We had our wedding reception here and it was an awesome time! We thoroughly enjoyed working with Vanessa. When we started the planning process she personally sold us on the whole Blue Ribbon... More

We had our wedding reception here and it was an awesome time! We thoroughly enjoyed working with Vanessa. When we started the planning process she personally sold us on the whole Blue Ribbon Experience just by the way she handled any questions we had. Vanessa was always available and she had the ability to put us at ease with everything she handled. Also, we had soo many compliments on the cake! It was delicious. We are both so pleased with how everything turned out!! I would highly recommend the Blue Ribbon Cooking Center. Pros: Entire Planning Process/ working with Vanessa Cons: Bartender couldn't make some basic drinks ieManhattan/Mojito
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Vanessa and her staff were fabulous. They made everything effortless. If you are a busy person -- and who isn't -- why would you go anywhere else\? The Blue Ribbon Staff covers so many details... More

Vanessa and her staff were fabulous. They made everything effortless. If you are a busy person -- and who isn't -- why would you go anywhere else\? The Blue Ribbon Staff covers so many details that we did not even think to cover all of them. That is a sign of true professionalism. The food is fabuous. As Vanessa said early in our planning, "We are passionate about food." And she was right. It was obvious that creativity, style, presentation and, above all, fabulous taste treats, are the hallmark of blue ribbon. This is truly one stop shopping, from selecting the place settings to the menu to the wedding cake and everything in between. Finally, we must congratulate Vanessa and her staff. She was cheerful, friendly and unflappable, as were all of the people working there. We are boat nuts and we were even able to dock our boat right at Blue Ribbon and sail off after our wedding, just like the Love Boat. Vanessa even helped us with our dock lines. Anyone interested in a high quality but affordable dining and event experience simply must check out Blue Ribbon. And, if you are a boater, Blue Ribbon is the obvious choice! Thank you Vanessa, and your entire team, Jannice and Barry Rose Pros: Great Food on the Waterfront Cons: None that we can think of!
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We were married in August 2009 at DeLille Cellars in Woodinville. Blue Ribbon was our caterer. They were beyond exceptional! We don't know where to begin....the Blue Ribbon team were... More

We were married in August 2009 at DeLille Cellars in Woodinville. Blue Ribbon was our caterer. They were beyond exceptional! We don't know where to begin....the Blue Ribbon team were extraordinary! Every detail was perfect! The cuisine was phenomenal! Our guests have been raving about our wedding. We owe this to this team of experts! They made everything flow perfectly. From the flowers to the tables to the menu (AND THE OYSTER KAYAK!), they made all the right calls! We felt like they knew exactly how we wanted the day to go and just made it happen. We certainly know it isn't easy, but they make it look that way. There was a chance it was going to rain and they were so flexible with their tents! They took every stress away so we could enjoy the day, our family and friends. Our wedding was executed perfectly and we would not change a single detail!
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We were married on in July 2009 at the Blue Ribbon. This was the easiest thing we've ever planned in our lives. A potentially stressful event went off without a hitch because almost everything was... More

We were married on in July 2009 at the Blue Ribbon. This was the easiest thing we've ever planned in our lives. A potentially stressful event went off without a hitch because almost everything was included in the cost of the venue rental - see #3 below. As the wedding approached, we felt a little odd (in a "good" way) that we weren't scrambling around with last-minute plans, as we'd already made most of the decisions months or weeks before with the Blue Ribbon staff. Highlights - 1) Food. Absolutely incredible. Yum. Yum. And another Yum. We had a Family-style, multi-course, sit-down dinner that was excellent in both quality, quantity and service. The wedding cake looked exactly like we wanted it to, and was ever delicious. 2) Service - Vanessa and staff did a good job of trying to capture all of the ideas of our "ideal wedding" running around in our heads and make them reality. That's sometimes a tough job, but what impressed me most during the planning process was their ability to actually listen when we had questions or wanted something changed, and to work to make the changes happen. 3) All-Inclusive - We were SO thrilled with all of the things that were included in our venue fee - food (sit down meal), wedding cake, flowers, beverages, table linens, glassware / silverware / plates / etc.). This made it extremely easy to plan all of the various parts of the wedding, and it all came out absolutely wonderful. I'd definitely recommend Blue Ribbon as a wedding venue! Pros: All-Inclusive Pricing, Responsive Staff, Location
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We planned our June 2009 wedding in four months; I would do it all over again at the Blue Ribbon. What the guests think is very important and all guests we have spoken with said Blue Ribbon had the... More

