Proof of the Pudding Executive Chef Vagn Nielsen Celebrates 50 Years in the Industry
Catering mogul honors Nielsen’s five decades of culinary excellence
Proof of the Pudding, one of the Southeast’s largest and most well-known catering organizations, celebrates long-time Corporate Executive Chef Vagn Nielsen’s 50th year of culinary service in the food and beverage industry, on the heels of Proof’s 40th anniversary, which the company officially commemorated last spring.
Chef Vagn Nielsen emphasizes unparalleled creativity and flexibility when preparing cuisine for Proof’s impressive client roster. With events spanning from elegant dinners for former Presidents to picnic fare for Chastain Park concert-goers and large-scale seated dinners, it’s safe to say Nielsen has a knack for creating personalized meals and experiences that maintain the same level of elevated quality and taste that Proof stands for. “We are quite different from a restaurant because we must always be prepared for something new,” said Nielsen. “One week it’s an outdoor barbecue, and the following surprises you with a dinner for foreign dignitaries or a convention.” In addition to preparing the food for all catered events and parties at off-site locations, Nielsen also oversees food preparation for all of Proof’s permanent venues including The Carter Presidential Center, The Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Center, The Georgia International Convention Center, Chastain Park’s Amphitheater and Fripp Island Resort.
Nielsen originally began his career in Copenhagen, Denmark in a six-year training program at a local culinary school. This training led him to a four-year apprenticeship at the Hotel Imperial in Copenhagen, one of Europe’s finest hotels, followed by another apprentice at Copenhagen’s Sheraton Hotel. After a year of required military service, Nielsen left Denmark in 1975 on a foreign exchange program that relocated him to Atlanta. He then went on to work as a sous chef for Midnight Sun restaurant and was soon promoted to executive chef. Five years later, Nielsen entered into a joint partnership to run The Anchorage House in Beaufort, South Carolina, a restored antebellum mansion in the Low-Country specializing in continental cuisine. In 1984, he returned to Atlanta to pursue his role as executive chef for Eats restaurant before ultimately joining the Proof of the Pudding family as the company’s corporate executive chef. In 1990, Nielsen became one of the owners/partners of Proof of the Pudding. For more details on chef’s culinary journey, you can view the company’s official 50 Years a Chef video honoring Nielsen here.
Over the years, Proof of the Pudding has been met with much acclaim through consistent nods and awards including recognition in the “Top 10 Caterers in Atlanta” list by Modern Luxury Weddings, Wedding Wire’s “Couple’s Choice” award, and a “Best Catering” nod from Buckhaven Lifestyles.
About Proof of the Pudding
Proof of the Pudding was founded in 1979 and is now one of the largest Southern-based catering organizations proudly serving many of the Southeast’s top venues, convention facilities, and both private and corporate events. Over the past 40 years, Proof of the Pudding has maintained its innovative and distinctive style – taking pride in providing superior service and trend-setting menu creations. With over 18 kitchens across the organization, Proof’s chefs are trained to maintain the high standards, quality, freshness, great taste and creative presentations the company’s reputation is built on. Today Proof of the Pudding operates state-of-the-art kitchens in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas. Innovative culinary creations coupled with creative presentation and service has won Proof numerous industry awards and recognition by clients and media alike.
