Cion and I have officially booked our second party. It's an Indian themed dinner that is part of a fundraising event for AWTY. (Awty is a private school here in Houston). We will be preparing 3 appetizers, serving cocktails, serving food and cleaning up. Food wise it's really small but service wise we will be getting a workout. we estimate about 8 hours for the party prep, cleaning and the actual event.
We met with the client last night and walked through the set up and planned the appetizers she would like. Cion and I will be in the kitchen tomorrow night experimenting with mango martinis, indian themed seasonings and food. I will report back with pictures and progress.
Cheers!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
The day after
Well yesterday was a long day. I actually peeled the 36 boiled eggs at midnight Sunday then slept a few hours. I got up at 5:50 so that I could pack up car, run and get ice as well as bagels. Cion arrived promptly at 8:30 and we actually left early. We made a stop off at Super Target for an extra puff pastry and arrived at the destination at 9:30.
The first thing we did was unload the car and set the table. I have a habit of labeling all the serving plates with the name of the dish that will go in them. This way as we go along we know what we need to make and what is left. We started with the delived eggs and assembling the bries. We quickly noticed that refrigerator space was sparse. Not sure how to over come this in the future. Anyways, moved onto assembling veggie tray and cheese tray. We started baking the artichoke/spinach puff pastries and then the bries. Serving wasn't to commence till 2:00 so we were all ready to go at 1:00 so we just took a quick break.
At 2:00 guests started to arrive. We both manned the drink area and tried to watch food spread for refills. Items to note: no one drank red wine, salmon was gone fast as well as spinach puff pastries, lots of left over roast beef and 4lbs of orzo pasta salad is a bit much for a crowd of 30. Overall I think it was a success. The clients were happy and we gave out quite a few business cards. We ended the day at 5:30 so it made for a very very long day with a very minimal profit. However, I am very thankful for given the chance to cater our first event and had a complete blast doing it. I really hope it turns into something more. I really think Cion and I make a great team and we are already planning our next menu items. Now we just need to book another gig with more profit.
Cheers!
The first thing we did was unload the car and set the table. I have a habit of labeling all the serving plates with the name of the dish that will go in them. This way as we go along we know what we need to make and what is left. We started with the delived eggs and assembling the bries. We quickly noticed that refrigerator space was sparse. Not sure how to over come this in the future. Anyways, moved onto assembling veggie tray and cheese tray. We started baking the artichoke/spinach puff pastries and then the bries. Serving wasn't to commence till 2:00 so we were all ready to go at 1:00 so we just took a quick break.
At 2:00 guests started to arrive. We both manned the drink area and tried to watch food spread for refills. Items to note: no one drank red wine, salmon was gone fast as well as spinach puff pastries, lots of left over roast beef and 4lbs of orzo pasta salad is a bit much for a crowd of 30. Overall I think it was a success. The clients were happy and we gave out quite a few business cards. We ended the day at 5:30 so it made for a very very long day with a very minimal profit. However, I am very thankful for given the chance to cater our first event and had a complete blast doing it. I really hope it turns into something more. I really think Cion and I make a great team and we are already planning our next menu items. Now we just need to book another gig with more profit.
Cheers!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Sunday's Luncheon
So far I have hit Costco, ordered the flowers from Killions and ordered the desserts. Here is the breakdown on the shopping lists and schedule:
Kroger:
Roast Beef
Puff Pastry - 2
Cream Cheese
Capers
Mayo
Sweet Relish
Ranch Dressing Pack
Swiss
Muenster
Frozen Spinach
Artichokes
Central Market:
pine nuts
orzo
sundried tomatoes
dill
vegetable stock
Caninos:
Mixed Greens
Red Onion
Red Pepper
Yellow Pepper
Cucumbers
Carrots
Celery
Cherry Tomatoes
Lemons
Green Onions
Mushrooms
Costco:
Napkins
Plates
Smoked Salmon
Eggs
Cheese
Brie Cheese
Case of Water
Diet Coke
Coke
Sprite
Red Wine
White Wine
Sour Cream
Hot Bagel Shop:
Bagels
Bakery - Desserts
Kroger:
Roast Beef
Puff Pastry - 2
Cream Cheese
Capers
Mayo
Sweet Relish
Ranch Dressing Pack
Swiss
Muenster
Frozen Spinach
Artichokes
Central Market:
pine nuts
orzo
sundried tomatoes
dill
vegetable stock
Caninos:
Mixed Greens
Red Onion
Red Pepper
Yellow Pepper
Cucumbers
Carrots
Celery
Cherry Tomatoes
Lemons
Green Onions
Mushrooms
Costco:
Napkins
Plates
Smoked Salmon
Eggs
Cheese
Brie Cheese
Case of Water
Diet Coke
Coke
Sprite
Red Wine
White Wine
Sour Cream
Hot Bagel Shop:
Bagels
Bakery - Desserts
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Hello stranger it's been awhile.
