Published: October 21, 2009 09:56 pm      

UCO Central Catering to host fall showcase to highlight executive chef and catering offerings

EDMOND — The University of Central Oklahoma’s Central Catering will host its Fall Catering Showcase from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Nigh University Center in the Grand Ballroom located on the second floor.

Central hosts a catering showcase twice a year to promote and share its catering capabilities, which are available to the public via Central Catering, to Edmond and surrounding communities.

The event will feature a collection of signature dishes from Executive Chef Chris Barton, C.E.C. with wine tasting and networking with Central’s preferred vendors.

Chef Barton joined UCO in 2007, bringing more than 20 years of culinary experience to Central. His work includes cooking for 5-Star restaurants across the country, world-famous cruise lines and exclusive resorts. He was also instrumental with the openings of Opus Steakhouse and Nikz at the Top, both local steakhouse favorites.

Additionally, his resume includes cooking for the Queen of England, working as Executive Chef for the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and participating in the Guinness Book of World Records for “Largest Sit-down Dinner” serving almost 13,000 meals at once.

Prior to arriving in Oklahoma, he was personal chef to Sly Stallone and cooked for a variety of celebrities, including Nicole Kidman, Sidney Pollack, James Wood and was the on-site caterer for the cast during filming of “The Firm.”

“We’re confident that once people experience the exquisite cuisine and catering capabilities Central Catering has to offer, they’ll be pleasantly surprised at what awaits them,” said Greg Schwartz, director of UCO Dining Services.

“It’s very rare a university has the ability to work with a chef of Chris’ caliber, so we’re excited about sharing one of our best kept secrets with the public.”

Central Catering is a full-service catering service geared towards hosting corporate events, conferences, weddings, proms and a variety of tailor-made events for any meeting or special occasion on-site in the university’s facilities. Clients have access to state-of-the art technology/audio-visual equipment, decorations, facilities, parking and security.

To further showcase its catering capabilities, Central has partnered with OK43 TV for an “Office Party” promotion starting Oct. 26. Every night through Nov. 20, viewers watching the televisions series “The Office” from 6-7 p.m. will have the opportunity to register to win an “Office Party for 10” hosted on-site at Legend’s, UCO’s signature restaurant, also led by Chef Barton.

The event is free and open to the public. Guests can also park free during the event in the Visitors Parking Lot east of the Nigh University Center.

For information on Central Catering’s Fall Catering Showcase, call 974-4635 and Additional catering information can also be found at www.eventservices.uco.edu/Catering_Services.htm or call 974.2358.