The Cuyahoga Group Employee Spotlight: Chef Andy Yanak

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Executive Chef Andy Yanak is celebrating twenty years at The Cuyahoga Group. He is the Director and Co-Owner of Catering Experience, a division of The Cuyahoga Group. Andy brings decades of restaurant, private and corporate culinary experience that transforms workplaces into memorable, celebratory occasions.

 

Whether it’s holiday catering for third shift employees at a family-owned machine shop, an outdoor bar-b-que for thousands held under tents and lights in the parking lot of a global corporation—or weddings, showers, or any occasion in between, Andy’s attention to detail, delicious culinary creations and superior service, framed in customized themed settings—elevates any atmosphere to a place that brings people together for amazing food, friendship and unforgettable memories.

 

 

 

Let’s find out a little more about Chef Andy Yanak:

 

What is your role with The Cuyahoga Group?
Andy: I’ve had many roles with the company, from Dining Unit Manager to one of eight District Managers overseeing ten cafés. After the Compass merger, I opened Catering Experience, which is the catering division of The Cuyahoga Group.  Along the way I’ve been a part of many Task Groups, Sales Presentations, New Openings and Unit Transitions.  I’ve also helped develop our new Mobile Dining Program.  Currently, my role is the Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Catering Experience, and I continue to help out wherever needed.

 

How long have you worked for The Cuyahoga Group?
Andy: As of October 14, 2018, I have been with The Cuyahoga Group for twenty years.

 

What do you like most about your job, and why?
Andy: The trust and respect from the Executive Team to run with an idea—and they challenge us to do our best to improve the programs.

 

Tell us a fun fact (or facts) about yourself:
Andy: I have been married to my best friend, Lisa, for 32 years, and we both love sports.

 

What is your favorite food/favorite meal?
Andy: A medium rare filet with white cheddar mashed potatoes, any vegetable, and a nice glass of Appassimento wine (made from dried grapes).

 

What is your favorite type of music?
Andy: Classic 70’s & 80’s music – Fleetwood Mac, ELO, Three Dog Night.

 

 

 

Please tell us about a goal you’d like to accomplish someday:
Andy: I like to continue to travel with Lisa and continue to Live, Laugh and Love!


Thank you, Andy!

 

For the best in Workplace Celebrations, choose Catering Experience!

 

For holiday catering or special occasions, let Catering Experience provide an experience where superior food, excellent service and vibrant themes bring happiness and great memories for everyone who attends!

 

For menu and event theme ideas or to get a quick quote, check out our Catering Experience website, and let the celebrations begin!

 

Email Andy Yanak at ayanak@cuygroup.com; or
Call him at (800) 901-8363 ext. 110; or (216) 402-1292.

 

Check out The Catering Experience blog, here.

The Catering Experience website has a new look! Experts in making your catered event exceptional

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The Cuyahoga Group is happy to announce the launch of our newly upgraded Catering Experience website.  When amazing food, superb service and just the right décor are combined, the celebration becomes extraordinary—and memorable.

 

 

Chef Andy Yanak knows great food, and he knows how to throw a great party

The Catering Experience was founded in 2004. After many years of applying his culinary expertise in the private and business sectors, Executive Chef Andy Yanak partnered with Jim Variglotti, CEO and founder of The Cuyahoga Group, to form The Catering Experience. Learn more about the history of The Catering Experience.

Andy understands that the key to making any event an exceptional experience, whether small or large, casual or formal—is to provide exceptional food and exceptional service—and he delivers, every time.  Andy and his executive team have nearly 30 years of catering excellence, and The Catering Experience is also a proud member of the International Caterers Association.

Corporate or private event? Just click for inspiration, menus, or a quick quote!

From menu selections for all occasions, to additional catering services such as linens, floral, wait staff, bartenders, dinnerware, tents, theme décor and ice sculptures, Catering Experience provides it all.

An outdoor, Employee Appreciation BBQ for 20 or 1,000 employees? We do that every year! Office holiday celebrations, elegant weddings, family reunions or any event in between? Yes, we do that too! Catering Experience has the talent, integrity and knowledge to create an amazing and memorable celebratory event for all who attend.

Click here for a quick quote!

For more information on bringing excellence in catering to your Employees, Family or Friends, please contact Andy Yanak, Executive Chef with The Catering Experience: AYanak@CuyGroup.com.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

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Thanksgiving is the quintessential American holiday, rooted in the 17th century when early settlers gathered in gratitude to celebrate the autumnal harvest. In 1863, President Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November as a National Day of Thanksgiving; this federal holiday continues to be the most widely observed holiday in the United States.

Whether taking to the sky or to the road, more people travel during the week of Thanksgiving than any other week of the year, with the same objective—to gather with loved ones.

From traditional turkey and trimming recipes, to memories and stories of loved ones who are no longer with us, Thanksgiving connects us to our past, and serves to remind us to live every day with a sense of gratitude.

So this Thanksgiving, maybe we can hit the pause button for just a few moments to reflect on the blessings that we see before us. Maybe we can commit to the practice of living in the moment and to lessen our worries about things we can’t control. On this Thanksgiving Day, maybe we can renew our commitment to those around us, and especially, to those in need.

Learn how The Greater Cleveland Food Bank works to end hunger in our community, and how we can all be part of that goal.

From The Cuyahoga Group family to yours, we wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving Day holiday!

Canned or homemade? Either way, pass the cranberries!  

Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t be the same without a bowlful of cranberry sauce, a traditional, festive dish that doesn’t evoke much middle ground—you either love it or you hate it. Either way, it’s usually always present on the holiday dinner table.

The cranberry conflict poses another question – canned or homemade cranberry sauce? If you elect to make the homemade kind, the Food Network claims to have the “Perfect Cranberry Sauce” recipe that’s easy to make. Click here to view that recipe, and many more Thanksgiving dinner recipes.

Catering to Our Clients’ Every Need

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As the vibrant colors of autumn surround us once again, our Catering Experience team is busy preparing for numerous onsite and offsite holiday catering events that promise to delight and dazzle all who attend.

At Catering Experience, providing delicious food in a creative atmosphere is what we do best. We focus on bringing large and small groups of people together for an amazing and unforgettable dining experience. Click here to read testimonials from our customers.

We couldn’t do it without the seasoned talents and passion for food of our Executive Chef, Andy Yanak, who brings more than 30 years of catering experience to the task. Andy has overseen the catering operations for well over 4,000 events in Northeast Ohio and the Columbus area, everything from birthday parties to anniversary events. Including our fabulous 30th year celebration that Andy and the catering team pulled together inside our North Ridgeville warehouse!

   

Clients have also already booked dates for next Christmas season, a year ahead. And the catering division also has weddings booked, in addition to the usual assortment of company barbecues, graduation parties and corporate events.

It’s never too early to book your catered event. Remember: Food can make or break any event. Just contact us to discuss how we can transform your ordinary event into an extraordinary experience.

Our schedule books fast, so now is the perfect time to start planning for those special catering moments that celebrate employees, family and friends in 2018. Contact us to help you get started!