Archive for the ‘Catering’ Category

Holiday Parties

Filed Under: Catering, Food Porn, Pictureson January 9th, 2012

One of the downsides of my job during December is that I have no work holiday parties to attend. Most people wouldn’t call this a “downside,” but trust me, come December I don’t see my 9-to-5-ers. And no, despite my sisters’ opinion that I’m the world’s biggest dork, I promise, I have friends …


Truth be told, starting a small business can be lonely. There I said it. Despite the flexible hours, euphoric feelings of accomplishment, bills, travel, food, it’s an uphill battle. Champagne, party of one? Doesn’t sound as appealing does it …


Luckily, being in the food service industry allows for me to attend other people’s holiday parties. Well, kinda. I cater them, so in a sense, it’s the best of both worlds.


In honor of that, I asked my favorite chefs, bartenders and freelance friends that have helped me in the past to work the Bollare Public Relations Holiday Party 2011 with me. Holiday season was about a month ago, but never too late to share some merriment. January doesn’t have to be so depressing … and even better I have my 9-to-5 friends back.


Menu


Holiday Cocktail

Sparkling Pear and Cranberry Cocktail
garnished with rosemary

Artisanal Cheese Board (3 passed cheese canapes)

Bosc Pears with creamy Camebert, Honey and Oregano
*
Prosciutto wrapped Aged Cheddar on Pumpkin Bread
*
Feta, Grape and Olive stack

Additional Canapes

Mango Crab Stacks
lump crab atop toasted brioche

Belgian Endive Cups
goat cheese quenelles, fig, and caramelized pecans

Dessert

Speciality Monogrammed Bollare Petite Fours

Harvest Holiday Dinners

Filed Under: Catering, Fallon October 20th, 2011

Fall is the time for connecting with friends and celebrating all the wonderful foods of harvest.

That’s why this November and December, Ashton Keefe Culinary Lifestyle Services is teaming up with Bellafare, a boutique event and wedding planner, to offer a customized dinner party for ten in the comfort of your own home. Complete with a private chef and sommelier.

Leave the food, wine, décor, prep and clean-up to our dynamic duo. All you need to worry about is which of your closest friends to invite! Feel free to pass this invitation on to whomever you see fit.

Please email me (ashtonkeefe@gmail.com) or Bellafare (info@bellafare.com) with any questions or bookings.
Harvest Holiday Dinner

Musical Mondays Theater Lab Gala

Filed Under: Catering, Pictureson September 20th, 2011

On Monday night I had the privilege of honoring Bick Goss and the board of Musical Mondays Theater Lab at their opening season gala.

“Musical Mondays Theater Lab develops new works for the musical theater through a multi-step reading program. Works vary in style from traditional to avant garde and are selected from professional recommendations as well as formal and informal associations with organizations like the National Alliance of Musical Theaters and The BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop.”


My crew and I were able to listen to show tunes from Broadway celebrities as we passed canapes. Take a look at the selection below.

Homemade Salmon “Chips”
spiced sour cream topped with smoked salmon, pickled scallions and organic flowers

Pear and Prosciutto Crostini
goat cheese, pear and prosciutto drizzled with reduced balsamic vinegar

Harvest Vegetable Skewers
root vegetables with roasted garlic dipping sauce

Mini Meatball Sliders
dressed in Italian gravy and pickled cucumber

 

Female Nibbles

Filed Under: Catering, Recipeson July 31st, 2011


Last week I catered a party for Bollare PR, a full service fashion, style and beauty PR firm in the Marcel at Gramercy Hotel’s Polar Lounge. The female inspired menu includes items such as Truffled Grilled Cheese Bites, Caprese “Burgers” and Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes.


The Caprese “Burgers” with reduced Balsamic Vinegar are not only easy to eat, but make. This summer canape is a great starter for any meal. Take large cherry tomatoes and slice the bottom tip off so it can stand up. Then slice each tomato “hamburger style” and salt and pepper. Skewer mini mozzarella balls and basil into the burger and drizzle with balsamic. To make balsamic reduce 1 cup of balsamic vinegar with 1/2 cup brown sugar until thick and syrupy.

Style Me Pretty New York

Filed Under: Catering, Workon June 28th, 2011

Last week the Brilliant Event Planning team assembled by Sarah Pease was featured not once, but twice on Style Me Pretty New York. Special thanks to Style Me Pretty New York, Brilliant Event Planning, Moetic Wedding Films, and Blue Daisy Weddings.


