May 8, 2017

Meet Tomas Rivera of Salt of the Earth Productions and SALT Catering in Beverly Hills

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tomas Rivera.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Tomas. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Started out as cook in NYC, working at some 3 and 4 star Restaurants under the late great Patrick Clark. I met my wife, the sous chef at Tavern on the Green and years later she asked me to move back to LA, with her. I started working at Patina and other restaurants in LA before becoming the Executive opening chef at The Standard Hotel on Sunset. After working in restaurants all my life, I decided to work in the catering world which I found to be more flexible. After a few years of working for some of the top caterers in town in 2003, I started my own production company called Salt of the Earth Productions. SALT Catering became my baby and we have been doing great events from the SAG Awards, Emmy awards and a great list of celebrity clientele.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
If it wasn’t for the fact that I make a good living and enjoy hospitality, I wouldn’t wish the constant stress on my worst enemies. One consistent struggle, in this industry, is that everyone is absolutely nuts. The hardest part is dealing with each character including the drunkards (cooks), the actors (servers), divas (coordinators) and demanders (clients).

So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Salt of the Earth Productions and SALT Catering story. Tell us more about the business.
SALT Catering is known for consistency…

We pride ourselves in delivering restaurant quality food to any location, no matter the difficulties involved

We specialize in off premise events and have served anywhere from 2 – 5000 people at a time.

Our service is professional, our food is great and we bring class to any event….

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
When we first started out I didn’t think much about luck. I’ve always thought if you prepare yourself well, you make your own luck. But with the constant trials this city puts you through, you find yourself hoping to get lucky to get there in time, to find parking, to get the big event you bid on, to not run out of food, to make sure no one gets that fish bone.

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