Our company was born in 1971 by Bill and Frances Van-Helsdingen, as Home Style Catering. Bill an immigrant of the Netherlands and Baker by trade, completed events at local service clubs including the Knights of Columbus. The company was taken over by Peter Van-Helsdingen after graduating from Niagara College Hotel and Restaurant Management Program. In 1995 the company was incorporated as Feastivities Events and Catering. Peter's Passion is providing outstanding customer service and in the past teaching to hospitality students at Niagara College, George Brown, or one of his speaking engagements at catering and event conferences, in the areas of Event Planning and Advanced Food Safety Certification. “There is nothing better to say goodnight to client that you just created an event to remember for a lifetime"; The company has now grown, due to the work ethnic and customer service provided by the professional employees to Niagara’s Largest Event Planning and Catering Service. Peter is proud that both of his children Makayla and Michael are now third generation caterers and aspiring event planners! At events you may see the family in many proud roles in a chef coat, server uniform, rain coat, black bow tie, or head dishwasher.
Successful Divisions include;
Event Planning Division.
Food Service Consulting Division.
Wedding Division, Proudly serving Niagara Finest venues in the Niagara Region managed by a professional team of Event Planners.
Our event team regularly attends, Event Solutions and Catersource Seminars to educate our clients on the new and ever involving trends. Our unmatched ability to customize packages, present superb cuisine in challenging, off-site locations and execute seamless, sophisticated service has made us the first choice of many major clients.
When the World comes to Niagara Feastivities Events and Catering receives the call.....................
Redbull Competition
Challenge was to plan and execute an event for Red Bull, closing down Victoria Avenue, licensing, and setting up a perimeter fencing for security for 4000 people. Set-up of Multiple bars, VIP Area, Our staff hands where frozen but the event was a great success due to the management team dedication,(and consuming red bull for 3 days!)
Canoe Niagara 2013
For the World Championships Feastivities Events and Catering was asked to create a menu plan to feed close to 1000 athletes for 6 days, 200 Volunteers, 150 Officials and the media. It was a task that took months of planning and execution. Challenges’ included feeding the athletes from 63 countries a meal plan that would compliment there completion times and days. With over 50 staff on site throughout the week, our entire team through hard work and great event planning succeeded to make Welland proud to host future events at the Flat Water course.
The task was to feed lunches and distribute to over 600 athletes daily. The team started early mornings.... 3a.m. to ensure each lunch was fresh and delivered on time. The team was highlighted on the Food Network for their efforts.
Olympics Relay Torch Run - Vancouver Olympics
Feastivities was called to create a meal plan for sponsors and security staff as the torch came through Niagara. Logistically our team had to follow the "parade" and serve at 15 minutes notice. The key to success was to manage each event component separately with a dedicated team.
I often get asked when I am speaking at an Event or catering conference, or a guest on television, what is the secret to success; the answer: surround yourself with a professional team.
We are proud Members of the International Caterers Associations, Catersource, and The Chamber of Commerce. Awards include RBC Business of the month, and nominated for Business of the Year. We are honored to be on Anna Olsen “Sugar???, on the Food Network, Breakfast Television in Toronto, and several Bridal magazines.
Our Promise
Feastivities Events & Catering are members of the following organizations:
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Sue Tourangeau is our Director of Operations. Sue has been in the hospitality business for over 25 years at wineries and leading restaurants. Feastivities is proud to have her lead our team for over 20 years, and has a wealth of experience in planning weddings, social gatherings as well as corporate events. Sue is now consulting over our event and management team. |
Sarah Pow Food and Beverage Manager
Sarah has been managing events for years at Niagara finest resturants and wineries. Sarah manages our service captains and standards of service for each of our front of the house teams.
Robert Forster Executive Chef
Feastivities is proud to have one of Niagara leading chefs managing our culinary team. Robert's career spans over 20 years in the kitchen of some of Niagara's finest restaurants. Robert's passion is working food stations at events while interacting and you will find him gardening in our own herb garden at the winery.
Jordan Purdy Kitchen Lead
A proud Graduate in Culinary from Niagara College, Jordan has been with Feastivities for over 5 years managing a team of Culinary Staff. She holds prior resturant management Experience and is the "Rock" of the kitchen.
Everything is positive on our side, and I thank you so much for your involvement and support towards this success as well.
On behalf of Kelley and I, we would like to send our most sincere thank you for a memorable night. Everything turned out truly especial just how we had planned it. The guests are still talking about the great setting, the great service and great food. Please pass our compliments to the chef.
Dear Feastivities,
Thank you for being part of our happily ever after! We still receive compliments about how beautiful and delicious everything was! Your team made the day and months leading up to the wedding stress free and we can't thank you enough for that!
