Chef Serge Krikorian's heritage inspires a five-course fusion menu with expert wine pairings.
-- Vibrant Occasions Catering presented FUSION360°, an intimate culinary experience featuring international fusion cuisine paired with wines from around the world, on August 28, 2025, at Rusty Tractor Vineyards. The event supported Arkansas Foodbank in recognition of Hunger Action Month.
Chef Serge Krikorian, founder of Vibrant Occasions Catering, created a five-course menu that showcased his expertise in international fusion cuisine, drawing from his Lebanese heritage and culinary training to present dishes representing Italian, Lebanese, Indian, Turkish, and French traditions blended with American flavors.
Born in Lebanon, Chef Krikorian moved to the United States as an adult and has built his reputation on creating international fusion cuisine that honors traditional flavors while incorporating international ingredients and techniques. His background provides authentic cultural perspective for creating respectful fusion dishes that tell stories of cultural exchange through food.
"Every dish tells a story of how cultures meet and create something new together," said Chef Krikorian. "My Lebanese heritage gives me insight into Middle Eastern flavors, but fusion cuisine philosophy is about understanding the soul of each tradition and finding harmony between them."
FUSION360° Menu and Wine Pairings
Welcome Reception:
- East Meets West Pork Belly (crispy pork belly over sushi rice with Asian slaw) paired with CYRIL COPERÉT Fleurie (Beaujolais, France)
- Bayou Wanderer Taco (Cajun shrimp with lime slaw) paired with Gunderloch Dry Riesling (Germany)
- Mediterranean Embrace Dates (bacon-wrapped dates with goat cheese) paired with Domaine Lequin Bourgogne Chardonnay (France)
Five-Course Progression:
- Italian-American: Southern Serenade Caprese (Georgia peaches, heirloom tomatoes, burrata) paired with Domaine La Cadenière Vallons d'Escale Rosé (Provence, France)
- Lebanese-American: Beirut Sunset Trout (Delta rainbow trout with Arabian chimichurri, tahini sauce) paired with Comte de la Chevalière Sancerre (Loire Valley, France)
- Indian-American: Spice Route Pot Pie (curried chicken pot pie) paired with Borell-Diehl Gewürztraminer (Germany)
- Turkish-American: Ottoman Harvest Ribs (braised short ribs with pomegranate molasses, sumac) paired with 2011 Château Dassault Grand Cru Classé (Bordeaux Saint-Émilion, France)
- French-American: Bourbon Boulevard Tart (apple tart with Kentucky bourbon sauce) paired with 1976 Pineau des Charentes (Cognac, France)
François Guilloux, founder of VINO Distribution, provided wine consultation and education throughout the evening, presenting each pairing with explanations of how international wines complement fusion cuisine flavors. Guilloux's expertise in pairing wines with complex, multi-cultural dishes provided guests with educational insights into advanced wine pairing techniques.
The event collected non-perishable food donations for Arkansas Foodbank in recognition of Hunger Action Month, addressing food insecurity in Arkansas, which ranks first nationally for food insecurity. Donations included peanut butter, canned tuna, rice, pasta, and other high-need items identified by Arkansas Foodbank.
Claire Tiffin, Director of Community Engagement for Arkansas Foodbank, spoke to guests about the organization's mission and the reality that many Arkansas families face daily decisions between food and other basic necessities.
The 15-guest experience featured coordinated elements including country-specific music, lighting, and projections that changed with each course. The intimate format allowed for detailed explanation of each dish's cultural significance and fusion approach.
Each dish demonstrated specific fusion techniques that honor traditional preparations while incorporating American ingredients. The Lebanese-American trout showcased traditional Middle Eastern sauces adapted for Arkansas Delta fish, while the Indian-American pot pie demonstrated how familiar comfort foods can incorporate international spice profiles.
Event Partners:
Co-host and Venue: Rusty Tractor Vineyards
Co-host and Catering: Vibrant Occasions
Event Planning: Meredith Events
Wine Consultation: VINO Distribution
Floral Design: Rose of Sharon Floral Design Studio
Photography: Lori Sparkman Photography
Videography: Weaver Films
DJ and Lighting: Central Arkansas Entertainment
Charitable Partner: Arkansas Foodbank
About Vibrant Occasions Catering:
Chef Serge Krikorian and his wife, Mary Krikorian, started their catering business in 2002 and have been in the family restaurant business since 1994. Having catered thousands of events over the years as Dinner’s Ready, they launched Vibrant Occasions Catering, a new name that more accurately depicts the level of food and service provided at weddings and social events. Krikorian was born in Lebanon and moved to the United States with his family as an adult entering college. He now hails from the quaint town of Benton, Arkansas. His southern hospitality paired with his penchant for developing unique international fusion-style recipes, especially sauces, has garnered his reputation as foodies' fan favorite in his community and now on the Youtube space for his cooking show, Cooking with the Kriks. After years of dreaming about owning a mobile kitchen, in December 2020, Serge and Mary launched Our Mobile Kitchen with the intention of providing fresh, 5-star quality chef-prepared cuisine to patrons visiting where the mobile kitchen is parked or on site for catered weddings and social, private or corporate events. Krikorian is an alumnus of Henderson State University where he studied business earning his Bachelor’s Degree and met his wife, Mary. He earned his MBA from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Serge became a restaurant entrepreneur when he purchased an old, run-down pizza parlor he and Mary revived called Sergio’s Pizza. After a few years, they knew the restaurant business was not for them. Mary booked their first official catering gig, much to Serge’s surprise. They began receiving more and more requests for catering luncheons and events. The catering business took over after six months and they never looked back. They have three sons who often work in the business around their academic and career schedules, making their enterprise a family-built business.
To explore the array of catering options offered at Vibrant Occasions, please contact:
Mary Krikorian
Managing Partner
Vibrant Occasions
Email: mary@vibrantoccasionscatering.com
For media inquiries about Vibrant Occasions, please contact:
Meredith Corning
PR Agent
Meredith Corning PR
@meredithcorningpr
Email: meredith@meredithcorning.com
About the company: Vibrant Occasions is a full-service catering company based in Arkansas and serving corporate events, fundraisers, weddings and social gathering throughout the state and beyond.
Contact Info:
Name: Meredith Corning
Email: Send Email
Organization: Vibrant Occasions Catering
Website: https://vibrantoccasionscatering.com/
Release ID: 89170332
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