Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

FAC Event Caterers

The Fine Arts Center has partnered with the following caterers who are exclusively approved to provide food and beverage service for events in our facilities. Please contact one or all three for more information about their service or to request a proposal.

THE FOOD DESIGNERS • 719.632.5414

Food Designers has been a staple in the Colorado Springs catering landscape since 1984. Andrew and Heather Darrigan bought the company in 2005. Andrew Darrigan is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York. Immediately after graduation, he worked at Bolo in Manhattan under the supervision and tutelage of nationally acclaimed chef Bobby Flay. The Gazette named Food Designers “Best Caterer” in its 2006, 2007 and 2008 Best of the Springs guides, saying, “Superb cuisine - from a simple boxed lunch to an elegant dinner party - sets this enterprise apart. And the owners make everything from scratch.”

“We are looking forward to working with the Fine Arts Center and the other two catering companies,” said Heather Darrigan. “We really wanted the opportunity to work in the best venue in town; the Fine Arts Center is such an amazing facility.”

GARDEN OF THE GODS' GOURMET • 719.471.2799

Garden of the Gods’ Gourmet found its start in 2001 as a provider of gourmet seasonings. From the very start, our business has centered around providing an excellent culinary product to discerning food enthusiasts. More than a decade later, our business has grown from its humble beginnings of gourmet seasoning blends to a multi-faceted organization that offers a broad array of catering options for any size event. Our planners and award-winning chefs specialize in one-on-one custom menu creation and event planning – from small casual events to large upscale lavish galas. Over the past five years, we have been repeatedly selected by the Gazette and the Independent as one of the top caterers in the region. Most recently, Garden of the Gods’ Gourmet was selected as the “2012 Gold Caterer” by the Independent. We are proud to offer our customers choices that are both unique in taste and presentation, and always prepared with our distinctive “made from scratch” taste.

“We are delighted to serve Colorado Springs within the Fine Arts Center, a truly amazing facility! Along with our other catering partners at the Fine Arts Center, patrons have access to the best catering within Colorado Springs for all of their event needs,” according to Garden of the Gods’ Gourmet owner, Lynn Schlemeyer.

PICNIC BASKET • 719.635.0200

Named the “Best Caterer” in Colorado Springs by the Independent for 13 straight years (1995-2007), the Picnic Basket Catering Company offers Fine Arts Center patrons three distinct menu options from its catering family: Buffalo Gals Grilling Company, featuring New West BBQ; five-star catering from Cravings, and portable feasts from Picnic Basket. The Independent wrote, “Besides the quality of food and service, (the undefeated streak) must have a lot to do with the depth of the business and a trusted staff. (Michelle Talarico and Kathy Dreiling) have created a local food dynasty. We’re the lucky subjects.”

“The caterers selected by the Fine Arts Center offer a huge array of high quality food, service and price options,” said Michelle Talarico, co-founder of Picnic Basket. “All of us are truly passionate about this community and especially how the Fine Arts Center fits into that community.”

SUMMIT CATERING • 719.229.6466

Success is in the details. With over 25 years of combined event planning experience in the Colorado Springs area, we know that each catering brings its own unique challenges and demands. Becky Dunlap and Kyle Park focus on event planning while Chef Barry Dunlap focuses exclusively on the cuisine. Our expertise means you can relax and enjoy the party while we handle the details that make your event outstanding. Whether you are entertaining friends and family, organizing a business event, or producing a fundraiser, we strive to make your event hassle-free.

Our approach to food is one of simple elegance. We start with the best ingredients available, and let them be the star. Our cuisine is not overly garnished or teased. What’s the recipe for our vision? Great ingredients prepared to perfection, with service to match. And when paired with a venue as beautiful as the Fine Arts Center, it’s a winning combination.