We planned our June 2009 wedding in four months; I would do it all over again at the Blue Ribbon. What the guests think is very important and all guests we have spoken with said Blue Ribbon had the best wedding food they have ever had. We've been to a lot of weddings and we agree. You can't beat the price for the all inclusive package you get. They even have a floating dock that was able to accommodate a 35' boat, which we took out onto Lake Union for pictures. I always pictured my wedding by the water and the Blue Ribbon was able to give me that with their location right on Lake Union. Vanessa and her staff were the best to work with. The whole process of planning the wedding was so much easier because of Blue Ribbon. There wasn't anything they couldn't do, or wouldn't try. They took my vision and made it a reality so easily. They are also a lot of fun to work with. Very professional, but made you feel comfortable. On the day they were very attentive, anything we needed they would get done immediately. We had Rockband at our wedding. The TV provided at first was a bit small and we asked Vanessa if we can get something bigger. She was on the phone instantly and within a half hour had a 50" TV for us. Our friends had so much fun finishing the night rocking out. As the headline says, if I had to do it all over again I wouldn't change a thing. It was an amazing night and I know it wouldn't have been possible without the Blue Ribbon. Planning a wedding for me was scary and stressful, but once I found Blue Ribbon all that went away. We will definitely be checking out one of their cooking classes and have friends that want to as well. Again, Blue Ribbon was an amazing group to work with. I would recommend them to anyone for any kind of party. Pros: Food, attentive staff, price, flexibility, fun, location Cons: none
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My husband and I got married at Blue Ribbon in June of 2009, and overall we had a fantastic time both working with the staff to plan our wedding and at the our event. Things that really stood out... More

My husband and I got married at Blue Ribbon in June of 2009, and overall we had a fantastic time both working with the staff to plan our wedding and at the our event. Things that really stood out about Blue Ribbon are the food: everything was delicious. The location: situate right on Lake Union it has a very Northwest feel which was important to us due to the number of out of town guests we had. And the all inclusive wedding package which made both budgeting and planning easier. Blue Ribbon provides you with a wedding planner who works with you through out the process and takes care the menu, the wedding cake, the flowers, the table settings, other decor, ceremony setup, and day of cordination. In fact, your planner takes care of nearly everything except attire and invitations! The only negative experience we had was that our planner (there are several who work there) at times seemed a little inexperienced and a little disorganized. In particular, she would forget what we talked about from meeting to meeting meaning we had to do a lot of following up. However, it all came together in the end and at the price, was a great value! Pros: food, location, cost and wedding planner assistance Cons: not as hassle free as other reviews have stated
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My husband and I were married at the Blue Ribbon on July 4, 2009. Vanessa and her staff were so incredibly helpful and professional. Every single thing went off without a hitch. As with any wedding,... More

My husband and I were married at the Blue Ribbon on July 4, 2009. Vanessa and her staff were so incredibly helpful and professional. Every single thing went off without a hitch. As with any wedding, there were plenty of last minute changes and additions. These were all accommodated with style! The tables, views, and flowers were incredible...but the food was to die for!! The flat iron steak, salmon, salads, desserts and more were melt-in-your-mouth fantastic! Our friends and family are still talking about the amazing food and are emailing for recipes. We have gotten so many compliments on our day, but all the credit goes to the Blue Ribbon. Thanks!! Pros: The staff is the best! Cons: None!
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You just got engaged. You’re happy, in love, but now comes the planning and there is a lot of it. Luckily, for my fiancé and I, we decided to have our wedding at Blue Ribbon Culinary Institute. ... More

You just got engaged. You’re happy, in love, but now comes the planning and there is a lot of it. Luckily, for my fiancé and I, we decided to have our wedding at Blue Ribbon Culinary Institute. Our wedding was in June, 2009. Reflecting on this day, choosing Blue Ribbon as the venue has to be one of the best shopping decisions I’ve ever made. We had the wedding of our dreams. Here is why we loved it: 1. The Staff- First and foremost was how helpful the staff was during the ENTIRE process. Throughout the planning process Vanessa was so helpful. She guided us through our decisions and allowed us to shape our wedding just the way we wanted. Always smiling, always easy to work with, her help was truly invaluable. Most importantly, she handled the schedule and coordination of room changes, calling taxis, and helping guests during the wedding so we could relax and enjoy our own party. 2. The Location- The venue was perfect for our wedding. It offered great views and had everything we were looking for in one place. A stage, plenty of space for the ceremony, a dance floor for the reception, and tables offering beautiful views of Lake Washington. 3. The Food- The tasting was one of my favorite parts of the wedding planning! Of course, having your wedding at a culinary institute you are going to have high expectations for the food. For us, Blue Ribbon exceeded those expectations. The food was delicious, organic and plentiful. We had so many options to choose from. I wish I could get married again next week. 4. The Cost- all things considered I think this Venue was very fair with their prices. Weddings are expensive by their very nature, but knowing that you are not getting taking advantage of can really make the experience much more enjoyable. My wife and I planned our wedding from out of state. Due to being far away, we only met with the staff on a few occasions prior to our wedding date. The majority of the wedding planning took place over the phone and by email. We had a beautiful wedding that all our guests seem to love. Despite planning from out of state, our wedding went off without any of the horror stories of weddings gone awry that people have shared with us. I am thankful that we found Blue Ribbon. Hopefully you found this review helpful. Good luck in your wedding planning and of course…Congratulations on being engaged!! Pros: The Staff, the food, the view, the value
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Blue Ribbon is the perfect place for a wedding reception. We got married in May 2009 and had our reception at Blue Ribbon. Our guests had a great time, and, more importantly, so did we! Things we... More

