Giving Tuesday with Gourmondo: Food That Feeds the Community

Seattle Holiday Party Catering Ideas That Make Hosting Easy

14 November 2025

The holidays are a time to celebrate, connect, and create memories without the stress of doing it all yourself. From handcrafted bites to stunning food platters, Gourmondo’s holiday catering lets you focus on what really matters: enjoying the season. Why Holiday Party Catering Is the Secret to Stress-Free Celebrations Between decorating, gift shopping, and organizing your guest list, hosting a holiday party can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where holiday party catering with Gourmondo makes all the difference. Partnering with a trusted local caterer means you don’t have to worry about menu planning, cooking, cleanup, or even décor. A professional team handles every detail, from sourcing high-quality, seasonal ingredients to ensuring dishes are beautifully presented and served on time. At Gourmondo, our team specializes in bringing joy to the table with thoughtful menus, seamless service, and even holiday décor to complete the look. Whether you’re planning a cozy holiday dinner or a large-scale office party, we make entertaining effortless and elegant. Holiday Party Catering Ideas to Wow Your Guests Every great celebration starts with delicious food. When planning your menu, think about your guests’ preferences and the tone of your event. Here are a few holiday party catering ideas that are guaranteed to impress: Interactive Grazing Stations: Let guests mix and mingle around chef-curated food stations, think a Pacific Northwest-inspired charcuterie table, seasonal salads, or a decadent dessert bar. Global Flavors: Add excitement to your menu with international dishes like Tuscan comfort foods, Thai-inspired small plates, or Latin American favorites.  Classic Comforts: For a more traditional feel, serve festive favorites like slow roasted turkey breast with, gravy, traditional bread stuffing, roasted brussel sprouts, and more, all included in our holiday meal package.   Mini Desserts: Petite pastries and bite-sized treats make a perfect ending without the fuss of cutting and plating. No matter your theme or budget, catering your holiday party allows you to get creative while leaving the execution to the pros. From Finger Food Catering to Elegant Buffet Spreads Sometimes, less is more. If your celebration calls for a casual vibe or limited space, finger food catering is an easy and stylish solution. Think gourmet sliders, salmon skewers, truffle deviled eggs, or a gourmet, seasonal winter appetizer platter — perfect for mingling and easy serving. For larger gatherings or sit-down dinners, consider beautifully arranged buffet spreads that showcase a variety of seasonal entrées and sides. Gourmondo’s holiday menus feature fresh, locally sourced ingredients and elegant presentation that bring warmth and abundance to any festive table. No matter the style of your celebration, our team ensures every bite reflects the care and creativity that make the season special.  Work Holiday Party Catering That Brings Teams Together The office holiday party is more than just a meal, it’s a chance to celebrate hard work and strengthen connections. Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner, casual lunch, or after-hours cocktail party, work holiday party catering sets the stage for a memorable experience. Our Seattle-based catering team creates menus that fit your team’s unique personality and preferences. Choose from plated meals, themed buffets, or shareable bites that make mingling easy. Plus, we can accommodate dietary restrictions and offer vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options so everyone feels included. From setup to service, Gourmondo makes it simple to treat your staff to something special. Seattle’s Go-To Partner for Catering Your Holiday Party When searching for “Christmas catering near me,” you’ll find plenty of options, but few with the local expertise, creativity, and care that Gourmondo brings to the table. For over 29 years, we’ve been helping Seattleites celebrate life’s biggest moments with fresh, seasonal, and beautifully presented food. We believe great catering is about more than just food, it’s about creating experiences that bring people together. Our team is here to make it stress-free and delicious from start to finish. Let Gourmondo handle the cooking this season so you can savor the holidays with ease. Ready to start planning your event? Explore our holiday menus and contact us today to book your holiday party catering in Seattle.  

Giving Tuesday with Gourmondo: Food That Feeds the Community

10 November 2025

A Weekend in Wine Country

22 October 2025

Each year, Washington’s wine community gathers for the state’s longest-running charity wine auction: the Auction of Washington Wines. For Gourmondo, being part of this year’s Auction was an honor and a joy.

Seattle Office Halloween Parties Don’t Have to be Scary (Unless They’re Catered by Gourmondo)

22 October 2025

Halloween falls on a Friday this year, which feels like an invitation to celebrate. The timing is ideal: one foot in the weekend, one still in the workday! It’s a chance to pause the pace, gather your team, and enjoy something seasonal together.

