IN THE BIZ – GOURMET ADVISORY SERVICES
Events by RHC partners with the best and the brightest of the events industry in NYC and beyond. For this installment of “In The Biz” we had the distinct honor of sitting down with Claudia Warner, Melissa Rosenbloom and Trisha Stern, leadership of Gourmet Advisory Services - one of New York City’s premier event planning companies. Gourmet Advisory Services was founded by Harriette Rose Katz, a pioneer of the industry and a mentor to many — particularly her daughter Melissa and nieces Claudia and Trisha who have continued to lead Gourmet Advisory Services and honor the legacy of their beloved matriarch, HRK.
RHC: Thank you so much for sitting down with us, we are so honored to have all three of you here!
Melissa: We are so excited! Thank you for having us.
RHC: Can you describe a little bit about how you all got your start in the events industry?
Melissa: Well, I was a child when my mother, Harriette Rose Katz, founded our company. Growing up, watching my mother work her magic, I was lucky enough to be exposed to the high-end events world at an incredibly young age. She taught me the importance of always maintaining a standard of excellence when it comes to service. She was the most elegant woman I ever met and showed me how to appreciate all things beautiful. My cousin Claudia, was her first ever employee. I joined them in 1998 and Trisha followed suit soon after.
Trisha: It was a family affair from the very beginning!
RHC: Tell us about what working with your family means to you.
Trisha: WOW – working with our family is simply everything. There is an unspoken trust and support that inherently comes with working with family and an innate understanding of each other. Is it work when you work with your best friends? I suppose sometimes it is. But most of the time… not really!
Claudia: I completely agree. What I love most about working with our family is the deep level of understanding that we have with one another. We all share the same values and work ethic, which allows us to work together seamlessly and deliver exceptional results for our clients.
Melissa: And while it is true that the three of us are actually related, we truly take pride in the fact that each and every one of our Gourmet Girls, as they are affectionately known in the industry, have joined our collective family in the most organic and seamless way — we are so lucky and grateful to have such an incredible team all working to support not only our clients and vendor partners, but each other!
RHC: That is beautiful! We know from some of our own history with HRK how important food was to her, can you talk to us a little bit about what role food plays in an event?
Claudia: We simply cannot overstate the importance of food in the success of an event. Food is not only about taste but also about presentation, ambiance, and experience. At Gourmet Advisory, we work closely with top chefs to design bespoke menus that reflect our clients’ preferences and style. The quality of food and dining experience can leave a lasting impression on guests, setting the tone for the entire event and we always take this into account. Additionally, we believe in providing an impeccably high level of service, which was instilled in us by HRK.
RHC: We couldn’t agree more! If you had to pick one, what would you say is the element that can most make or break a party?
Melissa: In our experience, the element that can truly make or break a party is the attention to detail. It’s important to ensure that every aspect of the event is carefully planned and executed, from the decor and lighting to the music and flow of the event. Even the smallest details can have a significant impact on the overall experience.
RHC: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Claudia: Always remain calm under pressure. No matter what challenges arise during the planning process or on the day of the event, it is crucial to remain focused and composed in order to find solutions and ensure that the event runs smoothly.
RHC: Who is your biggest inspiration?
Trisha: My biggest inspiration and mentors are my collective parents. They each have/had unique qualities that I aspire to have but also shared an insatiable drive to be their best version of themselves. My aunt worked hard and played hard. She had the most amazing zest for life which I often have to remind myself to practice in my own life. My father was the fairest, most steadfast person ever. And my mom – she’s the most resourceful person possible. She is solution oriented and under all circumstances makes it happen. Imagine how lucky I was/am to have these role models to aspire to?
Melissa: I echo everything Trisha said. The three of us are incredibly blessed to have had HRK as our fearless leader and mentor. My mother’s dedication, creativity, and passion for the art of celebration have been a constant source of inspiration for us and we miss her dearly.
