FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5/24/2022
EPICUREAN GROUP IS A TOP 50 MANAGEMENT COMPANY FOR THE 10TH YEAR IN A ROW
Dateline: [LOS ALTOS, CALIFORNIA, May 24, 2022] — For the 10th year in a row, Epicurean Group was named one of Food Management’s Top 50 Contract Management Companies. To select the Top 50 for 2022, Food Management reviewed the 2021 revenue of firms that operate dining, catering, and other food-related services for a wide range of clients. A small but mighty boutique culinary company, Epicurean Group continues to succeed with its focus on sustainability, healthy food, community building, food education, and diversity and inclusion.
“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” – Virginia Woolf
Adaptability That Stays True to Company Values
Epicurean has made it into the Top 50 for 10 years by being adaptable and by living its values. Because of the pandemic, Epicurean had to change its approach to food service. The group started providing flexible dining options such as upscale TakeAway, Espresso, and Concierge services after the pandemic hit.
The company’s new approach still honors its Certified Green Business designation, however. Epicurean continues to focus on minimizing food waste and the company’s carbon footprint and uses compostable to-go containers, all of which have become critical with the huge uptick in take-out service industrywide. Buying local also helps the company reduce its carbon footprint. Epicurean works to create and maintain relationships with local growers, farmers, and producers, which builds trust and community in addition to lowering the environmental impact of transporting goods.
Also, as part of its green initiative, Epicurean serves healthy, organic, seasonal food in all of its accounts. Throughout the pandemic, the company has turned even more toward superfoods that help build antibodies and promote wellness in its clients. And by supporting its suppliers’ organic, seasonal growing practices, Epicurean further helps to minimize environmental effects.
Epicurean Group is a member of Slow Food USA and a Delegate Member of Slow Food International, having served at Terra Madre Salone del Gusto events in Italy. Epicurean joined the Slow Food Movement early on, recognizing the nutritional and environmental value of less food processing and less meat production. The company’s goal is to reduce the use of meat in its menus by 10% by 2024 and to offer more high-protein, minimally processed alternatives. From Terra Madre, Epicurean brought back Ancient Grains in 2016 and Slow Beans in 2018. These delicious, natural sources of protein were initially difficult to obtain, but as Epicurean’s accounts increased, demand and supply in the San Francisco Bay Area also increased. The greater supply has in turn reduced prices, making it easier for Epicurean to reach its 2024 goal.
Food education for clients and staff has also become a bigger focus for Epicurean. In 2021, the company started a health and food blog and led many “Learn at Lunch” events. These lunchtime events promote the benefits of healthy food and emphasize the importance of choosing organic, seasonal superfoods. Education and training for staff have always been critical components for Epicurean Group, not only to promote safety and high quality, but also to advance diversity and inclusion.
fresh. honest. local.
Since 2003, Epicurean Group’s co-founders, CEO Mary Clark Bartlett, CFO Marvin Rodriguez, and COO Rey Hernandez, have been customizing programs to provide fresh, honest, local food to clients. With a sustainable and mindful approach, the company has elevated the dining experiences for clients in corporate campuses, educational institutions, and senior living communities.
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About Epicurean Group
Epicurean Group is a contract food service management company that is headquartered in Northern California and is dedicated to sustainable dining. This minority- and women-owned business specializes in corporate and campus restaurants, fine-arts dining, and distinctive community dining, and it provides exceptional catering services for discerning customers.
Learn more about Epicurean Group at epicurean-group.com.
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