We have redefined the term caterer…….

Anyone can provide you with food…

we provide fabulous food and more….

Company Info

Who We Are & What We Do

·        River District Catering and Event Planning’s owner has been producing national entertainment and premier events for over 25 years.  In 2001, she launched River District Catering in Rockford Illinois as a full service offsite catering and event planning company. From small parties to elaborate multi faceted productions, River District Catering works together with you to plan and implement each detail of your event.

·        River District Catering is also a food service management company providing on site food services to Rockford area businesses and manufacturing companies. Our staff will work with you personally to develop a new food service program or restructure an existing one to your specific needs.

·        And food… fabulous food from hotdogs to caviar, picnics to elegant formal dinners River District Catering’s Chef will create just the perfect menu and you can be assured it will be served with a style to please the most discerning guest.

Simply put, River District Catering is in the business of providing top quality events, service and food and making people happy. We take an individual approach with each client we meet, because no two people or companies have the same needs or expectations. And no matter how big we become, our philosophy will never change.

Our intention ... to enrich, touch, inspire and surprise our clients!

To give your EVENT new dimension that provides visions, scents, sounds,

tastes and feels good!"

 to give you everything you imagine………….and a little bit more

Values Statement.

“We will not compromise our integrity, or our customers’ confidence, with inferior workmanship or products. For us to be successful and profitable we must always strive to be the absolute best in what we do, at a reasonable cost, but not to where we jeopardize our stakeholders’ trust in us. We must have respect for the people we work with, and have respect for the customers we serve. If anything is not right, we will fix it without hesitation.”

Our client list of many of Rockford’s finest businesses

speaks to our level of quality and service.

Published: August 11, 2006

Business
Women in Business Awards honor three local leaders

By Rowena Vergara
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR

ROCKFORD — Judy Johnson is used to big shows, bright lights and country stars as a former costume designer for singers like Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks.

So, even though she’s not behind the scenes of the Grammy Awards or a halftime show anymore, the Nashville native and owner of River District Catering finds catering for large employers like DaimlerChrysler in Belvidere just as exhilarating.

“Catering and event planning are very similar. They are both very high-stress and about deadlines,” said Johnson, who has run River District Catering for five years.

“If the curtain goes up at eight, you can’t be ready at five after. It’s very much the same in the food service,” said Johnson, who was named Woman Business Owner of the Year by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce on Thursday.

Female business professionals, including Johnson, shared their personal success stories, and recognized the achievements during the chamber’s 11th annual Women in Business Awards. The event held at Giovanni’s drew about 360 people.

Aside from catering and event planning, Johnson’s River District Catering also operates restaurants located inside Woodward Governor and Cadbury Adams serving nearly 2,000 people daily. Johnson has also catered for DaimlerChrysler’s unveiling of the Dodge Caliber in Belvidere.

Holly Swanson, station manager for Christian television station WTLN, Total Living Network, was recognized as the Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow, and Janyce Fadden, president of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council, was named Woman Manager of the Year.

Johnson said she burned out from the entertainment industry and wanted a change. She married Winnebago Country Board member Chris Johnson, and moved to Rockford in 1996, where she briefly delved into real estate. Deep down, she knew that her true talents in event management could be better implemented in another industry.

“The type of work I was used to doing didn’t exist in Rockford. Sometimes you have to carve out your own niche, and that’s pretty much what I did. You have to take advantage of what you do have and fill a need,” she said.

Johnson’s business has expanded from a coffee shop in downtown Rockford with a staff of three to 35 employees and 25 occasional staff workers.

Holly Hanson, director of EDGE, a resource center for entrepreneurs, sees Johnson as a business woman who created opportunities for herself.

“I saw a woman who blossomed and got excited and found her niche here in town,” she said.

The award recipients were chosen from a pool of eight finalists. Nominees must display a variety of professional successes as well as achievements in a community organization, sport or hobby. Candidates must also demonstrate strong vision for their businesses and show leadership, creativity and innovation. All award nominees must be members of the chamber.

Also featured during the expo and luncheon was Linda Grist Cunningham, executive editor of the Rockford Register Star. She spoke to the predominantely female audience on how to mend the generational divide in workplaces.

“You cannot do one-size-fits-all training,” she said.

Staff writer Rowena Vergara may be reached at rvergara@rrstar.com or 815-987-1341.