Nourishing Seattle Futures with Treehouse

1 August 2025

This philosophy of local investment carries through in many of our actions; we have always held that business thrives when our community does, and that giving back is simply good practice. Every month, Gourmondo donates more than $10,000 worth of fresh, unsold food to local nonprofits. We offer professional internships to help up-and-comers build meaningful careers in Seattle’s culinary scene.

Gourmondo’s CEO on the Real Cost of Running a Food Business Today

3 June 2025

Gourmondo's CEO on the real cost of running a food business today.

In Honor of the Professionals Keeping Us Running

17 April 2025

The best-run businesses have one thing in common: extraordinary administrative professionals. They’re the ones who remember the little things, anticipate the big ones, and keep the rest of us on track. This week, we’re celebrating them for the impact they make every day. A Note From Alissa To the amazing admins on our team and in the community, As owner of Gourmondo, this week gives me the perfect excuse to say what should be said more often: thank you. To those of you on our own team, and among our valued business partners, we are profoundly grateful. To our internal admin team: you are truly the heartbeat of Gourmondo. While our chefs create delicious works of art and our service staff deliver exceptional experiences, it’s you who keep it all running smoothly behind the scenes. You bring order to chaos, manage impossible schedules, solve problems before they surface, and make sure every client feels heard and valued. Your sharp eye for detail, steady patience, and uncanny ability to anticipate what’s needed don’t just support our business, they define it. You lead with care, build strong relationships, represent our brand with pride, and form the foundation that keeps Gourmondo growing. To the admins we work with across the Seattle business community: first, we thank you for your trust in us helping with your important events and everyday needs. Second, we see you.  We see how hard you work - we understand that when you send in an order, you're often juggling dozens of other responsibilities. You’re coordinating with teams, planning events, supporting leadership, and somehow managing to stay kind through it all. We’re honored to be part of your toolkit for success! On Admin Week, we acknowledge the truth every company owner knows: administrative professionals are the invisible force that powers business success. You transform visions into realities, often with little recognition. This week, we celebrate you with a renewed commitment to being the kind of partner that makes your job easier, not more complicated. We pledge to continue listening, adapting, and serving you with the same care and attention you give to others every day. Thank you for everything you do. Your work matters. YOU matter. With deepest appreciation, Alissa LeinonenFounder/CEO, Gourmondo Co The Gourmondo Admin Team At Gourmondo, we’re lucky to work alongside some of the most dedicated and detail-oriented admin professionals. These are people who care deeply about getting things right, staying five steps ahead, and helping those around them succeed. A Sweet Way to Say Thanks Admin week is a time when companies show their appreciation for their admin staff. Each year, we send out boxed lunches and catering to those showing their teams their well-earned appreciation. Show your team you care with something everyone will appreciate - sweets! Order a gourmet dessert platter from our in-house pastry chefs as a thoughtful (and delicious) way to express your gratitude. From Our Team to Yours When things go right, it’s often because of the people behind the scenes making it all look easy. To every admin out there making teams stronger and days smoother: thank you. We feel lucky to be part of a community that celebrates the work you do. Celebrate the admins who keep your team running strong. Explore our catering and delivery options to make their week just a little sweeter.

