Taste's full-time pastry chef prepared an eclectic selection of delicious appetizers for me to sample. A tiny, open box of extremely thin, white chocolate filled with cut, fresh strawberries; a minuscule, fresh raspberry tart; an assortment of truffles; and a small cone-shaped glass, filled with caramel flan decorated with creme and chocolate shavings. You easily could compare these delicacies with edible art, and Edible Art, Inc is the name of the corporation to which Taste Catering and Event Planning belongs.

Marilyn Pederson (MeMe) and Janet Griggs are the owners of the multifunctional food service company, specializing in off-premises catering and restaurant management. Their main division, Taste Catering and Event Planning, is known as one of San Francisco's leading catering companies providing excellence in food and service for over 20 years. When Taste was asked to prepare a "New World" dinner, they researched authentic foods and their preparation, and reproduced them as American Natives would have done in the 1600's. "The collaboration of our employees make us a great team that became a family over the years," MeMe told me proudly.

The company is known for its exquisite innovation in both food and presentation. Taste's in-house designer combines elegant props with colors, textures, and shapes to delight the eye. The chef will work to create a dish to coordinate with the theme of an event. Dedicated, attentive staff handle all personal details for their clients. Among them are organizers for presidential fundraisers; retail stores such as Cartier, Gucci, Saks, and Nordstrom's; financial district events; and HBO premieres. For the past several years they have planned and catered for the VIP reception for "Macy's Passport," an annual fashion show and fundraiser. You can try their food at Teatro ZinZanni where the menus change seasonally.

Before you hire a caterer