Schools
Sodexo Sets the Stage for Centenary College of Louisiana’s Bicentennial Gala
Centenary College of Louisiana marked its 200th anniversary with Spotlight Centenary, a Bicentennial Gala
Shreveport, LA - Centenary College of Louisiana marked its 200th anniversary with Spotlight Centenary, a Bicentennial Gala that brought together donors, alumni, and campus leadership for an evening of celebration and reflection. Entrusted with catering the milestone event was Sodexo, a long-standing campus partner with a deep understanding of Centenary’s expectations for its most significant occasions.
For the Centenary Development team, the decision to partner with Sodexo was a natural one. Years of collaboration on donor-facing events had built confidence in the team’s ability to translate vision into execution.
“Sodexo has long been a trusted partner of the Centenary Development team, particularly for high-profile donor events,” said Mark Missildine, Director of Development and Bicentennial Cochair. “Drawing on our previous experiences with Shanta Chatman and her team, we were confident they would fully embrace and execute our vision for Spotlight Centenary. Their professionalism and creativity helped set the tone for an unforgettable evening worthy of such a historic milestone.”
That trust extended into every phase of planning, particularly menu development. From the outset, Sodexo General Manager Shanta Chatman worked closely with Centenary leadership to ensure the culinary experience matched both the scale and formality of the event.
“From the outset, Shanta and her team demonstrated an exceptional spirit of collaboration,” Missildine said. “After we shared our vision and the desired atmosphere for the event, Shanta worked closely with her chef to develop a menu that required minimal adjustments—an immediate testament to their understanding of our goals.”
To support an event of this magnitude, Chatman partnered with District Chef Norman Hunt, approaching the menu with an emphasis on balance, inclusivity, and execution. The goal was to deliver dishes that felt elevated without alienating a wide-ranging guest list, while accommodating dietary preferences and maintaining consistency for a large formal gathering. Considerations such as seasonality, local sourcing, and visual presentation were central to the planning process, with each element designed to complement the significance of the celebration.
Several intentional choices reinforced the tone of the evening. The menu featured refined, familiar selections that could be executed seamlessly at scale, allowing guests to enjoy the experience without service delays. A staffed carving station served as both a culinary highlight and a visual anchor, reinforcing the sense of occasion while keeping service efficient. The buffet layout was designed to maintain clean presentation and smooth flow, with uniformed attendants assigned to manage replenishment, cleanliness, and guest support throughout the night.
Behind the scenes, precision and coordination were critical. The culinary and service teams followed a detailed service timeline to ensure hot items were finished just in time and maintained proper temperature and quality. Staffing levels were carefully calibrated to support steady guest movement, with dedicated attendants stationed at key service points. Continuous communication between the kitchen, service captains, and event coordinators allowed for quick adjustments as guest traffic shifted, keeping wait times minimal and the experience consistent from start to finish.
“Catering an event of this scale and significance is very different from day-to-day campus dining,” Chatman said. “Every detail—from menu execution to service flow—is tailored to a specific audience, timeline, and formal setting. It requires advanced preparation, tight production schedules, and strong coordination at every level.”
That level of preparation paid off. Guests continued to comment on the food well after the event concluded, a response echoed by Holly Grose, Director of Stewardship and Development Services at Centenary.
“Spotlight Centenary was a huge hit, and I have to brag on my friends in Sodexo,” Grose said. “I can’t count the number of compliments I received on the food during the event. Shanta and her team went above and beyond for this celebration, and I am so grateful.”
Grose noted the steady flow of guests returning for additional servings throughout the evening—a clear indicator of the team’s success.
“My husband and I ate while most people were dancing, and I assumed we’d be getting the last scraps, but that wasn’t the case at all,” she said. “Everything was delicious. Shanta and her team deserve a standing ovation.”
Looking back, Chatman points to the execution of the buffet and carving station as a standout achievement. Maintaining consistent quality, temperature, and flow for a high-volume crowd required constant awareness and real-time adjustments—work that often goes unseen but defines the guest experience.
“What made it stand out was how well the team anticipated guest traffic and adjusted in real time,” Chatman said. “Guests received the same level of quality whether they were served early or later in the evening, and that speaks to the preparation, communication, and professionalism of the entire team.”
As Centenary reflects on its Bicentennial celebration, Spotlight Centenary stands as a clear example of what a trusted partnership can deliver—an evening shaped by collaboration, careful planning, and execution that honored both the institution’s history and its future.
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