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April 21, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Eight Simple Taste Testing Tips When Hiring A Caterer

There should be little confusion or hassle when hiring a caterer. With all of the other things to do when planning a wedding or party, hiring a caterer should be a simple event performed near the start of the planning process. Taste testings are very definitely encouraged. After all, this is the only trial run that you will get before enjoying the meal at your event. To keep everything running smoothly, remember these eight simple tidbits when taste testing options from your local caterer.

Eight Simple Tips For Your Taste Testing Events

1 – Often it is a representative of the chef that presents the food. If this is the case at your taste testing event, ask if it is possible to pay your compliments to the chef. This positive feedback will be well received by the chef and likely work in your favor later.

2 – Bring others along who will be helpful in selecting the proper foods. Your wedding consultant or party planner can offer helpful tips during this process. Your mother, maid of honor, groom and others very close to you are also able to offer constructive advice during the sampling.

3 – There will be many options when sampling foods from a caterer so remember to pace yourself to enjoy each of them. A small bite or two is all that is necessary to enjoy the tastes of the dish.

4 – Discuss particular preferences with your wedding caterer or party caterer. If you have a favorite food or type of food, feel free to discuss foods with these particular ingredients that will be included in the meals. This information will be very helpful for the caterer to note later in the planning stages.

5 – Discuss alternative ingredient options with your caterer. If you like something but want it to be “vegetarian friendly,” simply ask your caterer if this is possible.

6 – Look for signs of quality foods and other ingredients. Catering is not limited to the expensive or the inexpensive tastes. You want the best for your guests regardless of the budget so look for signs of freshness and quality when talking with your wedding caterer or party caterer.

7 — Ask your caterer to present the food to you the way it is to be presented at the wedding reception or party. If it is to be served buffet style over warmers, ask to try the food in this manner. If it is a passed tray reception, ask your caterer if it is possible to sample the food this way. This will help gauge how the food will taste at the reception as well.

8 – Though it does not necessarily pertain to the quality of the food, it is important to take note of the attentiveness of the wait staff. Pay attention to how the front end (servers) and kitchen (chef) communicate with one another. Do things move fluidly or in a disorganized manner? This tip is particularly important if you plan to hire the caterer’s wait staff.

Ready to start taste testing?

April 10, 2009 by Jordon Robinson

Chef, Host, And Party Planner: You Can Do It All With These Party Tips

You’ve decided to host the party at your house and bravely prepare the food yourself. Although I prefer to use a caterer, I have occasionally prepared the food myself for one of my informal shin-digs. These are some helpful tips that will keep things running smoothly around the table while still allowing you to enjoy the party.

Keep things simple. Purchase snacks like chips, dips, salsa, nuts, cold cuts, bread, and prepared salads. This cuts down on prep time in the kitchen. All you’ll have to do is open and serve. Tip: serve gourmet chips or specialty nuts like wasabi nuts or pita chips to give your snacks an upscale attitude.
Incorporate healthy dishes based on fruits, vegetables, and grains for those friends of yours that might be on a diet. This is another easy way to make your food table look fancy.
Serve buffet-style. Spread selections of vegetables, dips, finger-foods and pre-sliced meats around the table on small platters. This will help keep people moving around the food without forming a long line.
Make it a BYOB and ask your guests to bring wine, beer or soda. This is not considered rude at all if the party is for more than 8 people and an informal drop in get-together.
Don’t try to manage all of the trash with that tiny container under the sink. Create well placed and clearly marked areas for trash throughout the house. This way you won’t have to change trash bags every five minutes and guests won’t have to hunt for a place to discard their trash.
Be sure to have plenty of ice on hand. There is nothing worse than running out of ice at a party.
Set and dress your table before your guests arrive.
Wrap utensils in napkins and place them for your guests to easily grab and hold.
Designated an area in your kitchen for storing “refill” food until it is needed. You will need a shelf in your refrigerator for the cold items, a warm oven for the hot items, and a place on the counter for chips and the like. This way you can easily refill the buffet table.

The most important tip is to be prepared. Prepare and store everything that you can the day or at least several hours before the party. Following these tips will help you throw a successful party that you can enjoy.

