LEMON THYME VODKA SPRITZER

Ingredients (Makes 10 servings)

• 4 whole Lemons Zested
• 8 sprigs Fresh Thyme
• 3 3/4 Cups Granulated Sugar
• 3 3/4 Cups Water

• 4 whole Lemons, Juiced
• 1 1/4 Cups Your Favorite Vodka
• 7 Cups Club Soda 
• Blueberries, For Garnish
•  Sliced Lemons, For Garnish

Preparation

For the lemon-thyme simple syrup
In a medium saucepan, add lemon zest, thyme sprigs, sugar and water. Bring to a low boil and reduce heat to simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool for 15 minutes.

For the cocktail
Pour the cooled simple syrup into a pitcher and add the fresh squeezed lemon juice and tequila. Add a handful of ice cubes and fill the rest of the pitcher with the club soda. Stir well to combine. Add ice cubes, 1 sprig of thyme and a slice of lemon to a tall glass and top with cocktail. Sip and enjoy!

Photo © Lindsay Hackney Photography

Apricot Almond Chicken Salad

Our Apricot Almond Chicken Salad has been a staple on our sandwich catering menu for many years and is by far one of our most popular. Now you can enjoy this recipe at home from our kitchen to yours. 
Makes 16 Servings

Chicken Salad Ingredients 
3 lbs Boneless Chicken Breasts
1 Box of Chicken Stock
4 Celery Stalks
1/2 Bunch of Scallions
1/2 Cups Sliced Toasted Almonds
½ Cup Dried Apricots
¼ Cup Dry Sherry Wine
6 sprigs of Rosemary Chopped
Black Pepper to Taste

Dressing Ingredients:
2/3 Cup Dijon Mustard
1/4 Cup Whole Grain Mustard
1/4 Cup Heavy Mayo
¼ Cup Sour Cream 
1/8 Cup + 1 TBS Honey
Juice From Half a Lemon

Directions:

1. Fill a pot with chicken stock and heat to a boil. Place chicken in pot and poach until cooked through (roughly 25-30 minutes). Let cool and cut into small cubes.
2. Dice apricots. Heat dry sherry wine on the stove. Once heated drop in diced apricots for 2-4 minutes until soft then drain.
3. Combine all dressing ingredients together and mix well.
4. Combine all chicken salad ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
5. Add dressing to bowl with chicken salad and mix.

Enjoy as is, on top of a green salad, or add to your favorite sandwich bread. 

2018 CATIE AWARD FINALIST

The International Caterers Association recognizes each year exemplary production at an event through their Catered Arts Through Innovative Excellence Awards (CATIE). 

This year our Executive Pastry Chef, Lisa McCaffrey was recognized as an ICA CATIE Award finalist for Best Celebration Cake. Out of all the submission received internationally she was awarded one of the top 3 finalist                                                                  spots for her work designing a Legends of Zelda Wedding Cake. 

                                                        The Cake

FEATURED EVENT VENUE: LARZ ANDERSON AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM

Photo by http://www.dreamlovephotography.com

    Larz Anderson Auto Museum located in Brookline, Massachusetts sits on a stunning 64 acres at the Larz Anderson Park. The property, once owned by the late Larz and Isabele Anderson, is most known for “America’s Oldest Car Collection” and related memorabilia, however, the grounds surrounding the museum are nothing short of breathtaking and offer a truly unique, historically-rich setting for weddings, corporate and social events of all kinds.  While appealing to car enthusiasts, the museum is also a desired attraction for those interested in history, architecture and an authentic vintage setting.

    There are three main spaces in which functions can be held: The Main Gallery, The Stable Room and the Great Lawn.

       The Main Gallery, located inside the Carriage House, is a great spot for a cocktail reception, wedding or corporate meeting and can easily hold up to 150 standing guests. The vaulted ceilings, exposed brick walls, original wood flooring and permanent exhibits of exquisite vintage automobiles set the stage for a truly unique event location. The gallery offers room for a large dance floor and photo ops by the great doors as you enter the space.

       The Stable Room, once home to the Anderson’s horses, is a more intimate space and is great location for cocktail hour with unique exhibits for guests to enjoy as they mingle.

       The Great Lawn can hold up to 500 guests and is a popular spot for tented weddings, picnics, barbecues, and automobile shows. Tents can be set up on the sprawling lush green lawn with clear views of both the Carriage House and the Park. Guests are welcome to enjoy the museum throughout the event and many choose to have cocktail receptions or meetings inside the museum before kicking off their reception outdoors.  

     Due to its close proximity to the Larz Anderson Park attractions, you can utilize both the park and the museum for your functions. Corporate clients have used the ball field, skating rink and open lawn for fun outdoor activities while wedding ceremonies have been held at “The Top of the Hill” and “The Temple of Love”, also located inside the park.

