“Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Tomatoes”

Judith McQueen owns her own business in Hailey, Judith McQueen Entertaining, and works as a private chef for parties, events, and personal functions in the Sun Valley area. Judith got her start in the culinary and entertainment industry very early, holding her first dinner party at the age of 12 for her parents. Judith’s parents encouraged her culinary abilities, as well as her musical training, and Judith first pursued a singing career before turning to catering. Judith’s time spent in the entertainment industry proved helpful, as she believes that there is more to catering than great food and works to combine design and entertainment aspects into her catering events.

Before opening Judith McQueen Entertaining in Hailey, Judith worked as the Director of Catering at Universal Studios and the Director of Food Services for law firm in Los Angeles. It was here that Judith began throwing elaborate dinner parties, one of her favorites being a dinner party for over 600 at the Gorilla Pavilion at the Los Angeles Zoo that featured Brazilians dancers and drummers. After building experience with an exciting career in the California area, Judith settled in Hailey in 1998 and opened her own business, Judith McQueen Entertaining. Judith specializes in catering events that are “elegant, emotional, joyous, and timeless.” Judith loves planning and catering for whole events and often caters an entire weekend’s events for a wedding, including the rehearsal dinner, reception, and brunch. A similar wedding event catered by Judith will be featured in Sun Valley Magazine’s summer 2011 issue.

Sustainability and eco-cuisine is a cause championed by Judith as well. Judith uses seasonal ingredients when catering and when asked about her participation in the Sun Valley Harvest Festival, responded that she was excited the festival was taking place in September as “[she] could choose nothing better than the subject of tomatoes, the jewel of late summer” to work with. The work of Judith McQueen will be featured throughout the festival and you can learn more about her work during the festival dinners and market walk.