COOKING & ENTERTAINING WITH STYLE : AT YOUR SERVICE

Terrified of hosting? There’s a full cast of supporting characters--waiters, parking attendants, bartenders--available for hire. And when all else fails, there are catering firms that can serve up anything from hot dogs to haute cuisine

Today, caterers are more likely called event designers or party coordinators, and some are capable of offering meals competitive with those of Southern California’s better restaurants.

Food, presented in a glorious way in perfectly appointed surroundings, is complemented by a cornucopia of other services formerly available only from the concierges of world-class hotels.

The most versatile firms do everything, by providing valet parking, food preparation and service, photographers, limousines, floral arrangements or entire landscapes, entertainment and security. One company even specializes in draining swimming pools and erecting platforms over the void to expand a yard’s usable space.

“We handle all of it,” says Mary Micucci, of Along Came Mary in Los Angeles. “The night of the party, all you have to do is be there.”

Sounds great, but a host/hostess pays a premium for companies, such as Micucci’s, to completely take the pressure out of planning, preparing and presiding over an event. This type of service, though, is increasingly in demand regardless of the final cost.

“My business has, basically, doubled each year,” says Andrea Bell, who founded her company, the upscale L.A. Celebrations, in 1983. “The clientele that can afford catering is, oh, a certain kind. You have, for lack of a better word, the yuppies--the two-income families where both wage earners are professionals. The wife or husband may be able to make a gourmet dinner, but neither can cook for 20, 40 or 80 people.”

Bell goes to great lengths to prepare authentic dishes for her clients, eschewing any and all short cuts. L.A. Celebrations will spend days, for example, making a veal stock. Says Bell: “I have not even done the same menu twice.”

Along with the elegant, there is also the excitement generated by caterers specializing in ethnic cuisines. One of the more spectacular episodes recently featured a party orchestrated by the New Otani Hotel & Gardens where sushi, a most challenging and perishable selection, was provided for 5,000 people--at an event 20 miles from the hotel’s kitchens.

On a different but equally impressive scale, the Chinese Village in Los Angeles regularly recreates an authentic 10-course Mandarin meal for two at an un-Beijing price of $300. The company will also bring along its Szechuan chef to spice things up if an all-Mandarin menu doesn’t pack enough sizzle.

The old neighborhood hall has also been relegated an antique as corporate and private customers demand settings as enticing as the menus.

Park Avenue Gourmet Catering in Orange controls its own expansive picnics grounds. The firm operates two customed-designed park areas in Irvine; one a Mexican village and the other a Polynesian-like setting. Both come complete with ponds and amphitheaters.

“We like to put a little flair into a party,” says Mark Boyce, Park Avenue’s general manager.

In Garden Grove, the Mastroianni Family Enterprises, Ltd., may well epitomize catering’s new encyclopedism.

“We own a (party equipment) rental company, a decorative-prop company, an entertainment company, a limousine company, a bakery, a laundry. We don’t contract with anyone else (for special services),” said John Mastroianni from the firm’s 35,000-square-foot facility. “The middle man is gone.”

A representative list of the many catering and related firms serving Southern California follows.

PARTY COORDINATORS

Full-service companies that provide all components for an event including food, beverages, service personnel, floral arrangements, valet parking, security, etceteras.

Along Came Mary, 5265 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, 90019; (213) 931- 9082. Founded by Mary Micucci, the firm works from a 6,000-square-foot facility where initial food preparations are made. Final cooking is always done at the event site. Will do small dinner parties, but these are costly. Minimum charge for all-inclusive, larger events with meal service begins at $25 a person. Cocktail parties with hors d’oeuvres and beverage service costs from $15 to $25 a person. The firm serves Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura and San Diego Counties.

L.A. Celebrations, 1716 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, 90035; (213) 837- 8900. Emphasis is on elaborate, authentic food preparation, but firm can also coordinate entire events. All types of cuisine available, with contemporary presentations a speciality. Experienced in pool draining. Party fees start at $500. Firm serves Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura and San Diego Counties.

The Main Event & Co. , 17795 Skypark Circle, Suite H, Irvine 92714; (714) 261-2430. In addition to food and meal service, this firm can provide a range of extras including entertainment, photographers and limousine service. It specializes in American regional cuisine with “panache and visual impact.” Based in Orange Co. for more than 20 years, Main Event also serves Los Angeles and San Diego Counties. No established minimum prices, but a dinner party for 50 people would be priced from $15 to $30 a person.

Park Avenue Gourmet Catering, 800 N. Main St., Orange, 92668; (714) 538-3588. Park Avenue has a unique asset: It owns and operates two private picnic areas in Irvine. The facilities, which offer either a Polynesian or Mexican theme, are fully equipped parks with ponds and amphitheaters. The areas can accommodate from 500 to 2,000 people. The firm also has a wedding facility for as many as 600 guests. Food preparation is contemporary. A Park Avenue subsidiary, Culpeppers, offers Mexican and Western-style events. Barbecue is a speciality and the company’s mobile, wagon-like grill can roast a side of beef or a whole pig on a rotisserie, while at the same time the unit cooks ribs, chicken and swordfish. The barbecue equipment, large enough to produce food for 2,000, also has a smaller rotisserie for speciality beef cuts. Park Avenue and Culpeppers service Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego Counties.

SPECIALIZED CUISINES

Japanese: New Otani Hotel & Gardens, 120 S. Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, 90012; (213) 629-1200. Hotel’s catering staff offers on-site preparation of a complete line of Japanese food, including sushi, teriyaki, tempura. Beverage service is available, along with other event accessories. Hotel is known for elegant, artistic presentations. Minimum-sized event is 25 people, priced from $50 a person.