Blue Ribbon is the perfect place for a wedding reception. We got married in May 2009 and had our reception at Blue Ribbon. Our guests had a great time, and, more importantly, so did we! Things we loved … Food: Our guests are still talking about the food. We served it family style and everyone loved being able to fill up on what they wanted, not small servings of rubber chicken and cold potatoes. The one downside is that guests asked the servers for seconds before they made their way around the room. Tell your guests to be patient, more, lots more, food is on the way. Also, the bar prices were very affordable and they provide alternative beverages for the non-alcohol drinkers – not sugary soda, but drinks like lavender lemonade or raspberry iced tea. It’s also cool that you can have a separate bar area for the people who want to escape the chicken dance or just hang out on the couches. Location: We got married in mid May and started the reception around 5 … so, the sun was still shining and guests were able to enjoy the deck and view. Being on the water was great; there is a partial view blockage from the moored boats, but it’s not a big deal. Parking: Free and plentiful! Good luck finding that at a downtown hotel or venue. All-in-one package: We LOVED that everyone was included – the food, cake, flowers, décor. It was a huge timesaver and created piece-of-mind. You don’t have to rent anything, deal with multiple vendors: I can’t imagine doing it any other way. The last thing a bride wants to do is stress about the tables arriving on time or if the cake melts on the way to the venue. We only had to (or I should say got to) work with our Blue Ribbon coordinator (Bryce!), a photographer and DJ. The people: Everyone is super nice and accommodating. We mainly worked with Bryce, but the director (Vanessa) was involved and very available as well. Bryce went above and beyond by collecting corks, making menu cards and setting up all the extras just the way we wanted. He wowed my family and friends with his organization and friendly manner. Some friends have seen him at Blue Ribbon events since and they still rave about him, and he remembers them. Planning meetings: We had numerous planning meetings with Bryce. Blue Ribbon sets aside certain days were they have all the people on hand - chefs, baker, florist – to try the food, drinks and cake, and talk about flowers; and others were they have all the décor set-up to look at. It can feel a little cookie cutter, but it made it so easy to pick what we liked. Cooking classes: Some classes were included in our wedding package. If they still are when you read this, take them! They are so much fun, and you get really familiar with the space. We almost feel at home at Blue Ribbon now as we know where everything is in the kitchen; and chefs Krista Fay and Mark Schoenthaler are fun, knowledgeable and remember us every time we walk into a class. The only downside, and it’s not really a negative … Space can be a little crowded: Make sure you know how many people will be at the event and how you want to use the space. We had about 165 guests for a sit-down dinner … it was crowded, but not uncomfortable. After dinner, we removed the dance floor tables which displaced quite a few people. No one seemed to mind, but take this into consideration if you want people to remain at their tables during dancing. However, the dance floor is huge and they have a raised area for the DJ – both pluses. Overall, I highly recommend Blue Ribbon for your wedding – or even a cooking class or event. Pros: Location, food, parking Cons: Sit-down dining space for large parties
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recently had my wedding ceremony and reception at Blue Ribbon and they are amazing. Their staff is fantastic, the food is great- I honestly can't say enough. The pricing was totally reasonable... More

recently had my wedding ceremony and reception at Blue Ribbon and they are amazing. Their staff is fantastic, the food is great- I honestly can't say enough. The pricing was totally reasonable and allowed me to: 1. Pay a single vendor for everything (flowers, cake, food, bar, event planner, rentals) All included in a per head super reasonable price 2. They were super flexible about making payments leading up to the wedding allowing us to budget appropriately and avoid taking out loans 3. They provided an AWESOME planner who helped us really focus in on what kind of wedding was perfect for us, and how to make it happen in a way that was spectacularly beautiful. She never pushed, was completely realstic and there to support us and not trying to sell us. Some other things I love: 1. As a cooking school they have a big focus on food, and let me tell you it is obvious that they have a big focus on quality. Really tasty and beautiful presentation. 2.When I was having a pre-wedding bridal freak out about how to do place settings, Vanessa (our planner) worked with us for two hours switching out plate options and color options until we were totally happy. She also helped sooth my nerves with some yummy wine. 3. The day of the wedding they handled absolutely everything, and it went off without a hitch. There was a great bridal room with champagne and cheese snacks and nibblies. 4.We also did our rehearsal dinner there in the form of a cooking class and it was also great. It was a great way to get our family and friends talking together ahead of the wedding. Especially loved watching my Auntie from Scotland making really really good mac and cheese with my now husband's best friends. 5. They are RIGHT on the water, practically houseboat style. In fact, they are surrounded by houseboats which made for some beautiful pictures. 6. Tons of parking If you are in the process of planning a wedding in the Seattle area I would strongly recommend that you check them out (if you can't tell already). I know I am saying alot, but when I was starting my planning I couldn't find much in terms of review for them- and I am SO glad I went and met them, and that we held our ceremony and reception there. Ok, I'll stop now. :-) Pros: Location, food, support, price Cons: Wouldn't be good for a very large (200) wedding
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