This week, collaboration replaced competition as six Twin Cities caterers—many familiar to the local wedding and events community—came together for a shared purpose beyond the ballroom. Partnering with Twin Cities Food Justice, teams from D'Amico Hospitality, Food Gallery Catering, Mintahoe Catering & Events, Green Mangos Catering, Chowgirls Catering and CRAVE Catering prepared and packed meals for local families in need.
Hosted at Metropolitan Ballroom & Clubroom, approximately 50 volunteers—including Minnesota Bride's Publisher, Brooke Beise—contributed their time and expertise, each company preparing a different component of the menu. Together, their efforts resulted in thoughtfully prepared dinners distributed to roughly 1,000 people across the metro area. Meals were delivered directly to homes through trusted networks of teachers and parents connected to the families receiving support.
While these businesses often operate in the same market, the initiative highlighted a defining characteristic of the region's hospitality industry: cooperation rooted in community care. As one participating team shared, the day served as a reminder that connection within the events world extends well beyond producing celebrations—it also means showing up for neighbors when it matters.
Acts of service like this are not uncommon within Minnesota's catering scene, where culinary professionals regularly use their resources and skills to address food insecurity and strengthen local support networks. This effort underscored how the wedding-vendor community can mobilize quickly, leveraging logistics, kitchen capacity and teamwork to make a tangible impact.
