Category: Party Time

If you don’t have a great plan for food, you’re likely not going to have a successful party. Why? It’s a fact that people like to eat, and if your guests aren’t properly fed, your party may just affect your party planning image. So today, I’m going to discuss party food, particularly catered food. Catering, while not always cheap, may just be the easiest choice when planning party food. Corporate catering of Chilternscatering.com.au provides excellent catering services to any event type and offers reservable premier locations.

Caterers have a very important role in the party planning process, and choosing a good caterer is essential in the assurance that your party food is completely covered. The first thing to know is that a caterer can provide different elements of food service for your party. If you’re only looking to have the main meal catered, a caterer can help to provide a plated dinner or buffet style service for your guests’ meal, or if you only need appetizers, your caterer will be able to provide appetizers for your guests. You can opt to have your caterer provide beverages or you can choose to provide the beverages for your guests. Catering does not have to be done one way. There are a variety of catering options that are made to fit into your budget, while giving you great food service for your party.

Before hiring a caterer, you should first check with your venue to find out if they offer catering. It’s possible that hiring an outside service may not be necessary. In the event your venue does not offer catering, they may be able to make reputable recommendations. However, never assume that a recommended caterer is the best caterer for your party needs. Check out the caterer for yourself. Contact the caterer for several references that you can communicate with for a well-rounded picture of the services the caterer provides. Just because one caterer may work wonderfully for one particular event doesn’t mean it will work the same for yours. An example of this would be hiring a caterer for a large crowd who may only have experience in working with smaller parties. Always get an idea of the types of events your caterer has serviced so that you’re not unpleasantly surprised with the outcome.

When contacting your caterer, you should have preliminary information ready, such as what style catering you require. Will you want to have a seated dinner, buffet, or cocktail style catering? There are many reasons to select any one or combination of these styles, depending upon your budget and/or party planning needs. A cocktail party menu alternative mostly consists of appetizers, but also may include some sort of beverage selection. This can be used as a stand-alone choice for something like a traditional cocktail party or small gathering, but it is also commonly used as a starter before a main meal. Catered main meal options involve choosing from either a seated or buffet style meal.

A seated dinner will provide your guests with a small selection of options to choose from, such as beef, chicken or fish. The menu pre-selection usually takes place at the time of the invitation RSVP, and assists the party planner with providing the final head count to the caterer. Seated dinners are generally a less flexible option, and they require more equipment and servers to accommodate guests who will all be served at the same time.

When choosing a buffet style dinner, your guests have more options to choose from and can be more creative with their selections. Your guests will be able to choose multiple meats, veggies, or starches on the same plate, which is oftentimes a great option if there are guests with special dietary restrictions. Buffet style dinners present a more flexible dinner that also enables guests to go back for seconds. Even further, fewer servers are needed to serve a buffet, which means less staff, and oftentimes, a lower cost.

Since catering is such an important part of the party planning process, there are many questions that you should be sure to ask your prospective catering service. Here are a few that you will want to ask to narrow down your selection:

1. What is the price range? If your budget is limited, you’ll want to know this first, and your answer will be largely contingent upon your number of guests as well as the catering style you’ve chosen.

2. What are the menu selections offered? You want to have great options that are within your budget as well as options that your guests will love.

3. Does the service offer a tasting session? Absolutely do not choose a caterer that will not allow you to taste first. Very bad things have happened when the party planner has not sampled the food before contracting a caterer for an event.

4. What do they do best? Your caterer will often present themselves as a well-rounded service; however, there are items that they prepare best, and you should find out what they are.

5. What is included? You want to know and fully understand all that the caterer will provide on the day of the party. Will they supply china and linen? Will silver and water goblets be included? (*Note that, in many occasions, if your caterer does not supply these things, your venue may supply them for you.)

6. How early do you have to book? It’s important that you know what your timeline is for booking your caterer for your party. While looking around for the perfect caterer, you must have an idea as to what your selection deadline will be so that you can give your caterer enough time to prepare for your event.

