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Chicago’s Entertaining Company | Up-Market catering for your wedding

How do you measure if the caterer you choose will provide the impact that you’re looking for? Experience counts. Real testimonies (call or email) are insightful. And a true connection with the caterer could be the difference as to whether your vision is realized or not.

One of our partners from Chicago, Entertaining Company, has successfully executed food for a multitude of events. What’s their secret?

According to founder Wendy Pashman, it’s about up-market catering. What exactly is up-market?  Is it super schmancy?  Over-the-top expensive? Menus bursting with truffles Filet Mignon encrusted with 24-carrot gold!?   Moreover, what kind of business strategy is promoting “upmarket” when the economy is all about value-adds and deals-of-the-day?

As she sees it, up-market is all about the value add. But, in this case, it’s not buy-one-get-one-free. The value add is in the details. The small (and big,) touches that make an event stand out. And, it’s about really good food. At an Entertaining Company event, the food isn’t an obligatory after-thought. It’s the center ring at the circus.

Up-Market is Ideas. In short, they come to the table with ideas and inspirations. They trend spot and delight in coming up with something new.  They come to every event ready to play and create something one-of-a-kind.

Up-Market is Trust. Entertainment Company’s consultant Molly Fennell, who has gained a wide following at such competitive catering venues as Café Brauer, said her secret is centered in providing brides with “trust and confidence.”  It is their job to make it all happen, without a hitch.

Up-Market is Service. Is there any greater luxury than service? Seasoned consultants begin with the basics and work up to the details. EC guides the client step by step, and takes care of all the details along the way.

Up-Market is the Details. When EC staff serves an event, they go above and beyond. Surprise vegans at the table get served according to their dietary needs. Brides with broken heels get crazy glue procured at the corner bodega.  A guest who announces his birthday gets a make-shift candle made out of a string and a crayon.

That’s how you execute excellence and continue to thrive in a challenging business environment. So, Entertaining Company’s Up-Market Catering = Great food. Creativity. Connecting. Service – beyond expectation.

Peter Callahan Shares His Mini Masterpieces in BITE by BITE

We are thrilled to share with all a new cookbook making its debut this month that will make a wonderful shower gift for your favorite bride (or any kind of gift if they love good food!).

Celebrated caterer Peter Callahan (and StrictlyWeddings.com New York partner) is famous for his inventive and delicious miniature food creations. Now, in BITE BY BITE: 100 Stylish Little Plates You Can Make for Any Party (on sale August 30, 2011), you can re-create Peter’s awe-inducing small bites at home.

In this debut cookbook, Callahan welcomes readers to share in the fun and beauty of his creations. According to Peter, being prepared is the key to pulling off a self-catered party like a professional. With that in mind, he has included a Kitchen Tools and Conveniences section, listing the key kitchen equipment that will help you create the delicious masterpieces in this book. In each recipe he also notes what can be made in advance, how best to schedule your time, and any short-cuts that will make life easier on the big day. Along the way, he divulges his secrets and inspiration, including stories of how he dreamed up dishes that he’s catered for his long roster of celebrity clients.

We love a cook who shares his technique as well as tells a good story!

Some featured recipes in Bite by Bite include:

• COMFORT FOODS: Caprese Tea Sandwiches; Mac and Cheese Canapés; Baked Beans in Bacon Cups; Twice-Baked Stuffed Potatoes; and Cheeseburgers and Frites
• SHOTS + BITES: Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese; Caviar Spoons and Vodka; Spicy Chicken “Fortune Cookies” and Cherry Sake; and Fish Tacos and Gazpacho
• LOLLIPOPS, CONES, + MORE: Mango-Shrimp Lollipops; Watermelon-Mint Lollipops; Tuna Tartare Plantain Cones; Crab in Potato Cones; and Chicken Nori Cigarettes
• CLASSICS REINTERPRETED: Stuffed Mushrooms; Lobster-Potato Petit Fours; Pigs in Blankets, Two Ways; and Turkey Canapés with Stuffing and Cranberry Relish
• DESSERT: Chocolate Ice Cream “Burgers;” Limoncello Popsicles; Cotton Candy Lollipops; Strawberry-Rhubarb Pies; Fluffernutters; and Bagel Profiteroles

