Interview with Rick Perez, owner
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: It’s always been our passion for food. We started as a restaurant in Wheat Ridge called Cactus Café, which we ran for 10 years before we started catering. Then we moved to Adams County almost by fluke, but it worked out because there don’t seem to be a lot of catering companies in the area. Then, roughly seven years ago, the Adams 12 School District approached us and wanted to know if we were interested in taking over the catering for their district building, which is a big training center for all the teachers. And then, about a month ago, we expanded to another location at the Adams County Justice Center in Brighton.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: Since Day 1 our motto has always been: If they can think it, we can do it. If somebody calls us and wants a special order, we will almost always be able to give them what they want. I think most other catering companies have a very black and white menu. We also have really short turnaround time, so if someone calls us today and needs a catering service for tomorrow, there’s a 99 percent chance that we can do it.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: The cooking, No. 1. And also being able to satisfy our clients, as well as setting goals for ourselves. This year our goal was to get a contract with a large company and Adams County is definitely in that category.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: Trying to find enough employees who are willing and able to adjust themselves to our standards. We want things done a certain way all the time, and we always need people who will work the way that we want them to work.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: People assume that since my wife and I are in the catering business, we have a gourmet kitchen in our house and eat that way at home. We don’t. I’m a big fan of going out and being treated the way I treat people.
Profile
Business: Bleu Sage Catering
Address: 1500 E. 128th Ave., Thornton; 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton; 4430 S. Adams County Parkway, Brighton
Hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday
Founded: 1991
Contact: 303-299-9100, bleusagecatering.com
Employees: 7
