At Catering By Windows, long acknowledged to be the Washington, D.C. region's premier off-premise caterer and event management company, catering is about much more than superb food. At Windows, we believe that an event is not only a combination of great food, flowers and gracious staff; it is about you--the party giver and your desire to ensure that your guests experience the joy and surprise of a truly special party. That's what Windows is all about; we aim not only to please, but to delight!

For the past 10 years, Catering By Windows has gained a national reputation for exceptional foods, creativity, presentation and service. The company provides full-service catering and party planning for corporate events, galas and fundraisers, weddings, social events and in-office breakfast and luncheon catering.

Opened in 1987 by Chef Proprietor Henry Dinardo and Co-owner Carol Bloom, Catering By Windows is located in Old Town Alexandria, on the Potomac river, with panoramic iews of our nation's capital. This complex is home to the company's corporate offices, tasting rooms, state-of-the art kitchens and pastry shop, and event production facilities.

In the spring of 1995, Catering By Windows opened a permanent Baltimore regional office. This facility gives clients in Baltimore city and its suburbs the opportunity to experience the same full range of services offered to clients in the Washington metropolitan area.

Henry Dinardo

Chef-Proprietor Henry Dinardo, one of the major driving forces of Catering By Windows, has been a progressive presence on the American food scene for well over a decade. American-born and European-trained, Chef Dinardo founded Windows, the nationally acclaimed restaurant in 1985. In 1987, he, along with partner Carol Bloom, established Catering By Windows in order to meet the huge demand for the restaurant's cuisine and service for off-premise entertaining.

Chef Dinardo's insistence on fresh, quality foods and beautiful presentation made Catering By Windows an instant hit in the Washington metropolitan area. He features local and regional seafood, produce and game in his creations, which earned him the honor of being named one of the Top 25 chefs in America, according to the prestigious Food and Wine magazine. He also earned a coveted nomination for the renowned James Beard Award, given each year to the nation's top chef.

Chef Dinardo, who oversees the company's kitchens and operations, has cooked for many celebrities, star athletes and public figures, including President Bill Clinton, President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the late Princess Grace of Monaco, Julio Iglesias, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, the Washington Redskins, Henry Aaron, Ivan Lendl and Bjorn Borg.

Chef Dinardo is an extremely visible presence at Catering By Windows events and takes care to attend and personally supervise many special events.

Here's what the critics are saying about Chef Dinardo and Catering by Windows:
"One of the best in America!" (John Mariani, Esquire Magazine)
"Superb food...a visual triumph!" (The National Gallery of Art)
"Elaborate, inventive and highly professional. On a trajectory heading straight for the stars." (Phyllis Richman, The Washington Post)
"First class in every respect." (Al Neuhart, Freedom Forum)
"Chef Henry Dinardo is in the next wave of Superstar American Chefs" (Food & Wine)

Carol Bloom

Co-owner Carol Bloom is also a co-founder of Windows restaurant and Chef Dinardo's partner in the launch and development of Catering By Windows. Ms. Bloom is responsible for the direct, day-to-day operation of Catering By Windows' corporate offices, and oversees the impressive team of sales and party executives. Ms. Bloom brings to Catering By Windows extensive experience in the restaurant, marketing and public relations arenas. Prior to launching Windows, she was the Public Relations Director of the Watergate Hotel.

Ms. Bloom's energy, sense of style and appropriateness and hands-on approach to management of her company please many a client, who will meet her at special events commandeering her troops. Ms. Bloom's expertise is evident in the smooth management of all types of events, whether an intimate house party or a gala for thousands.