Holiday Catering Today

Holidays mean large family gatherings and even larger amounts of food. All those typical and decedent edibles will be cooked up, dressed up and served amongst families and friends, but what’s a vegetarian to do in such a standardized food situation? Coming to a party or family gathering where there is limited options in food is rather unwelcoming and can be awkward to deal with for a vegetarian. But you, my vegetarian friend, have a few options in dealing with holiday food pitfalls.

One option includes letting yourself go hungry at a party or selectively picking off eats from finger food platters. But, who would want that? A mature and reasonable second option would involve politely informing your host’s that you stick to a specific vegetarian diet, which they can plan accordingly for ahead of time. Your last option, and probably your best bet, includes bringing a party favor you can eat, a dish that’s vegetarian friendly.

Don’t Be That…Vegetarian:

For your own sake, don’t arrive to a holiday party with the assumption your vegetarian lifestyle will be catered to. Doing so is rude and will most likely result in going hungry or meagerly snacking at the holiday bash. And who wants to not eat at such a festive event?

Be better prepared prior to a holiday party or family gathering. Consider others first, especially in letting them know about your specific situation as a vegetarian.

Inform Your Hosts, Mr. or Mrs. Vegetarian:

If you’re invited to a holiday party where meats and non-veggie items will be served inform your hosts way ahead of time, not a day or two before your arrival. It’s the courteous thing to do. This will make you at ease come the actual party, since you’ll then be able to actually eat vegetarian -provided your hosts oblige- but it will also take away the strain and awkwardness from your hosts before the party is underway.

So, opt to inform your hosts that you are a vegetarian, but would love to attend their party and enjoy the bill of fare they have planned. Make it clear that you are easily pleased with vegetarian-friendly food. Doing this pre-party notification stuff allows for a polite RSVP, but also ensures that your hosts are aware about your vegetarian dietary needs. It’s a win win situation.

Prepare and Bring A Dish:

Show your hosts you care and appreciate their invite with a nice gift upon arrival. A classy bottle of wine or a poinsettia would be perfect. Even better, and more relevant to your eating situation, bring some food to contribute to the celebration.

Be the bearer of a tasty gift when entering your holiday party atmosphere.

Choose to prepare and bring a dish of your own, a la vegetarian, of course. This will make certain you’ll have something to eat, since you brought it yourself. Additionally, you will have added some refreshment variety and culture for other unexpected guests with your vegetarian dish. Make sure to make your dish accessible to everyone though; keep simplicity in mind rather than ornateness when preparing your vegetarian dish.

Please, don’t let the holidays halt your vegetarianism. Rather, incorporate your dietary ways into the holiday mold and do some vegetarian tweaking. Despite the difficulties, it is worth it. Just remember to plan ahead prior to holiday parties and family events. Either send word of your vegetarian lifestyle to your hosts or prepare a self-made vegetarian plate for the party. Either way, your hosts will be pleased with your politeness. Now you have no excuse to not go to a holiday party. Be festive and enjoy, vegetarian friends!

During the ever-mounting holiday festivities, mall shopping, office parties, family gatherings, neighborhood driveway fire pit gatherings; they all include that holiday food. Solution: During the ever-mounting holiday festivities take a healthy dark chocolate dessert or just carry some with you so you can still be eating with the rest of party goers.

My favorite healthy chocolate snack dessert is: put halves of pecans on a cookie sheet, spread with waxed paper, in a single layer; melt a bar of at least 70% dark chocolate in a double boiler, then drizzle the melted chocolate over the pecans. Depending on how many pecans you are using is how much chocolate you melt. Then I put the cookie sheet in the refrigerator for a little while to set the chocolate. They are a chocolate nut delight.

Did you know that eating 30 calories per day of dark chocolate may lower high blood pressure, it is a good idea to keep it limited to small portions as it is candy and it could blow your diet, just a little goes a long way.

Another thing to know is that the health benefits do not include milk chocolate or white chocolate, and you also need to watch the sugar content. Health food stores have bars with 75% (or greater) chocolate with only 5 grams of sugar and also are organic, so keep them in supply so when you are invited to a potluck and/or party, grab your chocolate bar and know you will be staying healthy and still get your chocolate fix.

Dark Chocolate increases dopamine release and provides flavonoids, which help keep arteries young. Chocolate also is a potent antioxidant, which gobbles up free radicals. But do not wash it down with milk as the two do not mix to keep the healthy benefits of the chocolate.

Thought for the Day: “Time and health are two precious assets that we do not recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted.” -Denis Waitley-

One sense that can have an overwhelming effect on our mood is the sense of smell. Warm folks up to the holidays with some simple tricks, and get the most out of your time together.

Dried flowers and half a Cinnamon stick wrapped up in mesh cloth and tied with a thin ribbon make an instant potpourri. Cinnamon or flower scented oil is a convenient way to keep the scent strong. You can even hang a couple of sachets from the Christmas tree.

Pine cones are perfect for creating pleasant scents. Gently baste a pine cone with pine oil and it will retain the seasonal fragrance for some time.

