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 teaching to hospitality students at Niagara College, in the past at 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 when I travel and I see students working in the hospitality business; be it in the kitchens or front desk and their shared enthusiasm for this business we call hospitality". The company has now grown, due to the work ethnic and customer service provided by the 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!
Successful Divisions include in house Corporate Catering and Cafeteria Management, Government of Canada Food Service Delivery.
Event Planning Division. Managed by Peter Van-Helsdingen
Wedding Division, Proudly serving 7 venues in the Niagara Region serving over 100 weddings yearly managed by a professional team of event Planners including Sue Touragueau:
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.
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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The company was taken over by Peter Van-Helsdingen from his parents Bill and Frances after graduating from Niagara College Hotel and Restaurant Management Program. Further education includes a honours in degree in hospitality form Niagara University. In 1995 the company was incorporated as Feastivities Events and Catering. Peter's Passion of over 20 years teaching part-time to hospitality students at Niagara College, in the past at 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 when I travel and I see students working in the hospitality business; be it in the kitchens or front desk and their shared enthusiasm for this business we call hospitality". Feastivities is the go to cater in Niagara For large featured on the Food network and many wedding publications including Olympics Torch relay, Red Bull, and Dragon Boat Championships.)The company has now grown, due to the work ethic, professionalism and customer service provided by the employees to Niagara’s Largest Event Planning and Catering Service. Peter Van-Helsdingen manages the Corporate Event Planning Division, Outdoor Event Division, and Logistics for each Wedding. |
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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 10 years, and has a wealth of experience in planning weddings, social gatherings as well as corporate events. |
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Feastivities is proud and honored to have Angelique on our team of professionals. She is the most professionally trained and experienced event planner in the entire Golden Horseshoe. Her personality and laugh are contagious! I first met her with my students at Niagara College and now am happy she will be on our team! Angelique Sobschak has been Planning Weddings for over 21 years, trained by the Association for Bridal Consultants and a member of AFWPI- Association of Wedding Professionals International, she is also the founder of N.E.W Niagara Event & Wedding Professionals. Angelique is widely recognized as one of the featured Planners on the hit reality television series, "Rich Bride Poor Bride". Being specially trained in many multicultural events and customs from, Chinese, Jewish, Hindu, Greek to Persian and countless other Angelique is suited to fit any event style or type.
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Randi Pringle- Hands on Event Planner
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Randi has been with Feastivities Events Catering for over 9 years as a Captain at Events. She will be responsible for planning a variety of events. We are proud to move her into the Event Planning role with her vast experience of Weddings and Corporate Events. |
Pascal Badaoui, Executive Chef
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Chef Pascal began his culinary journey 21 years ago by attending Lycée Hôtelier, a culinary school in his home town of Toulouse, France. As part of his training, Pascal held positions in some of the top 5 Star restaurants in Paris including; the Hôtel Prince de Galles and the Hôtel Nikko. International postings at The Sutton Place Hotel in Newport Beach, California and the Ritz-Carlton in Barcelona, Spain have further enhanced the depth of his highly developed cooking style. Prior to joining Feastivities Event and Catering, Pascal had held position at Brock university, catering department, keefer mansion as executive chef and also executive chef for an Ontario finest Inn, Domain of Killien, Haliburton. Fluent in English, French, and Spanish, Pascal takes his inspiration from well known international chefs by starting with classical dishes and adding a new age twist. Pascal manages a culinary team of 12 in each of our 4 divisions |
Thank you very much for the great spread at the Support Team Recognition Day on Friday. I'm hearing lots of positive feedback in the halls. Like: Did you see the size of those burgers? They were awesome!
Just wanted to say thank you for everything that you and Sue did on Friday – we had such a great time!.
Thank you again so much for everything! It was absolutely beautiful and far surpassed any of our expectations, you did an amazing job! Our photographers captured the winery and all your hard work beautifully! Our guests are still talking to us about how amazing everything, especially the food was!
