Thank Goodness It’s Sofia Creative Cuisine and Event Planning

The phone rings constantly for George Marinos and Sofia Riley, the brother-and-sister team who are the heart and soul of this full-service catering and special event company that has been making mouths water for over 20 years. “I don’t think there are enough hours in the day to tell you how fantastic TGIS is,” exclaims one wedding planner. “Their work is unbelievably beautiful and imaginative, and they’re willing to achieve the client’s wishes regardless of budget and time constraints.”

“Our goal,” says Sofia, “is to capture the essence of each customer’s vision and put together an event that surpasses expectations.” George, who joined his sister ten years ago in response to ever-increasing demand, agrees. “We take food seriously. Our parents owned a restaurant, so we grew up in the food business. We’re carrying on a tradition—a tradition of excellence.”

Both love food, and TGIS is a place where professionalism and passion intersect. With a full-time staff of 60 that can blossom into an army of 100–150 for a major event, they’re able to service weddings, corporate affairs and events of every size with a flair that has been known to draw applause—literally.

“They do events from 8 to 800 for us,” says a client. “They’re big and they have many events going on at the same time, but you wouldn’t know it. Each one is so well handled and so well staffed.” ” Their service is outstanding,” observes a colleague. “I’ve seen them do extremely large events—like thousands of people. I have no idea how they do it.”

Sofia chalks it up to a combination of leadership, organization and creativity, all attributes that they expect—and get—from their team. “We’re going for the WOW factor,” she says. “We bring in food, florists, performers; we’re going for the whole experience.” What does that experience look like? How about Cirque du Soleil-style performers, elaborate food stations and exhibition cooking…or maybe some intriguing appetizers like lobster dumplings in sake cups topped with red Thai curry sake or chicken enchilada lollipops…or perhaps a soul food banquet of honey-scented fried chicken, biscuits, greens, candied sweet potatoes and black beans. Whatever the concept, they deliver with style. “Their food is absolutely delicious and plentiful,” says a client who uses them for major fundraisers. “On a scale of 1 to 10, I give them a 10 or 11,” says another. That’s because at TGIS food and its presentation is an art form. Whether it’s exotic displays, interactive food stations or a new twist on the sit-down dinner, their workmanship never ceases to dazzle.

“I called them up and asked, can you do lunch in 3 hours for 600 people?” recalls an appreciative corporate client. “I would have been happy with pb&j’s; they brought in tri-tip!” “Their food was amazing,” adds a bride who used TGIS for a wedding she planned at her new home. “They cost so much less than everybody else, and they thought of everything: beautiful rustic tables, custom chafing dishes, chandeliers. I was blown away. It was just like a celebrity wedding. I couldn’t believe it was mine.”