The plants and flowers are coming out of hibernation and so should you! What better way to celebrate spring than with a fun, St. Patrick's Day themed party. Below are some party planning ideas to spark your creativity, so gather your friends and go “green” on March 17!

FOOD:

Who said you only need to serve corned beef and cabbage? Think beyond traditional foods and incorporate the color green into your menu.

As party caterers, we're used to working with a variety of foods in a whole range of colors. Below are some of our green picks that fit the bill for both scrumptiousness and color!

• Spring Pea Soup Shooters
• Smoked Salmon-Wrapped Asparagus Tips with Preserved Lemon and Dill Crème Fraiche
• Edamame Puree in Cucumber Cups with Toasted Sesame Seeds and Drizzle of  Thai-Garlic Chili
• Spinach and Feta Phyllo Triangles

DÉCOR:

What’s more green than a lush, full lawn?

Use pieces of sod (available at garden or home stores) for table runners, centerpieces or even cut into place mats.

ENTERTAINMENT:

Make a playlist with old favorites such as “Danny Boy” by Bing Crosby mixed with contemporary artists whose music has an Irish flair, likes the “Dropkick Murphys."

Put together a holiday trivia game. Include questions about Irish culture, geography, celebrities, movies, sports, songs and the history of St. Patrick’s Day. Divide guests into teams and have a spirited competition.

BEVERAGES:

In addition to Irish beer and ales, how about an Irish whiskey bar with several varieties to taste and compare? Have comment cards/pens available for ratings.

For non-imbibers, steep fresh mint into brewed ice tea or lemonade. Or, include a hot tea station with decorative tea cups.  

Special event planning should be fun and reflect your sense of style. With a little effort and some creative thinking, you can put together a memorable and delicious party.

“Irish” you all a wonderful St. Patty’s Day!    

By Leslie C. 

Whether you’re a veteran party host, or a novice planning your first ever celebration, it will be a huge relief to have an event planner by your side, using their knowledge and expert planning so you can fully enjoy the event along with your guests. 

As event designers, it’s our job to ensure you have a terrific event. At Pepper’s, we offer complimentary party planning consultations—this ensures the party we assist with not only meets your expectations, but exceeds them.  

In addition to being a creative launching point for inspiration and design, party consultations also allow us to field many questions about the process and the stages of planning a great party before getting into specific detail.

From Boston to Belchertown, we discovered that there are always questions every client wants to know when it comes to party planning with a professional. To help you in your planner quest, below are “the Top Five Event Planning Questions” we field from our clients.

1. How much will it cost?  

There are so many components that go in to planning your event, many of which may not even be on your radar (but that’s why you hire us, right?). Because of this, cost can be difficult to determine upfront. At Pepper’s menu and service packages are custom designed for each client, there is no set package we offer.  This means that your cuisine selection, rental needs and staffing needs will determine the cost of your event.

Are you looking for a gourmet, four course and sit-down meal? We might suggest you ask yourself what you might pay per person if you were to go to a four-star restaurant and receive the same meal. Keeping that in mind might help guide you a bit as cost becomes clearer based on event choices. 

2. Have you ever done an event like this before?

Clients want to know that we have the experience and knowledge to be able to handle an event such as theirs.  It’s a great question to ask, no matter the size of your party.  

 The beauty of being a well-established company is that we have seen a lot and been part of many different types of events.  While many event foundations are similar, our planners add unique style and design to make each one as different and exciting as the next.

 3. Do you handle all of the rentals? We need a tent, tables, chairs, etc.

Many full service caterers have relationships with many rental companies, and can handle all of your rental needs for you. A lot of our clients love this, as it takes that task off their hands.  Some prefer to handle it on their own to save a few dollars.  But a word of caution, if you do take care of your own rentals, then you also adopt all the troubleshooting that may come with it.  Ask yourself, do I want to be taken away from my guests or special day to problem solve? Or is it worth having a planner take on the task?

 4. Do you have any recommendations for photographers, dj’s, florists? 

Being in the business for almost 25 years, Pepper’s and our Sales Team are happy to make vendor recommendations.  From port-o-potty’s to popcorn machines, our vendor lists are extensive, and as a local catering business, we’re all about supporting our community and business partners.

 5. Can I provide my own alcohol at my event?  

Yes. In fact, it will save you a bit on your budget as well, so it’s a terrific idea. Many liquor stores offer local caterers and their clients deals on cases of beer and wine, and some may take any un-used back and give you credit.  Theme drinks go a long way in setting the mood of an event.  Incorporate a favorite recipe into the menu planning and our Certified Bartenders can offer it to your guests. 