The first post is the video, the second is the photographs. Enjoy your Tuesday!

 

Parsons AfterTaste Dinner

Filed Under: Cateringon April 12th, 2011

I’ve given you a preview of the dinner I did a week or so back but now I’m ready to reveal the full gallery and details on the event. Parsons the New School for Design asked me to cater and work with their graduate students to produce this year’s AfterTaste Dinner.

After weeks of preparation and  tons of help from the students and faculty I worked with, we produced a “black and white” themed affair. The students focused on the design elements, aesthetics, and “green” qualities of the event, while I focused on creating a menu that centered around foods that were either black, white or a combination.

The concept was to create food that counteracted the notion that healthy food = colorful food. We also wanted to use elements of shade, texture and taste to awake the taste buds and sense, as opposed to color.

I think it was quite a success. Here is the menu and full photo gallery.

Black and White Fruit and Cheese Plate
Feta Blocks with Black Olive Tapenade
Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella with Olive Oil Drizzle and Fleur de Sel
Blue Cheese
Brie
Served with sliced French Bread

White Kettle-Corn Popcorn
Served in paper cones

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower tossed in Toasted Sesame Seeds with Roasted Garlic Greek Yogurt

Raisin Caviar Goat Cheese Bruschetta on Russian Rye Bread

Angel Hair Pasta with Assorted Mushrooms, Parmesan, and reduced Balsamic Drizzle

Black Bean Soup with White Asparagus Ribbons and Sour Cream

Black and White Sesame Salmon Balls with Intense Asian Dipping Sauce

Black and White Cookies

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Black Candy Garnish















Having a party this spring? Contact me at ashtonkeefe@gmail.com to discuss prices and services.

Fall Lunch

Filed Under: Catering, Fallon October 26th, 2010


I love meeting new clients. And generally I go above and beyond what’s called for, going the extra mile I’ve learned gets you a repeat client. And repeat clients get you referrals. This is my “family” mentality; I treat everyone as if they’re people I would cook for in my home.


It’s my greatest downfall. This theory isn’t exactly business savvy. New York is toughening me up though, I assure you. So as I tread the line of being too giving and giving just enough I’d love to share with you some pictures of a recent luncheon I did. I couldn’t have asked for nicer people to prepare for, the entire office was incredibly down-to-earth and charming. I hope I can go back and give them more in the future.

Lunch Menu

Chickpea and Carrot Salad
served room temperature with fresh herbs and toasted almonds

Autumn Greens Salad with Cider Vinaigrette
mixture of endive, watercress, romaine, and chard, tossed with pears and cider vinaigrette

Cast Iron Skillet Frittata with Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Goat Cheese
farm fresh eggs, brussel sprouts and goat cheese served in an authentic cast iron pan

Butternut Squash Pasta
pasta served with roasted butternut squash, toasted pine nuts, and fresh parmesan cheese

Chocolate Ganache Cupakes with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Icing
October-themed cupcakes with ganache filled center and topped with brittle



Park Perfection

Filed Under: Catering, New York City, Workon October 11th, 2010

Beautiful photos from last week’s picnic proposal, compliment of Blue Daisy Photography.

This is what love is, I’m just the caterer

Filed Under: Catering, New York Cityon October 1st, 2010

I can cry at almost anything, a character trait (along with cooking) I get from my mother. Chick flicks, Foldgers commercials, greeting cards, flowers, weddings, the “holidays?!” forget it, you better grab the Kleenex. I fully believe (probably because this is how I behave), that in order to live a spherical life, one must laugh and cry heartily.

Hidden clause: I never cry in the kitchen or about work. I’m emotional, not a whimp.

This is what love looks like, compliments of “Love in Production Video Productions.”

Edward and Nicole in Central Park

I was just the caterer.  Ah, so glamorous, my job.

This was the Central Park Picnic Basket I prepared for Brilliant Event Planning. I can’t tell you how many people said to me after they found out I did a picnic basket that they would die for that type of proposal. What girl wouldn’t want to be wooed in a park with a picnic and a little bubbly?

This guy puts all other guys to shame. Sarah Pease has really tapped into a market; men wanting to romantically propose with no idea how to. Genius!

Check out the full album of photography from Blue Daisy Blog.