Women Who Built Gourmondo

26 March 2025

Gourmondo’s Beginnings The story of Gourmondo begins in 1996, when, at just 25 years old, Alissa Leinonen refinanced her car for $4,000 and set out to build her dream business. She found a 470-square-foot café tucked next to Madame Lazonga’s Tattoo Parlor in Pike Place Market, and she opened the doors with her two friends (and now business partners), full of ambition. Then came reality. Gourmondo’s first day’s sales totaled just $36 ($24 being from her mom). There were no guarantees of success, no major investors – just a belief in her vision and a willingness to take risks. Alissa was determined to make high-quality food more accessible, and she and her partners navigated the early obstacles with grit. Their small team did whatever it took to keep the doors open, flipping coins to decide who did the dishes and making deliveries in a 1967 Plymouth Belvedere. Every day, she and her partners experimented with new recipes and found creative ways to get the word out. They slowly built a devoted local following. Then came a defining moment. One afternoon, Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, walked in to get change for a parking meter. Alissa had worked as a floor manager at a restaurant he frequented, and he recognized her. He casually asked if they did catering, and as luck would have it, Alissa had printed her first-ever box lunch menu the night before. She handed it to him (not truly believing something would come of it). The next morning, Schultz's assistant called and placed an order for 50 box lunches. That single order was the beginning of what became Gourmondo’s corporate catering program; Gourmondo shut down the café for the day just to fulfill it. Nearly 30 years later, Starbucks remains a client. With time, Gourmondo grew beyond a small café. Alissa bought out both her partners and expanded into corporate catering, launched a wholesale grab-and-go line, opened an in-house bakery, grew to 15 cafes, and built a full-service event catering business. Through thoughtful growth, strategic partnerships, and of course, reliably providing high quality food and service, Gourmondo became a trusted name in Seattle’s food scene. The Toughest Times Success did not come easy. In 2006, an ambitious expansion put the company close to bankruptcy. Alissa had opened three corporate campus cafes overnight, burning through all her reserves. When her bookkeeper walked into her office in tears, telling her there wasn’t enough cash to pay vendors, she had a choice: admit defeat or find a way forward. She called her mom, who told her, “Alissa, we’re entrepreneurs. This is what we do. We take risks, and sometimes they don’t pay off. It’s not about the mistake; it’s about how you recover.” That advice changed her perspective. Instead of panicking, she called her vendors and was brutally honest about the situation. Thanks to the confidence she had earned over the years, one vendor, Ron Rosella, gave her three extra months to pay what she owed. That moment of trust and transparency helped Gourmondo keep the doors open. By 2020, Gourmondo was on track for another record-breaking year. Then, the pandemic hit. Within days, the company lost 95% of the business. With Seattle’s corporate offices closing and events being canceled, demand all but vanished overnight. Many catering businesses shut down. Alissa refused to be one of them. Instead of laying off her team, she asked, “How can we use our infrastructure to help?” Gourmondo pivoted operations to focus on feeding those in need. They partnered with local organizations like Seattle Housing Authority, FareStart and Amazon. During this time, Gourmondo provided over one million meals to low-income families, children on assisted meal programs through the Seattle school district, frontline workers, local food banks, and at-risk youth. “We wanted these meals to be more than just, ‘Hey, here's a sandwich,” said Alissa. “We wanted to offer something special, to create a meal with an entree, dessert, and side dish, so that [the recipients] knew they were a big deal. Oftentimes we also included a note in the box with either a note of thanks or encouragement.” This shift ended up being more than a temporary crisis response; it reshaped Gourmondo’s holistic mission from then on. Today, philanthropy is a larger part of our DNA, with ongoing partnerships that support food security in the Seattle community. Thriving Together For Alissa, success has never been about growth at all costs. A defining moment for her as an entrepreneur, in fact, was realizing she had the power to decide how she defined success, and she chose a definition that prioritized both quality service and a culture of care. At the very start, Alissa made a conscious decision to structure Gourmondo’s operations in a way that respected employees’ time. Today, 80% of the team finishes work by early afternoon - a rarity in the food industry. This allows them to pick up kids from school, spend time with family, and all-around have a better work-life balance. Naturally, Gourmondo has only become more successful since implementing that approach. Alissa’s leadership philosophy is built on humility, curiosity, and empowerment. She believes great leaders don’t do everything themselves but rather create an environment where talented people can thrive. This mindset has helped Gourmondo attract some of the best chefs and businesswomen in the region. Her impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. Alissa has earned recognition including: Pacific Northwest EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Unstoppable Category) Enterprising Women’s Entrepreneur of the Year Inc.’s List of America’s Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs But for her, the greatest achievement isn’t the accolades - it’s the team she’s built. The Women Who Power Gourmondo Alissa has never viewed Gourmondo as a one-woman success story. She is the first to credit the incredible women who have helped shape and sustain the company over the years. Women lead at every level of Gourmondo, from C-suite to the kitchen line, and in each position they bring talent and heart to their work. Many have been with the company for over 15 years, playing an indispensable role in its culture, operations, and direction. Sonya & Esther have led the kitchen team for over fifteen years, preparing dishes at the highest standard of quality. Jolene, head pastry chef, crafts gourmet desserts that are a signature part of the Gourmondo experience. Allison, Vinnessa, Olivia and Hannah uphold exceptional service as part of our customer care team. Lindsay, Jewel, Jillian, Tatiana bring their wonderful talents to the Catering and Events management and planning team. Alecia, Gourmondo’s President, leads our company with creativity, strategy, and a commitment to quality. Ann, Director of HR, fosters a supportive, growth-minded workplace. Ashley, Controller, oversees the finance team with expertise. Diana, Sous-chef, manages daily kitchen production of fresh, locally-sourced dishes. Beyond these names, countless women across production, logistics, client services, and leadership uphold the mission that has made Gourmondo what it is today. A Culture of Care Nearly three decades after opening a small café in Pike Place Market, Gourmondo is a Seattle institution. From seasonal catering and gourmet boxed lunches to full service grab and go cafes, its presence can be felt all over the city. While the company continues to evolve, its foundation remains unchanged: quality, integrity, and community. Alissa’s journey to where we are now is a shining example of the need to take risks and make hard decisions. This isn't because you'll never fail, but because you have the resilience and humility to learn and grow from missteps. And of course, as simple as it may sound: the power of being true to yourself. In her years of service, Alissa has built a thriving business with a culture of care, and despite inevitable bumps in the road, she never changed to fit the mold of an occasionally brutal industry.  As Alissa often says:“Mistakes don’t define you. How you move forward does.” And for Alissa and the women of Gourmondo, the future has never looked brighter. The women who built Gourmondo continue to shape its future — one meal, one event, one partnership at a time. Experience the difference for yourself with our gourmet catering and delivery options.

