Of the St. Louis American
The “Steak Diane” has been a mainstay at the Roberts Mayfair since 1945, when it was the Mayfair Hotel. Now the popular dish is checking out of the hotel and onto the menu of Roberts Mayfair’s on- and off-site catering component.
Last Thursday about 12 members of the St. Louis business community sampled a few of the tasty catering menu options during the hotel’s Chef Table.
Each dish received thumbs up from each guest.
“I enjoyed it. I thought it was well-prepared,” said Gerald Anderson, a public-sector business development representative for Johnson Controls, Inc. in West Port.
Lunch started with an Atlantic smoked salmon appetizer with lemon-infused olive oil, herb crustini and capers, prepared tableside by Executive Chef William Ford.
The appetizer was followed by an Oriental chicken salad, which preceded the main course: Steak Diane and dauphinoise potatoes, prepared with Swiss cheese.
Chef Ford revealed all but a few of the key ingredients of each recipe, keeping the dishes as the Roberts Mayfair’s own specialties.
“I was particularly pleased with the steak and potatoes,” said Anderson who frequents the hotel’s restaurant for client meetings.
While Anderson said his company probably wouldn’t partake of the catering opportunity, since it’s located in West Port and doesn’t usually hold large functions, Roberts Mayfair Catering customizes services.
Chef Ford is available to cook on-site for a party as small as one couple to very large functions.
Roberts Mayfair Catering also works with most budgets.
“We make every effort to work with your budget. Chef will make it very creative, and your clients will walk away happy,” said Roberts Mayfair General Manager Donna Holloway.
Barb Kuhn, an office manager for Famous Barr, soon to be officially owned by Federated, said the Roberts Mayfair Catering is an option since the company now believes that recognition for high-performing employees outweighs bonuses.
Famous Barr had a recognition ceremony catered by the Roberts Mayfair Catering at the hotel last year.
“We found that giving money isn’t as important as doing something special,” Kuhn said.
“They would rather be recognized and told they’re doing a good job. They loved the fact that they came here and had a great dinner in a great room.”
Roberts Mayfair Catering may be reached at (314) 421-2500.