Naturally, this is just the tip of the iceberg! There are many more important questions we answer for our clients when it comes to planning their special day.  If you’d like to come in and meet with one of our Senior Event Designers about an event you’re considering, contact us, or give us a call--and don’t forget to bring your own list of questions, too! 

By Liz O. 

As party caterers, we’ve had the privilege of taking part in a lot of surprise birthday parties. And as witness to a fair share of them, we can honestly tell you that there’s nothing more fun than seeing the face on a guest (or guests) of honor when the celebration is unmasked. That’s why we’re big advocates of surprise parties. If there’s a reason to celebrate, there’s a surprise to be pulled off! We’ve compiled tips and tricks to help you get started planning your next surprise bash.

1. Great parties start with great guest lists, so be sure to invite the guest of honor’s close friends.  Include mention on your invitation that you are throwing a Surprise Party. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s often am overlooked detail that can foil the plot. List a personal email account or your cell phone number as your RSVP, to ensure the secret stays in the bag.

2. Be sure your cohort (the one getting the guest of honor to the location) is reliable, responsible, and can handle timing glitches with ease.

3. Keep it simple. Experience has told us that the more pieces and detours you incorporate into your plan, the higher the chances are of something going awry.

4. Incorporate the guest of honor’s normal routines into your efforts. For example, if your spouse plays poker the third Friday of every month at his friend John’s house, ask John if he would consider being the host (provided you plan the party and bring everything!) That way, the stage is set, and nothing seems out of the ordinary.

5. If your guest list is large, consider serving terrific, fork friendly bites on small plates, what we refer to as the tray passed & stationary hors d’oeuvres with a chef-active food station. It’s a great way to go, so as not to be concerned with seating arrangements. A Winter/Fall favorite around here is our Braised Guinness Stout Short Rib of Beef. If you’re looking for more catering ideas, check out our menu ideas page on our website.

Lastly-- Keep organized throughout the party planning process and plan as far in advance as possible. The more time you have to plan, the more time you have to keep ahead of any glitches that may come your way.

Have fun! 

photo credit: merfam

By Heidi

Wedding planning ideas come from a myriad of sources. If a couple is overwhelmed by the endless possibilities before them, we are well-versed in finding ways to arrive at a concept that accurately represents a couple’s love for one another and their vision of the event.

Sometimes the jumping off point comes from the client themselves, as was the case with the wedding of James and Andrea. Andrea and James arrived at our 2nd meeting at Pepper’s Fine Catering with a sample of centerpieces they created themselves. 

Punched Tin Luminaries made from extra large tomato sauce cans, slices of oak logs to place them on, old mason jars filled with votive candles displayed in a grouping.  Next they opened a box containing hundreds of vintage keys that Andrea’s mom had been collecting for years.  As a wedding planner, these vintage/antique items set off a creative spark. I had an immediate sense of what they were looking for and how I could help them build on their vision.

We used old iron gate to display tea stained escort cards, each hand written and attached to antique keys from Andrea’s collection.  As a special surprise for the bride and groom, I made small tin can flower arrangements and tied them, with twine, to the aisle chairs for the ceremony. 

I designed a huge cheese display with the local artisan cheeses.  We served the cheese on rustic slates set on old bricks and antique barn board risers.  Crackers were placed in rustic country crocks.  We finished the display with potted herbs grown in Pepper’s organic gardens and a huge display of wild flowers in a 3-gallon reproduction mason jar tied with a gorgeous eggplant satin and burlap bow with a 6-inch antique key hanging from it.  Even the description cards, mounted on scrap booking card stock that I found online, were printed with antique keys.

Having gotten to know James and Andrea over the months of planning their wedding, I knew they would appreciate an added whimsical touch to the table displays. I placed a “parade” of 10, 3-inch hand crafted iron ants that marched over, under and around the table.  The bride was so thrilled with the added detail that I had to politely whisk her back to her guests, as she was spending a little too much time examining every inch of the table in delight.  

After the cocktail hour guests were invited to the barn for dinner.  It was absolutely magical.   Twinkling tiny white lights were everywhere. Guest tables were covered in beautiful eggplant moiré table linens. The punched tin luminaries that James and Andrea had lovingly made were lit and looked beautiful.  Each guest was seated in a different antique chair that we sourced from a quirky, long-time collector in Connecticut.  They ran the gamut from rustic shabby chic look to refined mid 19^th century tiger maple ones and ornately carved gothic-looking throne chairs.  Our staff had so much fun watching guests seek out their favorite chair and quickly scoot in to claim it.

