Catering A Gypsy Theme Event

I was planning an event for a client who has had so many parties, it seemed like every theme we thought of had been done before! Someone suggested the idea of a Gypsy Party, at first I was stumped. What seemed like it would be a challenging theme to work with, ended up a lot of fun.

The party was for the hosts birthday and 275 guests were invited to his private residence, (turned Gypsy Camp), in Yorba Linda, CA. The property is lush with mature trees and rambling gardens, the perfect forest look for a Gypsy camp. Props, menu and entertainment added to the flavor.

I rented a few old world style backdrops such as a cottage, forest, and thatched roof house. These were set dressed with luggage, tools, barrels and trunks. A few tents, wagons, wishing well, some farm animal props and bench seating helped with the camp look.

Most of the cooking was done on site in full view of the guests. The dishes were served on wagon covered buffets to protect the food as well as add to the rustic look. The party lasted into the night and everyone had a ball!

  ~Appetizers~

Market Fair Fruit, Cheese and Vegetables

Piroshki Russian Tiny Turnovers

Mystic Meatballs

Beggars Purse

Rosemary Steak Skewers

                                                                           ~Dinner~

Chicken Paprikash
Hungarian Beef Goulash
Rag Noodles
Rose Potatoes with Olives in Basil Oil
Chopped Peasant Salad 
Goat cheese, cucumber, tomato, shaved red onion and wine vinaigrette,
Rustic breads 

~Dessert~

Mixed Stone Fruit Cobbler with fresh whipped cream

Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce

 Tartelettes

~Beverages~

Lemonade Iced Tea and Campfire Coffee

Tavern Bar

~Entertainment~

Crystal ball reader, Tarot Card Reader, Gypsy Dancers, Strolling Music Playing Duo and a Theme Gypsy Band.

Prop tent makes a fun setting for a crystal ball reader

Props and buffet station settle nicely into the lush yard

Fortune Tellers tent

Benches and props set to watch the entertainment

Gypsy dancers liven up the evening

A colorful party

            

Pinterest and a Edible Pineapple Flower Craft

Pineapple Flower, Fresh Ideas, by Renee Fontes

I have been trying to get up to speed on the Pinterest mechanics and finding it kind of confusing. I'ts like leafing through stacks of MS Living, but you can't tear out the pictures. Lot's of cool things to look at and pinning them to imaginary bulletin board (hope I'm doing it right!) and wow, I found edible art!

While learning new social network skills, I'm also learning some great food preserving skills in the Orange County Master Preservers Group. For homework 2 weeks ago we were told to dry something to show at the next class. I saw these pineapple slices on Pinterest they looked like flowers and gave it a try.

The picture I found didn't have directions but did have a series of photos that were easy enough to follow. Below is how I made these and at the bottom (I believe) is the original source for the pineapple dried flowers. Give it a try, and let me know if you have questions, suggestions or success!

Canning Jar of dried pineapple slices that look like fresh picked daisy's, by Renee Fontes

Dried flowers can be stored in a clean dry jar. They are pretty gifts, garnish and taste good too!
To make:

Cut top and bottom of pineapple.

 Trim away sides.

Notch texture on surface, this helps make petal edges.

The center of this dried pineapple slice looks just like the center of a flower! Photo by Renee Fontes

Slice thin with a sharp knife and lay on a silpat. Dehydrate at 135 until dry, but slightly pliable. It took mine 6 hours. Move from silpat to cupcake pan to help form shape.


 Allow to dry 2 more hours, place in sealed jar or container.

Drying pineapple flowers. Photo by Renee Fontes

I've tried to find the source of the original idea, best I know this is the one I pinned. Great idea!
Inspiration source- http://www.duitang.com/people/mblog/20209417/detail/

Wedding in the Woods

The best weddings are casual but classy... fresh and comfortable, outdoors but still intimate. There is never a need to fuss with decorations when nature can provide uncomplicated beauty. This Southern California wedding reception is a perfect example of all the above. Crisp white chairs, warm chocolate table linen, clean simple lines are framed by boughs and bramble. In one word~ beautiful.

Natural posts hold a simple covering for a simple buffet. In this picture only the basic table scape is in place.

Colors for the table mimic nature as well. Wood, ferns, stone and shade compliment rather then compete for attention.

The reception was a luncheon the menu items were arranged on platters and served cool.

Menu

cold poached salmon with cucumber coulis

lemon tarragon chicken with green grapes and lemon vinaigrette

beef tenderloin with portobella sweet onion mushroom salad and aoili 

orzo and wild rice salad

sliced tomato with blue cheese and bacon

creamy spinach pasta salad

bread display

wedding cupcakes

Photo RFontes Fresh Ideas

 Table assignments set for guests

Photo RFontes Fresh Ideas

Cupcakes for a sweet send off.

Photo RFontes Fresh Ideas

Take a Peek at a Roaring 2O's Party

Tortellini Salad with Artichoke Hearts, Dried Tomato, Olives and Fresh Mozzerella. Platter with deli meats. Photo RFontes

 My very creative friend Chris planned a fun party for her fathers birthday. She chose a Roaring 20's theme, booked a casino, and did an amazing job with period decorations. The guests arrived in terrific costumes, ready to roar!

Chris created dramatic decor areas

     


Look how great these ladies look in their 20's finery!                                                                                
Together with her family, Chris put together a menu and prepared dishes for a casual, easy to nosh on, buffet.

Sausage En Croute served with flavored mustard's. Platter with Puff Pastry Straws and Blistered Grape Tomatoes.  Photo: RFontes-Fresh Ideas

Handmade sausage wrapped in pastry before slicing. Photo RFontes

 My part was easy, I made the Tortellini Salad. Handmade sausage wrapped in pastry, Bruschetta Pomodorro, Chicken Satay and Grilled Sausage Skewers with peppers and onions.

Sausage Skewers ready for the grill. Photo RFontes, Fresh Ideas

Classic Pomodoro, served with fresh ciabatta toasted and rubbed with garlic. Photo RFontes

Adding some space onto your home to keep guests warm and cozy is easy. A party rental company can turn your backyard into another room.

Casino table gets it's own room

Chris turned her parents parlor into a classy casino.

The buffet was set in the kitchen for simple service.

Guests entered from the alley, into a fun "speakeasy" secret knock...and all!

Cook like a Caterer Review- on the road with caterBuzz - the grassroots social media hub for catering professionals: Cook Like a Caterer - a resource for the fledgling caterer, the experienced home entertainer and anyone else who loves delicious food + recipes in quantity!

If you ever wanted to really challenge yourself, then write a cookbook! I just finished Cook like a Caterer, Party Sized Recipes for Entertaining...(are you ever finished?) and now working on the E Book version. It's exciting when after years at working on recipes, the first boxes of books arrive...


... and giving some to your patient family.
Suddenly, complete strangers are not only encouraging, they actually want one!

The best part of all of this is finding kindness and support from the professional catering community called Caterbuzz.

New York Caterer Lisa Teiger of CuisinEtc, reviewed the book, and posted kind words on Caterbuzz blog... she helped me laugh through the typos.

Please take some time and read- on the road with caterBuzz - the grassroots social media hub for catering professionals: Cook Like a Caterer - a resource for the fledgling caterer, the experienced home entertainer and anyone else who loves delicious food + recipes in quantity!   Thank you Lisa and CaterBuzzies!