Gourmondo Founder Alissa Leinonen Launches Olivina, a New Full-Service Luxury Catering and Events Company

After three decades of building Gourmondo into one of the Pacific Northwest's most recognized catering companies, founder Alissa Leinonen is expanding her hospitality portfolio with the launch of Olivina, a new luxury catering and events company. Leinonen will continue to lead Gourmondo while overseeing Olivina, with each brand serving distinct client needs under the same commitment to exceptional food, hospitality and service.

Officially unveiled during Gourmondo's 30th anniversary celebration on August 4, Olivina was born from a simple belief: exceptional hospitality isn't measured by extravagance alone, it's defined by how thoughtfully every guest is cared for. While Gourmondo continues to lead the way in corporate catering, workplace hospitality and specialty foods, Olivina offers a dedicated experience for bespoke weddings, milestone celebrations, luxury private events and elevated corporate gatherings where every detail is intentionally designed around the people being celebrated.

Leinonen will continue to lead both companies, with each brand serving distinct client needs under the same commitment to exceptional food, genuine hospitality and impeccable service.

"For years, our clients have trusted us with everything from daily workplace meals to some of the most important moments of their lives," said Alissa Leinonen, founder of Gourmondo and Olivina. "We realized those once-in-a lifetime celebrations deserved a brand entirely devoted to them. With Olivina, we're creating experiences that are deeply personal, beautifully designed and centered around bringing people together in unforgettable ways."

Every Olivina celebration begins with a collaborative creative process, pairing culinary artistry with intentional event design, seamless planning and highly personalized service. From concept to completion, the team partners closely with each client to curate every detail—from seasonal menu development and thoughtfully selected beverage pairings to custom tablescapes, rentals, floral design and event styling. Whether hosting an intimate dinner party, a destination-worthy wedding, an elegant gala or an executive gathering, every experience is intentionally designed to reflect the people at its center while delivering the warmth, creativity and care that have defined Gourmondo for more than 30 years.

As demand for increasingly customized celebrations has grown, Leinonen recognized an opportunity to create a brand devoted exclusively to elevated private events without moving Gourmondo away from the corporate catering and specialty foods business that made it one of the region's most trusted hospitality companies. Together, the two brands create a seamless hospitality portfolio, allowing clients to rely on the same experienced team for everything from workplace catering and executive meetings to weddings, galas and milestone celebrations.

At the heart of every Olivina event is a chef-driven culinary philosophy inspired by the Pacific Northwest's seasonal abundance. Menus are thoughtfully crafted around locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, paired with curated beverage experiences and complemented by intentional presentation and design. Every event is tailored to reflect the personality, style and story of the people gathering around the table.

"Our team has always believed that food is about much more than what's on the plate," Leinonen said. "It's about creating connection, celebrating life's biggest moments and making people feel genuinely cared for. Olivina allows us to elevate every part of that experience while continuing to grow Gourmondo and serve our clients in new ways."

With Olivina, Leinonen continues her three-decade commitment to creating unforgettable experiences, inviting clients to celebrate life's most meaningful occasions through exceptional cuisine, thoughtful design and genuine connection.

About Olivina

Olivina is a luxury catering and events company founded by Seattle entrepreneur Alissa Leinonen. Built on Gourmondo's 30-year legacy, Olivina specializes in highly personalized weddings, milestone celebrations, luxury private events and elevated corporate gatherings throughout the Pacific Northwest. Combining chef-driven cuisine, thoughtful event design and impeccable service, Olivina creates one-of-a-kind experiences tailored to each client's vision. Together, Olivina and Gourmondo offer complementary catering experiences, serving clients everywhere from everyday workplace meals to life's most extraordinary celebrations. Follow on Instagram @olivinaco.