Photo by http://www.dreamlovephotography.com

 With many function options in both the park and the museum itself, the Larz Anderson Auto Museum makes for an ideal setting for events of all types and sizes.

Learn more about hosting your event at Larz Anderson Auto Museum

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Homemade Lemon Curd

Lemon Curd

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup lemon juice

• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 13 fluid ounces evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup poppy seeds

Steps for lemon curd:

1. Whisk eggs, sugar, and lemon juice in a double boiler over simmering water until mixed well, then continue to stir until thick, about 7 to 10 minutes.

2. Drain mixture through a mesh sieve to get rid of lumps. Fold in butter until well incorporated. Mix in lemon zest.

3. Cover curd and chill in the refrigerator until it has thickened, about 4 hours.

Steps for Poppy Seed Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10 inch cake pan.

2. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and add eggs, vanilla, oil and milk. Mix well. Then fold in the poppy seeds. Pour mixture into a 10 inch cake pan. 

3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

4. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

5. Pour lemon curd over cooled cake and top with berries and whipped cream. Enjoy!

HERE COMES THE SUN | OUTDOOR VENUES FOR CORPORATE EVENTS

Summer is just around the corner and that means plenty of outdoor customer and employee events and retreats.

Here are some great locations to consider with lots of outdoor (and indoor) space for lawn games, scavenger hunts, picnics, concerts, paint parties, make your own terrariums,  yoga and more!

 The Connors Center 

The Connors Center

The Gardens at Elm Bank

The Gardens at Uncanoonuc

Photo by Lindsay Hackney Photography
Location: Goffstown, NH
Website: The Gardens at Uncanoonuc Mountain

Gore Place

Location: Waltham, MA
Website: Gore Place

Harry Parker Boathouse 

Location: Brighton, MA
Website: Harry Parker Boathouse

Larz Anderson Auto Museum

Photo by Love Days Photography
Location: Brookline, MA
Website: Larz Anderson Auto Museum

Pierce House

Location: Lincoln, MA
Website: The Pierce House

Tower Hill Botanic Gardens

Photo by Samantha Melanson Photography
Location: Boylston, MA
Website: Tower Hill Botanic Garden

The Five Bridge InnPhoto by Angela Greenlaw Photography
Location: Rehoboth,MA
Website: The Five Bridge Inn

PREPARING FOR YOUR WEDDING CAKE TASTING 

 A wedding cake tasting is a fun task to check off your wedding to do list. What is better then spending an hour tasting some delicious cake flavors?

Cake tastings are typically scheduled 6 months in advance of your wedding date. When scheduling your tasting let the Pastry Chef know any allergies to take into consideration. At Peppers, we offer a large variety of flavor combinations. For the tasting, our chef will choose a selection of cake flavors for you to try. If there are any specific combinations you are most interested in we are always happy to accomodate. When tasting the cakes, If there are any flavors you like but want a different filling know that you can always customize to create the combination that works for you. 

Between tasting the different cake slices have a sip of water so the flavors don't mix. Keep a tally of which ones you and your fiance like best and then rank them in order. If you are doing a tiered cake you can offer different flavors on the different tiers. Save the flavor you think will be the most popular for the bottom tier - which is the tier you will get the most cake slices out of! If you are opting for a smaller size cake you can have sheet cakes of different flavors that can be kept in the kitchen then cut and offered to guests later in the evening. 

At your cake tasting you will also discuss the design and look of the cake. Bringing photos with you or saving a Pinterest board of the designs you like is always helpful. You can  combine elements from different cakes to create a unique look. 

You will also want to decide if the cake will be made with buttercream or fondant. If your wedding will take place outdoors in the heat of summer you may want to consider a fondant cake that won't begin to melt in the heat. 

Most importantly remember to have fun and enjoy the experience! 

Looking for wedding cake design inspiration? Check out our pinterest board. 

FEATURED EVENT VENUE: THE GARDENS AT ELM BANK

 Photo by douglasolyons | Aerial Photographic Solutions 

The Gardens at Elm Bank is a beautiful event venue, located on Massachusetts Horticultural Society's 36 acres on the Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley, MA. The venue is home to fields, meadows, streams, wooded areas and colorful formal gardens. The gardens, buildings, and grounds of Elm Bank are an ideal setting for weddings, a bar or bat mitzvah, corporate events, meetings, retreats, and social events.

With twelve gardens and several indoor and outdoor spaces, Elm Bank can accommodate groups of virtually any size.

Photo by douglasolyons | Aerial Photographic Solutions 

The Hunnewell Building (Carriage House) offers 3,000 square feet of indoor function space with a vaulted and trussed ceiling. Attached to the building is a beautiful three season tent complete with permanent flooring and doors to separate the two spaces. The tent and building combined can accommodate events up to 225 for a sit-down dinner or 400 for a standing reception. The Carriage House provides a blank slate that can easily accommodate a variety of different styles and looks, whether you are looking to host an elegant gala reception or a rustic wedding celebration. 

