About DUNCAN

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San Francisco, CA, United States
He began as a Corporate Event Planner until his tenure as Catering Manager for luxury San Francisco hotels, as well as the General Manager/Director of Events for the Julia Morgan Ballroom. Later became the Catering Manager for Weddings at the historic Westin St. Francis Hotel. Impressive accolades have given him credentials to recognize him as an Independent Food Editor, Restaurant Critic and a Contributing Writer for several media publications. Spanning impressive years in Wedding and Event Planning, his passion has taken him to create F. DUNCAN REYES EVENTS BY DESIGN and is renowned as the Event Industry’s most premiere Wedding and Event Planner Extraordinnaire! In January 2009, he was honored by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the Top 100 new businesses in their “Book Of Lists 2009”. Duncan is a member of the National Assoc. of Catered Events (NACE) and last April 2010 was voted “Member of the Year” 2010 and the 2013 Winner of Silicon Valley NACE's coveted Best of the Industry Award in Event Design. In January 2011, 2012 and 2013, received prestigious recognition with the WeddingWire Bride's Choice Award for Wedding Planning.

SILICON VALLEY NACE's "AQUA LATINO" presented by F. DUNCAN REYES EVENTS BY DESIGN


The Silicon Valley Chapter of The National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) held their annual dinner cruise aboard the Hornblower Yachts & Events' California Hornblower around San Francisco Bay.  Chapter Members old and new came for an unforgettable evening of Mixing and Mingling, Wining and Dining, and Dancing that left the floor "en fuego!" (on fire!).  

The room was opulently decorated with vibrant colors of red, orange and hot pink that were replete in the tablescape, lounge furnishings and faux neon palm trees replicating that of a South Beach Nightclub.

The evening began with a Networking Reception greeted by an awe-inspiring Welcome Libation -- "Sangria"!  Then we sampled some teasing nibbles of "Entremeses" (Appetizers) - Mini Corn Cakes with Roasted Pepper and Onion Confit, and El Pastor Mini Quesadillas with Chili Marinated Pulled Pork with Jalapeno and Jack Cheese ... divine!

The main dining room was as remarkable as the sumptuous dinner that awaited for the most discerning degustateur.  Their Director of Food and Beverage, Bianca Shiver partnered with their Executive Chef, Gerado Hidalgo, both encouraged us to explore a myriad of latin-inspired dishes that offered stunning presentations all rich in flavor, pleasing to the eye and flawlessly gastronomic.

For starters, we indulged in a tantalizing dish of Tequila Marinated Grilled Prawn Salad with Avocado, Grapefruit and Micro Greens that just left you begging for more.  Then we were dazzled with their Duet "Raciones" (Main Courses) of Grilled Boneless Chicken Breast with Roasted Tomatillo Sauce which was delightfully paired with a favorite contender, Coriander Rubbed Tilapia served with Jicama, Pineapple and Mango Pico de Gallo Plantain Fritters.  Sweet endings were a dream come true for "Postre" (Dessert) Lovers like myself - Tropical Coconut and Lime Custard with Toasted Shaved Coconut ... ay-ya-yay, que rico ... a sinful treat for an appropriate finale!

But the highlight of the evening was a Welcome Address from Sherri Burke, Co-Founder and CEO of the Cheryl Burke Dance Company, and mother of 2-time Emmy Award Winner, Cheryl Burke of "Dancing With The Stars".  Because DWTS started their 13th Season just last Monday, September 19th, Cheryl was unable to join us.  But we were graced with Sherri's presence, along with her Studio Manager, Stephanie Castor.  Following that, she introduced her two amazing dance instructors, Hays Hopkins and Mila Salazar, who presented us with a seductive dance demonstration of the "Rhumba".  And later, the Master DJ Jason Mitchell invited all of us to join Hays and Mila on the danceflooor and learn both the Rhumba and the "Cha-Cha" that kept us in a foot-stomping, heart-pumping, hand-clapping mood leaving everyone enthralled and enchanted with the fascination of the dance and the hot latin beats.

