Parties Tips & Tricks

It's a lot of fun and less added stress to have a party catered, But for those of you who have those party planning genes here are some tips for creating a wonderful event!


This little bit of advice provided by Event Catering Ideas, visit their website here!


Baby Shower 

Catering baby shower can really be fun and you can find a huge amount of decorations, games and centerpieces in your local stores. Baby showers are great places for finger foods like tiny sandwiches, potato skins, pizza bagels, fruit kabobs, stuffed mushrooms, veggies and dip and, of course chips. One fun thing you can do at a baby shower is try to find some baby related games like a game to guess the sex or come up with names for the baby.


Wedding Shower 

Weddings are another fun reason to have a shower and here you probably want to decorate in whites and pastels or colors that match the bridesmaids dresses. Traditionally, wedding showers consisted of all-female guests but these days more and more men are being invited. Like with any event, food is central to the wedding shower and in order to have a shower that people will be talking about for years to come you want to present some interesting and upscale foods. Try cutting vegetables and fruits into interesting shapes and presenting them in crystal trays. Watercress sandwhiches always add elegance and if you buy some gourmet desserts this will be sure to thrill all your guests. 


Graduation 

Graduations usually happen in the warm weather so one of our favorite catering ideas for graduations is to have it outside. Everyone loves a barbecue and if the weather's nice to be room for everyone to spread out. If you do have an outside party, be sure you have some sort of a tent or covering or you can at least fit all the people inside in case it rains. A banquet table with hot entrées like beans or ribs will be much appreciated and add diversity to the food offerings. 




Promotion - Retirement 

When you want to congratulate someone on a job well done, you want to go all out and offer a great menu of food. Promotion and retirement parties are usually catered and offer dinners of roast beef, turkey or ham along with potatoes or rice and a few selections of vegetables and some desserts. A lot of times people like to have a drink or two to toast the honored guest so be sure to include a bar or beer and wine. 

Whether you cater the event yourself or hire a catering service, these catering ideas will lend a little bit of uniqueness to your event. Remember, a fun party isn’t just about the food it's about the decorations and the ambience that you create too! 

Wedding Wednesday {Cakes}

Welcome to this week's Wedding Wednesday!


Wedding cakes our a staple in today's wedding world. Bride's grow more and more daring with colors, designs, and multiple flavors. There is a lot you can do with cakes to make it your very own for a very special day!

Here at Good Day Catering we have a phenomenal baker that we get to call our very own! We offer custom wedding cakes from traditional to exotic. Call us or schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your wedding cake needs.


I wanted to feature this gallery of cakes I came across on Martha Stewart's website. All the cakes look amazing! So without further a due, your eye candy.












Visit the full Gallery here.

Tasty Tuesday {Summer Berry Pudding}

Summer is unofficially upon us! Although we have not reached June 21st for it to be "officially summer" it's as though it is here.  With the warm weather and longer days we are now enjoying, barbeques and outside dinners are happening more frequently.

Here is a great recipe to bring along to a barbeque or just for you!


SUMMER BERRY PUDDING
Makes 10 Servings

2 Pints strawberries, hulled, quartered
2 pints blueberries
2 pints blackberries
2 pints rasberries
1 cup plus 2 tbs. sugar 
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 1Lb loaf brioche or challah bread, cut crosswise into 1 inch sliches
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature 
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

Special Equipment: A 9"-10" diameter sringform pan

Directions:

Line pan with plastic wrap. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Combine all berries, 1 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup water in a large pot. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean. Bring to a simmer, stirring to disolve sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes. Set berry sauce aside. 

Spread bread slices with butter. Mix remaining 2 Tbsp. sugar and cinnamon  in a small bowl. Sprinkle over bread slices. 

Drizzle 1/2 cup warm berry sauce over bottom of pan. Line pan with a single layer of bread, cutting to fit as needed. Pour 1 1/2 cups berry sauce over. Repeat layering two more times. Pour any remaining sauce over. Cover with plastic. Set a plate slightly smaller than pan on top of pudding to weigh down, keeping bread sumberged. Chill for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days. 

Remove plate and plastic from top of pudding. Invert onto plate. Release pan sides; remove pan and plastic. 

Wedding Wednesday

To all those couples and their families out there looking at caterers, How do you know what questions to ask? What are things to look for in a qualified caterer? 

We have put together a list of 15 questions to ask when shopping for caterers. 

15 Questions To Ask A Caterer

1. What kind of food does the caterer specialize in? They should provide you with a sample menu to look at. 

2. Does the caterer provide complimentary tastings of the menu items you are interested in? They should do this upon you hiring them. Schedule a tasting if you have a good vibe!

3. Are cost items depending on the food items, or is there a flat rate per guest? Is there a price sheet that lists food item costs? Make sure you have room in your wedding budget. 

4. How involved is the caterer in your reception? Be sure to have the time line of your wedding to give to them. 

5. Will the caterer provide, tables, chairs, plates, table linens, silverware, salt and pepper shakers, and more? Most likely rentals will be an additional cost. Ask if there is a delivery fee as well. 