Mexican: El Cholo Restaurant Catering, 1121 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, 90006; (213) 737-7718. Landmark Mexican restaurant offers off-site catering featuring traditional Mexican dishes or more contemporary items from its sister restaurant, the Sonora Cafe in Downtown Los Angeles. Elaborate buffets or sit-down dinners are available. A special feature is a Margarita bar featuring various fruit flavors of the popular tequila drink. Minimum sized buffet event is 45 people. Prices range from $13.50 to $25 a person. Firm serves Los Angeles and parts of Orange Counties.

Chinese: Chinese Village, 2710 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, 90057. (213) 383-4523. This 15-year-old company specializes in Mandarin and Szechuan cuisines. It offers a variety of meal options, from a 10-course traditional Mandarin meal for two ($300) to elaborate on-site preparation where both Mandarin and Szechuan chefs work wok wonders in view of guests. Prices depend on menu but, generally, dinner parties are priced from $13 to $22 a person for food and meal service. Beverages are extra. The company has its own commercial kitchen and also delivers self-service buffets for more informal events. It operates in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura Counties.

Outdoor/Barbecue-- Outback Catering, 17213 Index St., Granada Hills, 91344; (818) 363-0013. This company specializes in outdoor events and its most popular menu is a Texas barbecue that features grilled chicken and beef back ribs. (Pork is also available.) Meal service ranges from a buffet or picnic with disposable utensils/plates to a multicourse sit-down dinner. Firm can accommodate small groups, but prefers events with 30 people or more. Prices start at $12.95 a person.

Culpeppers, 800 N. Main St., Orange 92668; (714) 261-2430. (See Park Avenue Gourmet Catering listing above.)

Italian-- Mastroianni Family Enterprises, Ltd./Jay’s Catering, 10581 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove, 92643; (714) 636-6045. Started in 1969 with an Italian menu, the company is now a full-service catering operation, but it hasn’t lost sight of its initial speciality. Italian cuisine is offered as part of a themed party or as a component for a more broad-based event. The Mastroiannis make their own sausage, breads and sauces at their 35,000-square-foot facility. Prices vary depending on menu and number of guests, but a full-service Italian dinner starts at $8.95 a person. Firm also offers a range of other foods and cuisines and can supply all auxiliary party needs such as rental equipment, decorations, limousine service and service personnel.

Seafood: Scott’s Seafood Show, 1617 Curtis Ave., Manhattan Beach, 90266. (213) 545-1144. Scott’s trademark is a California clambake with steamed clams, shrimp cocktail, oysters on the half shell, mussels marinara, lobster tail and all the trimmings. Offerings include any kind of seafood prepared in various ways, including barbecued, sauted or fried. Parties designed so that guest can view preparation of various seafood components in much the manner as an oyster bar. Seafood meals start at $20 to $25; the clambake is $34.50. Extra charge for labor. Minimum size party is 25 people.

SERVERS

At Your Service, 4514 Guildhall Court, Westlake Village, 91361. (818) 889-4467. Company offers bartenders, waiters and waitresses in traditional black and white uniforms. Cost for bar service is $25 an hour. The hourly fee for waiters and waitresses is $15. Other than the first hour, the firm does not require a minimum length of service. Employees are experienced and insured. Firm supplies party help throughout Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

Host Helpers. 1633 Westwood Blvd., Suite 110, Los Angeles 90024; (213) 478-7799. Experienced bartenders, waiters and waitresses are available in standard food service uniforms. Special arrangements can be made for themed or costumed events. Charge per helper is $12 an hour with a minimum of four hours. Assistance includes drink service, reheating food in kitchen, clean-up during and after event and appetizer/meal service. The company’s employees are fully insured. Note: A subsidiary of Host Helpers also provides a free listing of party sites throughout Los Angeles such as hotels, parks and arboretums.

VALET PARKING

Valet Parking Service Inc. , 10555 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City 90230; (213) 657-2420. Service includes parking cars, liability insurance for vehicles and property. The company, founded in 1946, offers two kinds of service. One is a $14 hourly charge for each attendant with a four-hour minimum booking. (Firm estimates that one attendant is needed for every 17 cars.) Rate applies only if attendants are allowed to accept gratuities. A second option, which includes all gratuities, involves an additional $10 per attendant fee. Service area includes Los Angeles, Orange and parts of Ventura Counties. A separate San Diego office handles San Diego County.

Allied Parking Service, 9255 West 3rd St., Beverly Hills 90230. (213) 859-4747. In business since 1923, Allied serves Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Minimum fee for attendants is $15 an hour with a four-hour guarantee, plus gratuities. (Allied estimates that each attendant can handle 20 cars per event.) Host can cover guests’ gratuities by paying an additional 15% of the total bill. Included is liability insurance for automobiles, personal injuries and property.

The Valettes Ltd. , 1828 West 248th St., Lomita 90717; (714) 760-3117. Founded in 1977, the Valettes provide female parking attendants attired in pink blouses, gray slacks and pink running shoes. Charge is $15 an hour per attendant, plus gratuity. Event’s host can pay gratuities by adding 20% to total bill. Firm estimates that each Valette can park 12 cars. Liability insurance included. Company serves Los Angeles and Orange counties.

PARTYSUPPLIES

Abbey Party Rents, 1001 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles 90019. (213) 466-9582. Other locations include Canoga Park, Pasadena and Santa Ana. Company rents chairs, tables, china, silver, glassware, linen, tents, canopies, bars, dance floors, lighting and related event paraphernalia. Stores offer free party planning. Prices vary.

Classic Party Rentals, 8476 Stellar Drive, Culver City 90232. Firm rents a full line of tenting, lighting, heating, tables, chairs, linens, glassware, utensils, serving pieces and more. Free planning consultations. Prices vary. Company serves city of Los Angeles and the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys.

STYLIST: MARILESA THOMAS