Welcome to Partner Provisions, where we introduce you to the incredible people and stories behind the restaurants, food trucks and caterers helping Zerocater feed the workforce – breakfast, lunch, dinner and every meal in between.
- Name: Avi Burn
- Restaurant: Pinks
- Cuisine: Mexican
- City: New York
- Website: pinkscateringnyc.com
- Instagram Handle: @pinkscateringnyc
- Twitter Handle: @pinks242
In one sentence tell us who Pinks is.
We are a multi-functional venue that provides daily bar and restaurant service, nightlife events, daily food catering, large scale event services and event liquor licensing and management.
Tell us about Pinks!
I worked in the food and beverage business for over 15 years when I decided to start something of my own. I created Pinks which is a metaphoric term for putting it all on the line (“Racing for Pink Slips”). The flagship location is in the East Village in NYC. We started out serving classic American bar food but soon partnered with some folks that helped implement a highly efficient Mexican food program. From there we began to grow our catering business, it has been over 3 years in catering for us.
What was the very first menu item?
The carnitas taco was the first item we loved for it’s deep, truly unique flavor.
Tell us about one of your signature dishes!
The “Mexican Hummus” is a blended black bean dip with the consistency of refried beans, but lighter. I happen to love hummus to a psychotic degree so this naturally speaks to me, but it is a very hearty and tasty side dish that also is very agreeable with most dietary needs.
What is one thing not many know about Pinks?
That aside from catering, we are an awesome bar and restaurant in the East Village with a fun program of regular events! We have also launched a new taqueria brand called Pinks Cantina with one location at The Bowery Market in Noho and will be opening a second location on the Lower East side in 2019.
What’s your favorite thing about feeding companies?
We serve some very prominent world-class companies. The fact that they have any choice of caterers to choose from in the greatest city in the world and go with us is very flattering. But we do work very hard, so I feel we earn it!
What do you like most about partnering with Zerocater?
The attention to detail, the organization of their system and their professionalism. Recently I went in for a meeting with the Vendor Team and they were so supportive and helpful and were eager to help us improve an already great relationship between Pinks and Zerocater. We feel loved!
Tell us about a time where Pinks brought people together or helped to foster community.
On many occasions, we have donated our food and food service to nonprofit endeavors. We do this whenever we can. Our new Pinks Cantina will be just near a “soup kitchen” style commissary and we aim to donate as much as we can to the kitchen to help feed the hungry in our community.
What is your biggest challenge as a restaurateur or chef?
As a business owner, you stand amidst thousands of customers, tens of staff, hundreds of vendors, landlords, neighbors, government, family and friends. It is a huge balancing act that requires consistent focus and a healthy lifestyle.
What piece of advice would you offer to someone starting out in the food industry?
Be ready to work!! It is not an easy industry to succeed in and demands are high, but if you truly love food and feeding people, the satisfaction is second to none.
Where do you see Pinks in the future?
We are developing the Pinks Cantina brand and will be opening multiple locations in NYC and in neighboring states. We also aim to grow the Pinks Bar brand and get one of those opened, perhaps in another borough of New York City like Brooklyn. This past summer we opened a Pinks Taco Shop at The Stickett Inn in Barryville New York. We love it up there and are working with the Inn owners on developing new business in Sullivan County.
Order from Pinks for your office!
