Above All Catering, Inc.

Above All Catering began it's business in the City of Cypress in 1994. In 1999 Above All Catering was awarded Business of the Year. Due to growth and expansion, we now reside at a state of the art facility in Anaheim. We have just recently recieved the 'Award of Excellence' from the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Our continued commitment to providing our clients with quality cuisine, great service, and steady prices, even when the economy is so volatile and ever so changing, makes us 'A STEP ABOVE THE REST!'

We back up our quality products with talented professional employees. Our experience as a company is incredible. Our Executive Chef, Rudy Mahe, along with his staff, have numerous years experience in the industry. Throughout his years in the industry, Rudy and his staff have catered and prepared foods for just about every cuisine. Our sales department has been turning out parties for years.

We are a full service catering company, therefore, we can create and produce events from the ground up, which includes everything from rentals, linens, canopies, flowers, audio/visual, and so on.

Above All Catering is proud to give back to the community and to the surrounding non-profit groups. We are happy to offer our catering services and support to these groups year after year.

We feel it is important for our customers to know us and our facility. We ALWAYS have an open door policy for you to visit us. Our kitchen and office area is open for you to visit anytime. You should know where and who is preparing your food.

Gary Rodgers - President / Owner

After 24 years of experience in the catering/restaurant industry, Gary Rodgers knows what it takes to be a successful caterer. 'You have to focus only on the monster that is behind it.'

Like the majority of his staff, Mr. Rodgers has worked up the chain of command in the catering world. From winning the prestigious 'Waiter of the Year' Award in San Diego in the early 90's to opening a small chain of Mexican/Seafood Restaurants, this owner has his hand in every aspect of his catering business... literally. 'It's all about hard work. I can book it, cook it, grill it, set-up, bartend, clean-up, even do dishes if I need to.'

He carries on this hands on attitude to his entire staff and trains them in all facets of catering so the quality of service is consistent. And the result? 'Special occasion quality food for simple corporate lunches, and at a reasoneable price.'

So, in this president's opinion, what is the secret to being a successful caterer? 'Great food, service, decor, and safety. That is true catering!'

Kristi Rodgers - Business Development

Loyalty is a hard thing to come by in businesses these days. But, Kristi Rodgers, along with husband Gary Rodgers, value loyalty just as much, if not more than they value a tasty roasted tri-tip steak.

'A happy working environment is everything. If our employees are having a bad day, I want to know why and cheer them up if I can.'

Responsible for Advertising/Marketing, Billing, and assisting Gary, Kristi's interest was peaked in the catering business when her and Gary were planning their own wedding. Although she only works part-time, this full-time wife and mother truly brings a sense of family to the business.

Rudy Mahe - Executive Chef

When asked why he decided to pursue a career in culinary arts, Executive Chef Rudy Mahe's response is simple, 'I like to eat. Plus, my mom made me.' 21 years later, I'm sure his mother's very proud. This French native came to the United States 13 years ago to continue his career of making fabulous food. His extensive training in both France and the U.S. makes him the creative and diligent backbone of the Above All Catering kitchen staff.

But, don't think that Rudy forgets his soapy-dishwashing roots. 'I started in a kitchen when I was 13. I worked from the bottom up, doing everything from dishwashing, to prep cook, to executive chef.' So what is this Executive Chef's secret to creating a unique and fantastic dish? 'It's all about the sauce. That's where all the flavor is!'

Awards & Associations

- Award of American Culinary Excellence in 2001, presented in San Francisco

- Participating Chef for Chaine des Rotisseurs at the Riverside Mission Inn with Chef Gary Palm in 1998

- 5 Stars Chef Marble from "An Evening with chef's in Sierra Madre" while working for Claude's in Pasadena

- Participating Chef for Eurotogue in 1996

Degrees

- Certificat Aptitude Professionnel from Les Marais Sallant in Guerande, France

- Brevet Education Professionel from Les Marais Sallant in Guerande, France

- Brevet Technicien Hotelier from Saint Annes in Saint Nazaiere, France

- Brevet Technicien Superior from Saint Annes in Saint Nazaiere, France

- Business Hotelier Degree by correspondance

Frank Campa - Sales Manager

With over 25 years experience in the catering/restaurant industry, Frank has seen it all. From opening his own restaurant to producing weddings and many other special events. Frank has coordinated such events as the annual Women in Government Luncheon for 10,000, The Long Beach Grand Prix, and has also catered backstage for entertainers such as, George Lopez, Jerry Seinfield, and Gwen Stefani.

What keeps framk coming back for more? "At the end of the event, the smile on my client's face makes it worth all the hard work myself and my team as put into the event".

Frank has earned his wonderful reputation in the catering business.

Alicia Escamilla - Customer Care

Alicia knows what it means to provide unparalleled customer service. 'Once, I was doing a delivery, and the client forgot to order Scrambled Eggs with Cheese. We were quite a ways from the Above All Catering Kitchen so I went to a restaurant and ordered some. She was so happy, she hugged me!'

It's this type of attitude that makes Alicia a key player in the Above All Catering staff. Her organizational skills and attention to detail reflect in many ways, especially in the number of referrals she helps to provide for the sales staff. 'Referrals make me feel good because it shows me that I'm doing a good job.'

At the end of the day, what makes Alicia feel satisfied? 'If the people are happy, then I am happy.'

Above All Catering, Inc.

Orange County Catering Service