Women of Influence 2024: Alissa Leinonen

Game Day Food Ideas for Seattle Soccer Watch Parties

6 May 2026

Seattle is about to have a summer unlike any other. Six international soccer matches are coming to Lumen Field this June and July, and whether you're gathering a few friends at home, rallying your whole office around a screen, or planning something bigger, one thing we know for certain: the food matters. Gourmondo has been feeding Seattle since 1996, and we know that the best gatherings aren't about the decorations or the setup, they're about what's on the table. So we put together a few of our favorite game day food ideas to help you host a Seattle soccer watch party that will be memorable long after the final whistle. Seattle Matches at Lumen Field:   June 15th | 12pm PST | Belgium vs. Egypt  June 19th | 12pm PST | USA vs. Australia June 24th | 12pm PST | Qatar vs. Playoff Winner A June 26th | 8pm PST | Egypt vs. Iran July 1st | TBD | Round of 31 (Match 82) July 6th | TBD | Round of 16 (Match 94) What Makes a Great Soccer Watch Party Spread? The best watch party food has a few things going for it. It's easy to grab between plays. It's shareable, so the table stays full and the conversation keeps flowing. And there’s a variety for everyone’s taste buds; a good host doesn’t leave anyone out.  Your watch party spread should have variety over volume. A spread with something salty, something fresh and something hearty will always outperform a table with just chips and dip. (Though honestly, great chips and dip go a long way. More on that below.) Most importantly, the best game day food ideas are the ones that don’t require you to be stuck in the kitchen. You should be watching the match with everyone else.      Game Day Appetizers Worth Cheering About When we think about great game day appetizers, we think about the kind of spread that makes people stop mid-conversation and say, "Wait, who brought this?" Food that earns its place on the table and keeps people coming back throughout the entire match is the goal.  This summer, we're making that easy with two new options built specifically for Seattle soccer watch parties. The Watch Party Package Our Watch Party Package is a complete game day appetizer spread, delivered ready to serve. Smoky buffalo wings with celery, carrots and dipping sauce; juicy beef sliders on golden brioche buns; bratwurst bites with pickles and mustard; crispy seasoned fries; individual bags of fresh popcorn; and our house-made spiced snack mix. Everything your crowd needs, and the best part? No cooking required.  Just set it out and enjoy the match.  The Salsa Bar Few things disappear faster at a watch party than a great chip-and-dip situation, and ours is anything but ordinary. Our Salsa Bar arrives with five house-made salsas: fresh pico de gallo, bright green tomatillo, bold salsa roja, smoky chipotle queso, and a mango black bean salsa served alongside blue and yellow corn tortilla chips. Add it to your Watch Party Package and the appetizer table handles itself. Game Day Food Ideas for the Office Watch Party  Not every watch party happens at home. Seattle offices are going to feel this summer in a big way. With six matches on the schedule between June and July, there's a good chance your team is going to want to gather around a screen during the workday. We've been feeding Seattle's offices for nearly 30 years, and we understand the importance of good food in the workplace.  Game day food ideas for the office look a little different than what you'd put out at home: individual portions, easy to eat at a desk and polished enough that it still feels like a moment worth celebrating. That's exactly what we had in mind when we created the Soccer Club. The Soccer Club Each Soccer Club box comes with a generously stacked club sandwich: turkey, smoked ham, Beecher's Flagship cheese, crisp lettuce, tomato, and a house-made tomato-pesto aioli, all on a pretzel roll baked to look like a soccer ball. Alongside that: Gourmondo sea salt potato chips, a fresh side salad with dipping sauce, and a chocolate bundt cake to finish. Individual, complete, and ready to drop off at your office so your team can enjoy match days, even from their desks.  How to Host a Soccer Watch Party in Seattle Without the Stress  We've helped Seattle host a lot of events over the years, so we know a thing or two about how to make an event run smoothly. Here are a few things worth thinking through before the big games: Know your match times. Seattle's home games run from June through early July, with most kicking off mid-morning to early afternoon Pacific time (great news for office gatherings). The Soccer Club box lunch was built exactly for this. Think about your setup. For home watch parties, the Watch Party Package and Salsa Bar are designed to be laid out buffet-style so guests can graze all match long. For offices, individual box lunches keep things clean and professional. Order ahead. We're expecting high demand this summer. We recommend booking at least 5–7 days out for smaller orders, and 10–14 days for larger groups. The earlier the better. Tell us about dietary needs. All of our menus can be adapted for common dietary restrictions with advance notice. Just let us know when you reach out, and we'll make sure everyone at your party is taken care of. Don't forget the drinks. We can coordinate beverage service alongside your food order. Just ask. Consider your watch party location. Hosting at home or the office works great, but if you want a ready-made venue, check out SLU BRU, a taproom in South Lake Union with craft beer, a lively atmosphere, and private event bookings for groups. Our turf is your turf — we serve Downtown, South Lake Union, Capitol Hill, Ballard, SoDo, and surrounding neighborhoods. Drop-off, full-service, and chef-attended options are all available depending on your event size and needs. Let's Make Your Watch Party One to Remember Seattle's biggest soccer summer starts June 15. Let us handle the food so you can focus on the match. Contact us to starthe big gamest planning your ultimate Seattle soccer watch party.  Watch with us.

