From Sunrise Lattes to Midnight Leftovers –
The Non-Stop Life of Kelli & Sarah
Catering isn’t just a job—it’s a full-blown lifestyle. It’s early mornings, late nights, and an adrenaline rush that comes from making magic happen in kitchens, event venues, and sometimes even parking lots (don’t ask). At Chez Gourmet Catering, Kelli and Sarah don’t just create meals—they create moments. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at a typical (or should we say chaotic) day in their world.
6:00 AM – Coffee, Emails & Emergency Calls
The alarm goes off, and the first thing Kelli does is hit snooze. Next coffee! The second thing? Check emails for any overnight changes—because when you’re in catering, a “quick update” from a client can mean anything from adding 50 guests to needing a gluten-free, vegan-friendly, kid-approved, locally sourced menu… by noon.
Sarah is already up and has probably sent 15 texts about the day’s schedule. “Did we confirm the rentals? Is the delivery team on track? What’s the backup plan for the outdoor wedding if it rains?!”
9:00 AM – Prep Mode: Full Speed Ahead at the Kitchen. It is an organized chaos. The team is chopping, searing, and taste-testing while Kelli and Sarah double-check everything. Timing is everything in catering—one hiccup can throw off the whole day.“Wait, where are the mini truffle grilled cheeses,” Kelli shouts.“Relax, they’re coming,” Sarah laughs, already plating a test batch. Meanwhile, the van is getting loaded, and someone (definitely Patrick or Michelle) is yelling about a missing tablecloth from yesterday’s event.
10:00 AM – Quick Sneak of Things that Matter Most-Family
Sarah & Danny sneak over to see Juju win another equestrian show, while Kelli & Matt log in to watch Faith playing volleyball at college. Family is everything – The Morse family of seven+ and the Spratt family of eight+ are the ultimate why… and why every event is planned as though it is for their very own families.
12:00 PM – The Event Shuffle Begins
With five events in one day—because of course there are—the team is split between locations. Kelli heads to a corporate luncheon, making sure the CEO gets her favorite custom sushi platter (VIP clients, right?). Sarah is en route to a lavish wedding at Flagler Museum where the couple has requested a champagne tower and a dessert wall. In the middle of all this, Kelli gets a call from a frantic bride: “Can you add a seafood station? Like, right now?” Kelli, ever the problem solver, takes a deep breath. “Absolutely. Give me 20 minutes.”
(Cue Sarah, already texting the fishmonger.)
6:00 PM – Crunch Time & Show Time
The wedding is in full swing. Guests are raving about the hors d’oeuvres, and Sarah is making sure the dinner service runs smoothly. At the corporate event, Kelli is handling a last-minute keynote speaker delay—which basically means keeping everyone fed and happy while the schedule falls apart. Back at the commissary, the team is prepping for an evening cocktail party, and Kathryn & Maria are on social media duty, capturing behind-the-scenes moments for Instagram, Liz correcting everyone’s grammar (Thank God for Liz).
11:00 PM – The Wind-Down That Never Happens
In theory, this is the time to relax. In reality it’s a debrief, checking inventory, and answering next-day inquiries. Someone (probably Jose or Vivian) has dropped off extra supplies, and someone else (definitely a sous chef) is sneaking leftovers. Kelli and Sarah finally collapse onto barstools, glasses of wine in hand. “What a day,” Sarah sighs.
“Same time tomorrow?” Kelli smirks…
Because catering isn’t just their job—it’s their passion.
And they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Looking for a trusted catering company in South Florida? Contact Kelli and Sarah at Chez Gourmet to plan your next unforgettable event.