Thoughtful Ways to Show Employee Appreciation, Today and Every Day

7 March 2025

Behind every successful company is a team of dedicated, talented individuals who show up each day with dedication. Those who work behind the scenes, who put their best foot forward for the customers, who keep operations running smoothly, and every other vital piece of the puzzle. Employees are the heart of any business, and while Employee Appreciation Day is a great reminder to say thank you, true appreciation isn’t just about putting on one fun day. To make sure your employees know they’re acknowledged and appreciated, the work must be done to build a culture of gratitude into the day-to-day workplace. At Gourmondo, we believe in showing appreciation through thoughtful experiences, and food has always been one of the most powerful ways to bring people together. Here are just some of the meaningful ways you can show your employees they’re valued, today and throughout the year. 1. Create a Meaningful Experience with a Special Meal Food is one of the simplest and most effective ways to boost morale and bring teams together. A shared dining experience allows employees to connect, unwind, and enjoy a well-deserved break. Plus, taking time to enjoy a meal provided as a gesture of thanks fosters connection and makes employees feel valued. Ways to celebrate with a catered meal: Start the morning right: Treat employees to a breakfast spread featuring house-made pastries, fresh fruit, and locally roasted coffee. Host a team meal: Bring everyone together with a seasonally inspired buffet or a sit-down multi-course meal, complete with handcrafted entrees, sides, and desserts. Surprise your team with lunch: A simple gesture can go a long way in showing your appreciation. Treat your employees to Gourmondo’s signature boxed lunches, thoughtfully packed with high-quality ingredients. Wrap up the work week with a happy hour: Small bites and craft cocktails can make for a relaxed yet festive way to say thanks. 2. Personalize Your Recognition Efforts A shared meal may bring people together, but personalized recognition makes appreciation stick. Taking the time to highlight individual contributions in a way that feels genuine and considerate reinforces trust and appreciation. However, recognition should always be respectful of personal boundaries. Not everyone enjoys public praise, and some may prefer a quiet acknowledgment over a big announcement. Ideas for meaningful recognition: Handwritten notes: A simple yet impactful way to express gratitude. Leave a personal message on their desk or in their inbox. Public recognition: Acknowledge employees during a team meeting, through an internal newsletter, or via a social media spotlight. Be mindful of individual preferences; some may prefer private recognition instead. Customized gifts: Think beyond the standard company swag—choose something tailored to their interests, such as a local coffee subscription, a book by a favorite author, or a curated gift box. Career development opportunities: Investing in an employee’s growth – through mentorship, training, or conference access – shows long-term appreciation. Extra time off or flexible scheduling: A paid half-day, a “long weekend” pass, or flexible work options can be a valuable way to say thank you, show your trust in your employee, and show your respect for their personal time. 3. Encourage Team Connection and Bonding Appreciation is even more powerful when it’s shared. Encouraging employees to recognize each other fosters a sense of community and strengthens team relationships. Ideas for Building Team Appreciation Culture: Create a gratitude wall: Set up a space where employees can write appreciation notes to their coworkers. Put on a “team awards” ceremony: Host a lighthearted award ceremony with fun categories like “Most Likely to Save the Day” or “Office DJ.” Establish a peer recognition program: Encourage employees to nominate coworkers for going above and beyond. A workplace that values recognition creates an engaged and motivated team, and Employee Appreciation Day is a great time to set that standard. 4. Make It an Event, Not Just a Gesture While a one-day celebration is meaningful, sustaining appreciation year-round has an even greater impact. A company that truly values its employees goes beyond recognition—it actively supports their well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance. When employees feel cared for and respected, they’re more engaged, motivated, and invested in their work. Ways to Keep Appreciation Going: Quarterly team celebrations: Host catered lunches, happy hours, or fun outings every few months to keep morale high and build team connections. Wellness initiatives: Provide access to healthy meals, fitness stipends, mental health resources, or stress-relief activities like meditation sessions or wellness days. A company that prioritizes employee health shows that appreciation isn’t just about productivity, it’s about people first. Professional development support: Investing in growth – through mentorship, skill-building courses, or conference access – demonstrates long-term appreciation and a commitment to employees’ futures. Encouraging work-life balance: Offering flexible scheduling, remote work options, or additional time off can help employees recharge and feel valued beyond their day-to-day tasks. A culture of appreciation leads to stronger teams, higher morale, and a workplace where people genuinely want to be, all year long. 5. A Personal Anecdote from the Gourmondo Team Gourmondo has always believed that appreciation isn’t just about creating special events for holidays but about how a company supports its team every day. That’s why we’ve made work-life balance a core part of our culture, something that’s often rare in the food industry. From the start, founder Alissa Leinonen wanted Gourmondo to be a company where employees could build fulfilling careers without sacrificing their personal and family lives. She built operations to allow her team to finish work by 2 PM, in time to pick up their kids from school and ensure they had a work life balance. Today, 80% of Gourmondo’s employees follow this family-friendly schedule. It’s a model that has not only helped retain top talent but also fostered a workplace where people feel valued every day – not just on Employee Appreciation Day. By making work-life balance a priority, companies can show appreciation in a way that truly matters, by respecting their employees’ time, well-being, and commitments outside of work. Closing Thought: Appreciation That Lasts Beyond the Day At Gourmondo, we’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful appreciation fosters loyalty, fuels passion, and strengthens teams. When recognition and wellness are priorities, teams are more engaged, productive, and committed to their company’s mission. By integrating appreciation into the workplace year-round, you create an environment where employees don’t just work – they thrive. Let Gourmondo Help You Elevate Employee Appreciation When companies invest in their people, they build workplaces where employees feel empowered, valued, and excited to contribute. At Gourmondo, we help companies show gratitude in the most meaningful way: by bringing people together over exceptional food and shared experiences. Whether you're planning a team lunch, a happy hour, or a large corporate event, let us handle the details so you can focus on celebrating the people who make your company great. Because when you take care of your employees, they take care of your business. From team lunches to company-wide celebrations, Gourmondo makes employee appreciation effortless. Explore our Seattle corporate catering and team lunch catering options to create moments that matter.

