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Caterer loves her work and customers

Sue Peloquin chats with Mary Lunney, a resident at Elmwood Towers in Holyoke. Peloquin recently catered a Mothers' Day Brunch at the senior housing complex on South Street. Reminder Publications photo by Lori Szepelak
By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent



CHICOPEE Sue Peloquin loves to cater to her clients.

As owner of Personal Touch Caterers, based at the Holyoke Country Club, no affair is too big or too small, she said during an interview with Reminder Publications.

The writer caught up with her on a recent late Tuesday morning, when she was delivering heaping trays of French toast, scrambled eggs, hash brown potatoes and ham, along with a huge bowl of fresh fruit salad, for a Mothers' Day Brunch at Elmwood Towers on South Street in Holyoke. Since she has served meals for a variety of special events here before, the women gathered were eager to once again enjoy the fruits of her labor.

Peloquin loves the interaction with her clients and personally makes the rounds to ensure everyone has had ample food to eat. With tongs and a heaping plate of French toast left over, Peloquin went from table to table offering seconds. There were plenty of takers.

"I love to cater to people," she said, adding, "I always have a lot of fun and personalize each party."

In addition to planning and preparing catered affairs across the valley, Peloquin and her staff make all of the food for the 19th Hole at the Holyoke Country Club. Prior to starting Personal Touch Caterers, Peloquin managed the executive dining room at Hasbro Games.

"All of our menu items are homemade," Peloquin said, adding that many of the recipes used are favorite family recipes of her and her staff.

From time to time, Peloquin also receives requests to make customized menus and she works closely with her chefs to ensure her clients' needs are met.

"No two parties are the same," she said.

Despite an apparent sluggish economy, Peloquin said she hasn't seen a downturn since she designs a budget that works for each client. Most days she works in excess of 15 hours, seven days a week, but "loves it."

"I wake up and can't wait to get to work," she added.

Peloquin noted that she prepares catering events at several senior housing complexes throughout the area, including Holyoke Towers, Elmwood Towers and the War Memorial Building, all in Holyoke, and the McKinley House in Chicopee. Her team also conducts catering events at the Holyoke Elks Club.

Even with all the hours spent prepping, preparing and delivering meals, Peloquin wouldn't have it any other way.

"My family is very important to me," she said, noting that she loves spending time with her husband's parents who live with them, and her parents who live four streets away.

"I also love to get to know people at the senior complexes," she said, adding, "it's so much fun."

Peloquin said her favorite part of the job is meeting new people and making new friends.

"What sets us apart is our parties are all about the people," she said.

Peloquin's team can prepare catering services to groups of all sizes, ranging from small church groups to company picnics of 300. Weddings, Jack and Jill receptions, funeral affairs, banquets, graduation parties and anniversary celebrations are all part of their everyday schedules. In addition to catering, Peloquin and her staff can also provide decorations for any affair, including balloons, flowers and ice sculptures. Fundraisers of all kinds are also a specialty that Peloquin loves to customize for her clients.

For more information on any of the services of Personal Touch Caterers, contact Peloquin at (413) 532-7500.