6. Who is the main contact? Will the same person you work with be there the day of to oversee the service?

7. Does the caterer handle all table settings? Will they place cards and favors? Be sure and let the caterer know if you would like them to do this. As this is normally not a service that they may do and will need the staff for it. 

8. Will the caterer provide waitstaff? What will they be wearing? Top caterers will provide their own personnel even if there is the site's staff, because they understand the caterer's way of doing business. 

9. Does the caterer of custom menus? Will they be willing to include a recipe that is a family favorite or of sentimental value? 

10. Can they prepare food items for guest's with special dietary needs? Such as gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, even for only a few guests?

11. Where will the food be prepared? Will there be facilities to use on site? 

12. Does the caterer work with fresh food? 

13. Does the caterer have their license? This means that they have met health department standards and have liability insurance. Make sure this includes a liquor license if they are providing a bar. 

14. How will the caterer present the food on the buffet table or for a plated dinner? 

15. Does the caterer also do wedding cakes? Can you use an another source, if desired? Is there a cake-cutting fee? 

This list is just a few questions to help guide you in selecting a caterer that will meet your standards and ideas when planning for your special day. Make sure to meet with a few different caterers and see what they have to offer. Again, make sure that you have the budget for the type of food, rentals, and services you would like. 

Wednesday Wedding

Happy Wednesday everyone!


Wednesdays are a great day to look forward to not only because it means that we are half way through the work week but because it means we get to do Wedding Wednesday!

Personally, I love weddings. I think they are a wonderful reminder to all those couples of the love and excitement that you feel on your very special day and something fun to look forward to for (some) of those who are single.

This week's Wedding Wednesday's topic is actually going to be food. Something we know just a little about! Just the same as color trends, wedding dress trends, and decor trends; there are food trends. This may surprise some of you, and you may not realize that you are following a trend at all!

2012 Wedding Food Trends:




Minis


Minis are a wildly growing trend in weddings and events. When serving miniature desserts, soup and sandwich shooters, or appetizers; you can deliver a big taste in a little serving. Not only are they cute, but they make eating easier in just one or two bites! Serving minis also gives your guests the option of trying different things without filling up to fast.

Healthy Options


As more and more people are aware of their food choices and growing numbers in food allergies, you can expect to see healthier options as well as allergy conscious choices. As the health trend continues you will see food items with whole grains and reduced fats. Portion sizes will be able to be noticed as well.


Heritage


Couples should use their food as a way to show to their cultures and bringing two families together. Serving food items that are related to heritage opens a whole window of options that can create wonderful customized weddings. It's always fun to involve family and friends in sharing foods that have a meaning. Personalize it by serving items that are family favorites, first date meals, or dishes shared on trips taken together.




Non Traditional 


Couples don't want to serve something a friend or family member did at their wedding. Taking a more courageous route in offering foods that guests wouldn't normally taste is a fun and innovative way to let guests feel like they are somewhere exotic.

Sweet Treats


With the popularity of dessert bars is steadily growing. Couples are looking for non traditional sweets. Whether it is a truly unique wedding cake design or not serving a wedding cake at all! Doughnut Trees are a creative way of serving desserts to your guests. Another alternative to serving a traditional wedding cake is to serve a variety of cakes. Make it some of your families favorites and everyone will be happy.

Tasty Tuesday

Well the warm weather has decided to stay! I personally love the sunshine and don't mind it one bit, but for others it gets hot quick. In the summer heavy foods don't always sound good and some of us can't whip out of grills and start grillin' so below is a fresh twist on a salad. It's light yet filling after those long days in the sun. I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think! 

Thai-Style Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

400g new potatoes, chopped up

A can of baby corn

3 spring onions, sliced

2 cooked chicken breasts, sliced

2 tbsp chopped coriander

Salt & pepper

Wedges of lemons as a garnish

Dressing:

6 tbsp of sesame oil

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp chopped coriander

1 chilli, deseeded and finely sliced

Method:

Boil the potatoes until tender, drain and cool.

Cook the chicken breasts in a pan with a little olive oil, then slice up.

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.

Mix the dressing ingredients well and pour over the salad.

Garnish with the lemon wedge and  afew extra coriander leaves.

Tasty Tuesday

Hello Everyone!


I apologize for being MIA. All of us have been working off our tooshies around here!

Now that the warmer weather has decided to stay, all of us will be spending a lot more of our time outdoors. With the excitement of running around we need to remember to stay hydrated! Although the juices and energy drinks are delicious our bodies need water! However our tastebuds don't always want plain old water. Here's a healthy tip to stay hydrated with great taste!


Add fresh or frozen berries for a fruity taste. Adding in citrus such as the traditional lemon, lime or oranges add in a refreshing taste. Slicing cucumbers and adding to water gives a subtle but wonderful taste.


Look online for more ways to spice up your water!!