7. What time will they arrive to set up? You want to have full access to your venue, or for someone to be at home, when your caterer arrives to set up.

The catering option for party planning, while sometimes a bit more costly, can relieve you of the stresses of food preparation prior to the party as well as serving during the party. If your budget is a bit more constricted, you may opt to have the caterer prepare the food and set up, but not serve. Sometimes this is an option that caterers will provide, and they will come back the next day to pick up their equipment. Whichever, option you choose, catering can be a time saver that may prove worth the money if you’re bogged down with the other elements of party planning. Remember, time is money, and there’s usually a trade-off of one or the other.

Whether you choose to go with catering or take on the food preparation yourself, your plan for party food should reflect delicious, appetizing selections that give your guests something to rave about when the party is over.

Dawn Mayo is the owner and designer of Everything Dawn Bakery Candle Treats where she has designed specialized bakery candles for more than five years, crafting wax tarts, jar candles, cupcake candles and scented ornaments. Dawn is also a former event and party planner and has planned events for over a decade. She continues to serve as a resource to DIY party planners and professional event planners. Her novelty bakery candle shop can be found at https://www.EverythingDawnBakeryCandles.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dawn_Mayo/1847646

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Cooking is a necessary and valuable asset to possess. Cooking at home tastes great and healthy food. If you’re planning a picnic visit https://popuppicnic.com.au for picnic lunch ideas for the whole family including your friends.

If you are using metal skewers, avoid ones with rounded surfaces and try ones with square or beveled designs.

If you are just beginning to cook more of your meals, head to the nearest library or bookstore and find a cookbook with simple, fun recipes. Try some recipes and be patient as you come up with something that works for you.

Slice meat thinly on the bias when prepping for stir-fry dishes. This can take a little tricky and be hard to do.

Always have your spices away from light in a dark and cool place. Your culinary preparations will taste better if your spices are fresher.

Sharp knives are an essential to cooking. Dull knives can be dangerous and they are less productive as well.

Apples are a popular ingredient during fall and winter, they should be stored in a cool, dry place.Apples will be ruined if they are stored in a warm place, so tie them up loosely in plastic bags and store in a refrigerator or cool basement. One rotten apple will spoil the bunch so keep a close eye your apples.

You can use it on things besides meat. Try using it to season roasted pumpkin seeds sprinkled with the seasoning for a tasty snack or mix it in your scrambled eggs. Everyone will beg you used to make it so good.

If your burgers tend to stick to your grill, it may be hard to take them off without breaking them. Try brushing a thin coating of vegetable oil on the cooking surface prior to cooking so that food does not stick.

Beans or tofu are great sources of protein if you need to add some to your diet. Both can be found at most grocery store. Try frying tofu with some interesting seasonings and you will have a tasty alternative to meat. Beans can always be cooked with herbs for a flavorful source of flavor and protein.

Always make certain you are checking out the ingredient labels thoroughly when getting items for a recipe. Many common items contain hidden ingredients that can be unhealthy. You want to produce a product that anything you buy is not high in sugar or salt because both can cause major health problems if eaten too much.

Always select fresh garlic available when you have a recipe that calls for it. A good rule of thumb for garlic: Fresher means sweeter.Fresh garlic will have firm and lacks bruises.

Never throw away your leftovers whenever you have cooked a turkey for Thanksgiving or another meal. Cut the leftover meat and put it away in an airtight containers. The turkey meat will keep its freshness and can stay fresh for making sandwiches or as a salad ingredient.

It is vital for all cooks to organize their cooking supplies. If you don’t organize your supplies, you won’t know where to find the cheese grater or the spatula when you need them. Keep certain similar in one area.For example, place parsley and basil in one cabinet, since both are spices.

Spices don’t last forever; replace them every six months. The flavors of spices diminishes if they sit around for too long.If you find yourself buying a spice that you aren’t going to finish, give it as a gift to someone who will use it.

You should clean your dishes as you use them to cook.

