Impeccable Service by an Exceptional Team
By Clementina Verge
When curating details of their wedding or any other special occasion, everyone desires a unique and memorable event—a feat that requires impeccable attention to detail, timing, and presentation, and something that Carriage House Events and Catering has excelled at for three decades.
“Successful gatherings and wedding receptions evolve from meticulous planning, scrupulous attention to detail, and the commitment to make it happen. There are no second chances, no do-overs, and no ‘oops.’ We get it right every time,” assures owner Chris Angione. “We pride ourselves on quality and casual elegance.”
An alumni of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Angione traveled and resided in the Tuscany region of Italy for two years, perfecting his skills at different restaurants before launching his own business. For 20 years, Angione and his wife lived in Westport, servicing lower Fairfield County and adjoining areas. They moved to Litchfield County 15 years ago to raise their two sons, and expanded operations.
Catering services are distinguished by staff, reputation, experience, and decadent cuisine. The Carriage House team includes eight veteran chefs, two managers, six event captains, and supporting waitstaff and bartenders.
The chefs have collaborated for years. Their innovative creations range from grass-fed beef tenderloin with a pink peppercorn bordelaise sauce, pomegranate seared scallops, French-style cut herb and lemon roasted chicken, to bourbon-pistachio crusted wild caught salmon and Chilean sea bass with mango salsa.
When a casual event requires a more relaxed menu, crowd-pleasers like barbacoa beef mini tacos, mini cheeseburger sliders, coconut shrimp, citrus salad, or cauliflower pizza with grilled vegetables leave tastebuds satisfied. Regardless of occasion, every meal is prepared fresh on-site, the day of the event.
“I don’t know anyone else in this area who does this,” Angione notes. “We don’t even trim the asparagus or chop cilantro before it reaches the venue. In the industry as a whole, caterers prepare elsewhere a few days in advance. Then it’s warmed up, sometimes twice, and served. Not with us. Everything is prepared fresh and from scratch. Our food never hits the oven twice, resulting in impeccable quality.”
Because deciding a menu is not easy, several times each year, Carriage House hosts a Tastings Celebration at one of its premier venues in Litchfield or Fairfield County. An alternative to a traditional tasting, the event allows contracted clients to experience a preview of their own upcoming events, tasting beverages, and some 35 hors d’oeuvres including rack of lamb, a raw bar, and a paella station.
In high demand, Carriage House catered 71 weddings between May and October 2022, orchestrating every detail, from receiving guests to foreseeing weather-related needs. Whether an event requires tents, restrooms trailers, heaters, generators, or a CPR-certified member, Carriage House anticipates and meets every need.
“Clients have that one day to get it right and we put on a Broadway play each time. So many factors go into planning a gathering, and we make sure our clients don’t need to worry about anything,” Angione assures. “We truly manage everything.” —carriagehouseeventsandcatering.com
