man and woman drinking coffee

Brewing Success: Elevate your Events with Kikwetu Coffee

Kikwetu is a journey to connect two places that are very important to its founders: Kenya, where they were born and raised, and Chicago, where they have made their lives. Started in 2014, Kikwetu is a minority-owned, women-led business, born and operated in Woodlawn.

The company aims to provide high-quality coffee and tea to people of all walks of life and enable them to connect with each other. The quality of the Kikwetu products and the exceptional service provided by the team have made the business a huge success in Chicago.

But Kikwetu's success also comes from a belief that building and fostering human connections is the foundation for a just and sustainable planet. The company cares deeply about the people behind its products and works hard to uncover and amplify their stories to build bridges.

Across Chicago, Kikwetu offers catering for events, meetings and gatherings featuring handcrafted beverages, pastries with a special splash of Kenyan hospitality. Kikwetu also provides elevated coffee & tea services for residential condos and office buildings.

Kikwetu is the exclusive coffee served in the Cloud Bar on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center. You can also find its products in markets in Streeterville, Lincoln Park, West Loop, Hyde Park, Logan Square, Wicker Park, Evanston, South Loop, Glenwood and North Center.

www.kikwetu.coffee/


The Benefits of Morning Meetings

February is Hot Breakfast Month, a perfect time to focus on the benefits of morning meetings, and how eating together enhances productivity.  

Breakfast business meetings are typically more relaxed and informal than lunch meetings. As we gain a deeper understanding of the importance of breakfast, these meetings will only become more and more popular. 

Ryan Estis is a leadership coach and speaker based in Minneapolis, MN. He explains to BBC Worklife why the early morning has become his go-to time for meetings: “I am caffeinated, centered and intentionally focused,” he says. 

Benefits of Eating Together 

A 2015 Cornell University study found that groups that eat together perform better together. In research that could have implications for organizations that want to enhance team performance, Cornell professors found that firefighter platoons who eat meals together have better group job performance compared with firefighter teams who dine solo. “Eating together is a more intimate act than looking over an Excel spreadsheet together. That intimacy spills back over into work,” said the study’s author, Kevin Kniffin, visiting assistant professor in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. “From an evolutionary anthropology perspective, eating together has a long, primal tradition as a kind of social glue. That seems to continue in today’s workplaces.”

Check out one of Chicago’s most popular catering options for your breakfast or brunch meetings. 


YOLK: Quality Breakfast & Brunch Catering Within Your Budget

If you are looking for the very best breakfast or lunch (brunch) catering in Chicago, Yolk is the place to try! Since 2006, Yolk’s catering has offered the best quality catering services for outdoor events, parties, weddings, special events and holidays at affordable prices.

Yolk truly takes pride in delighting your guests with top quality food and catering services, all within your budget, seven days a week. Simply stated, Yolk provides clients with outstanding quality, great pricing and superior customer service.

Craft your own menu

A dedicated catering manager will work with you. They will work on specific logistics for your event and help you decide on the menu. Some patron favorites include the Breakfast Combo, which includes a little bit of everything or the Countryside Skillet.

Of course healthy options are available as well, including the Kale Scrambler, Iron Man Scrambler, or the Yolk Berry Bliss made with homemade Greek Yogurt.

Individual boxes

In the current ‘social distance’ climate, you or your clients may prefer individually packaged boxed meals. These boxes ensure a safe and healthy breakfast, brunch or lunch experience. Yolk can definitely make it work! 

Get in touch

Place your order online or send an email to catering@eatyolk.com 

Catering pick-up and delivery is available from 7 am until 2:30 pm on weekdays and from 7 am until 10:15 am on Saturdays and Sundays. 


Add a True Chicago Tradition to your Event

Since 1949, Garrett Popcorn is a Chicago brand that has served multiple generations and potentially millions of locals and visitors alike. 

Garrett Popcorn Shops' most popular recipe is the original "Chicago-style popcorn”, Garrett Mix, a blend of CheeseCorn and CaramelCrisp. Fun fact: the sweet and salty combo was actually invented by fans' requests in the 1970s, and it was put on the global map when Oprah Winfrey named it a "Favorite Thing" for three different seasons of her show!

Next to the original Garrett Mix, the brand continues to release unique seasonal flavors.

The Garrett Experience

"Nothing quite compares to the experience of visiting one of our shops. From the aroma of CaramelCrisp simmering in copper kettles, to the friendly faces of fellow fans and our shop team members- visiting a Garrett shop is time tested tradition,” says Misty Lichter, Associate Director Corporate Sales for Garrett. 

She adds, “That same warm and friendly shop experience translates to our private events and gifting options.  Our small-batch popcorn recipes have remained unchanged for over 70 years. For that reason, along with our seamless service, your event guests or corporate gift recipients can expect the freshest, most irresistible gourmet treat they've ever tasted. One bite of Garrett Popcorn, and they won't be able to put it down."

Very Chicago

Adding a Garrett experience to your Chicago event means adding a true Chicago flavor, brought to you by a Chicago based team in a typical Chicago friendly and welcoming way. Whether it is a party favor at your wedding, a late night snack for your guests, or a full white glove popcorn service at a corporate function: the Garrett team will make sure that you get the customized popcorn experience to take your event to the next level and make it unforgettable! 

Do you want more information about Garrett flavored events or gifts? 

Contact a Business & Events team member at B2B@garrettbrands.com, call Misty at 773-292-6416 or check the Garrett website.


Blue Plate : Running Strong for over 35 Years

Blue Plate Catering must be Chicago’s most trusted partner for food service, food delivery and -of course- catered events. Blue Plate has been around for over three decades and many of the staff members have seen the company grow and thrive throughout the years. And they all have fond memories of the many events they have worked with. One event though, stands out when asking the team about their favorites: the Chicago Marathon. 

Chicago Marathon & Blue Plate: 20+ years of partnership 

Beth Bracco: “We’ve enjoyed a 20+ year partnership with Chicago Event Management who manages the event on behalf of Bank of America, and prior to that LaSalle Bank.  We have many staff members who have worked this event every year, as well as run the event! So many old employees have fond memories.” 

Smooth operation 

“The catering services we have provided have grown exponentially each year as the Marathon has become one of the premier sporting events in the world. In 2019 there were 45,000 runners from over 100 countries and we served more than 4000 guests in multiple locations throughout Grant Park.  Our culinary and ops teams of more than 100 people literally build a kitchen on site starting at midnight on race day and are ready to serve guests by 6am. Since the tragic violence at the 2013 Boston Marathon – security and operations have become a top priority for the planning teams.” 

Celebration year 

“The race was cancelled for the first time in its history in 2020 so it was a major celebration for both the Blue Plate and Marathon teams to successfully execute the event this year. While it was a scaled back version of the race and the amenities we provided it was a great weekend of activity.” 

The team at Blue Plate is already looking forward to next year’s marathon, when runners from all over the world will be able to enjoy one of the greatest races in the world again. And the Blue Plate team will make sure they are all being catered for, as they have been doing for over twenty years. 

More information about Blue Plate can be found on their website.