Category General

Get to Know Parties That Cook’s Chef Lauren… In and Out of the Kitchen

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At a recent corporate event, I got a chance to chat with our amazing and unique Lead Chef, Lauren. I know first-hand that she’s a lot of fun to work with. She makes everyone feel comfortable, and is constantly making guests (and the PTC team) smile and laugh. I thought it only fair to share some of Lauren’s brightness and personality with those who don’t get to interact with her on a regular basis.

1.)    Tell us the basics.
I am Lauren Weissman, a chef from Los Angeles, California. I’ve been with PTC since October 2013, and my title is Lead Chef.
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2.)    What made you want to become a chef?
The food! I love food, and making people feel good with food!

3.)    What were you doing before you became a chef?
I was a personal assistant to an actor, Jon Abrahams. I worked in the entertainment industry for eight years.

4.)    What is the best meal you’ve ever made?
In 2013, for my family’s combo holiday -– Hanukkah/Thanksgiving dinner — I made Turkey and Latkes (delicious potato pancakes).

5.)    What is one thing guests would be surprised to find out about you?
I have been a dancer since I was three and I was part of a professional hip-hop dance crew.

6.)    What’s your favorite Parties That Cook memory?
My favorite memory was seeing Bibby cry at the Christmas party this past year. She was so happy about where the company ended up for the year; she was so cute.

7.)    What do you love about working at Parties That Cook?
It’s different every single day. There are new people, new locations, and new challenges every time I come to work. I get bored easily, so it’s perfect!

8.)    What new ingredients are inspiring you right now?
Right now I’m really into working with peaches!

As you can see, Chef Lauren is a fabulous asset to our team. She brings a lot of excitement and charisma to our events. She’s seen and done so much and, we are very lucky to have her!

New Season, New Menus. Parties That Cook Prepares for Fall with Recipe Testing.

Fall Recipe Testing Fall Recipe TestingJust like the seasons change throughout the year, things are always evolving here at Parties That Cook. In anticipation of each season, our team of professional chefs bring their imaginations and culinary skills together to whip up a fresh batch of original recipes. As with all great things, there is a bit of trial and error involved in achieving perfection. Our seasonal recipes can’t just be delicious – they have to meet certain criteria specific to our events: easily split into components for team cooking, execution with our mobile equipment, scalability, and most importantly, cook time. Small order, right? Our fabulous chefs consistently do an outstanding job nominating, testing, and selecting the best recipes for PTC events!

Fall Recipe Testing Fall Recipe TestingI had the privilege of being involved in two days of recent experimentation, and all I can say is WOW. The office team got a little preview of all the new Fall Menu recipes, and it was absolutely delicious. I definitely wanted more than just a taste! Our chefs made a variety of mouthwatering dishes, including: Fried Chicken Po-boys with Pickle Remoulade and Kale; Veggie Tagine with Couscous; Caramelized Onion and Potato Knishes; Moroccan Pastries; Sweet Potato Soufflés; Cauliflower Soup;  and Southern Mac and Cheese with Baked Quinoa! It’s safe to say we were completely stuffed. And happy.