Exceptional Catering

Information may not be reliable

"There is no love sincerer than the love of food." - George Bernard Shaw

About Exceptional Catering. . .
Welcome to the Exceptional Catering experience. Established in 1993 as Argus Catering the business was renamed after the Argus Foods and Spirits and Argus Catering were separated by sale. Exceptional Catering is owned and operated by its founder - Chef Todd Dukes. Exceptional Catering was built on a reputation of outdoor catering where we specialized in Pig Roasts done on location. Recently we have started to develop exceptional indoor catering as well. Staying true to form, we work with our clients to develop innovative ideas such as cheese fondue fountains, soup by the gallon, rent a chef, and "Impress for Less" which is a low cost option with gourmet results. Exceptional Catering has now become a year round full service catering company that serves your every need. Thank you and we hope to serve you soon - Chef Todd Dukes.
Meet the Chef...
I was born and raised in a central Wisconsin supper club where I learned culinary basics and the importance of personal service. While learning the food trade over the next few years I traveled to Florida where I worked my way up to an executive chef position at Silver Lake Lodge in Ocala Florida. After 6 years of studying French Caribbean cuisine, I moved to New Orleans in the pursuit of Creole cooking and took a position with the Delta Queen Steamboat Company as Executive Sous Chef. The Delta Queen is the only moving location on the Historic Registry. The steamboat route travels up the Mississippi River to St. Paul, follows the Ohio River to Pittsburg and paddles along the Cumberland River to Nashville. After all that traveling, a rest was in need. What better place to rest than a beach in Florida, at the Key Largo Anglers Club where I had the unique privilege to cook for Richard Nixon on a regular basis.
I found resting wasn't my style. So I took off for the bright lights of Las Vegas to explore high volume hotel work. In the early 90's, I returned to my roots in Wisconsin to be closer to family, where I settled in Madison, WI to work at the Argus Food & Spirits. In 1997 I purchased the business and focused on developing the catering business.
Other notables I have cooked for include Andy Williams, Harry Carry, The Oak Ridge Boys, Heart, Van Halen, Axel Rose, Lou Diamond Phillips and former Governor's Tony Earl and Tommy Thompson. As you can see by the list below I have over thirty years of experience on which to draw from to develop, prepare and host an event that will satisfy even a President of the United States.

Silver Lake Lodge, Executive Chef, Ocala Florida
Delta Queen Steamboat, Executive Sous Chef, New Orleans Louisiana
Key Largo Anglers, Garde Manger, Club Key Largo Florida

Exceptional Catering, Madison WI, 1.608.225.8074
Home • Customer List/Venues • Party Tray • Soup Catering • Pig Roast • Tailgate Party • Catering Menus • Impress for Less • Passed Appetizers • Chocolate Fountain • Salads and Sides • Photo Gallery • Policies.htm • Pooley's Menu • Bride's Page