Before adding the Christmas lights, spray the tree with the cologne of your choice (men’s cologne works best). You can usually catch the scent for a good while when standing next to it.

If you do not like conventional air fresheners, apply some rose oil or a scented oil of your choice generously onto cotton balls and place them discreetly in different corners of the house. Places they can be hidden are; corners of window sills, under furniture, behind mirrors or pictures, under a chair or couch and so on. You’ll be amazed at how quickly food and stale odors disappear and the house does not have that “Supermarket Air Freshener Scent”.

Scented candles are always nice and so are fresh flowers. Two popular winter flowers are: Winter Jasmine and Honeysuckle. Place some in an attractive vase and you have a party instantly under way.

To wind it all up, have wonderful smelling and tasting food. The smell of fine coffee is always a winner and don’t forget the aroma of a warm piece of chocolate cake!

Planning successful social events takes time and patience. But the effort also gives you a chance to shine. One of the best ways to demonstrate your good judgment and your administrative ability is to help plan a party that people will be talking about all winter long.

Start Planning Now In most cases the planning should be at least two to three months in advance. Most restaurants and caterers have their menus ready months in advance. Ask for copies to be faxed or sent to your office. Consider:

1. What type of party is appropriate for the occasion? (casual get-together, banquet, buffet, dance, etc.)
2. Are you hosting this event during the work week?
3. Where will it take place? (office, hotel or restaurant)
4. Who is footing the bill? (company or the employees)
5. Set the date.

Something to Think About: Your company may want to consider its tax deduction when you’re planning the party. As a basic rule: If the party is held on your company’s premises, the expenses are fully tax deductible. But if the party is held at a restaurant, hotel or banquet hall, the cost is fully deductible only if the party is “primarily” for rank and file. An off-premises party is at least 80% deductible no matter which employees attend.To Cater or Not to Cater If your boss wants to keep it simple, you could order party trays from the local deli or ask staff members to bring in various food items for a pot-luck. Keep in mind, however, that people who sign up to bring in certain dishes may show up with something else on party day. To avoid getting stuck with ten bags of potato chips and no desserts, you may want to take up a collection ahead of time and buy the refreshments yourself.

If the event will be formal or if a lot of people will be attending, you may want to hire a caterer. This will save you an enormous amount of time because once the essential decisions about the party are made, you can let the caterer handle the details.

Here are some suggestions if you decide to go the catering route:

1. Shop around. If you have never hired a caterer and have no recommendations to fall back on, check with the home office. They may recommend two or three reputable caterers in the area that are suited to your needs.
2. Make sure the caterer you choose is licensed has liability insurance and a permit. Feel free to ask for references, a reliable business shouldn’t mind. Call the references and verify their service.
3. When you’re considering price quotes from caterers make sure you’re getting what you pay for, i.e. one caterer may serve frozen pizza that you could easily buy in a grocery store, while another may prepare it fresh.
4. See if the caterer can prepare an assortment of interesting foods and Hor D’Oeuvres. People like to be able to pick and choose. You may also want to take dieters and those with known health issues into consideration and have vegetables, fruits and salads or even special dishes, such as low-cholesterol recipes
5. Go over the details once you decide on a caterer, you need to take the time to discuss your plans in detail so the caterer knows exactly what you want. For a company party, the presentation can be extremely important. The best company parties are often somewhat simple, but elegant.
6. Make sure you get a signed Catering Agreement outlining job responsibilities, total cost of your event, deposit and additional fees for setup and decorations. If there’s room in your party budget, you might consider having the caterer supply a staff to serve and clean up so you can enjoy the party.
7. When deciding on the menus consider using seasonal dishes. Quality and price are the main cost saving advantages.

Alcohol or Wine Because of the potential legal liabilities, more and more companies are serving wine or champagne instead of having a full bar. Make sure employees are reminded of the State Laws and Company policy on Alcohol and Drugs. Besides cutting down on legal problems, it helps to keep party expenses down. A champagne punch is a good choice for a holiday party.The Forget-Me-Nots Don’t forget the little things. Once the major details are worked out, make arrangements for often overlooked essentials, such as ice. It’s the first thing that people run out of so buy extra. You can always through out what’s left over, but you’ll have a problem if you run out of it at the party.

Try and give the caterer an accurate count of people attending. Caterers usually take into account a few extra people. But if there’s gross misjudgment you’ll run out of food. And nobody wants to run out of food.

You should be ready to have a great time and shine for all your efforts in making this a successful event to remember.

Holiday parties can be major events, requiring plenty of planning during this busy time of year. Be sure you plan far enough ahead so that everyone can work your party into their holiday schedule. Here is a helpful guide for planning your party.

Step One

Set the date. Try to plan your party several weeks before Christmas before travel plans and other holiday activities fill everyone’s calendars. Perhaps ask some friends when a good date for them would be to ensure that your favorite people can attend.

Step Two

Come up with party ideas and decide which ideas you would like to follow. Decide whether you want a large gathering with catered food, a small get together with friends, or maybe a mix of both. You can easily find holiday party ideas online or in holiday magazines to get ideas. You could try a dressy cocktail party, a black and white themed party, a caroling party, a soup party, or a tree trimming party. Determine your budget before you make any final decisions.

