Frog Commissary facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
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Key people
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Steve Poses, Founder Christina L Sterner, President industry = Cuisine of Philadelphia restaurant |
Frog Commissary is a well-known catering company in Philadelphia, USA. It was started by Steve Poses in 1976. Frog Commissary helps plan and serve food for many big events. They have catered over 20,000 events and served more than 20 million people! They are also the main caterer for the famous Franklin Institute museum.
Contents
The Story of Frog Commissary
Frog Commissary grew from Steve Poses' first restaurants. He wanted to create new and exciting places to eat in Philadelphia.
Early Restaurants
Steve Poses opened his first restaurant, Frög, in 1973. He got ideas from his travels and other restaurants. He chose the name Frög because it was easy to remember and friendly. The special dots over the "o" looked like a frog's eyes! Frög quickly became a popular spot for young people. It helped create a sense of community.
In 1979, Frög moved to a bigger location. It became more elegant. Some of its famous dishes included Three Noodle Appetizer and Thai Chicken Curry. Philadelphia Magazine even called Frög the "Best Restaurant" of the past 25 years.
The Commissary Opens
In 1977, Poses opened another restaurant called The Commissary. This place was more casual, open from 7 AM to 11 PM. It had a cafeteria downstairs and a sit-down restaurant upstairs. In 1979, The Commissary added one of Philadelphia's first fancy takeout options. It also had a cool Piano Bar.
The Commissary was very popular. It even had a vintage 1946 Indian Chief motorcycle hanging in its front window! The cafeteria served up to 1500 people a day. It offered special foods like homemade pâtes and caviar. Poses believed that even if people didn't order caviar, they liked knowing it was available. The Commissary was also one of the first places to offer homemade pastas, wines by the glass, and sushi. They even made their own ice cream and blended their own decaf coffee!
One of the most famous items at The Commissary was its delicious carrot cake. This cake is still a favorite in their catering business today. The Commissary later changed its name to USA Café, serving American Southwest food.
Steve Poses also opened other restaurants like 16th Street Bar and Grill and City Bites. After many successful years, Frög closed in 1987, and The Commissary closed in 1994. Poses then decided to focus mainly on catering.
Catering and Beyond
Frog Commissary Catering officially started in 1976. Their very first event was a huge dinner for 1,200 people. It was a big challenge, but they did great! The company aimed to make large events feel as special as a "table for two."
Frog Commissary quickly became known for its creative events and stylish, tasty food. They redefined what catering could be. In the mid-1980s, the company had 300 to 400 staff members. They served up to 3,000 people a day! At one event called Jambalaya Jam in 1986, they fed about 60,000 people without a kitchen!
They have catered many important events, including the 80th birthday of conductor Eugene Ormandy. They have also catered countless weddings, parties, and galas. Famous guests they have served include Kermit the Frog, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Liza Minnelli.
In 1994, Frog Commissary opened Noah's Kitchen, a special division for kosher catering. That same year, they moved their main office to the Northern Liberties area of Philadelphia.
Back to Restaurants (for a bit)
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Frog Commissary worked with local arts centers. They helped offer better food options at places like the Academy of Music and the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. They had different food stands with Mexican, Thai, and Cuban options. In 2006, they opened a large dining hall called Frog at the Yard. This was at the Urban Outfitters headquarters.
Partnering with the Franklin Institute
In 2010, Frog Commissary moved its headquarters to the Franklin Institute. They became the museum's only caterer. At the Franklin Institute, they host private and corporate events. They also run Franklin Foodworks, a quick-service eatery for families. Frog Commissary has even created fun pop-up restaurants at the museum, like Tut's Oasis and Frog Burger.
Steve Poses and Frog Commissary also helped create the permanent Kitchen Science exhibit at the Franklin Institute. This exhibit is part of Franklin Foodworks and teaches people about how cooking and science are connected.
Today, Frog Commissary has over 200 staff members. They continue to cater events across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Big Impact on Food
Steve Poses is seen as a leader in Philadelphia's first restaurant boom. Before him, dining was mostly traditional steakhouses. Frög changed things by offering a new experience for young professionals in the 1970s and 1980s. Poses even started an "Eating School" to explore new flavors.
With his chef, Kamol Phutlek, Poses created a mix of French, Thai, and American flavors. This style became known as "Philadelphia Cuisine." Baker Anne Clark added famous desserts like Commissary Carrot Cake. Poses was a pioneer in what is now called "New American dining."
About Steve Poses
Steve Poses is the founder and chief creative officer of Frog Commissary. He was born in New York. After college at the University of Pennsylvania, he decided to open Frög. He believed restaurants could make city life better. Poses was even named one of the "50 Who’s Who of Cooking in America."
He has served on the boards of many important organizations in Philadelphia. He has also written two popular cookbooks: Frog Commissary Cookbook and At Home by Steve Poses.
About Christina L. Sterner
Christina Sterner is the CEO of Frog Commissary, Inc. She joined the company in 2009. With her 30 years of experience in arts leadership, she has helped Frog Commissary grow and become a strong company in the 21st century. She makes sure they keep their high standards for great food experiences.
Before joining Frog, Sterner worked as a producer and arts executive. She was the CEO of Baryshnikov Dance Foundation for 20 years. She helped create the Baryshnikov Arts Center and managed projects for Mikhail Baryshnikov.
The Frog Commissary Cookbook
Steve Poses, along with Anne Clark and Becky Roller, published The Frog Commissary Cookbook in 1985. More than 100,000 copies of this cookbook have been sold!
At Home by Steve Poses: A Caterer's Guide to Cooking and Home Entertaining
In 2009, Steve Poses published another book called At Home by Steve Poses. This book has over 400 recipes, tips, and illustrations. It helps people create amazing dining experiences for their guests at home.