Peter is the owner of New York City-based Callahan Catering and is widely credited with having created the mega trend of miniaturized savory and dessert hors d’oeuvres. He has been catering for more than twenty-five years and has created food for Martha Stewart, Vera Wang, Kate Spade, JPMorgan, Tory Burch, Valentino, Regis and Joy Philbin, Tony Bennett, and Al Gore, among other clients.

Chicago’s Entertaining Company – Passionate about Food

We have such exceptional partners at StrictlyWeddings.com. We know, we say that about all of our partners …but they are! Take Chicago’s Entertaining Company. We easily spent a hour on their website, reading about owner Wendy’s adventures and her passionate take on life in her blog; being awed by the colors of the food and decor in their gallery.

From our own Featured Weddings, we KNOW how passionate brides (and grooms) are about their food! Showcased below is just a sample of their style …afterwards, visit their website. We know you’ll enjoy experiencing the wonders of their creativity yourself.

New York City’s Peter Callahan – Caterer to the Stars

The approach to food for New York City partner Callahan Catering is simple:

They believe food should be entertaining, hors d’oeurves should be whimsical, dinners classic and every event different than the last.

World renowned caterer Peter Callahan’s designs are featured on major tv shows and magazines for their originality, whimsy and fun. He creates an experience never seen before for a clientele who have seen it all. The team at Callahan Catering has eons of years experience among them.

They cater primarily in New York City and surrounding areas, however they have traveled the globe for events. They consider their company is like a design studio, dreaming up tomorrow’s hottest food fashions and trends. One can only imagine what they could dream up for your wedding reception.

From Pigs in a Blanket to White Rose Chandeliers – New York Wedding Vendors

For our New York brides, here are three new StrictlyWeddings.com partners to consider. We love the whimsy of Peter Callahan‘s “pigs in a blanket.” The style of Gotham Hall and the beautiful design of Gourmet Advisory.

Peter Callahan – Catering

Gotham Hall – Wedding Ceremony or Reception

Gourmet Advisory – Wedding Planners

Bridal Shower Ideas – Savory Cupcakes

When we think about a cupcake, we imagine a sugary confection. But not all cupcakes have a sweet side. Some of the country’s finest bakers are putting a savory spin on the beloved minicakes, with flavors you might expect to find as a meal, not a dessert, including meatloaf, pasta, roasted potatoes and chicken.

Talk to one of our StrictlyWeddings.com catering partners (Chicago or Dallas) about these savory treats for a special bridal shower or wedding reception.

NYC Wedding Caterers: Great Performances – true greatness!

StrictlyWeddings.com is thrilled to welcome a new wedding catering partner for our New York City launch – Great Performances. Great Performances is known for bringing its consummate culinary skill and originality to the table, complemented by personalized attention to detail and exquisite service. Those brides looking for food that is flavor-full as well as innovative cannot go wrong in selecting Great Performances as their wedding caterer.

You’ve heard the term “locally grown?” With Great Performances’ organic farm, you have access to the freshest produce, inspiring their seasonal 100-Mile Menu where all primary ingredients are sourced from within 100 miles of New York City. They also provide exclusive catering at The Plaza Grand Ballroom, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Caramoor, Wave Hill, BAM, and other iconic New York City wedding venues. To learn more about their wonderful cuisine and services visit GreatPerformances.com.

New Cuisine Trend

Many brides are eliminating the formal sit down dinner and overflowing buffets and opting for an all-passed appetizers wedding with chic smaller buffets.

