Awards & Honors Archives |

May

2013

Have The Lee Bros. Cater Your Charleston Party!

Duvall Events is excited to announce a partnership with Matt Lee and Ted Lee of The Lee Bros. Together the partners will produce one-of-a-kind events that combine Duvall’s hallmark finesse with the Lee Bros.’ sense of Charleston flavor and style.

“We reach a wide audience with our cookbooks, but rarely do we have the opportunity to show
people, in person, our cooking,” said Matt Lee. “Teaming up with Duvall allows us to share what
we do, in real time, with groups of all sizes and interests.”

From intimate luncheons to full-scale weddings, planners will be offered the opportunity to
incorporate The Lee Bros. elements into their special events. Planners may select from a number
of menus designed by The Lee Bros. and even book the duo to appear at their event.

The Lee Bros Prepping in Duvall’s Kitchen

“Matt and Ted have drawn a bead on what makes Charleston and its cooking so unique,” said Steve Wenger, Duvall CEO. “We’re excited to tap their expertise and give our clients added options, value, and a connection to the Lowcountry for their events.”

Matt and Ted first partnered with Duvall and the company’s Executive Chef, Matt Greene, last
fall for a fundraiser hosted at GrowFood Carolina. The meal that resulted—a six-course dinner
for 150 people in GrowFood’s wholesale produce warehouse on Morrison Drive—elicited raves
from diners and set off light bulbs in the minds of the two parties.

“We’ve always admired the technical expertise of professional caterers, but Chef Greene’s team
raised the bar for us,” said Ted Lee. “Duvall took our vision for a rather complicated menu of
rarefied Lowcountry ingredients and never flinched from the challenge. If anything, Chef Greene
pushed us to take bigger risks than we’d planned with the recipes.”

We look forward to working on many more great events with Matt & Ted and are very excited to be able to offer this to the public!

Cheers!

No Comments » | Posted at 8:40 AM

Jul

2012

Wedding Wire Rated 2012!

Thanks to all of our great vendors and clients for making us Wedding Wire Rated 2012! We love what we do because of great people like y’all! Happy partying!

No Comments » | Posted at 7:25 AM

Apr

2012

Family Circle Cup

Over the last few years Duvall has had the pleasure of working with Family Circle Cup. We love working with them and being around the adrenaline and buzz of a world-class sporting event. Not to mention we get to throw them some pretty awesome parties…check out the pics below!

Candy Bar at the NV Player Party

Duvall’s Custom Sushi Rollers Sam and Yin Rolling at the Player Party

First Day of Play at FCC Stadium!

Seafood Ice Display at the VIP Court Party

No Comments » | Posted at 12:10 PM

Aug

2011

Duvall Loves Local

Last week Duvall came out to support Lowcountry Local First’s Femivore event. What is a femivore you might ask? The Lowcountry Local First brochure defined a femivore as a “woman who has a deep passion for the local food community”. A recent article in the New York Times Magazine described the femivore movement in saying “the omnivore’s dilemma has provided an unexpected out from the feminist predicament, a way for women to embrace homemaking without becoming Betty Draper.”

The event featured four inspiring and inspired women with ideas on how to improve our local food systems and inequalities. Each woman presented her case based on four categories: Nourish, Grow, Inspire, and Give. The attendees voted for their favorite business plan of the night. The winner received 2000 dollars to jump-start their activism.

-Meet the Femivores-

NOURISH: Germaine Jenkins- Urban Veggucation (Winner)

A for-profit edible landscaping and chicken coop service in North Charleston. Ms. Jenkins spent the last four years volunteering in a school garden and she hopes to increase awareness and interest in green business in minority and low income neighborhoods. The project will “improve access to locally grown fresh produce by growing food where [it] will be consumed. Our mission is to transform underutilized spaces using sustainable urban agriculture, turn local food and landscape waste into soil and transform an inner city food desert into a sustainable hub of green economy.”

GROW: Meg Moore- CSA, James Island Farmer’s Market

Ms. Moore is the owner and grower at Dirthugger Farm on James Island. She grows heirloom varieties of vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs. She hopes to build an eco-friendly cooler for her produce, a small greenhouse and jump start the construction of an eco-friendly Tumbleweed home.

INSPIRE: Rebecca Preston Burke- Locavore Lawyer

Ms. Burke is the founding attorney of the Locavore Lawyer in Charleston. She would like to “provide local food entrepreneurs and small farmers with the legal and business advice they need to be successful in the Lowcountry at an affordable rate” by providing one-on-one counseling as well as relevant workshops dealing with legislation and how to be a socially responsible and successful business.

GIVE: Darlena Goodwin- Children’s Garden Project- Mini-Farmer’s Markets

Ms. Goodwin works in the Charleston community to prevent childhood obesity and health issues by teaching children in poor communities how to grow and cook their own food. In order to “bridge the disconnect that exists between the health and nutrition education that [is fostered] in schools and the lack of nutrition received [at home]” Ms. Goodwin proposed mini-farmers markets in Title One school gardens (schools with economically disadvantaged children). The school gardens would allow students to bring a grocery list to school, purchase fresh produce and bring it home along with recipes. She hopes that the project would bring “nutrition to the families where lack of transportation and neighborhood supermarkets is an inhibitor” to fresh and healthy food.

Duvall has been a longtime ally of Lowcountry Local First because we believe supporting our local food economy yields higher quality food and supports small businesses in the Lowcountry area. When asked why Duvall is a supporter of movements like this, Steve Wenger (CEO of Duvall) replied, “Because it’s the right thing to do.”

Tell us your story of how you support your local food economy and stay tuned for future Lowcountry Local First events.