Choosing a Seattle Wholesale Food Supplier to Partner With

5 May 2026

The grab-and-go food market is thriving in Seattle, and for good reason. Today's consumers want fresh, high-quality meals that fit their busy lifestyles, and they're willing to pay for convenience when it comes with flavor and integrity. For retailers, this represents a significant opportunity. But here's the catch: your success in this market depends heavily on one critical decision — choosing the right wholesale food supplier to partner with. The wholesale food supplier you partner with impacts everything from your profit margins to customer loyalty. Get it right, and you'll have a steady stream of repeat customers who trust your grab-and-go selection. Get it wrong, and you'll face inconsistent quality, unhappy customers, and missed revenue opportunities. So what should Seattle retailers look for when evaluating potential wholesale food supplier partnerships?  Why Your Wholesale Food Supplier Partnership Matters  Not all wholesale food suppliers are created equal. There's a fundamental difference between a vendor who simply delivers products and a strategic partner who understands your business and your customers. The right wholesale food supplier partnership does more than facilitate transactions; it provides products that enhance your brand reputation, meet your customers' evolving dietary preferences, and give you a competitive edge in your market. Choosing a wholesale food supplier based solely on price can seem tempting, but it often comes with hidden costs. Inconsistent quality leads to waste. Limited menu options mean you can't serve diverse customer needs. Poor packaging fails to attract buyers. Unreliable delivery disrupts your entire operation. Your wholesale food supplier should be viewed as a long-term partner invested in your business's success, not just another line item on your expense sheet. What Seattle Retailers Should Look For in a Wholesale Food Supplier Partnership  Quality and Sourcing Standards In the Pacific Northwest, customers care deeply about where their food comes from and how it's made. Your wholesale food supplier partner should share those values. Look for partners who prioritize fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and maintain high standards throughout their production process. Certifications matter, too. WSDA certification, non-GMO ingredients, antibiotic-free proteins, and products free from nitrates signal a commitment to quality that resonates with health-conscious Seattle consumers. When your wholesale food supplier maintains these standards, you're protecting your brand reputation with every meal you sell. Menu Variety and Dietary Options Today's customers have diverse dietary preferences and restrictions. Your wholesale food supplier partner should offer a curated selection that accommodates these needs, from vegan and vegetarian options to gluten-conscious choices. But variety alone isn't enough; the food also needs to taste exceptional. Chef-designed menus make all the difference. When your wholesale food supplier partner employs award-winning culinary talent, you get offerings that balance classic flavors with current food trends. This means your grab-and-go case stays fresh and relevant, giving customers a reason to come back and see what's new. Packaging and Presentation Never underestimate the power of presentation in grab-and-go sales. Sustainable, sleek packaging doesn't just catch the eye, it tells customers you care about quality and the environment. In Seattle's eco-conscious market, sustainable packaging from your wholesale food supplier can be a significant differentiator.  