NEW YORK – Great Performances, New York's largest full-service catering and event planning company with a unique presence in the contract foodservice arena, has been selected to be the exclusive caterer for Sotheby's New York, one of the oldest and largest fine art auctioneers in the world. Great Performance is dedicated to weaving fine food and genuine service into modern celebrations. As the exclusive caterer for Sotheby's New York, Great Performances will be responsible for all aspects of foodservice offering culinary expertise in the management of catered events. The contract is effective immediately.

Established in London in 1744, Sotheby's opened its doors in New York in 1995 and acquired Parke Bernet Publications in 1964. Since then Sotheby's has exhibited and sold some of the most important collections of fine and decorative art in the world.  Countless treasures have been auctioned by Sotheby's New York, ranging from baseball cards to spaceships, Rembrandts to Picassos and Greek vases to Tiffany lamps. Some of the most spectacular multi-million-dollar sales included Van Gogh's Irises and Renoir's Au Moulin de la Galette. Celebrity sales over the years have included the collections of Helena Rubinstein (1966) Andy Warhol (1988), Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1996) and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (1998). On May 5th, Sotheby's will be holding a remarkable single owner sale of 44 paintings belonging to the Greentree Foundation from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. John Hay Whitney. On June 10th, Sotheby's New York will offer property from the estate of Katherine Hepburn including a selection of personal items.

Conceived and established by Liz Neumark in 1979 as a staffing organization, this year, Great Performances celebrates its 25th Anniversary and is the approved caterer at all of New York's leading cultural institutions. Great Performances has exclusive or contractual relationships with the Jazz at Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Asia Society Museum, Big Apple Circus, Ellis Island, Ian Schrager's Hudson Hotel, MoMA QNS, Nasdaq-100 Open Tournament, and Wave Hill. Recent achievements include CBS's 75th Anniversary, Dave Matthews Band in Central Park— The AOL Concert for Schools and the wedding of the Honorable Rudy Giuliani and Judith Nathan at Gracie Mansion.

“We are thrilled to have been chosen as the exclusive caterers for Sotheby's New York which we believe is a true masterpiece, holding an esteemed place in the history of art and the social life of New York City. We share with Sotheby's a unique appreciation for fine art and cultural sustenance which we will reach to for culinary inspiration. Great Performances will unite fine fare and superior presentation with cultural sophistication to create a truly memorable experience.” said Liz Neumark, CEO of Great Performances.

“We are delighted to have Great Performances as our exclusive caterer. Their professionalism and quality are the perfect combination for our clientele,” Commented Amy Todd Middelton, Vice President and Head of Special Events for Sotheby's.

Sotheby's New York
Sotheby's Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of Sotheby's worldwide auction businesses and art-related financing activities. The company operates in 34 countries with principal salesrooms located in New York and London. The company also regularly conducts auctions in 13 other salesrooms around the world including Australia, Hong Kong, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Singapore. Sotheby's Holdings, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. For more information visit www.sothebys.com.

Great Performances
Great Performances is New York's largest full-service catering and event planning company. Conceived and established by Liz Neumark in 1979 as a staffing organization, the company provided women in the visual and performing arts the ability to work in the catering industry as waitresses while pursuing other goals. Today, as a result of more than a decade's worth of work, Great Performances is the approved caterer at all of New York's leading cultural institutions. Great Performances has exclusive or contractual relationships with the Asia Society Museum, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Central Park Wildlife Conservation Society, Big Apple Circus, sports venues at Chelsea Piers, Ellis Island, The Show Piers, Ian Schrager's Hudson Hotel, MoMA QNS, Staten Island Yankees and Wave Hill. Recent accomplishments include the wedding of the Honorable Rudy Giuliani and Judith Nathan at Gracie Mansion, 50th Anniversary of the United Nations, Warner Music Grammy Party, World Premiere of “La Boheme” and the Mayor Bloomberg inauguration event. Great Performances operates a 17,000 square foot commissary located at 287 Spring Street in Hudson Square which includes state-of-the-art kitchens, catering services, client tasting rooms, Mae Mae Café, and a forty-seat enoteca di vino. The company has the largest on-call wait staff in New York City. Celebrated as the industry leader in taste and presentation, Great Performances offers a team of culinary experts whose creative flexibility allows for catered events both large and small, from formal corporate galas to casual in-office get-togethers and outdoor affairs. Dedicated to outstanding events and memorable experiences, Great Performances weaves fine food and genuine service into modern and distinctive celebrations. For more information please visit www.greatperformances.com.