About DC
About Design Cuisine
A total commitment to client satisfaction and the highest levels of service in special event catering has brought Design Cuisine recognition as the preeminent caterer in the nation’s capital. Founded in a highly regarded Capitol Hill restaurant in 1978, the company at first focused on small, prestigious business and social affairs. By 1983, when it was selected to cater the premiere Princess Grace Foundation dinner, Design Cuisine had developed a reputation for excellence in the design, organization, and implementation of both large and small events.
Our History
Design Cuisine’s growth from a small boutique caterer to a leader in the Washington marketplace is attributed to three primary areas of concentration: the development of a knowledgeable, responsive sales staff, the creation of a highly organized professional kitchen and the acquisition of an extensive collection of unique rental equipment and linens. Now, after more than 30 years of leading the Washington catering and event industry, the company continues to provide the innovative menus, quality food preparation, meticulous service, and attention to detail that first defined Design Cuisine style.
Design Cuisine was founded and is led by three partners, William A. Homan, Horst Klein and Steve Veletsis. As owners, they oversee all aspects of the company and are hands-on in the day-to-day operations of the business, attending many of the company’s events. Bill Homan, the creative force behind many of Washington’s premier events, maintains an active client list and is highly regarded as an industry leader. He specializes in event design and personally selects much of the company’s extensive collection of specialty equipment and custom linens. Horst Klein, as culinary director and the architect of Design Cuisine’s state-of-the-art kitchen, guides both the kitchen staff and the sales team in their menu design and production efforts. Steve Veletsis oversees DC Rental, Design Cuisine’s partner company, and directs the operational side of Design Cuisine’s business. His comprehensive knowledge of Washington and its many historic event sites has proven invaluable in directing the installation and breakdown of numerous events in extremely sensitive locations.
Our Work
Design Cuisine’s structure and organization support its efforts to create and execute numerous important and complicated events and to provide its clients with the finest in both equipment rentals and culinary offerings. Through DC Rental, Design Cuisine offers an extraordinary array of equipment, and a 300,000 square foot ware¬house, stocked with china, silver, glassware, unique serving pieces, specialty furnishings, and custom linens, is at clients’ disposal virtually around the clock. DC Rental’s 25-truck fleet provides timely and efficient delivery service and its warehouse is staffed to handle last minute requests or needs at all times when events are in process.
To create and prepare the menu for a Design Cuisine event, a staff of over 60 professional chefs, cooks, assistants, and a creative culinary team contribute to the process. The company’s expertise in a broad range of culinary styles and ethnicities allows Design Cuisine to meet the demands of a diverse and discerning clientele. Design Cuisine’s kitchen is also staffd at all times when events are in process, providing a level of service to clients that goes beyond expectations and that ensures flawlessly executed events in all circumstances.
Significant events that Design Cuisine has been chosen to cater include the openings of over 300 exhibitionsat the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Museums; the world premieres of such films as The Lion King, Batman, Jurassic Park, Space Jam and Amistad; dinners for visiting dignitaries and royalty including
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, President Gorbachev, His Majesty Juan Carlos of Spain, the Emperor of Japan and numerous Prime Ministers; the Nina Hyde Foundation Awards Dinner attended by Honorary Chairperson Diana, Princess of Wales in 1996. Since 1989, Design Cuisine has been chosen to cater numerous Inaugural events including the prestigious Presidential Inaugural Luncheon held every four years in the United States Capitol, and many privately-sponsored events, simultaneously executing numerous events and serving up to 10,000 guests each day during Inauguration week.
