Our Story
Creations in Cuisine Catering’s offers traditional American, regional, fusion, and theme menus from around the globe. Recognized as one of the premier off – site caterers in Phoenix Arizona and the surrounding areas for over 24 years with a reputation for creativity, delicious cuisine, and flawless presentation with unsurpassed customer service.
In May of 1996 Executive Chef and Owner Tony Rea and business partner, Frank Vara founded Creations in Cuisine Catering after recognizing the need for high-quality creative cuisine and event services for upscale private events in the most exclusive communities in the area. For many years following, the foundation of all events produced by Creations in Cuisine Catering was established only after a personal consultation with our clients. Standard menu packages were nonexistent and personalized and customized creations the norm. As the company flourished and demand grew we found the need to create menu packages for not only social events but corporate and wedding events as well. But our desire and passion for menu customization has not diminished. Customizing menus, in the beginning, has positioned Creations in Cuisine Catering to offer much-needed flexibility to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of today’s clients. We are comfortable offering and creating menus for those who may suffer allergic reactions, prefer a more health-conscious pure food experience with vegetarian or vegan options, or just want something new, exciting and exceptional.
DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL CATERING AND EVENT STAFF READY TO SERVE YOU
Chef Anthony (Tony) Rea, Co-Owner & Culinary Director.
Chef Rea graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a degree in Culinary Arts. He has been pursuing his passion ever since, with over40 years of award-winning Culinary Arts experience with several prestigious resorts and restaurants throughout the Phoenix metro valley including the honor of teaching future generations of chefs as a Chef Instructor at the Art Institute of Phoenix. Just prior to opening Creations in Cuisine Catering in 1996, Chef Rea held the position of Executive Chef at The Boulders Resort and Golf Club in Scottsdale Arizona – which has been repeatedly recognized as one of the top golf resorts in the world.
Frank Vara, Co-Owner & Operations Manager
Frank Vara has over 40 years of experience in the food and beverage business. Frank came to Phoenix in 1980 from New York. Frank began his career as a chef and then moved to the management side of the industry- managing several restaurants in the valley as well as opening new restaurants for the Cafe Casino in Seattle, Washington. Mr. Vara’s experience includes implementing catering services at various restaurants under his management.
what Makes us Unique
We offer our clients clear direction on menu styling, flavor profiles, and theme menu creation. We consult on the best style of service such as a hand-passed hor’s d’oeuvres reception, guest interactive food stations, buffet, family style, or plated meal service all with our client’s personal preferences and financial concerns In mind. We are not event planners instead we direct our clients to choose from a list of preferred service providers. We partner with only the finest event and wedding planners. musicians, floral designers, DJ’s, event rental companies, and transportation specialists assuring a memorable experience allowing our clients to be a guest at their own event. Creations in Cuisine Catering provides full-service catering for social events and weddings, self-service corporate and casual catering, gala fund raisers, and open house receptions for our local businesses. Our culinary and event operations are still overseen daily by ownership ensuring our high standards of quality and consistency are in place.
Being environmentally responsible is a priority. Creations in Cuisine Catering monitors water efficiency, waste reduction and recycling procedures daily at our 10,000 square foot facility as well as at all our off-premise events. We are constantly searching for and evaluating biodegradable and compostable disposable items, energy efficient appliances, and environmentally friendly cleaning products for use in our daily operations.
Pasta Rea
In 2016 Creations in Cuisine Catering purchased several pasta machines imported from Italy and established our sister company PASTA REA. Using only traditional brass dyes our pasta alone is a culinary experience, but when paired with the finest ingredients and a variety of sauces from our basil marinara made with SanMarzano style tomatoes to our saffron lobster bisque PASTA REA pasta and Italian specialties will rival the country’s finest Italian restaurants.
All our creations are prepared using only the freshest ingredients sourcing local whenever possible.
Where May we Serve you?
That’s the great part about working with an offsite catering company, we come to you. Each day our place of work changes it could be your home or office or at one of the exclusive venues where we are listed as one of the preferred caterers. We offer our services valley wide and in all surrounding areas such as Flagstaff, Tucson, and Sedona. Please view our list of preferred venues to see where should we meet. If you are envisioning formal plated meal service for your wedding, traditional family-style Italian, authentic southwest BBQor casual lunch meeting in your office Creations in Cuisine Catering will surpass your expectations creating a memorial event for you and your guests each and every time. Imagine the possibilities!