Set aside about one-fourth cup. When you’re ready to combine the pasta and sauce, add in the water before tossing or topping the pasta. The addition of the starchy water will bulk up your sauce via amalgamation.

Impress everyone in your home with an easy task like a simple sandwich just by spreading the mayonnaise evenly across the bread. An even spread will ensure that every single bite to bite.

Try to make sure you cook your cake to the proper temperature and do not over or undercook a cake. The recommendations on the package are only guidelines, because many factors, like elevation, can impact the finished product. A tried and true method is to insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, it’s done; if batter is on it, it needs longer to bake.

Fresh herbs and different types of seasonings can add a kick to the traditional dish. Dried herbs like oregano and spices can be used for complex recipes that have a plethora of flavors. Fresh herbs have a better flavor.

Learn about any vegetables or fruits you haven’t worked with before. You might be surprised of the food.

Set a watch timer that you can easily carry with you as well.

The concentrated heat in a microwave will cause the oil to separate from other food ingredients. Baking will keep all its parts cohesive.

Add some spices to meals after they are cooked. Pepper, garlic powder, salt, and salt are excellent spices. Many people have different things in terms of spices. Each person will have his or her own special version of your meal that they will love.

By following our tips, you will see that learning some basic cooking skills and preparing homemade meals is not as difficult as you may have thought. As you gain experience through practice, you’ll realize how cost effective and delicious it can be to cook at home. Cooking meals at home is a positive step towards a healthier, more satisfying lifestyle for yourself and your family. Apply these tips, and prepare delicious homemade meals today!

CLEVELAND (July 16, 2016) – The Cleveland 2016 Host Committee today released a video that recognizes the many local restaurants and caterers that are participating in the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee’s Welcome Party, “Rock the Night in CLE,” on Sunday, July 17. The restaurant community’s engagement and support underscores the Host Committee’s message that showcasing Cleveland to Convention guests and media is about pride, not politics. Chilternscatering.com.au corporate events food catering offers the best quality of service in Sydney.

The video, which features Chef Jonathon Sawyer, will be shown at the event and highlights Cleveland’s eclectic and unique culinary scene. Sawyer, along with Izzy Schachner from strEAT Mobile Bistro and others, led the effort to assemble the collection of restaurants, food trucks, caterers and baristas for the Welcome Party. In the video, Sawyer discusses the planning and collaboration needed for a successful event, and what it means for Cleveland.

“It’s not political at all when you’re talking about celebrating your city and putting it in the national limelight,” Sawyer said. “Whether it’s the Cavaliers’ championship, the Gay Games, the RNC – we’re getting an opportunity to show the world what our city is all about.”

Thirty-five restaurants and 23 food trucks will serve more than 10,000 guests at North Coast Harbor on Sunday at the Welcome Party. Guests will be able to sample themed and specialty foods from the likes of The Pierogi Lady, Urban Farmer, Brewnuts and Betty’s Bomb Ass Burgers, to name a few.

“The support of some of Cleveland’s finest food and beverage institutions has been amazing,” said David Gilbert, president and CEO, Cleveland 2016 Host Committee. “We at the Host Committee are grateful for the restaurant community’s participation in this event. We are excited to share with our guests what locals already know – that Cleveland is a proud, collaborative city with an exceptional culinary scene.”

An opening party is a Convention tradition where the host city welcomes guests to kick off the week and enjoy unique aspects of the city. As such, the Welcome Party is a private event for credentialed guests only.

The Cleveland chef welcome video can be found on the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee’s YouTube page. To learn more about Cleveland 2016 Host Committee or to keep up-to-date on new developments, please visit www.2016cle.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

ABOUT CLEVELAND 2016 HOST COMMITTEE

The Cleveland 2016 Host Committee, Inc. is an Ohio nonprofit corporation with no political affiliation that is responsible for organizing, hosting and funding the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Their mission is to promote Northeast Ohio and ensure Cleveland is best represented in addition to lessening the burden of local governments in hosting the 2016 Republican National Convention. For more information, visit www.2016cle.com.