After a delicious plated dinner, guests were invited to a coffee and dessert station that featured hundreds of cupcakes served on large tree trunk slices and a big copper caldron of fresh berry crisp complete with a homemade vanilla mascarpone whipped cream.  I designed this table to compliment the look in the barn.  Eggplant and sage linens were mixed with burlap overlays.  Large glass columns held candles and tiny keys attached to satin ribbon formed a garland that draped along the edge of the table.

As a final, whimsical gesture, I asked two of the wait staff to retrieve just one iron ant from our prop box.  Just before our bride and groom cut their cake, I perched the ant peeking over the edge of the cake stand so only Andrea and James could see it.  As a Wedding Event Planner there are so many moments that make all of the work worth it,  but none more so than when a client, upon noticing a special touch, searches you out in the crowd to make eye contact and share a knowing, appreciative smile. 

By Liz O.

Holiday Parties are in our past and winter has settled in. All the more reason to break up the cold, gray days with a Mardi Gras celebration for you and your friends! Call up your Krewe, dial up the fun, and laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll) because Pepper’s is going to take you through the steps of throwing a spectacular Mardi Gras-themed party with these helpful special event tips:

1)      Use traditional Mardi Gras colors of gold, purple and green on your invitations. Encourage party-goers to wear the colors, and even ramp it up a bit by offering beads hats and masks for your guests upon arrival. Use these same colors when decorating your home—the more dazzle the better.

2)      Bring the French Quarter to your home by offering Cajun and/or Creole Cuisine. The difference between the two is highly debated, but is delicious no matter which way you spice it. Think Gumbos, Seafood dishes, Jambalaya, Rice and Beans and Sausage accompaniments. If you want to really bring The Big Easy a bit closer to home, go for Muffulettas (a sandwich-type food) and King Cakes (a sweet pastry baked in a ring with royal icing). We recommend consulting the online resources on Southern Living to assist in concocting the perfect southern-flavored menu.

3)      Go like special event catering pros and offer a signature cocktail. This will help simplify your menu and ease the amount of items at your bar. For a southern twist, consider offering Hurricanes, Bourbon Spiked Lemonade or Mojitos—any of these will bring to mind images of southern porches and big floppy hats.

4)      Be sure to have great music playing. Consider the southern styling’s of big brass bands, or go softer and throw in some notes of jazz. Music is an important cultural piece for an event such as this, selecting the perfect musical accompaniment will go a long way in creating your party’s theme.

Don’t forget to plan your evening so you aren’t spending the whole time in the kitchen heating things up! Most people plan terrific parties, but don’t spend time with their guests because of disorganized planning.  Developing a good plan goes hand-in-hand with developing a great menu—after all, parties should be enjoyed by the host/hostess as well as the guests!

Will you be throwing a Mardi Gras party this February? Share your party photos with us on our Facebook page! We’d love to see them!

Photo credit: DoctorWho

By Linda L.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, perhaps you’ve begun to notice an abundance of intricately designed cookies available at bakeries and craft stores. Valentine’s Day is a holiday that revolves around yummy foods (hooray for those!), and cookies are an easily theme-able dessert that can be just as fun to make as to eat.

If you want to try your hand at home decorating, a good sturdy cookie and Royal Icing will be your best friends in this endeavor. Below are some recipes to get you going, as well as some basic instructions. 

For design inspiration, look online, through some current magazines, and in cookie books and go for it!  No matter how they turn out, your effort will be appreciated because it’s an effort of love—and that’s what the holiday is all about!

Short dough cookie recipe

1 Whole Egg

½ lb. Sugar

1 lb. Butter

1 ½ lb. Cake Flour, sifted

Cream sugar and butter paddle 3-5 minutes. Mix in egg one at a time, add flour and mix on low just until combined.  Refrigerate dough 2-3 hours before rolling and during rolling if it gets too soft/sticky.  Roll to ¼ inch.

Chocolate Short Dough cookie recipe

1 Whole Egg

½ lb. Sugar

1 lb. Butter

1 lb. 2 oz. Flour

6 oz. Cocoa

Sift together flour and cocoa.  Mix as above, add cocoa with flour.  Roll and cut the dough with cutters of your choice.  Bake 350 degrees for about 8 minutes or until they are golden around the edges and on the bottoms.  Cool completely.

Royal Icing

Ready to mix version available at craft or supermarkets.  There are 3 consistencies used for decorating.  Stiff peak for piping flowers, Soft peak for lines and edges and Runny for filling the center of the cookie.  Getting this right is the key.  So, spend a little time on this and you will be rewarded with a fun time and excellent outcome. Mainly we use the soft peak and runny consistencies to make those beautiful cookies we all covet. 

