Le Petit Gourmet Catering has served its last hors d’oeuvre. The venerable high-end catering outfit, serving Denver’s elite since 1966, will shut down Saturday, as will its bakery, The Sweet Soiree.
Owner Jim O’Connor, who bought the business from his uncle, William Bown, in 1982, was headed home from helicopter skiing in Canada when I talked to him Wednesday.
“I’m going out at a good time,” he said. “I’ve had the best customers, the best parties, the best employees. I just think it’s the right time. I’m tired of battling.”
He also got married in September to longtime gal pal Melissa Rice.
“We just thought we should do this,” he said. “Both of us, we’re just peopled out.”
He’s not selling his client list to another big-time caterer, however. “If they want my customers, they can find them on their own. This isn’t about money. I just want time to travel and enjoy a few things, volunteer for some charities.”
Le Petit survived a hepatitis outbreak in December 1992 when eight of its employees had the infectious disease and it spread to some of the 5,000-plus party goers who attended Petit-catered events. The town was in an uproar. O’Connor said it was tragic and cost him a lot of money, but the community supported him and he quickly bounced back.
Now he’s going to kick back.
Acting like herself
In Curious Theatre’s Denver Stories benefit, flamboyant socialite Judi Wolf will play herself in a short play about – Judi Wolf. The other honorees (Bob Garner, Andrew Hudson, Troy Guard and Patty Calhoun) will be played by professional actors. But who could possibly play Wolf but Wolf?
Oscar!
Get ready for Denver’s first Oscar Bash, billed as “Movie Festival by Day – Oscar Party by Night.”
The emcee of the day, dubbed the Bash Master, is the infamous drive-in movie critic Joe Bob Briggs, who specializes in B movies, girlie-horror-slasher flicks and cult classics, not what he calls “indoor bullstuff.”
During the day, they’ll screen three awful classics, “Plan 9 from Outer Space,” “Barbarella” and “The Terror of Tiny Town,” a 1938 all-midget Western.
The event, organized by Dana Cain, will have more than just movies and statues – look for popcorn, trivia, costumes, vendors, panel discussions and drinks (after 6 p.m.). It all comes down 1 to 10 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Capsule Event Center, 560 Santa Fe Drive. Go to oscarbash.net or call 303-347-8252.
City spirit
There’s a Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament to fight prostate cancer March 24 at Table Steaks East. Shouldn’t it be Texas Hold It? … Happy 34th birthday Amy Van Dyken. … Love the Police but can’t afford the seats at the Pepsi Center on June 9? Head to the Toad Tavern, 5302 S. Federal Circle in Littleton on Friday night for the Police cover band Message in a Bottle. $10 cover. … Holly Kylberg has been tapped to chair the Nordstrom Cherry Creek Opening Gala this October – so get ready for the wild spectacular party of the year. … Sez who: “Ah, sweet pity. Where would my love life have been without it?” Homer Simpson
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Husted also appears Tuesdays and Fridays on “Good Day Colorado” on Fox 31. You can reach him at 303-954-1486 or bhusted@denverpost.com. Take a peek at Husted’s next column at denverpostbloghouse.com/husted.
