Chef Clifford Rome, President of Rome's Joy Catering, Inc., brings over 15 years of experience to food service and fine dining. Chef Rome began his career as an operations manager at Midway Concessionaries and mastered the art of event planning through his experience with the Marriot Corporation.

Chef Rome took a turn at fine dining with Wolfgang Puck and Francois Dongo of "Spago", as a line chef and a member of their catering team—creating meals for photo shoots and Oscar parties. While working at Spago, he studied in Paris and worked with other chefs who trained under Puck. In 1999 Chef Rome became co-owner of "Dejoie's Bistro" located in the Randolph Street Market corridor. In 2002, he formed Rome's Joy. Rome's Joy Catering is a full service catering company providing memorable dining experiences to a discerning and diverse clientele. The company's services include catering, event planning, cooking classes, and private dining. Rome's Joy is presently the exclusive caterer at the historic Parkway Ballroom (4455 S. King Drive Chicago). At the Parkway, Rome's Joy has provided event planning and culinary services for weddings, political fundraisers, and fashion shows. Rome's Joy is contributing culinary art and sensational event planning to the redevelopment of Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood.

Rome's Joy serves such clients as The University of Chicago, N'Digo Magazine, The Richmond Group, Burrell Communications, Comed/Exelon, the Chicago Film Festival and other professional institutions and corporations. Chef Rome has received recognition as a talented chef by local, national and international media. From 1998 through 2003, Chef Rome was one of five chefs working at the Cannes International Film Festival's American Pavilion—alongside master chefs Roger Verge, Bobby Flay, Mario Batali and Todd English. Chef Rome is currently the Food Editor for Brides Noir Magazine and has also made frequent appearances on Chicago morning news programs. He has been featured in the Chicago Sun-Times, Ebony, The Washington Post and WVON radio.

Chef Rome is committed to promoting African American participation in the culinary industry. He has partnered with Culinary Through Culinary Arts Program (CCAP), After School Matters, the Healthy Schools Campaign, Washburn Culinary School, the YMCA and Education to Careers. Through these partnerships, Chef Rome has encouraged African American youth to pursue careers in the culinary field.

The Parkway Ballroom and Rome's Joy Catering are proud to serve an illustrious and diverse group of clients.

Elected Officials

• Senator and President Clinton
• Congressman Bobby Rush
• Governor Rod Blagojevich
• State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka
• State Representative Louvana Jones
• Alderman Dorothy Tillman

Corporations and Institutions

• N'Digo and Savoy Magazines
• The Chicago Film Festival
• Burrell Communications
• Chicago Housing Authority
• G.R. N'Namdi Gallery
• Steelelife Gallery
• H J Russell Property Management
• The Richmond Group
• University of Chicago
• Not for Profit Organizations
• Near North Health Services Corporation
• Inspiration Café

Chicago Public Schools

• After School Matters (ASM)
• Careers through Culinary Arts (CCAP Chicago)
• Dress for Success
• Pershing Elementary School PTA
• Raw Art Collective
• Clara's House

Chef Clifford Rome and the culinary staff of Rome's Joy have also made regular television appearances on WGN 9, ABC 7, and Fox News. In 2005 Warner Saunders, ABC 7 anchor, featured the Parkway Ballroom as one example of the rebirth of historic Bronzeville. Rome's Joy Catering / Parkway have also been featured in the Washington Post, the Chicago Sun Times and Ebony Magazine.