Our Recipe for incorporating Philanthropy into our Business Model

9 February 2024

Community Giving is an essential ingredient in our recipe for running a meaningful business. We choose organizations that support issues we are passionate about: fighting hunger and food insecurity, helping at risk youth, protecting the rights of immigrants, finding solutions for chronic homelessness, and strengthening our local community. How Gourmondo Gives Back Gourmondo’s giving comes in many flavors including the edible – providing food to local food banks and various non-profits; the financial - donating proceeds from our daily sales through our Gourmondo Gives Boxed meals; and the professional – offering internships in our company. Organizations we partner with include FareStart, Treehouse, Youthcare, Plymouth Housing, YMCA, World Central Kitchen, Akin, and others. We believe corporate philanthropy is a priority for running a successful business, and the impact of supporting those underserved is immeasurable. Giving back is simply good business, and we are proud that in 2023 Gourmondo was recognized for the fourth time at the Puget Sound Business Journal Corporate Citizenship Awards and ranked 15th in the region for small business category giving. Our Community Partners Another key ingredient in how we give back to our community is making sure we find ways to HAVE FUN while supporting non-profit organizations and their important work. This month we’re proud to announce that our CEO, Angele Dunleavy, will be one of the celebrity dancers hitting the stage at Seattle Dances in support of Plymouth Housing! Plymouth Housing is one of the leading organizations solving the homelessness crisis in our community -- they help by providing sustainable long-term housing for the chronically homeless. We're honored to have Angela as one of the celebrity dancers at the event, and Gourmondo’s founder, Alissa Leinonen, as the co-chair of the gala, which raises over a million dollars per year. Order our Giving Boxes today to support one of our partnered organizations.