AOCF Conference Schedule 2026
From Blueprint to Wow Factor: Executing High-Stakes, Large-Scale Off-Premise Catering
Executing large-scale catering at the highest level begins long before the first plate is served. For the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, success required designing a complete outdoor off-site kitchen and dining room from scratch, engineering menus for volume and quality, and leading a 43-person culinary and service team of strangers through multi-day service for 3,500 guests.
In this chef-centered case study, Nina Love breaks down how blueprint-level planning translates into confident execution—from kitchen layout and production flow to menu composition, plating strategy, and service pacing. Attendees will explore how thoughtful food design, repeatable techniques, and disciplined systems allow chefs to move fast without sacrificing flavor, finesse, or visual impact.
This session offers practical tools for chefs and catering leaders who want to elevate off-premise execution, adapt to unconventional outdoor environments, and deliver a refined guest experience under extreme pressure.