March 23, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Party Caterers: The Key To A Successful Event

The thing that everyone remembers about a party is the party food. The comments that follow are often friends asking for the name of the party caterer. They say that the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach but the same can be said of any true food lover. It’s easy to impress guests and have them returning to all of your parties when you serve the right food.

How Will I Know What Foods To Serve?

Want to know what party foods are popular in your area? Ask a local caterer for help! Having been a special part of many local parties, catering companies in your area will be very familiar with local tastes. Of course, the style of food depends on the type of party. Caterers are still a huge help because they can offer suggestions for very appetizing additions to the menu. Many of those catering a party often tailor their menus to the particulars of the occasion anyway, so why not take advantage of this expertise?

Give Yourself A Break: Hire A Party Caterer!

Not only will party catering be able to successfully satisfy everyone’s appetite, professional catering services take some of the hassle out of planning a party. You read that right! Hiring a caterer for your party means that someone else is responsible for planning, preparing and delivering the food! Some party catering companies even provide wait staff and set up the food table. When it’s time to focus most of your attention on a different aspect of the party, hire a local party caterer to fill the hungry stomachs of your guests.

February 13, 2009 by Jordon Robinson

3 Tips For Successful Bachelor or Bachelorette Parties

Planning a Bachelor or Bachelorette Party? Follow These Tips For Success.

RSVP HEAD COUNT – as the host it is important that you have a count of those who will be attending. You may invite several and may even get several “maybe” answers. However when planning something like this, a head count is crucial and dependent on the RSVPs. Depending on the nature of the party, whether it is a local get together or a weekend getaway to a big city, numbers are necessary to make reservations for dinner, shows and hotel [Read more…]

December 4, 2008 by Jordon Robinson

How to throw a party without breaking the bank

On A Budget? Check Out These Cost Saving Party Tips

Not everyone has an expendable budget for elaborate party décor and fancy party favors, I included. So, the social butterfly and single college student that I am, I must make my dollar go a long way when it comes to party supplies. Through the years I have come up with some money saving tips that will surely help you stay on budget when preparing for your next event.

If you’re able … make it yourself. Do it yourself projects may take time, but to some, [Read more…]

November 24, 2008 by Jordon Robinson

Holiday Party Tips

I would not consider myself a party expert, but I do love to entertain, and have hosted my fair share of holiday parties. In my rookie years of party hosting, I was a mess. I never looked up from the oven or kitchen sink to enjoy the actual party. Now that I have a few under my belt, I have made a standard list of “musts” that I abide by when hosting any kind of party. I will be glad to share these with you; so, you can [Read more…]

October 24, 2008 by Celebration Advisor

Top 5 Tips For Throwing A Pumpkin Decorating Party

Looking for an interesting way to throw a fall party? Try a pumpkin decorating party! Gather your friends and family together for this festive event and watch their eyes (and a few jack-o-lanterns) light up! To throw the best autumn party possible, here are a few tips for your pumpkin decorating event!

1—Make it a contest! Healthy competition is fun for everyone. Make sure that everyone is a winner though. Fun festive party favors are available for all ages. A new pumpkin carving tool or a sweet treat of pumpkin rolls are great ideas. Even a “well done!” as guests make their way to the cups of hot apple cider will keep the spirits high.

2—Keep the food and drinks festive! Hot apple cider is the perfect drink for fall parties. Bobbing for apples is another fun party idea that leaves each guest with a sweet treat to enjoy later! [Read more…]

October 15, 2008 by Celebration Advisor

5 Great Costume Party Ideas

Throwing a costume party for your friends and family? Making this party memorable enough to be discussed well into the new year requires the help of great costume party ideas. Throwing a costume party is a great way to celebrate Halloween but can also be used to spice up boring weekends throughtout the year. Regardless of the season or celebration, these great tips will keep your costume party the talked about event of the year! [Read more…]

October 6, 2008 by Celebration Advisor

How To Throw A Fun-tastic Gamer Party

There is a gamer in all of us, regardless of age. Whether starting on Atari™ or introduced to gaming via a Nintendo Wii™, gaming is a widespread phenomenon with staying power. For some couples or even close friends, a great way to share some extra time together is to throw a gamer party. Ditch the traditional dinner and a movie gig for something worth talking about the next day. Watch out, though. Personal experience has shown that some couples just are not meant to compete against one another. If you think your relationship is up to the challenge, let the gaming begin!