Photos: (left) Lauren Methia Photography  (right) First Mate Photo Co
The Maple Grove is a sprawling grassy area surrounded by towering maple trees in the heart of the twelve gardens. This space can accommodate a large event tent ideal for weddings and corporate events in the spring and summer months.

Elm Bank provides a picturesque setting for your wedding. Say your "I do's" in the Italianate Garden surrounded by seasonal flowers followed by cocktails in the quaint Weezie's Garden. The carriage house and adjacent three season tent are the perfect location for dinner and dancing. Guests can enjoy dinner in the carriage house with dessert and dancing in the tent. For more intimate gatherings the carriage house provides a perfect space for both dinner and dancing.

No one wants to think of rain on their wedding day but having a backup option for an outdoor wedding is key. In the event that you and your guests need to move indoors you can utilize the tent for the ceremony and cocktails.

On top of it all, the photo opportunities around the property are endless. 

Photos: (top) Ellysia Francovitch Photography (bottom two) Magdalena Studios

Contact us to learn more about hosting your event at The Gardens at Elm Bank. 

Weddings with a Personal Touch 

Many busy brides quickly realize they can't do it all. The hours you wish you could spend DIYing your entire wedding are quickly filled with fittings, makeup trials, and following up on RSVPs. Wedding professionals are here to help while still allowing you to add your personal flair to your day. 

We worked with the following three brides to incorporate their unique and personal touches into the design of their wedding.

Judy, one of our White Room Venue Brides, collected heirlooms of silver and pewter pitchers, bowls, and candlesticks throughout the year. She ended up building a fairly large collection, some even from her wedding venue’s antique mall (Crompton Collective). We used her collection to create unique centerpieces for the guest tables. This gave every table its own style and look by incorporating the different and unique vessels that Judy had spent a year collecting.

Photography by Joseph Gonzalez-Dufresne Helloimjoe.com

Caroline, another one of our Brides who tied the knot at The White Room, provided us an array of fun and unique touches to incorporate throughout her wedding.  We tied in her gold dinosaurs with our centerpieces of taper candles and potted ferns for a fun and natural feel. We displayed her handwritten placecard tags on our custom  “Find Your Seat” lattice board. For the ceremony aisle we set up large Boston Ferns and lanterns to line the aisle which we later utilized in the reception space to complement vintage seating and frame Caroline’s oriental rugs.

Caitlin, who celebrated her special day at The Larz Anderson Automobile Museum, wanted to play on the castle-like car museum theme. Her brother and father collected license plates to use as table numbers. We then incorporated touches of rose gold to match her wedding ring along with mini teacup arrangements stacked on antique books around the license plates. She had found a retro radio from the dash of an old car that we used to accent her sweetheart table, where a eucalyptus garland was later draped around, recycled from the ceremony arch. For her bouquets, we wrapped her mother and mother in laws lockets along with the groom’s grandmother’s lace around the base of the bouquets. It was such a nice and personal touch.

Photos by Dreamlove Photography

These brides utilized our style and design services while still providing many of their own personal items to complement their day. By working together we created custom style and design packages that allowed us to assist in bringing their dream wedding to life while having them be an active part in the design. We are happy to help our brides with as little or as much design assistance they need.  

We invite you to check out our pinterest page to get inspired from previous weddings and events we have done or contact us to learn more about our style and design services to see how we can work together to make a create a truly memorable and personalized celebration.

ASA Waters Mansion Photoshoot

We had the opportunity to participate in a styled photoshoot at Asa Waters Mansion in Millbury where four vastly different styles and looks were created to showcase the versatility of the venue.   

Vintage Elegance
Farmhouse tables paired with lace runners create a rustic vintage feel while rose gold floral vases and gold candlesticks add a touch of elegance. 

 Turquoise Romance 
Bright pink and purple floral arrangements really pop on a turquoise blue linen. Peacock feathers with hints of blue and green help tie the linen and flowers together to create a cohesive look. 

 Tangerine Dreams
Tangerine colored linens with hot pink napkins create a fun, fresh and tropical feel to the tables.  The bright colored florals accent the table linens and complete the look. 

Garden Party

Deep wine colored pintuck linens paired with rustic garden centerpieces create a truly unique feel to these tablescapes. Natural elements of birch and moss add texture while the ivory roses soften the look.    

No matter what the occasion or theme of your event, Asa Waters Mansion provides a wonderful backdrop to compliment your celebration.  

The Team
Venue: Asa Waters Mansion
Photographer: Alvah Reida Photography
Floral Designs and Centerpieces: Peppers Artful Events Style and Design Team