No Comments » | Posted at 11:13 AM

Apr

2011

Duvall Wins Chocolate Soiree

Duvall Greenville took first place at the Chocolate Soiree, an annual benefit for The Children’s Museum. The winning dish from Duvall was a Cocoa Scallop Ceviche over a corn milk pana cotta, garnished with wild corn lettuce and roasted cocoa nib creme fraiche. Duvall Greenville Executive Chef Geoff Schauder took a cue from Aztec culture and how they used chocolate as a flavor enhancer rather than a flavor profile. This strategy of looking back to create an innovative dish, set the Duvall team apart from the rest to take the top prize.

This was the first time Duvall participated in the Chocolate Soiree. In the three categories: Savory, Sweet, and Display, Duvall Greenville took home 2 prizes. First place for Most Exquisite Taste, in the savory competition with a Cocoa Scallop Ceviche and Runner-Up in the Most Unique and Innovative Display category.

Duvall’s menu for the event consisted of:

Mexican Drinking Chocolate

The Winning Savory Dish: Cocoa Scallop Ceviche over a corn milk pana cotta, garnished with wild corn lettuce and roasted cocoa nib creme fraiche

Sweet: Thyme-honey White Chocolate Truffles

Congratulations to the Duvall Greenville team for their creativity and ability to look to the past to make delicious forward-thinking dishes!

Duvall Greenville Executive Chef, Geoff Schauder and Duvall Greenville Managing Partner Charlie Moore with the awards.

No Comments » | Posted at 11:29 AM

May

2009

Decennial celebrations

We would like to congratulate and recognize staff members celebrating 10+ years as being part of the Duvall team. As a company we commemorate our successes and longevity which is a result of our high quality standards set at our events and the invaluable loyalty and commitment of our staff. We are very grateful to these staff members; we couldn’t have done without them.

Symbols of decennials

Jon Bienz, our Operations Manager, has been with us since October 30, 1995. His managerial skills exceed his position in Operations. He is the glue that holds it all together and interprets the contract into a successful event.

Devorah Nelson, our Warehouse Manager, joined us a little later on April 24, 1996. Devorah, or better known by her peers as “D”, is the internal eye in the company. We appreciate her loyalty and flexibility, helping with inventory, tastings, etc. She has a nurturing side that makes younger staff feel comfortable and part of the team.

Our Director of Catering Sales & Special Events Coordinator, Jean Fisk, and our Sous Chef, Samantha Marions are both celebrating their 10 year anniversary with us this year. They have been with us since March 1, 1999 and August 10, 1999 respectively.

Jean has been imperative to the sales team. Her open and diplomatic method of work ensures that the clients’ needs are always met. She is the forefront of the catering sales team and always has their best interests at heart. In short, she is the backbone of the company.

Sam has a laid back but serious approach. She excels in everything that she does and is a great trainer. She is good at guiding and directing others, what makes for a great mentor for those following her.

We would also like to recognize Greg Townsley, a former employee who worked here as our Beverage Manager and Event Captain. Greg was part of the Duvall team since September 7, 1995. He recently relocated to Utah, but we were glad to have had him on the team. He was a joy to work with, steadfast and reliable. He always exceeded both Duvall’s and the clients’ expectations.

No Comments » | Posted at 1:10 PM

May

2009

Duvall and Kiawah Conservancy Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

On Thursday night April 23, Duvall catered the Kiawah Conservancy’s Bobcat Ball for the third year in a row! This year there were several new twists! This included partnering with the Sustainability Institute, offering a family style dinner for their 320 attendees, making the event as green and sustainable as possible, and having it all take place surrounded by nature in the parking lot of the property owner’s building, The Sandcastle.

Our green efforts started with our local and organic menu. Menu items included our Free Range Ashley Farms Chicken, McClellanville Crab, locally caught Mahi Mahi, and fresh Johns Island vegetables and fruits. We also offered locally brewed organic COAST Beer. For the event we use all biodegradable cups and containers to take home, used FSC green paper products, offered carpooling for all 30+ Duvall staff members and, of course, recycled.

Going green at the Bobcat Ball

The Kiawah Conservancy raised about $50,000 for the preservation of the natural balance of the flora and fauna on Kiawah Island. A new table competition was introduced this year called the “Hip to be Square” Challenge. Guests raised money for the conservancy one square foot at a time ($25/sq ft). Everyone exceeded expectations and the winning table was invited to a dinner hosted by the Conservancy’s Chairman and his wife at their home. The funds raised during this challenge go towards the Conservancy’s efforts of educating residents and visitors on how to best preserve and maintain the natural habitat of the island.

Congratulations on a successful event!

No Comments » | Posted at 11:39 AM

Feb

2009

Roaring 20's

A lot of wonderful things are happening at Duvall Catering & Event Design. This year the Charleston Regional Business Journal named us the 12th fastest growing company in the region! We couldn’t be more excited and thrilled to be honored with the likes of Berchtold Corporation, Charles Foster Company, Dunhill Staffing Systems of Charleston, and Glasspro.

This year’s Roaring 20’s event took place at the lovely and historic national landmark Hibernian Hall in Charleston, SC. Nearly 200 guests and 19 other amazing companies were in attendance. Criteria for the award included being a for-profit business, as well as having sales totaling $500,000 or more over the last 3 years. Companies were chosen by other businesses in the region, including Berkeley, Dorchester and Charleston counties. We’re excited to have received such an honor and look forward to the coming year.

Roaring 20's

During the event, we patiently waited as the names were called out, in order. As we were not aware this was going to happen, we were so excited to have placed 12^th out of 20 recipients! Businesses included everything from architects to construction to caterers. It was promising to know so many of these businesses in varied sectors are prospering during these economic times.

Congratulations to Steve and the entire Duvall staff!

No Comments » | Posted at 4:39 PM