Our MISSION…
… is to bring our client’s vision to life through thoughtful event design, serving delicious high-quality food, and delivering warm and inviting hospitality. We aim to create an immersive and curated experience that shows our passion for food, service, and style. We strive to elevate our client’s experience by listening to and anticipating their needs, and take the stress out of planning an event by seamlessly orchestrating all the details and moving parts so that our clients can enjoy the process and be a guest at their own event.
Kelly Spencer | Founder and Design Lead
Kelly Spencer started The Social Affair with humble beginnings in 2009. But, her culinary journey would start decades earlier as a little girl learning to cook alongside her Southern Grandmothers, rolling out biscuits and frying chicken in Birmingham, AL. Paired with her Mom and Dad’s love of entertaining, she knew from an early age the joys, and importance, of bringing friends and family together around the table. Instilled with the hallmarks of Southern hospitality (grace, charm, good home cooking) and an effortless style, Kelly seemed destined to build a career out of hosting a great party!
Quickly outgrowing her first catering kitchen, Kelly set her eyes on a dilapidated 1941 Standard Oil gas station in The Shaw Neighborhood, where she lives with her husband, two sons and two pups. She painstakingly restored the building into The Social Affair’s beautiful new kitchen, office and storefront selling cinnamon rolls and quiche, party essentials, and suppers while building her off-site catering clientele.
As larger weddings and galas became the bulk of The Social Affair’s business, Kelly knew it was time to take things to the next level and open her dream venue and restaurant-style kitchen: The Dogwood in The Grove. She took a 1940s Kroger Grocery and, once again, painstakingly transformed the space into the sleek and modern space it is today.
Kelly’s motto is BE EXTRAORDINARY in ALL WAYS, ALWAYS! It’s what carried her through the early years and what drives us to be excellent today. The bustling catering company and event space is a far cry from its humble beginning 15 years ago. But at its core, The Social Affair is still a representation of the values ingrained in Kelly’s heart and soul: welcoming people with grace to gather around food cooked with love, and celebrate life’s best moments.
Brad Bardon | Executive Chef
Chef Brad brings a wealth of culinary knowledge and know-how to our team. With a background in restaurants, including a nod from the James Beard Foundation while at the helm of Publico, Chef Brad has nearly 20 years of experience in an array of cuisines and cooking styles. He has a clear love of learning and food, and cooks with integrity and heart whether it’s fancy French cuisine or a humble pork steak, and everything in between.
Liz Ryan | Director of Operations
Liz has a diverse background in the food and hospitality industry stretching back 20 years doing everything from candy making to cooking in high end restaurants to food writing and editing. She has been with The Social Affair for eight years starting in the kitchen then transitioning to client relations and event planning. Now, as Director of Operations, she wears many hats and helps keep The Social Affair performing at the top of its game.
Yasmin Walker | Kitchen Manager
Chef Yasmin loves to cook and her heart and genuine sense of hospitality and warmth shine through in her food. She’s an accomplished Chef with over 40 years of experience in professional kitchens, but her first cooking role was as a young girl making family meals back in Jamaica. Her experience in a broad range of cooking styles and cuisines makes her an essential part of our team, with a penchant for spice and bold flavors.
Kai Davis | Sous Chef
Chef Kai comes to The Social Affair with 10 years of experience in both catering and restaurants. As hungry for knowledge as he is for snacks, Kai takes what he learns and consistently produces well-executed food, full of flavor and made with care. Kai’s creativity and sense of hospitality contribute perfectly to the celebratory events we create for our clients.
Ellie Heinrichs | Event Coordinator
Ellie is a ‘23 SLU grad with a double major in Sociology and Environmental Studies. One could say coordinating some of life’s most important and special events is a great way to implement her knowledge in these fields. Ellie has a great eye for design and style, is filled with positivity and light, loves food and entertaining, and goes the extra mile to bring our clients vision to life.