Step Three

Write a guest list. Invite some close friends for a sit-down dinner, or as many people as your house will hold for a jovial get-together with small snack, mini-meals, and drinks. Remember that not everyone you invite will be able to come. Those who can attend may come and leave at different times, leaving your house more room for guests.

Step Four

Decide on a menu. If you are hiring a Utah holiday caterer, consult with the caterer as soon as possible and plan the menu. Be sure to include healthy foods too. If you are serving alcohol, have non-alcoholic drinks also available for those that don’t drink. Be sure you have a good estimate of the guest list and you stay within your budget. Consider using the caterer for other items as well, such as the decorations, linens, and flatware.

Step Five

Send out the invitations. Invitations should go out as early in December as possible so that your guests can RSVP. Be sure to include the meal time or arrival time, possible activities, if they can bring food, and appropriate dress.

Step Six

Decorate. Depending on the party, you can use traditional decorations with centerpieces, or use themed party decorations. If you need help with the decorations, plan a mini party with the girlfriends to make some decorations, or a shopping trip to your local store, or perhaps even borrow some decorations from close friends. It’s always a good idea to have a holiday tree, snowflakes, and candles. (Be sure to thoroughly clean your house before you fully decorate.)

Step Seven

Buy all the party items. Buy the food, beverages, paper goods, and decorations you will need for the party.

Step Eight

If necessary make the food and chill the beverages, or set up a time with the caterer, set the tables or make the arrangements on the serving table.

Step Nine

Just before the guests arrive, turn on the holiday tunes and set out the food and drinks. Leave the entryway open for the guests to come in! Perhaps have hot cider or hot chocolate ready to warm your guests from the cold outside.

Step Ten

Mingle and have fun!

According to Louis Gervais, Five Diamond Executive Chef and owner of Vancouver catering company Louis Gervais Fine Foods, this year’s food trends incorporate creative serving ideas and miniature holiday food favourites.

The most “with-it” corporate and private events of the season will feature complete miniature meals. Offering a hearty and satisfying alternative to traditional hors d’oeuvres these themed foods are ideal for cocktail parties. Guests can enjoy such delights as a teeny duck shepherd’s pie with marbled yam soufflé, presented in a mini ramekin and accompanied with a small fork. Another petite meal idea is a tiny tortiere pie - a traditional French Canadian festive favourite. To create a real spectacle, carry a tray of mini Christmas puddings that have been soaked in brandy and set on fire, into a dimmed room filled with friends and family.

With so much party hopping during the holiday season it is common to skip major meals and instead rely on snacking at events. Guests will appreciate more nourishing foods that celebrate the season in a playful and creative way.

Food presentation is another way to impress guests. Try serving mouthfuls of festive treats on individual, elegant silver spoons – a trend made popular by French celebrity chef Alain Ducasse – or even classic Christmas records.

It is common to serve hors d’oeuvres on crackers or small slices of bread, however the Atkins diet has made people increasingly wary of their carb intake. Serving food on spoons is an inventive way to cut unwanted carbohydrates while maintaining delicious toppings.

Finally, when it comes to serving cocktails, try adding an original twist to an old favourite. This season our holiday and Christmas catering menu offers several fun cocktail recipes this season – like a Christmas Cosmopolitan using rosemary infused vodka, frozen cranberries and a sprig of rosemary for garnish. It’s easy to make and adds a festive touch to any gathering.

Any holiday is a special occasional and is meant to be enjoyed. Family and friends gather in a traditional style. The kids play, the memories flow and the food never stops coming. Holidays are a great time - any time, if you have a plan.

One of the best plans any host can have is to make sure that their holiday gathering is catered. If you’re a diehard traditionalist and you just have to cook that turkey or steaming dish of lasagna - fine. But let a caterer do the rest. For those who don’t want to bother with any food preparation, there are caterers out there that will do it all. Any reputable caterer will help you with all of your planning needs. Whether it is a family gathering or an office celebration, a caterer will plan the event and bring in a staff that will make the occasion a memorable one, and take the pressure of you.

There are a couple of points to consider if you are planning on hiring a caterer for your next holiday gathering. Don’t wait until the last minute to book. A good caterer has a calendar that fills up fast, especially around the holidays. If you are planning your celebration in a location other than your home, it is another consideration. Popular spots are booked months in advance, as does the planning; so it would be wise for you to think well ahead and book early. The two weekends before Christmas are the most popular catering times, so if you haven’t made plans at least a few months ahead, you could be in trouble.

If you’re planning a holiday event in your home, you have options as well. If you are just planning a cocktail party with hot and cold hors d’ oeuvre, a caterer is the perfect solution. You can enjoy an evening with your friends who will surely rave about the food, and you don’t have to worry about clean up. The caterer and staff do it all. The same goes for a family holiday gathering. If you’d rather the caterer come in early and prepare everything ahead of time, that can be arranged, and no one will have to know who did the cooking.