Posts Tagged ‘catering’

Come From a Place of Yes

Filed Under: About me, French Culinary Institute, Workon May 12th, 2010

This will sound very Oprah of me, but it’s true; if you want something, you have to constantly be thinking positive thoughts and creating an ora of acceptance. If you open yourself up to the universe and keep saying, “yes” you will reach your goals.

I read this great quote, and I can’t remember who said it, but it goes something like this, “Cynics are just failed romantics.” I think I’m both at times!

Despite my cynicism towards the job market the last couple months, I’m trying to look at things in a positive way. I’m trying to “open myself up to the universe” and let things come my way. Granted, lots of hard work, sleepless nights, and a do-anything attitude are needed to have things come my way. The best part is, I don’t mind working hard for a goal, I just have to keep reminding myself to say, “yes.”

Yesterday was one such instance where I was given the opportunity to say “yes.” A marketing employee from The French Culinary Institute was having a baby shower, and at the last minute I was offered to be the chef to cater the event.

By last minute, I mean I got the email at noon and I had to be there at four.

But what did I say … yes! Duh! Not only do I need the money more than the Greeks, but I’m always looking to network.

Low and behold when I show up, the party is being thrown by a very important, high powered, and incredibly lucky woman, who by chance used to work for one of my idols … an idol I’m struggling to get an interview with.

I passed out my card, did the best I could, cleaned the apartment until it was spotless, and PRAYED to God that this woman liked me. Best case scenario, I can connect with her later on. Worst case scenario, I got to cater another night and walked out with a little cash.

Not too bad for such a little word as “yes.”

Bachelorette Parties

Filed Under: Food, New York City, Workon April 27th, 2010

I can’t wait to throw a bachelorette party for my sisters … I’m a little fearful of having them throw one for me …

My younger sister literally threatened, (and I wouldn’t put it past her to have) order a stripper for my 21st birthday party. The guest list included my grandparents, family friends, and more adults than the 20-something crowd. Instead she freaked me out (I’m neurotic and nervous) and had a Domino’s Pizza (ew!) man dress up and deliver an extra large pizza at about midnight … with EXTRA SAUSAGE.

Did I just say “order” a stripper? Is that correct?

Regardless, on Saturday night I catered a bachelorette party for a friend that was throwing a party for her sister. We were on a budget, and since the guest list was small, we create a “tapas” style spread that included healthy options such as crudites, fruit, and turkey sliders.

The client was satisfied and I’m sure the rest of their night went fabulously, how can tons of silly toys, feather boas, and drag queen strip clubs not be?!

The above Roasted Red Pepper Crostini Recipe is available here.

Most of my style and inspiration has come from my mother, Miss Kimberly Belle and the Dinner Belle and Amy Atlas, so I must give credit where credit is due for teaching me so much.

So now the cat’s out of the bag, if you ever need a caterer you know who to call …

Plus check out my new Flickr slideshow online with an extensive view of my culinary pictures! More to come!

Catering Calls

Filed Under: Life, Workon April 26th, 2010

Over the last week or so I’ve been catering for friends, and friends of friends. With my tiny Soho apt filled to the brim with food, and my refrigerator stuffed beyond its max, my weekend was beyond hectic.

That being said, here are tidbits about the prep I did for the event, which was a friend’s sister’s bachelorette party. Follow? The party was small but we tried to create a spread that was full of different tastes and flavors. Something that looked like a lot of food, without actually costing hundreds of dollars. I hope I succeeded … post to come …

The humorous part in all this is that my refrigerator is hardly bigger than the college dorm size. Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration but generally speaking it is NOT very big. Having to house all that food for a few days was quite a squeeze.

The food in my reusable Whole Foods bag (go green!) is for the event and all the extras were our apartment’s personal stock. I have a lot for a girl living in New York on limited means. For most people who live in New York and work long hours like I do, little cooking is done, but that’s quite the opposite of me. I feel like every time I go to the grocery store it’s an opportunity to build on my pantry …

I’m never a “buy and use all at once” kind of person, like fashion, you have to build your wardrobe … or in this case refrigerator. Here are some staples I always have:

1. Champagne: You never know when there’s cause for celebration, or a date, or a dinner party, or life.

2. Mustard: Nothing adds more flavor with less calories. Can be used for dressings, marinades, sandwiches, spreads, you name it.

3. Rotisserie Chicken: I think this is one of the supermarket’s greatest contributions to the working-cook. Fresh, delicious, pre-made, and takes half the work out of almost any meal you want to create in minutes for chicken alone, to pasta, to sandwiches, to tacos. And for under $10 (sometimes even $6) how can someone NOT have one in the refrigerator at all times?

4. Stock: Whether it be chicken, beef, or vegetable although it’s easy to make (wait for my freezer shot later) it’s always good to have stock on hand to make a quick soup, pasta, or stew. Indispensable at all times.

5. Roasted Red Peppers: I love these little things. Get them packed in water, not oil, and save your waistline. Add them to salads, meat dishes, pizzas, and pastas. I don’t think I could live without them.

So here’s a little insight to my catering space issues and my personal refrigerator staples, remember building a perfect meal is like accessorizing an outfit, you have to build a stock to choose from.