After the big August 2nd party I took a few weeks off. Then September hit. Remember the Green Day song, "Wake me up when September ends"; well that is how I felt. So in honor of the conclusion of this month I am posting again.
I broke my foot after the last party, then Dave had to have his gall bladder removed, then Hurricane Ike. Both Dave and I are back and healthy howver we are still waiting on a check from State Farm so we can repair our house. Once that starts we are looking at 30 days of construction. They will have to repair 12ft section of missing siding, rip up section of hardwoods on second floor, sand entire floor and stain, rip out sheetrock and repair on all 3 floors, paint exterior and interior, etc.
I did have a few friends over in honor of my 32nd birthday in the midst of all this. The menu was sandwiches from Jersey Mikes, 7 layer dip, homemade cake from Miriam, snacks from Anika and what not. Great casual fun was had by all.
All that being said teh Two Party Planners has booked our first paid gig. The event is being held October 5. It's a memoriam for a friends late father. The menu is the following:
Sliced Roast Beef (served cold)
Rolls and Assorted Crackers
Lox and Bagels
Deviled Eggs
Saffron Orzo Salad
Veggie Tray
Cheese Tray
Baked Brie with Mushrooms in middle
Assorted Desserts
Wine and Beverages
Cion and I will prep most of everything at my house then head out to Spring around 9am. We met yesterday to discuss schedules and shopping lists. I need to go at lunch today and get napkins so I can start rolling the silverware. I have ordered the flowers from Killions and placed the dessert order. We will hit Specs Thursday night, Costco Friday, Caninos, Kroger and Central Market Saturday. Our budget for this party was originally $600 but we have had to up it to $700 or we would be in the red.
I will keep you posted on how we do as well as post pictures.
Cheers!
I broke my foot after the last party, then Dave had to have his gall bladder removed, then Hurricane Ike. Both Dave and I are back and healthy howver we are still waiting on a check from State Farm so we can repair our house. Once that starts we are looking at 30 days of construction. They will have to repair 12ft section of missing siding, rip up section of hardwoods on second floor, sand entire floor and stain, rip out sheetrock and repair on all 3 floors, paint exterior and interior, etc.
I did have a few friends over in honor of my 32nd birthday in the midst of all this. The menu was sandwiches from Jersey Mikes, 7 layer dip, homemade cake from Miriam, snacks from Anika and what not. Great casual fun was had by all.
All that being said teh Two Party Planners has booked our first paid gig. The event is being held October 5. It's a memoriam for a friends late father. The menu is the following:
Sliced Roast Beef (served cold)
Rolls and Assorted Crackers
Lox and Bagels
Deviled Eggs
Saffron Orzo Salad
Veggie Tray
Cheese Tray
Baked Brie with Mushrooms in middle
Assorted Desserts
Wine and Beverages
Cion and I will prep most of everything at my house then head out to Spring around 9am. We met yesterday to discuss schedules and shopping lists. I need to go at lunch today and get napkins so I can start rolling the silverware. I have ordered the flowers from Killions and placed the dessert order. We will hit Specs Thursday night, Costco Friday, Caninos, Kroger and Central Market Saturday. Our budget for this party was originally $600 but we have had to up it to $700 or we would be in the red.
I will keep you posted on how we do as well as post pictures.