Put your icing in separate piping bags according to color and consistency.  Disposable bags are available at craft stores or you can make bags with squares of parchment paper.

Use the soft peak icing in your color choice to outline the cookie.  If you do not want to see the outline pipe the runny icing into the center of the cookie quickly.  If you want to see the outline or you want it to be of a different color, pipe the edges of the cookie and let the icing set up for a few minutes before filling in the centers. 

If you would like to add dots or other designs to the cookies and have them be smooth add them while the runny icing is still very wet. 

If you would like to add glitter or sugar to the edges, dip the cookies in the glitter while the edging is still wet and let dry before filling in the centers. 

If you want to pipe designs onto the cookies and have them be raised, fill the cookies with the runny icing and allow the cookies to dry completely before piping onto the centers.

Filling the centers with the runny icing takes a little skill but with practice you will get the icing over the cookie smoothly.  Allow the cookies to dry, usually overnight.

Have Fun!!

Photo credit: Chollingsworth3

By Leslie C.

These days there is no magic age for retirement. People are still working well into their sixties and sometimes even in their seventies or eighties! So when the time finally comes to hang up the briefcase, there is no nicer way to send that person off than with a fun and memorable retirement party. Award those years of a job well done with a job well done of your own by following our tips on planning the perfect retirement party!

• First and foremost: Know your honoree. Would they welcome a large party with the entire company or a small get together with close co-workers? Plan accordingly. An extrovert will probably love being the center of the celebration, while an introvert may appreciate a more low-key affair.
• Form a committee of co-workers who know the retiree best.  This committee should  cover all the basics of party organization and planning including:
-Setting up a corporate catering budget

-Coming up with a theme that best reflects the guest of honor

-Establishing the guest list

-Coordinating food, décor and entertainment

• As with any celebration, location is very important. Whether it’s a restaurant, a unique facility or even at a co-worker’s home, always consider what the preferences of your honoree may be. Are they a die-hard foodie? Maybe a celebration at their favorite lunch spot would peak their excitement. Young at heart? Consider a creative venue like the local movie theater or museum. The mood should be fun and festive and reflect the character of your guest of honor.
• While the party’s underway, be sure to keep the focus on the honoree.  Speeches and toasts should be given by popular supervisors or superiors.  If the retiree is someone who can handle good natured ribbing then don’t rule out a “roast” to honor them. 
• End the event by presenting the honoree with something memorable.  It could be a video of employees reminiscing, or a memory book that lists awards and accomplishments of the retiree. Make sure all employees who know the guest of honor get to contribute so no one feels left out!

However you end up celebrating, the party should provide closure in a fun, light hearted way. It should remind the retiree not only of the years they dedicated to the job, but of the friendships they built and the fond memories they’ll take with them.  

By Michele L.

The Super Bowl is the game of the year—the one time when eating in front of the TV is encouraged and you may be able to coax your sports-detesting child into joining you on the couch to take in the game.

Whether you’re a sports fan, a commercials fan, or just a fan of food—Super Bowl parties have a little bit of something for everyone. So why not include everyone in your Super Bowl celebration?

Don your Brady jersey, invite your family and friends, and make a play for Sunday, February 5^th –we’re going to show you how to score a touchdown with your Super Bowl party!

#1: Keep it Simple

The game and the guests will be high energy—don’t add more complications into the mix, keep it simple!

• Use paper goods instead of china or glassware
• Stick to beer, wine and soda as opposed to stocking a full bar.
• Don’t feel as though you have to deck the house out with paper footballs and blue and gray streamers, food and festive atmosphere will go a long way in creating your party mood and the less is done, the more you get to enjoy the game too!

#2: Get Creative

If you want to decorate the home, there are easy do-it-yourself projects that can pep up your house for the game and get the kids involved in a fun craft. When it comes to decorations, a little creativity goes a long way!

• Make a football field table cloth for the food table by taking a green table cloth and adding in numbers and lines to create the field using white felt or paint. A decorative party touch-done!
• Send out homemade Super Bowl invitations shaped in the various symbols of the sport—flags, footballs, jerseys, ticket stubs—the possibilities are endless!
• Hang felt flags on the wall and make jerseys out of construction paper numbered with the jersey numbers of your favorite players. To add to the décor, hang a home-made score board on the wall so everyone can keep track of the game.
• Use interesting serving trays/bowls/platters. Try serving chips out of a (prop) helmet or serve hors d’oeuvres and desserts from a pelt of fake grass.
• Make centerpieces for the table out of helmets filled with either fresh flowers or finger foods like chips and nuts. White PVC piping makes a great field goal post and mini-footballs or football shaped candles also make great table accents, too!