Premium packaging also justifies premium pricing. When a meal looks as good as it tastes, customers perceive higher value and are willing to pay accordingly. Your wholesale food supplier's packaging becomes part of your marketing strategy. Reliable Delivery and Logistics Logistics can make or break your grab-and-go program. Early morning delivery — ideally before your store opens — ensures your case is fully stocked when customers arrive. This is especially crucial for retailers serving the breakfast and lunch crowds. Your wholesale food supplier partner should also offer reasonable minimum order requirements that work for your business size. A $100 minimum, for example, makes premium grab-and-go accessible even for smaller retailers. And consistency matters: six-day-a-week delivery (Monday through Saturday) keeps your selection fresh and your customers satisfied. Finally, the ordering process should be straightforward. A simple system gives you time to plan while ensuring fresh product turnover. Proven Track Record with Trusted Retailers When evaluating a wholesale food supplier partnership, consider who else trusts them with their reputation. Partnerships with well-respected retailers signal that a supplier can meet high standards consistently. For example, Gourmondo's partnership with PCC Community Markets — known for their rigorous ingredient guidelines — demonstrates a commitment to quality that goes beyond simple compliance. The Gourmondo Advantage: A Seattle Wholesale Food Supplier Partner with 25 Years of Local Expertise At Gourmondo, we've spent over 25 years perfecting the art of gourmet, locally sourced meals. Our story began in a small café in the heart of Pike Place Market, where we learned firsthand what Seattle customers value: fresh flavors, local ingredients, and meals crafted with care. Today, we've grown into a full-scale wholesale food supplier operation, but those core values remain unchanged. Our wholesale grab-and-go line is designed by award-winning chefs who understand how to create meals that are both craveable and convenient. From sandwiches and salads to bowls and bakery selections, every item reflects our commitment to quality. We use locally-sourced ingredients, maintain WSDA certification, and ensure all our proteins are antibiotic-free and nitrate-free. We also recognize that Seattle consumers care about sustainability. That's why all our products come in eco-friendly packaging that's as thoughtfully designed as the meals inside. The sleek, sustainable presentation catches customers' eyes and communicates the quality they'll experience. Our wholesale food supplier partnership program is built for flexibility and reliability. With a $100 minimum order, we make gourmet grab-and-go accessible for businesses of all sizes. Simply order by 11 a.m. two days before your desired delivery date, and we'll deliver fresh product six days a week, Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and Saturday between 7:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., ensuring your case is ready when your customers need it. As a trusted wholesale partner to retailers like PCC Community Markets, we've proven we can meet the highest ingredient standards while delivering consistent quality and flavor. We're proud to serve Seattle's retail community with the same dedication to excellence that's guided us since our Pike Place Market days. Partner with a Wholesale Food Supplier That Elevates Your Brand Your wholesale food supplier is more than a vendor, they're a strategic partner and an extension of your brand. Every sandwich, salad, and bowl that goes into your grab-and-go case represents your commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Choose a partner who shares your values, understands the Seattle market, and brings 25 years of proven expertise to the table. Ready to elevate your grab-and-go program? Contact us today to discuss how we can help you serve Seattle's discerning customers with fresh, flavorful, locally-sourced meals they'll love.