Find the Perfect Pair – fun food & drink pairings during the entire wedding:

* Black Bean Soup with Mini Chilled Casahas Shots
* Mini Tuna Tacos with Mini Chilled Lime Margaritas
* Fish & Chips served with Mini Pints of Beer
* Mini Gourmet Pizzas served with Mini Pints of Beer
* Caviar & Chilled Vodka
* Instead of huge cheese displays pair cheese, meats and breads with a variety of wine tastings

Choose Mini Buffets – more do-it-yourself stations with toppings:

* Cous Cous Station with Toppings
* Curry Bar
* Deconstructed Mac & Cheese with Truffle Oil, Jalapenos, Chipotle Crème
* Tuna Bar with Tartar & Seared Tuna with Toppings like Wasabi Caviar, Citrus Caviar, Avocado, etc.

Pass the Dessert – serve your guests mini desserts while they are on the dance floor:

* Espresso Brownies with Mini Vanilla Milkshakes
* Fresh Fruit Sorbet on Mini Cones
* Fresh berry tartlets with limoncello sips

Late Night Munchies – serve mini-burgers and mini-grilled cheese for late night dancing treats or surprise guests with an all-passed midnight breakfast:

* Mini Burgers & Fries
* Mini Grilled Cheese
* Mini Blueberry Pancakes
* Mini Scrambled Eggs in Phyllo Nests
* Mini Bagels

Source: GetMarried.com

Photos courtesy of Blue Plate Catering – Chicago and Culinary Art Catering – Dallas

An Evening of Culinary Innovations by Blue Plate (Chicago)

One of our Chicago catering partners, Blue Plate, recently held an event at the Ivy Room to introduce Chicago’s top weddings with Blue Plate’s newest innovative cuisine. “An Evening of Culinary Innovations” by Blue Plate incorporated, from start to finish, a cohesive theme that was inspired by the peacock’s colors of vibrant violet and sapphire.

Invitation Cards
The invitation card is the first impression of any wedding. The artwork detail, the paper texture, color schemes and typography set the tone for the special day. Blue Plate incorporated the soft and dark turquoise tone as the main glow for the invitation.

Décor
Trying to think of décor that will stand out is always a challenge, but by engaging a new concept such as feathers, you not only create a look that is uniquely your own but also one that can be forever beautiful. By maintaining the peacock’s feather colors in various accents around the room, such as on the blue and crystal chandeliers with violet shades, guests were left with a look that was not only striking but also pulled together.

Culinary
Tying in the food with the theme is not easy. Our executive chef designed a popular Gargouillou with Fava Beans, Pea Tendrils, Asparagus, Thumbelina Carrots, Popcorn Shoots, Pink Peppercorns and Edible Flowers with a Carrot-Ginger Reduction. Along the rim of the plate were Smoked Hawaiian Sea Salt, Meyer Lemon Compote and Toasted Flax seeds.

Blue Plate was sure not to forget about the cocktails! Blue Plate’s specialty cocktail of the night was aptly named “The Peacock,” with a brilliant turquoise hue, concocted of Midori, Blue Curacao and Pineapple Juice.

Entertainment
Lastly, entertainment is the absolute key to an unforgettable reception. Ken Arlen Entertainment was absolutely the best choice. From the first note, guests were out of their chairs and onto the dance floor, and didn’t stop shaking their tail-feathers until the late hours of the night.

Enjoy the beautiful photos from the event below…

Wedding & Shower Recipes

We couldn’t pass up sharing one of our FAVORITE web sites for getting recipes – MyRecipes.com. This is a great site for the new and experienced cook. The recipes are simple and consistently good.

Just got this in my email today about Wedding & Shower Recipes and thought to let you know. I can’t tell you how many young people I have personally helped learn how to cook. Personally, there’s nothing like a home cooked meal, no matter how simple … your fiancee/husband and eventually children will appreciate that you can cook. Or if you man is the cook in the house, share this with him.