"Soigné: (French adjective) possessing an aura of sophistication in dress, manner, or design; presented or prepared with an elegance attained through care for the finer details. Pronunciation: swon-YAY"
Soigné Events is a boutique catering and event design company based in Durham NC. Our specialty is paying exceptionally dedicated attention to our clients' needs, while also creating fresh, delici
ous, fine dining level cuisine for their guests to enjoy. We work frequently in university spaces & corporate boardrooms, as well as in special event venues and private homes across the Triangle. Soigné Events is directed by Chef-Owner/Lead Designer Lora Brooker, who has over twenty years of professional hospitality management experience in this market including more than ten years at the esteemed restaurant Magnolia Grill (North Carolina's first James Beard Foundation Award winner, Best Chef Southeast 2000, Outstanding Pastry Chef 2003). Lora grew up in Raleigh NC, went to Duke University for her undergrad degree, and studied abroad at The Université de Paris as a young woman. Along with graduate studies in Paris and travels in the South of France and New York City, those experiences helped hone her unique approach to food, life, work, craftsmanship, service, pleasure, and all the other sensory arts. Ben and Karen Barker from Magnolia Grill were significant mentors; the food writings of M.F.K Fisher were also a huge personal influence. Soigné's menus are fully customized for each event; this includes using the freshest locally grown/sourced foods and preparing them carefully, with enthusiasm and passion. Special meals such as vegetarian/vegan selections, kosher-style cooking, and other dietary restrictions are cheerfully accommodated with advance notice. Our service staff are well-trained professionals with many years of restaurant and catering experience; they are also friendly folks by nature. Our design/technical team members are highly competent in their areas of expertise yet also able to communicate and explain the logistical merits of various options on complex job sites. Our event planners can assist with all types of project management including coordination of rental equipment, lighting, sound, music, floral, fabric, and other third-party vendor services. We work primarily by referral; private consultations are available.