Holiday Catering That Gives Back: Making Your Gatherings More Meaningful

12 December 2025

The holidays bring us together: office parties, family dinners, nonprofit fundraisers, and celebrations that matter. But what if your holiday catering could do more than feed your guests? What if every meal also nourished the community around you? At Gourmondo, the most meaningful celebrations are the ones that ripple outward. This holiday season, make your gatherings count in ways that extend far beyond the table. Make Your Holiday Gatherings Truly Meaningful Holiday catering doesn't have to be transactional. It can be transformational. When you choose catering that aligns with your values, you're making a statement about what matters. Generosity is at the forefront during the holidays. People are considering year-end giving and looking for ways to contribute to their communities. Your holiday catering can be part of that story: an opportunity to feed people well while supporting nonprofits strengthening Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. The beauty of purpose-driven holiday catering? It doesn't require extra effort. You're already planning meals for your gathering. Choose catering that turns those moments into meaningful impact. How Gourmondo's Holiday Catering Brings Purpose to Every Meal For nearly 30 years, Gourmondo has built relationships with Seattle and the people who make it thrive. From our earliest days as a small café in Pike Place Market to catering events across the region, this city has been our home, our inspiration, and our reason for showing up every day. Philanthropy isn't something we do on the side. It's woven into who we are. We've built long-standing partnerships with local nonprofits that share our vision for equity and nourishment, and everyone deserves access to good food, comfort, and care. Through our Giving Boxes program, we've created a catering experience that delivers exceptional meals while directly supporting organizations fighting food insecurity, helping at-risk youth, addressing homelessness, and building resilience across our city. When you order holiday catering from Gourmondo, you're joining us in that mission. Gourmondo's Giving Boxes: Holiday Catering Made Simple Planning holiday catering shouldn't be stressful. That's why we created Giving Boxes: complete, high-quality meals that arrive ready to serve, with purpose baked into every order. Each Giving Box is thoughtfully designed with the same creativity and attention to detail our full-service catering clients expect. You'll find fresh, locally sourced ingredients prepared by our award-winning culinary team, all packaged beautifully and delivered seamlessly to your door. Every box includes our signature Sea Salt Potato Chips, a crisp mixed green salad (with sandwich boxes), a mini chocolate dessert, utensils, napkin, and a card introducing the nonprofit organization your order supports. Whether you're hosting a corporate lunch, casual get-together, family celebration, holiday party, or any occasion where people gather, our Giving Boxes make holiday catering effortless. And here's what makes them special: a portion of proceeds from every order goes directly to local nonprofits making a tangible difference in our community. Holiday Catering Options That Support Real Change Our Giving Boxes partner with nine incredible organizations, each addressing critical needs in our region: FareStart - Job training and employment pathways Plymouth Housing - Ending chronic homelessness through permanent housing YMCA of Greater Seattle - Youth empowerment and family strengthening World Central Kitchen - Disaster relief and humanitarian aid worldwide RAVE Foundation - Youth soccer access across Washington YouthCare - Ending youth homelessness through housing and education Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound - One-on-one youth mentoring Treehouse - Supporting foster youth through education and advocacy Akin - Early learning and family support services From classic sandwiches to globally inspired wraps and nourishing bowls, each delicious meal creates meaningful impact in areas like food security, housing stability, youth development, family services, and community resilience. Full-Service Holiday Catering When Your Gathering Calls for Something Special While our Giving Boxes are perfect for everyday lunches and casual gatherings, some celebrations deserve the full treatment. That's where Gourmondo's full-service holiday catering truly shines. Imagine walking into your holiday party to find everything already beautifully arranged: elegant food stations showcasing seasonal flavors, festive decor that sets the perfect holiday mood, and a team of professionals ready to ensure every detail runs smoothly. With our full-service holiday catering, that's exactly what you get. We handle it all. Our culinary team works with you to design a customized menu that reflects your style and accommodates your guests' preferences, from passed hors d'oeuvres to multi-course dinners. We bring the holiday ambiance with sophisticated decor and presentation. We take care of complete setup before your event begins and full breakdown and cleanup after, so you never have to lift a finger. You're free to be fully present with your guests while we manage every logistical detail. This is holiday catering elevated: exceptional food, flawless execution, and the same commitment to community impact that defines everything we do. Choosing Holiday Catering That Reflects Your Values The holidays are a time for charitable giving and making an impact. Your catering choice can be part of that. At Gourmondo, philanthropy has been part of our foundation from the beginning. Giving is woven into our daily operations through long-term nonprofit partnerships and our Community Food Donation Program, which donates over $10,000 worth of fresh meals monthly. During the pandemic, we provided over one million meals to those facing food insecurity across Seattle. This commitment has earned us recognition as a six-time recipient of the Puget Sound Business Journal Corporate Citizenship Award, along with the COVID-19 Champion Award and multiple Corporate Philanthropy Awards. While our Giving Boxes directly support nine specific nonprofit partners with every order, all of our holiday catering reflects this same commitment to community care. When you choose Gourmondo, you're partnering with a company that shows up for Seattle every single day. Make Your Holiday Catering Count This season, choose catering that feeds your guests beautifully while supporting causes building a stronger Seattle. Ready to get started? Contact us today to explore our holiday catering options and turn your celebration into an opportunity for good.

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.