#3: Tailgate at Home

Do you have a small house or apartment? Don’t let it stop you from playing host. Consider tailgating right at home! Tailgate in your driveway to pump up the festive mood—and where the comfort of the indoors is just a few steps away. Have everyone bring lawn chairs and blankets and bring it all outdoors for the big game. If your lawn is big enough, you can re-enact the action with an impromptu game of your own!

#4: Food/Drink

When selecting your beer or wine, get creative! Pick selections from the competing teams’ home cities/states—offering a selection of beers from Sam Adams and Brooklyn Brewery, for instance.

Think about food the same way--seafood to represent New England and pizza to symbolize New York. If guests ask what they can bring, have a list ready to assign them dishes to prevent doubles or ending up with a bunch of chips and dip.

#5 Catering

Special event catering is also a great option for your Super Bowl party. At Pepper’s, our special events catering expertise makes us a valuable resource for fantastic ideas relating to both food and décor.

Caterers have the advantage of being able to whip up innovative and party-specific food options that will make your party a winner whether the Pats take home the trophy or not!

Enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday and GO PATS!

(…or Giants for those of you rooting for New York!)

photo credit: clevercupcakes

According to our baker, Linda LaBarge, great wedding cakes are more than delicious flavors. It’s about injecting the style and personality of each couple into the cake design. Wedding cakes may be elegant and classic or whimsical, with personal touches or motifs—anyway you slice it, a wedding cake should convey something special.  

Sometimes the design relates to the wedding party theme or décor, sometimes it speaks more about the personality of the couple and sometimes brides have other ideas which we incorporate into the design. For a recent cake creation, the bride requested that the cake (chocolate fudge layered with dark chocolate shavings and Graham cookie bites with marshmallow buttercream!) be a reflection of her wedding dress. Linda designed a cake full of cascading ruffles, bringing a softness and expression of tactile elegance.

Baking and designing cakes has changed dramatically over the years Pepper’s has been in business. The level of design, complexity and materials available are staggering.  Today, cake is an artistic event and bridal couples have increasingly challenging requests and interests. 

“Each year as I look at the web, cake magazines, TV shows and wedding and dress style information, I find a new technique to explore or teach myself,” says Linda. “One year it was the use of color and color application, the next molding figures with rice krispie treats, and this year the use of fondant in a textural direction.  I have many interests and I try to extract from those applications for cake design.”

Linda recommends that brides come in with some designs of interest to jump-start the conversation. “Each couple has a different approach to their cake and I try to listen to discover and work with that interest.”  Together, they sketch out the final look which incorporates both the creative energy of the bride and groom and Linda herself, resulting in a breathtaking creation that tastes as stunning as it looks!

By Deborah A.

It’s the day of your wedding. There you stand looking like your usual radiant self—but better. The ceremony music cues and you’re about to take that first step down the outdoor pathway, when all of a sudden a big gust of wind comes and brushes your hair across your face. Quick! You need the bobby-pins in your emergency kit! Your bridesmaid fastens them in at lighting speed. Before your grandmother can blink back her tears of joy, your hair is neatly set once more and you glide down the aisle perfectly coiffed.   

What’s this emergency kit, you ask? It’s one of your wedding planning essentials, full of tissues, the oft overlooked but ever important bobby-pins, a needle and thread for that stubborn bustle button that just won’t stay put.

One week prior to ceremony is a great time to put together these essentials, as well as scissors, tape, mirror and safety pins!

There are so many details included in planning a wedding and so little time. At Pepper’s we seek to lighten the load in every way we can. Follow our wedding timeline to leave no stone un-turned and no hair out of place so you have maximum enjoyment and minimum worry on your big day!

7-9 months prior:

• Work with your caterer to decide on a menu
• Begin to look at Honeymoon options
• Schedule an engagement photo session

4-6 months prior:

• Begin a review of details with all of your wedding professionals
• Order invitations
• Finalize music selection for the ceremony and reception

2-3 months prior:

• Finalize catering, bakery & floral arrangements
• Order wedding rings
• Make appointments with hairdresser for your wedding day hairstyle and Manicurist/Pedicurist

4-8 weeks prior:

• Mail your invitations
• Final fittings
• Get Marriage License

1 week countdown!

• Pack for the Honeymoon
• Check final details with all your wedding professionals
• Check rehearsal dinner plans
• Pack your day of emergency kit

1 day until matrimony!

• Set aside everything you need at the ceremony site: gown, headpiece, veil, accessories, shoes, stockings, slip, emergency kit, purse, brush and hair spray
• Give each other wedding gifts
• Get a good night’s sleep and enjoy your wedding day!