Worcester Business Journal

18 Worcester Business Journal | January 8, 2018 | wbjournal.com F O C U S B E S T F O O D & E N T E R T A I N M E N T BEST RESTAURANT FOR BUSINESS LUNCH The Sole Proprietor* Worcester, www.thesole.com Top executives: Robb and Madeleine Ahlquist, owners; Eric Andreoli, general manager Founded: 1979 Employees: 98 P eppers Artful Events' ambition was too large, even from the beginning, to stay confined to a prepared-foods operation based in a Victorian home on Main Street in the center of Northborough. When the caterer began 30 years ago, it took less than a year to do its first wedding. Even as Peppers has grown to 25 full-time workers and another 125 part-timers, it still doesn't shy away from taking on an event of any size. "We've never turned down an event because it was too large for us," co-own- er John Lawrence said. Lawrence, a chef, has been around since nearly the beginning. Founder Susan Lawrence – the woman who would become his wife – invited him for an interview a few years after start- ing the business. The little Victorian home wasn't impressive at first, Lawrence recalled, but he was taken by the creativity of what was done inside. Now, Peppers is among the area's largest caterers, handling events as far as the Berkshires, Connecticut and New Hampshire. It has added in-house flo- BY GRANT WELKER Worcester Business Journal News Editor Peppers plans for precision ral, bartending and bakery services in addition to its full-scale catering. Peppers handles events regularly at places like the Hanover Theatre and Mechanics Hall in Worcester, and it signed a deal to become the exclusive caterer for Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston. The Worcester Art Museum includes Peppers on a short list of caterers it reg- ularly uses for events, said Janice Potter, the museum's events sales manager. "It's important that we have the same quality each and every time for our cli- ents," said Potter, who helps oversee about 60 private events a year at the museum. "We've certainly found that with Peppers," Potters said. "Their attention to detail, it's just phenomenal." As much as Peppers helps prepare and serve food at such events, half or more of its events take place in spaces not designed for such functions, places like homes or businesses. That adds another wrinkle for Peppers. Peppers planners have to make sure there are enough power outlets and in places where they're needed. The com- pany prides itself on serving food fast and on time, so the Peppers planners time how long it should take for a serv- er to walk from the kitchen to the far- thest-away table to make sure they can serve each guest an entree within an allotted window of time. "The old adage, 'Proper planning prevents poor performance,' works well for us," Lawrence said. BEST CATERER FOR A CORPORATE EVENT Peppers Artful Events* Northborough, PeppersArtfulEvents.com Top executives: Susan Lawrence, founder; and John Lawrence, partner Founded: 1987 Employees: 25 full time, 125 part time Notable runner-up: Struck Catering Freshness and hospitality have made The Sole Proprietor a Worcester institution. Beginning with the freshest fish inspires its chefs to create memorable dishes. Customers are served by two wait staff, not one, and they are impressed by how staff remember their names. Notable runners-up: VIA, 110 Grill BEST RESTAURANT FOR BUSINESS DINNER One Eleven Chop House* Worcester, www.111chophouse.com Top executives: Robb and Madeleine Ahlquist, owners; Aaron Francisco, general manager Founded: 1999 Employees: 77 Its fifth year in a row winning this award, One Eleven thrives on being one of a kind in a market full of chain steakhouses, with the independence enabling the restaurant to cater to customers' individual needs. The steaks are hand selected and certified prime-grade, and the wine list has received Wine Spectator's "Award of Excellence" annually since 2001. Notable runners-up: VIA, deadhorse hill, Armsby Abbey, Sonoma BEST COFFEE SERVICE Good As Gold Coffee* Worcester, Goodasgold.com Top executive: President Patrice Goldman Founded: 1969 Employees: 14 After nearly 50 years in business, Good as Gold stays true to its founding mission of providing delicious, high-quality coffee at a great value. The company built and launched a new coffee roasterie, part of its efforts to always strive to be better. John and Susan Lawrence W The Sole Proprietor 111 Chop House Mike (left) and Jay Goldman next to Good as Gold's unroasted coffee beans Peppers Artful Events

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