CRYSTAL'S---THE SHORT AND THE SWEET!
JUST SO YOU KNOW
I have been catering in the tri-state region since 2009- all types of catering and services; specializing in creative events, weddings and large groups/meetings, fundraisers, and special events. My business is family owned and we are a BIG family! We were voted Southern Illinois Best Caterer for 2019 awarded right before the Pandemic hit. Then BAM!.... lots of changes and lot's to do to get thru this time. It's been an incredibly hard year. We've all suffered, we've all made sacrifices and it's only by the Grace of God and support from my family and friends, that I'm still here, still catering...but I'm changing things up a bit...
I can do all types and sizes of events, but I am limiting my wedding catering to just a select amount of events. I love what I do, but I have learned over the years, that there's more to life than making a living- the Pandemic has only solidified that for me. I am still going to do catering events, but I am selective about how many I will be doing and the types of events that I will do. Catering is not a job for the faint of heart; it requires not only an ability to cook but to plan everything from menus to setups, service styles to decor, many times guiding the customers through the event planning process. It requires the performance of our duties in all types of facilities; outdoors and indoors as well as in all types of weather. I've catered in the pouring down rain, during storm warnings, and in the snow with vans having to be towed so we could get to the events. I've torn my ACL/MCL decorating and "tape braced" my knee to finish the wedding buffet; I've catered lunch after spending the morning in the emergency room getting a dislocated shoulder popped into place; all to make sure that my customers get what they expected. It's not enough for the food to taste good- it has to be on time, plentiful, and organized. I love being able to help people make their events successful and special and that's what I will always strive for.
Because of the Pandemic, I have increased our ability to serve individual-pre-packed meals and box lunches--and I've learned to make those changes/adjustments "on the fly" since the requirements during the Pandemic have changed weekly. That being said, you will not find a "standard" menu with pricing on this page or menu item lists that you can pick from online. If you've heard of me and wonder about my food-references-availability, simply contact me. I will get back to you and get your questions answered and give you the information you need about what I can do for you.