Cheers!
Monday, August 4, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Launch Party Update
I have to admit that I am currently breathing into a brown paper bag. Long deep breaths praying that this Xanax starts working. My frazzeled self is imagining standing over the edge of the Grand Canyon looking down going "who needs a parachute I can fly by flapping my arms". Translation - I never think logically before I leap. EVER!
Guest count is now 60+, my yard is a big pile of dirt right now, I am getting a new garage floor installed Wed and Thurs and I haven't even remotely got everything ready for the party. I feel like the guy on the Next Food Network Star that always over extended himself. I mean who schedules a complete overhaul of their garage and frontyard the week of a major party? Oh and I forgot one more idiotic thing... we have our first dog obedience lesson on Saturday morning of the party. IDIOT!
Payday is Friday which means on Friday I will be doing the Costco, Kroger run then come home and decorate and knock out as much food preparation as I possibly can. Cion is doing the Central Market run and Dave is going to Home Depot to get us patio furniture. We will also need to reload the fridge back in to the garage on Friday. All of this AFTER working an 8 hour day.
Saturday's schedule looks even worse. Wake up, take Xanax, take dog to obedience training at 10:00am, go to bakery, Nudini, shower, clean, cook for 60+ people, pray the house doesn't over heat, freshen up, pop another Xanax, greet guests and pray for a miracle.
Wish us luck... we need it!
Guest count is now 60+, my yard is a big pile of dirt right now, I am getting a new garage floor installed Wed and Thurs and I haven't even remotely got everything ready for the party. I feel like the guy on the Next Food Network Star that always over extended himself. I mean who schedules a complete overhaul of their garage and frontyard the week of a major party? Oh and I forgot one more idiotic thing... we have our first dog obedience lesson on Saturday morning of the party. IDIOT!
Payday is Friday which means on Friday I will be doing the Costco, Kroger run then come home and decorate and knock out as much food preparation as I possibly can. Cion is doing the Central Market run and Dave is going to Home Depot to get us patio furniture. We will also need to reload the fridge back in to the garage on Friday. All of this AFTER working an 8 hour day.
Saturday's schedule looks even worse. Wake up, take Xanax, take dog to obedience training at 10:00am, go to bakery, Nudini, shower, clean, cook for 60+ people, pray the house doesn't over heat, freshen up, pop another Xanax, greet guests and pray for a miracle.
Wish us luck... we need it!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Launch Party
We decided to change the menu just a tad for the party on August 2nd. Instead of lamb we are going to do a beef tenderloin and a pork tenderloin. Below is our revised menu and the estimated preparation time.
Beef Tenderloin - grill 30 minutes
Pork Tenderloin - grill 20 minutes
Crab Cakes - stove - 45 minutes
Baked brie - oven - 20 minutes
Zucchini wrapped in proscuitto - stove - 20 minutes
Mini Caprese - will be prepared Friday night
Stuffed Mushrooms - oven - 30 minutes
Anti pasto tray - assembly time
Desserts - assembly time
Asparagus - stove - 20 minutes
Cion went to Whole Foods last night and ordered a case of white wine. We are off to Specs tonight to look for red wine and champagne. Guest count so far is 36 with more to come in.
We will go to Costco next Wednesday and Central Market on Thursday or Friday. We have jam packed days ahead of us and lots to get ready for.
Wish us luck!
Beef Tenderloin - grill 30 minutes
Pork Tenderloin - grill 20 minutes
Crab Cakes - stove - 45 minutes
Baked brie - oven - 20 minutes
Zucchini wrapped in proscuitto - stove - 20 minutes
Mini Caprese - will be prepared Friday night
Stuffed Mushrooms - oven - 30 minutes
Anti pasto tray - assembly time
Desserts - assembly time
Asparagus - stove - 20 minutes
Cion went to Whole Foods last night and ordered a case of white wine. We are off to Specs tonight to look for red wine and champagne. Guest count so far is 36 with more to come in.
We will go to Costco next Wednesday and Central Market on Thursday or Friday. We have jam packed days ahead of us and lots to get ready for.
Wish us luck!
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