Catering by Mark Wischhusen

10/12/2017

Happy Centennial Birthday to the one, the only, the original Lucille! A beautiful woman, a loving and much-loved wife, mother of four amazing children, grandmother and great-grandmother, beloved of the legions of friends she and Eric and those kids and grandkids acquired. Gone from among us but never forgotten. No doubt a gin martini or two will be hoisted in loving memory! Happy birthday, Luce!

05/08/2017

Thank you to everyone who came by Chez Guevara to celebrate Mark's life. It was wonderful to see and meet so many people from the different phases and eras of Mark's life, and to know he was so loved. We hope everyone had as great a time as we did! And please continue to feel free to post any photos and memories of Mark on this page - we'll keep it going for a while yet.

04/30/2017

Hope we will see you next Sunday at Chez Guevara, 8025 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, 1:00-5:00 pm, to celebrate the life of the incomparable Mark Wischhusen!

04/26/2017

Our hearts are heavy with news of the passing of Kelly Kirkland Townsend, one of Mark's very best friends. Kelly set this page up and maintained it for Mark. After his death, and in the face of her own illness, she transferred the page to me (Rusty Burke, Mark's brother-in-law). Mark, and many others who had known her for years, loved Kelly deeply, and I know that includes many of you who visit this page. Kelly's husband, Russ, has posted news at her page.

04/23/2017

Just two weeks until the celebration of Mark's life! (Well, we celebrate Mark's life every day - but we're looking forward to the chance to do so with all of you!) Sunday, May 7, 1:00-5:00 pm, at Chez Guevara, 8025 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919. See you there!

03/14/2017

03/12/2017

For those wishing to join together for a celebration of Mark's life, we've now got a date: Sunday, May 7, 1:00-5:00 pm, at Chez Guevara, 8025 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. How could it be anywhere else? See you there?

02/18/2017

Shelly found these photos of Mark and Kelly Kirkland Townsend. Kelly thinks they were dressed for the Men's Cotillion, maybe about 1983.

02/12/2017

02/11/2017

Here's Mark at Lucille's, apparently training a couple of underage bartenders. I wonder where that painting behind him ended up?

02/05/2017

01/27/2017

Knoxville Native and Queen of Southern Gothic, Dale Dickey,
to be Honored at Annual Clarence Brown Theatre Gala
on Saturday, May 20, 2017
For more info on the gala: http://goo.gl/r4nkiC

01/27/2017

A well-deserved honor for one of Mark's favorite people! Congratulations, Dale!

Knoxville Native and Queen of Southern Gothic, Dale Dickey,
to be Honored at Annual Clarence Brown Theatre Gala
on Saturday, May 20, 2017
For more info on the gala: http://goo.gl/r4nkiC

01/21/2017

Interfaith Clinic is a very worthy cause, if you are inclined to help in this way!

affordable health care for the low-income working uninsured & underserved

01/20/2017

For those wishing to remember Mark in a way that will help others, please consider a donation to Interfaith Health Clinic in Knoxville. Mark benefited so much from their services during the time he was among the "working uninsured," and developed some good friendships (as he was wont to do wherever he went). Once he got insurance through the ACA (Obamacare), he was no longer eligible at Interfaith, but they kept up with him. It seems likely that more people will be needing them in the next few years, so anything you can donate would help.
http://www.interfaithhealthclinic.org/

affordable health care for the low-income working uninsured & underserved

01/13/2017

Mark Wischhusen passed away peacefully, surrounded in love by family and friends, on Saturday, December 17th. Mark died from complications of Hodgkins lymphoma and sepsis, at UT Hospital.

Mark, a life-long Knoxvillian, was born June 23, 1956. He attended West Hills Elementary and Bearden High School, and graduated with a BA from UT. He was a proud member of ΣAE fraternity, always a star of their Carnicus productions; his nickname was "Dad."

After working in his father's business, he settled on making a career of his passion, which was cooking. With help from special friends, in 1989 he opened Lucille's in the Old City. The restaurant, named for his mother, was renowned for great food and blues and jazz music in the courtyard. Many famous musicians passed through the club.

After Lucille's closed in 1997, Mark went into private catering, serving clients from UTK and Oak Ridge through many weddings, parties, and other celebrations.

Despite health issues related to obesity, Mark was the jolliest person on the planet. With his love of life, his incredible humor, and a heart as big as the Ritz, Mark led a joyful and fulfilled life.

Mark will be cremated and interred alongside his parents in Michigan. A celebration of his life will be held later this spring in Knoxville. Please leave your contact information with Cremation Options, www.cremationoptionsinc.com, if you would like to be informed about the celebration.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Eric and Lucille, and his brother-in-law Steve Criscillis. He leaves behind his brother Eric, of Atlanta; his sisters Dustin Criscillis, of Maryville, and Shelly (and husband Rusty Burke), of Washington, DC; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and cousins; and 10,000 friends who loved him.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local food bank, or to Interfaith Health Clinic, 315 Gill Ave, Knoxville, TN 37921.

01/13/2017

Mark Wischhusen passed away on December 17, 2016. He is deeply, profoundly missed by his family and the multitude of friends with whom he shared his joy in life. We hope that you will feel free to add photos and memories of Mark to this page. Stay tuned for information about a celebration of Mark's life which we hope to schedule for the spring, and please help us spread the word when the time comes. I'd like to say a special Thank You and lots of love to Kelly Kirkland Townsend, who set this page up for Mark and was such a wonderful friend to him through the years.

10/30/2015

I WAS AWARDED A "BEST OF 2015" .. AWARD BY THUMBTACK for BEST CUSTOMER REVEIWS

06/27/2015

Wedding season is in full swing. If you need catering for rehearsal dinners or wedding receptions , please feel free to contact me.

865-274-7822
[email protected]

11/01/2014

Still cooking! Tis the seasons!

09/15/2013

Allyn 's birthday spread!

02/15/2013

02/15/2013

This was on Tuesday....we had fubn and great food

06/11/2012

Working with freinds and businesses during the summer doing cook-outs, bbq and shrimp boils. Call me if I can help with your summer events

10/04/2011

Can I help you out during the holidays ? Call me @ 274-7822 for any catering needs you or your company may have. Eat well my friends....Mark

08/25/2011

Hey Folks : Football season is here and then the next thing you know we will be in
holiday seasons. Please contact me for all your catering needs @ 865-274-7822. Feel free to call me if you have questions about your own cooking problems , needs and menues. I love to try to answer questions about cooking....so if you are stumped , I have a friendly ear to try to help you out. Eat well my friends!

07/04/2011

Happy Fourth of July !!! Call me from summer cookouts, reunions and help with your next gathering. We do drop-off food to full catering from hot dogs to lobsters. Have a safe 4th!!!! MARK 274-7822 or [email protected]

02/07/2011

Chocolate Ganache makes a wonderful and decadent Valentine's Day dessert!

10/18/2010

Need help with your holiday parties this year? Give me a call - I'm happy to help create your most memorable corporate or private event! Call 865-274-7822 or email [email protected]