Our evening sail was as exceptional as it was fabulous.  Thanks to the synergy and generosity of our generous Event Sponsors, our Chapter Members and all our revelling Guests for making it a tremendous success.  And special kudos and thanks to Susan Kelly, Tony White and Theo Boyden for helping me put together an incredible set-up - kudos!  We look forward to seeing all of you next year!

To join us for another sensational program or to become a member of Silicon Valley NACE, visit their website at www.siliconvalleynace.org.

AVR Films - David Ethridge

Cheryl Burke Dance Company - Cheryl Burke, Sherri Burke, Stephanie Castor, Hays Hopkins and Mila Salazar

Classic Party Rentals - Gwen Alaura, Mario Berrettoni, Susan Kidwell and Mindy Roark



Hornblower Cruises and Events - Michelle Casciato, Jewel Drexler, Denise Fattal, Lisa Gallup, Chef Gerado Hidalgo, Heidi McCaughin and Bianca Shiver

JCD Atmospheric Studios - Justin Brenner Greg Cunningham and Tyler Cunningham

Lone Star Limousines - Jennifer and Alex Jaciw

Three Sisters Flowers - Susan Kelly

Marizette Paperie - Marivic Cagatao and Zuesette Zamora

Music Solutions Disc Jockeys - DJ Jason Mitchell


Victory Events - Victor Castrillo






Silicon Valley NACE Chapter President, L.T. BEATON and the Captain

DUNCAN REYES (aka "me") with
f. duncan reyes events by design

BELLA AWDISHOO of Cucina Venti, and me with SHERRI BURKE,
Co-Founder and CEO of Cheryl Burke Dance Company

Dinner Menu Cards by Marizette Paperie

Artland Glassware from Classic Party Rentals

Silicon Valley NACE Chapter's Vice President and Director of Catering at
the San Jose Hilton, VIRGINIA SANTAINES
along with TONY WHITE of Elegant Events By Tony




STEPHANIE NEHER with I.D.E.A.S.


MICHELLE PEREZ-CASCIATO and HEIDI McCAUGHIN
of Hornblower Yachts and Cruises

SHARI CLENARD with Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel
with TONY WHITE



MASTER DJ JASON MITCHELL with
Music Solutions Disc Jockeys

Me and TONY WHITE in a reflective moment ...




Me with the fabulous VIRGINIA "GIGI" SANTAINES





STEPHANIE CASTOR with
Cheryl Burke Dance, Mountain View


mmmmm . . . . . Sangria!

Me with Classic Party Rental's GWEN ALAURA and MINDY ROARK

SUSANNA GUTIERREZ with Silver Creek Valley Country Club
and Friends

Cheryl Burke Dance, Mountain View's very own fabulous Dancers,
Mila Alvarez and Hays Hopkins


JENNIFER AND ALEX JACIW with Lone Star Limousines




David Ethridge with AVR Films is
Silicon Valley NACE's Membership Chair

VICTOR CASTRILLO with Victory Events and Lighting



STEPHANIE CASTOR and SHERRI BURKE
with the Cheryl Burke Dance Company






Silicon Valley NACE's Vice President, RICH AMOOI of
Hey Mr. DJ, dancing with his wife, SILVI

Me and my dance partner, STEPHANIE CASTOR

SHERRI BURKE with MIMI RENFRO-RODRIGUEZ
of Creative Designs By Mimi

TYLER CUNNINGHAM, GREG CUNNINGHAM AND
JUSTIN BRENNER of JCD Atmospheric Studios

GET READY TO "RHUMBA"!!!






RICH AMOOI of Hey Mr. DJ and Silicon Valley NACE's Vice President,
along with Fundraising Chair, RUBY FRANDSEN






Hornblower Yachts & Cruises' very own, JEWEL DREXLER
steppin' it up!

OH-LA-LA ... CHA CHA CHA!!!



Silicon Valley NACE's Communications Chair, ROBBIE SCHLOSSER
of Magnolia Jazz Band with GIGI SANTAINES


SHARI CLENARD and DAVE ETHRIDGE

GIGI!

L.T., TONY and GIGI ham it up!

2 comments:

Jen said...

Thanks for sharing Duncan! The pictures are fabulous. GREAT JOB on planning the perfect evening. I look forward to another opportunity to work with you!

L.T. said...

Love the photos! Amazing event!