Contract re-upped for Barrington White House's catering company
Barrington has approved another contract with a business that helped to shape hospitality operations for the village's landmark White House.
Village board members agreed to stick with Wild Asparagus Catering to provide workers for White House events through Dec. 31. Wild Asparagus will change hourly fees of $20 to $75 to the village for bartenders, servers, coat check operations and kitchen cleaning.
Just before the board approved the deal for Wild Asparagus' new owner, Dianne Ricker, the elected officials said goodbye to the founders, Debra and Jeramie Campana. Ricker is a chef and longtime Wild Asparagus employee.
The Campanas opened Wild Asparagus on Applebee Street in Barrington in 2010 and grew it to become the village's largest caterer with about 75 employees.
The Campanas were lauded in a village resolution for volunteering to help prepare the White House for its debut as a community and cultural center after an extensive renovation. They also provided expertise in event management and catering for the betterment.
"I thank you for all of the time you put in to getting us started at the White House," Village President Karen Darch told the Campanas, who are moving to Sanibel Island, Florida.
Debra Campana said she's grateful to have been a part of Barrington. She said many Wild Asparagus employees volunteered to help get the White House operational.
"They donated their time freely," she said. "We never had to ask. They always jumped in."
Barrington's White House, at 145 W. Main St., originally was built in 1898 for banker John Robertson. After falling into disrepair, the village bought the structure for $1.8 million in 2007 and six years later launched a fundraising effort to turn it into the community and cultural arts center it is today.
Since officially reopening in July 2015, the White House has hosted social events such as weddings and receptions, corporate meetings and cultural events including concerts, exhibitions and speakers. About $6.8 million was spent to renovate the White House.
Beth Raseman, a Barrington resident and former trustee who has been with the White House project since its launch in 2013, last month received approval for another contract to lead the facility in 2018. Raseman Group LLC will receive $3,333 a month for management, marketing, communications and other work.
"The business is growing," Raseman said. "More and more weddings, rehearsal dinners, bereavement events. Family celebrations are happening in the house as more people have gotten familiar with it. And then our cultural programs are growing as well."
Raseman said the village has hired two full-time village employees to work at the White House, filling the roles of hospitality manager and administrative coordinator.