with beautiful maple flooring and crowned with skylights, it features handsome exposed-brick walls that can magically transform with white or black floor-to-ceiling curtains. The west side of the space features a lounge area with a mirrorbacked bar and soft seating; the perfect place for a cocktail hour th Avenue Seattle, WA Weyerhaeuser Estate The Weyerhaeuser Estate offers a fairytale-like setting for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The lush mansion grounds, the historic brick buildings laced with ivy and the commanding views of Puget Sound create an enchanting experience. The French doors of the mansion open to a grand veranda that serves as a picturesque setting for a cocktail hour or a formal dinner. The grounds boast a garden courtyard bordered with vintage garden roses and orchard trees. Perched on the edge of the courtyard bluff, sits a gazebo ideal for exchanging vows N Stevens Street Tacoma, WA Lake Union Crew Lake Union Crew's exceptional waterfront location and panoramic views make the perfect setting and a beautiful backdrop for any special occasion. Spacious rooms with spectacular, sweeping views of the city, and a stone fireplace add warmth and intimacy with elegant French doors that open onto a balcony overlooking the waters of Lake Union. The venue is easily transformed into room for formal dining, an intimate space for cocktails and quiet conversation, or a place to kick off your shoes and dance. 11 East Allison Street Seattle, WA

8 COOKING CLASSES Blue Ribbon s cooking classes continue to embody why they founded the school in 1995, to take the challenge out of cooking and give guests the tools to entertain with ease and style. All Blue Ribbon classes provide hands-on participation; appetizers upon arrival; a selection of local microbrews, Northwest wines and their signature non-alcoholic beverages; a feast including all dishes prepared in class; and printed copies of all recipes. Guests can register for pre-set classes with seasonal themes and menus or create their own private cooking class event or dinner party with custom themes and menus. Blue Ribbon s cooking classes are taught by their team of professional chefs, in two distinct formats including: Instructional Intensive Each student executes every recipe, learning all of the components and techniques of the dish. The instructor demos each recipe in front of the class, as participants follow along in groups of three or four with their own mise en place and prep station. The class ends with a dinner party of all dishes prepared in class. Cooking Party A more casual format than the Instructional Intensive but with the same hands-on cooking time and education. Class begins with an overview of all recipes and techniques and then recipes are prepared in small groups as the instructor guides the class as a whole throughout. Students are encouraged to get involved as much or as little as they would like. The event ends with a dinner party of all dishes prepared in class. 8

9 KIDS CAMPS Virginia Duppenthaler, Blue Ribbon s founder, created their kids cooking camps in 1995 and was the first cooking school in the area to teach international cooking with a sit down dinner party for children. Now, summers at Blue Ribbon s waterfront cooking school remain devoted to teaching skills and confidence to children to find success in the kitchen and cure the notion of there is nothing to eat. Classes help kids safely and tastefully prepare food with confidence, efficiency and finesse for themselves and their families. Learning Objectives Teach kids how to take care of themselves and others in the kitchen. Promote taking ownership of the home kitchen as skills are developed. Guide kids into feeling more adventurous and independent in the kitchen, for those who lack experience and confidence. Classic cooking skills taught by knowledgeable professional chefs allow students to prepare healthy, tasty and interesting dishes. Students take instrumental roles in the planning and preparation of distinctive meals. Instructors & Education Blue Ribbon s instructors empower students to master exciting recipes as they experience new foods and utilize mathematics, geography and science in real-world applications. An international cast of exciting food professionals from the local culinary community, all of our instructors have a passion for teaching youth to enjoy the multi-faceted celebration of food. A seven-to-one student-teacher ratio ensures students work in small groups and get individual attention. The highlight of this comprehensive week is the Thursday graduation dinner when students present their accomplishments to their own guests by preparing and serving a fourcourse dinner. Kids Camps Courses Classic Culinary Camp Encompasses cooking favorites that are typically inexpensive, uncomplicated, and easy to prepare. In addition to a brief sojourn into ethnic foods, this camp will focus on practical meals and homemade favorites. These dishes are particularly good for young people when they need to keep costs down. Young chefs will rub elbows with Blue Ribbon s professional team all week, becoming competent and proficient in the kitchen by practicing hands-on culinary skills five hours each day. Class Options: Junior: Age 7-13 Senior: Age All Ages: 7-18 Hours: 9:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Monday Thursday Rates & Inclusions: $400 Camp Fee, $250 Supply Fee Personalized chef's jacket Professional-quality chef's knife Blue Ribbon electronic cookbook Diploma Daily lunch Student's ticket for Thursday night graduation dinner 9

10 Baking and Pastry Camp Students will learn sifting, whisking, kneading, mixing and measuring as they bake savory and sweet creations from scratch. They ll learn skills from the basics of proper measuring and correct utensil use to cake creations, flaky pie crusts, working with yeasted dough and much more. Class Options: All Ages: 7-18 Hours: 9:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Monday Thursday Rates & Inclusions: $400 Camp Fee, $250 Supply Fee Personalized chef's jacket Baking utensil collection Blue Ribbon electronic cookbook Diploma Daily lunch Daily culinary ingredients Student's ticket for Thursday night graduation dinner Mom & Me Camp Young chefs are invited to bring their parent, grandparent, or caregiver and learn together how to make fun and healthy meals the whole family will love. Adults can bring their child to gain selfsufficiency and independence in the kitchen. Each session ends with a delicious lunchtime feast of all the dishes created in class. Class Options: All Ages: 7-18 Hours: 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday Rates & Inclusions: $275 per each pair of adult and child, $125 for each additional family member, $50 supply fee per person (child and adult) Daily lunch Recipe packets Advanced French Culinary Workshop Students who have attended a Blue Ribbon summer camp, or the equivalent, can join this advanced course on classic French cooking. Traditional French techniques are considered to be one of the world's most refined and elegant culinary styles, renowned for both its classical "haute cuisine" and provincial styles. French cooking techniques have been a major influence on virtually all Western cuisines, and almost every culinary school uses French cuisine as the basis for other forms of Western cooking. Student Objectives: Execute most traditional French culinary techniques, learn exceptional knife skills and be able to make the five classic (mother) sauces. Learn proper menu design and create a cohesive menu from unlimited recipe resources. Make shopping lists from recipes, coordinate the execution and timing of the recipes, and plate and garnish their creations. As a graduation project students will work in small groups to completely design, cook and serve a seven-course meal (starter, salad, pasta, homemade sorbet, entrée, dessert, and cheese course) to their family and friends at the graduation dinner party. 10

11 Class Options: All Ages: 7-18 Hours: 9:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Monday Wednesday 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Thursday Rates & Inclusions: $500 Camp Fee, $300 Supply Fee Advanced cookbook Knife case Knife sharpener Diploma Daily gourmet lunch Daily culinary ingredients 11