As the summer wedding season fades and the fall and holiday season ramps up, local caterers kick into high gear. Despite their hectic schedules, 068 was able to speak with a few local chefs on what each of their catering businesses can offer to make your next event special.
Alison Milwe-Grace aka Chef Ali of AMG Catering and Events explains, “Caterers rarely have downtime these days. We may experience a slight lull between January and February, but this year is exceptionally busy. We’ve finally wrapped up all the weddings delayed by the pandemic, and now we’re seeing fundraisers and other events returning. Bookings are filling up even two years in advance.”
A Weston resident, Chef Ali established her company in 1996, serving Fairfield and Westchester Counties. AMG is the preferred caterer for numerous local venues in Ridgefield, Wilton, Weston, Westport, Fairfield, Greenwich, and New Canaan, capable of hosting events ranging from small, intimate gatherings of 35 to large-scale events accommodating 400 or more attendees. “The bigger the party, the better,” she affirms.
The word “dynamo” feels like an apt descriptor for this high-energy chef. “I get up at 6 AM every day to hit the gym so I can stay strong for the physical work I do,” she elaborates. “I love what I do, and I show my love through food.”
For the past 20 years, this mom of three also shares her love of the culinary arts as a full-time teacher at Staples High School in Westport. Beyond her daytime teaching and weekend catering, Chef Ali conducts evening adult cooking classes in her commercial space in Wilton and has aspirations of authoring a cookbook.
Wilton resident Karin Hyzy shares Chef Ali’s enthusiasm, having utilized AMG to cater her family events and larger parties for decades. “I’m not sure how she manages it all! Her food and staff are simply amazing. She’s inventive and can take an idea and run with it,” Hyzy praises. “I’d never host an event without her. Her hot passed hors d’oeuvres are exceptional. I adore her meatballs, and I’m Italian!”