Vibrant Occasions Catering Wins 2026 Catered Micro Event of the Year for FUSION360°

Arkansas catering company honored with ACE Award at national gala in Los Angeles for innovative culinary experience, marking second ACE Award win.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Vibrant Occasions Catering, an Arkansas-based catering company, was honored with the 2026 ACE Award for Catered Micro Event of the Year at the Awards for Catering Excellence gala held during Catersource + The Special Event on March 3, 2026. The award recognizes FUSION360°, an intimate international culinary experience that combined innovative fusion cuisine with immersive cultural storytelling and community philanthropy. This marks the second time the company has won this prestigious award, having previously won in 2024 for "Dinner on the River".

Why it matters

The ACE (Awards for Catering Excellence) Awards represent the highest honor in the catering and events industry, and Vibrant Occasions Catering's dual wins in the Catered Micro Event of the Year category demonstrate the company's consistent excellence in creating intimate, high-impact experiences that combine culinary innovation and storytelling with strategic event design. This recognition positions the Arkansas-based company among the world's leading catering innovators and showcases the state's sophisticated culinary and events industry on a national stage.

The details

FUSION360° was an intimate culinary experience for 15 Arkansas tastemakers including media professionals and VIPs, held August 28, 2025, at Rusty Tractor Vineyards in Little Rock. The event showcased international fusion cuisine through a five-course journey representing Italian, Lebanese, Indian, Turkish, and French traditions blended with American techniques and ingredients. The event incorporated immersive elements including country-specific projections, coordinated uplighting, music, and floral arrangements. FUSION360° also demonstrated how micro-events can combine exceptional culinary experiences with meaningful community impact, supporting Arkansas Foodbank through a food drive and presentation.

  • FUSION360° was held on August 28, 2025.
  • Vibrant Occasions Catering won the 2026 ACE Award for Catered Micro Event of the Year on March 3, 2026.

The players

Vibrant Occasions Catering

An Arkansas-based catering company founded by Chef Serge Krikorian and his wife Mary Krikorian. The company has won the ACE Award for Catered Micro Event of the Year twice, in 2024 and 2026.

Serge Krikorian

The managing partner and executive chef at Vibrant Occasions Catering. He was born in Lebanon and moved to the United States as an adult, bringing authentic cultural perspective to international fusion cuisine.

Mary Krikorian

The managing partner of Vibrant Occasions Catering. She and her husband Serge started the catering business in 2002 after previously owning a restaurant.

Rusty Tractor Vineyards

The venue that hosted the FUSION360° event in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Arkansas Foodbank

The charitable partner for the FUSION360° event, which supported the organization through a food drive and presentation.

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What they’re saying

“FUSION360° allowed us to showcase the international fusion cuisine we've become known for while bringing together Arkansas's innovative event industry and supporting our community.”

— Serge Krikorian, Managing Partner and Executive Chef, Vibrant Occasions Catering

“What made FUSION360° special was how it combined culinary artistry with cultural storytelling. Every element worked together to transport guests on a journey around the world, demonstrating how thoughtfully combining different cultural traditions creates something extraordinary.”

— Mary Krikorian, Managing Partner, Vibrant Occasions Catering

The takeaway

Vibrant Occasions Catering's dual ACE Award wins in the Catered Micro Event of the Year category demonstrate the company's consistent excellence in creating intimate, high-impact experiences that combine culinary innovation and storytelling with strategic event design, positioning them among the world's leading catering innovators and showcasing Arkansas's sophisticated culinary and events industry on a national stage.