Creating memories is what we do best.
03/29/2025
With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Ellwood Dale Short—founder of Atlasta Catering, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and the heart behind everything we do. Dale passed away peacefully on March 26, 2025, at the age of 84.
Since I was five years old, kitchens have been my second home. My dad’s kitchens were my daycare—the clatter of pans and the rhythm of service were the soundtrack of my childhood. Dale built Atlasta Catering from the ground up, and in doing so, he built me, too.
He taught me what it means to pursue excellence without losing sight of kindness. I watched him lead with grit, humility, and heart. I learned by watching—sometimes what to do, sometimes what not to do. But always, I learned.
Dale was a visionary. He believed that food brings people together and that hospitality is more than a service—it’s a calling. His legacy lives on through the thousands of meals shared, the relationships nurtured, and the team that carries his passion forward daily.
I still reach for the phone to call him. His voice is in my head, and his drive is in everything we do. That won’t stop.
To our clients—you’ll feel his legacy in the details.
To our team—we’ll push higher together.
To our vendor partners—expect even more.
To everyone else—the grind continues. Only now, it’s on a whole new level.
Thank you, Dad. We’ve got this.
We invite friends, family, and all who knew and loved Dale to join us in celebrating his life on what would have been his 85th birthday:
Saturday, April 12th at 10:00 a.m.
Hansen Desert Hills, 6500 E. Bell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85254
Let’s gather to honor the man who built so much—starting with one kitchen, one team, and one dream.
—Steve
