Michelle Talarico

Michelle Talarico is Co-owner and Director of Development for Picnic Basket Catering, Cravings Five Star Events and Buffalo Gals Grilling Company. She has been a leader in the Colorado Springs community for over 35 years. She is a Colorado College alum with a passion for community and service, and has served on many non-profit boards including Colorado Springs Leadership Institute, Colorado Caterers Association, The International Caterers Association, Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care and Care and Share. Michelle is a 2002 graduate of the CSLI program at The Center for Creative Leadership in Colorado Springs, Care and Share, NAMI and The Colorado Event Alliance. She has served as chair of several successful fundraising events including board chair for the Colorado Springs Leadership Institute. Michelle recieved the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC's 2021 Athena Award and The Colorado Springs Leadership Institute's 2024 Smith Tutt Postive Impact Award.

In April 2023, Michelle was sworn in to City Council District 3. Michelle and her partner Kathy have been making a direct social Impact to the Pikes Peak Region for over 30 years. Her companies have been constant winner in the Gold Best Catering Category for thirty plus years in the Independent, The Gazette, The Business Journal, Colorado Meetings and Events and Top 100 Women Owned Business in Colorado 2024. Her companies employ one hundred full and part-time employees in Colorado Springs and beyond. Michelle has one son, Sam Talarico, who is a 2021 graduate from The University of Colorado Boulder and the light of her life. Sam and his wife Lily have a son, Landon, who adds even more illumination to a beautiful journey.