IN 1992,

Vassilli “Bill” Bouloukos decided to leave Corporate America and follow a different dream, a dream of opening his own restaurant. This was the beginning of a long and prominent career in the restaurant industry. Partnering with Robbie Dyson, they have now built one of the most successful catering businesses in Birmingham.  After opening his restaurants, Bouloukos found that there was a demand for catered business lunches and even had people asking about weddings. He realized that wedding catering could be the best of both worlds, planning for the large events and the satisfaction of seeing guests enjoy his food and service.

As Bouloukos was growing his catering business, he had heard that his first restaurant, Andy’s on the Green, was changing hands again and he stopped by to meet the new owner, Robbie Dyson. Dyson created Dyson Deli and Gourmet to Go as a meat-and-three diner but also offered gourmet soups, entrée salads, and artisan sandwiches. Dyson fell in love with the food industry while studying restaurant and hospitality management at the University of Alabama. Dyson Deli and Gourmet to Go had a great run the first two years, during this time, Dyson began working some large wedding events with Bouloukos, and they both realized they worked well together. Dyson decided to sell his restaurant and become partners with Bouloukos. Dyson brought his operations knowledge to the table and Bouloukos’ role serves as the front man who focuses on sales and marketing side of the business, so they complement each other well.

In 2005,

The Happy Catering Company moved to Oxmoor Circle in West Homewood. In their facility, they occupy approximately 10,000 square feet of kitchen, commissary and office space. This is also where they meet with clients to discuss all the important, special details of their event and make culinary dreams come true!

TODAY,

Happy Catering takes pride in their quality food and going above and beyond for their clients. They partner with over 20 local venues and thrive on the relationships they have built with local vendors.   “Our guest’s testimonial of our great food and customer service is our best affirmation to other clients of our quality and service, our reviews say it all. We never take our customers for granted and appreciate their business, we couldn’t do what we do without them”, says Bouloukos. The Happy Catering Company is a full-service catering company with over 25 years’ experience serving the Birmingham Metro Area. The Happy Catering Company is dedicated to accommodating all the details of your special event. We pride ourselves on serving quality, fresh innovative food with a presentation that exemplifies elegance and class.

We specialize in meeting your every need for any event, large or small. We can customize your menu to meet your needs and your budget. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate luncheon, rehearsal dinner, BBQ, holiday party, anniversary, reunion, open house or cocktail party, we are the caterer you can depend on.

vassilli (BILL) BOULOUKOS

Managing Partner

Vassilli (his Greek name.. Bill in English) is from Blue Ridge, Georgia. After graduating from the University of Tennessee 1984, Vassilli moved to Birmingham and took his first corporate job. After several years in corporate America, the company Vassilli worked for was planning on transferring him and his young family, but they had already fallen in love with the Birmingham. Vassilli left the corporate life and purchased his first restaurant.

It was many years before that though, that Vassilli’s culinary career began. He grew up in a big greek family that ran restaurants, hotels and banquet facilities, and from a young age, Vassilli had worked every position in the business. His father tried to make sure he would never be in the same industry, knowing the long hours and hard work it takes to succeed, but Vassilli loved it nonetheless. Vassilli opened several restaurants up and down 20th street in downtown Birmingham. After several years, Vassilli’s happy customers started asking about catering for social, corporate and family affairs. When the catering side grew, he sold all of his restaurants, and the Happy Catering Company was introduced in 1992. The name came from a one of the restaurants he had called Slap Happy’... it’s all in a name.

Since that time Robbie came aboard and it’s been a party every day. Bill, Robbie, and their fantastic crew choose the freshest local ingredients to ensure that each day every customer is happy. Thanks to the tremendous support from the community the Happy Catering Company has established itself as Birmingham’s favorite catering company.