Michelle Talarico

Michelle Talarico is the co-owner and Director of Sales for Picnic Basket Catering, Cravings Five Star Events and Buffalo Gals Grilling Company. Being a Colorado College Alum helped build a passion for community y service, and she has been a leader in the Colorado Springs community for over 30 years. She has served on many non-profit boards including Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Children’s’ Literacy Center, Greenberg Center for Learning and Tolerance, The Colorado Springs Wine Festival, Colorado Springs Leadership Institute, Colorado Caterers Association, The International Caterers Association, Colorado Springs Diversity Forum, and Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care, Care and Share. Her companies have won Gold Best Catering Category for thirty-plus years awarded by The Independent, The Gazette, and The Business Journal & Colorado Meetings and Events. 

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 was the chair of several successful fundraising events, JDRF Promise Ball, Children’s Literacy Center Vintners dinner, Colorado Springs Wine Festival Grand Tasting. Michelle was recipient of the 2021 Athena Award presented by CSCEDC. In September of 2022, Michelle was awarded the Smith Tutt Positive Impact Award from The Colorado Springs Leadership Institute. In April of 2023, Michelle was sworn in to City Council District 3. Michelle and her partner Kathy have been making a direct social Impact on the Pikes Peak Region for the past 30-plus years.