Kouri

"With the Holidays now past, I want to let you know what a sweet memory Christmas Dinner is for me. First, I suggest you change the name of your company to Love At First Bite, Before First Bite and after the Last Bite. I know it's a long name but more correctly describes the result. For the first time when hosting an event, I had only two things to do: call you and pay you. You did the rest, from picking out and decorating the nicest Christmas tree I've ever had, setting the most beautiful table I've ever seen, preparing the most delicious appetizers and marl ever served in my home and serving with a grace and style beyond the finest restaurants.

Equally important to me, you and your staff did it all without any pretense or pomp. My guests were as relaxed and comfortable as if they were in their own home. I had the pleasure of having a wonderful event in my home with no work. You even came back after New Years and took down the tree and packed up my Christmas decorations!

You are a master and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for providing a Christmas Day beyond my wildest expectations.

Warmest regards and best wishes for your continued success."

—George Kouri

Holidays

"We just wanted to thank you again for the perfect Christmas dinner you provided for us and our guests. It was beautifully prepared, and every course was beyond delicious! The leftovers were a welcome treat for a couple of days, too...

If you ever need someone to vouch for your service, presentation, and food, we would be most happy to share our Love At First Bite experience with them.

May the new year hold prosperity, fun, and good health for you."

—Gary Dorothy
    Patrick Farrar

Merrill Lynch

"I wanted to write and thank you for your help with the Women Empowering Women seminar we held at Merrill Lynch on September 17, 2005. The contributions you made with your professionalism and creativity helped us throw a very successful event.

Even though you were still recovering from back surgery, you took the time to meet with us and help us organize our event. You were very flexible in working with our agenda, and you also made wonderful recommendations.

The continental breakfast you catered at our event was superb. Not only was the set-up beautiful and creative, but the food was excellent! All of our attendees were very impressed. You and your staff helped us make everyone feel special.

You also gave us informative and entertaining presentation that tied in very well with our subject matter. The ladies at our seminar left with great ideas about how to throw the perfect cocktail party in their own homes (and so did I).

Thank you and your staff again, Paul, for doing such a wonderful job with our seminar. I will definitely utilize your services in the future, and recommend you to my friends and clients as well."

—Sanya L. Mulhern

Manchik

It is our privilege to offer this recommendation for Chef Paul Hietter and “Love At First Bite”. The food he prepared for us could best be described as upscale, diverse, delicious, beautifully prepared and presented. One of the highlights of our function was Paul cooking Ahi Tuna in the kitchen, among our guests. It was unique in that it gave our guests an opportunity to see a professional chef at work and visit with him. He was charming, entertaining, and the Ahi was extraordinary.

His staff was most attractive, extremely well mannered and trained, appropriately dressed, attentive, and friendly. Paul coordinated all aspects of our function for almost 100 guests, including the bar tenders, valet attendants, the food and food service, even the supplemental outdoor lighting, all of which combined to create the atmosphere we were hoping for.

Paul possesses remarkable culinary and organizational skills, a great sense of humor, and a passion for what he does. We felt that he was instrumental in the success of our function as he helped make the evening very special. Our guests, long after the function was over, have shared the consensus view that in their opinion, that evening established a new precedent for entertaining in a home. We look forward to the next occasion when we can again employ his services."

—Lyle & Anita Manchik,
    LaQuinta, CA

Christmas In October

"I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the fantastic job you did at Jackie Lee Houston's house last week for our Christmas in October event. The food, as always, was spectacular. You really impressed us along with Mrs. Houston.

Many guests were heard commenting on your delicacies throughout the evening. We look forward to hiring you again for one of our upcoming parties and will keep you in mind for future events. Keep up the good work… the desert needed an innovative caterer and you have stepped up to the plate beautifully."

—Phillip Colavito and Dean Seymour

Nardiello

"How can Giorgio and I thank you enough for the most wonderful evening you created last Saturday. As you know, being relatively new to Palm Springs , we wanted to make a fine, first impression for many of our guests who had yet to be entertained in our home. Finding you was a definite coup and everyone who attended spoke admirably of your catering and event planning prowess.

Having worked with caterers in New York City and Fort Lauderdale , we can only say that your creativity was very much evidenced to make the 24 th such a special evening. Everything was done with great and tasteful style, from the table setting, the flowers mixed in with the food, the entrance torchers. Simply stated, the overall presentation was fabulous.

What first compelled us to say "yes" to Love At First Bite was your unusual array of hours d'Oeurves and delectables that each had a special twist in terms of taste combinations. All the guests were pleased to enjoy something that was not considered the usual "tried and true."

Giorgio and I also appreciated the team approach you brought to this assessment, including your bartender, cook and server. All were very professional in the roles they played and the entire staff wa complemented by guest many times over. Naturally the setup, preparation and clean up in the kitchen were meticulous with regard to detail. Definitely true professional all the way from arrival to departure.

It is Giorgio's and my pleasure to highly recommend Paul Hietter to anyone in the community without hesitation. Paul is a true professional in the sense of working with him to make an event very, very special and long remembered."

—Giorgio Nardiello
    David Blank

Sotheby's

"I just want you to know how fabulous you are!! The Sotheby's/ Heather James Impressionist & Modern Art Reception at our home in Indian Wells was a lovely affair made perfect by your exquisite food and convivial personality.

I have been to quite a few events in the desert and usually trays are passed and the guests take one here or there. At this party, the guests not only devoured the gorgeous and tasty items on the trays, but they followed the alluring aroma into the kitchen and stood at the counter waiting to see what you would create next! Even the ladies, who typically decline the hors d'oeuvres, were eager to taste the ensuing delicacies and were having a grand time being entertained by you as you whipped up your seared sea scallops, ahi and wasabi, endive stuffed with crab and other tasty morsels.

You handled the entire evening with grace, aplmb and an obvious passion for what you do. Your serving and bar tending staff was professional and courteous. Thank you so much for a truly memorable evening. I look forward to working with you again in the future."

—Heather Sacre