The business of celebrating

~ Restaurant owner and operator Pat Allen talks about her start in the dining world

Pat Allen caters to discriminating tastes.

What started as a love of spices, wine and gourmet cooking has become a second career for Allen, who retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. in 1991.

"I have always enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes," Allen said. Consequently, retirement was short lived. Her cooking was so tasty and elegant that she was asked to cater food for a celebration at a local physician's office. Word traveled fast, and before long other physicians, as well as banks and other businesses, were requesting her food.

When she started the catering business out of her home in February 1992, Allen called it Celebrations by Request. During the first five years of catering she did 95 percent of the cooking herself.

The next step for Allen and her husband, James Allen, was the opening of Celebrations Restaurant at 615 Bellevue St.. This year, they expanded their business again and opened The Marquette Restaurant and Bar at 338 Broadway.

"I was fortunate I was able to find a niche and fill it," Allen said.

When they opened Celebrations Restaurant in September 1997, James Allen took over the chef's role and while she handled day-to-day operations.

"We're fortunate we enjoy working together," she said.

In the 10 years they have been in business, the fine dining restaurant has received numerous enviable awards. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, Wine Enthusiast award and The North American Restaurant Award of Excellence are all sources of pride. At their latest venture, the Allens offer upscale casual dining.

Allen doesn't believe that being a woman has held her back.

"The timing was right," she said. "When I began my catering business I filled the needs that many businesses and people had for more refined and elegant dishes and meals."

Catering was usually more casual then. "We have many other upscale caterers in the area now, and that's good. People have more choices," she said.

Allen loves what she does, even though it gets hectic at times, especially during the holidays. She makes herself a part of the daily running of the restaurant and likes to greet everyone she can when she is available. Allen still works with the catering, delivering the treats. James Allen takes over the role of host, making people comforatable when she can't.

Allen enjoys people. Folks come to Celebrations to have a good time. "We get to help them," she said. "Our business is more pleasant because we see the good side of people. They are in a good mood so we're exposed to their upside. I usually ask them what they are celebrating. It may be a birthday, wedding anniversary, or another occasion."

Regardless, Allen likes to feel she's a part of it. The restaurants experience little employee turnover. "We have had college students who stayed until they graduated."

"We never ask our employees to do anything we would not do ourselves. I'm not above busing tables when the need arises," Allen said.

Besides providing the highest quality food and drink, Allen believes they owe their success to their love for good food, a talented staff to work with and the continued support of friends and customers in the area.