Launch Party Wrap-up

I am happy to report that despite all the blood (several cut fingers), sweat (house couldn't handle all the people and 100º temperatures outside) and tears (in spirit) I feel that the event was a great success. All the food made it to the table in time and all bottles of alcohol were consumed. This in my book equals a good time had by all. Let's take a look back at all the preparation and menu and weigh in on the cheers and jeers...

Friday evening we split up shopping duties. Cion took Central Market to get flowers, fresh herbs and miscellaneous items, Dave took the Kroger list and I took the Costco list. My cart at Costco was over flowing. I picked up 2 7-8lb beef tenderloins and 6 3lb pork tenderloins, numerous vegetables, water, plates, trash bags, soft drinks, brie cheese, etc. Needless to say when the last item was scanned and the total appeared I had a bit of sticker shock ($400). Despite the flashing dollar amount I passed out 4 business cards to soccer moms waiting in line.

Cion, Randy, Dave and I all gathered our items and met back at the Massey casa. We began chopping and prepping for the layered vegetable terrain and Cion prepped sauces for the beefs. He stayed up late into the night (2am) prepping and marinating. Cion had to get up for work (we both still have day jobs) and I began running around town looking for other items. I dashed over to Williams Sonoma to pick up another white tablecloth, more hydrangeas from Central Market then onto pick up pastries and anti pasto tray. Randy was running around town getting more food supplies we needed and a bucket to keep the wine chilled.

After completing the gathering process we all met up (Randy, Cion, Dave, Deidra and me) at 2:00. Then it became a race to finish by the 6:30 mark. We started with the crabcakes, construction of the mini capreses and slicing zucchini. Then we moved onto dips, sauces and baking the bries. We all kept a watchful eye on the clock (ok I did and just yelled time to everyone) and rushed over food to my brothers house to start the ovens. With the sweat pouring down my back I raced between the houses carrying baked bries, nicly cooked crabcakes and prepped zucchini. Cion and I would quickly pass each other in the heat and update on progress. Each item was then carried into the house where Deidra arranged the presenation on the trays. Then grilling commenced outside with Dave and Cion manning the grills. It became Hell's kitchen upstairs as the 6:30 mark was approaching and we were all dirty, sweaty, hadn't showered and we were still missing the tenderloins. I raced to light candles and start the music and Deidra and Randy raced to complete the crackers. The dance of completion ended about 12 minutes past the 6:30 mark but all in all not bad.

Cion, Deidra and I raced upstairs to quickly hose off the sweat and make ourselves presentable. I could hear the crowd gathering as the 7:00 hour struck. Once Cion completed my makeup I raced down the stairs to greet the crowd of friends and family. Then right as I reached the last step and turned to say hi to the crowd I fell. CRAP. Twisted my foot. Dang the timing. If it weren't for Jimmy catching me I would have been a pile on the hardwoods. I pressed on and began pouring wine. Cion and Deidra followed shortly behind and the party began.

The heat from the outside and the crowd size inside forced my ac's into overdrive. They just could not keep up. The temperature in the inside had climbed to a sweltering 82º. You could see the sweat pouring off everyones faces and makeup running around the eyes. I felt terrible but I really couldn't do anything about it. While continuing to refill trays and pop open champagne bottles I cut 3 of my fingers so by the end of the night I was covered in bandaids and had frozen peas on my foot.

In the end all the food was eaten and we only had a few tenderloins leftover. After the last guest left we layed down our exhausted sweaty feet and crashed into the bed with large smiles and words of praise across our faces.

I want to offer special thanks to the following people whom we could never have completed this party without:
Cion - no words could express my gratitude for all that you did. You continue to amaze me with your talents and dedication.
Randy - you are an amazing source of strength for Cion and I as you raced around town to look for the perfect ice bucket, load supplies into the garage and help us prep. You are also an EXCELLENT dog sitter.
Dave - without you I would never have been able to do this. You are my spirit and I can't thank you enough for putting up with me in the heat of the moment. You are an excellent grill sous chef!
Deidra - came through on the final day to showcase her amazing talent for food presentation.
Brian and Nicole - Thank you for letting us smoke and heat up your house.
Keith, Thuy and Hi - Thank you for washing all the plates and helping clean while Cion, Deidra and I collapsed. We all appreciated your helping hand when we could no longer lift a finger or were to drunk to handle plates. :)
To all our friends, family and party guests - Thank you for sharing in this special moment for us and we hope you will pass on our information to anyone who is in the need of party planning services.

CHEERS!

PS - as soon as I get the photos from the photographer I will post a link.