Here in Philadelphia it's our oldest name for this site between two rivers. The native American tribe of our area -- the Lenni Lenape - called it "Shackamaxon", meaning : the site where the chiefs sit down together to eat their sacred meal.

To make an experience sacred is our guide in our collaboration with our clients

In structure, we're a small corporation with a profit share program for all staff who have been with us for half a year. Eric von Starck started the company in 1986 and has been anticipating client needs to this day. There are four key personnel -one of whom is at each event.

Our executive chef, Amy Aronson, has been with us since 1993, while our chief supervisor, Gary Snyder, joined in the same year. Jessica Marquez, supervisor, joined us when she came to Philadelphia in 1996.

We continue to use seasonal and organic ingredients as frequently as we can and, while our executive chef is a dedicated carnivore and meringue lover, our President is a mountain bike and cross country ski lover who dines on vegetables exclusively.

Our associates work together, with their singular skills, to determine and fulfill our clients needs and to do so within their budgets.

Unique Moments:

1987 : WHYY TV becomes our client and continuing friend.

1988: Arrange and execute a trip up the Delaware, a disembark, transfer to Andalusia Mansion and follow with an exceptional dinner for 60 fortunate guests New York

1990: Arrange and cater boat trip from Trenton to Philadelphia on Clark Gable's old yacht

1992: Aramark Corporate Executives Holiday Party - a Victorian murder mystery.

1992 :Fox Chase Cancer Center Antique Show: opening and daily foodservice for this premiere show

1992: Trade Show design and set-up with catering and foodservice for Construction Specification Institute

1993: Mellon Bank becomes client for all outside corporate events.

1993: First "Historic Dinner": from 1790s with expert William Woys Weaver, 11 courses and lots of fun for all.

1994: First year of planning and execution of all corporate catering, parties and public foodservices and vending for The Philadelphia Vintage Grand Prix: 3 days, eight corporate tents, one dinner dance, one informal party, 2200 public attendance.

1995: First year of planning and design for Schuylkill River Day Festival: two sites, all day jazz music festival, tenting, dances, displays.

1995: Lilly Pulitzer Factory Show Reception - with wacky concept and sense of wild absurdity

1995: Vintage Grand Prix Grows to: 9000 public attendance, 13 corporate tents and catering, seated dinner dance for 360, formal exclusive club with champagne, caviar bar and smoked salmon bars

1995: First Teddy Bears Picnic for children

1995: Tea Reception for President Bush at Fox Chase Cancer Center

1996: First "Book and Cook" - with historical cook book writer, William Woys Weaver

1996: First "Finnish" wedding - what a night of smoked fish, fun and vodka

1996: Schuylkill River Day Festival moves to a public bridge site with 8 tents and all facilities for jazz festival and entertainment put in place from 5:30AM to 10AM ready for start -3000 attendance

1997: Book and Cook at Borders with all key staff reading and cooking from "Walking on Walnuts". If only we could do this all the time!