On a balmy Saturday in July, the Villa Terrace Museum and Gardens came alive with dinner, dancing, and celebration as it hosted its biennial summer fundraiser, Sopra Mare La Sera. Set against the sweeping backdrop of Lake Michigan, the evening featured a lakeside dinner, dancing and auctions, all in support of the museum’s preservation efforts.
At the heart of the elegant evening was a Mediterranean-inspired menu by Gracious, the Milwaukee-based catering company led by sisters Marija and Vesna Madunic. For 30 years, the sisters have built their business around creating elevated experiences through thoughtfully created menus and services.
For the Madunics, hospitality is deeply personal.
“We grew up with delicious, homemade food being the center of every family gathering, large or small,” Marija says. “Growing up in a Croatian household, warm hospitality was a cornerstone of daily life. We knew no other way. And it instilled in us that love and gratitude can be expressed through a great meal.”
That philosophy continues to guide Gracious, where food is only one element of the experience. The company’s culinary and design teams work closely with clients to create menus, table settings, floral arrangements, and atmospheric details that reflect the personality of each event.
“We began with the goal of creating memorable, beautiful gatherings for people through menus prepared with a classic foundation, creativity, and of course, a lot of love,” Marija says. “For us, there is great joy in meeting with each of our clients to create just the perfect menu and just the perfect setting to bring their celebration to life.”
That attention to detail is what distinguishes Gracious in a crowded catering industry. Rather than taking a high-volume approach, the company limits the number of clients it serves, allowing its team to become immersed in each event and develop a cohesive vision, from the menu and logistics to the atmosphere, and everything in between.”
“We are a catering company that is passionate about bringing together good people, great food, and beautiful things,” Marija says.
Freshness is equally important. Over the years, Gracious has developed relationships with local purveyors and producers, turning to farmers markets when seasonal produce is at its peak. Creating dishes that highlight exceptional ingredients are a cornerstone of the company’s culinary philosophy.
“You feel good after you’ve eaten a meal made with the best ingredients,” Marija says, “even if you’ve eaten a little too much!”
The company’s design-forward approach also allows clients to customize the level of service they need. Gracious may provide catering alone, handle catering and design, or collaborate with an event planner to create a fully coordinated experience.
“Seeing the delight on the faces of our clients when they first enter a space or sit down for dinner and taste their first bite of food is the greatest reward,” Marija says. “It inspires us to always create and deliver an elevated catering experience through delicious food, warm service, and a beautiful environment.”
It is a philosophy that has kept the sisters going strong for three decades: creating food that delights, settings that inspire and gatherings that linger in guests’ memories long after the final course is served.