By Jody B.

Congratulations! You just got engaged, graduated, had a baby, or are about to celebrate a significant anniversary or that long-awaited retirement. There are so many milestones in one’s life that give us a reason to pull out all the stops and celebrate with family and friends.  

But where to celebrate?

In every community there exists a host of venues at your disposal, each adding unique details. Do you prefer an elegant, refined site with beautiful architectural details?  Or a location with a stunning view or exhibits to wander through? Should it be indoors or outside?

No matter the location you choose, ambiance is key.  Each venue will offer ambiance in differing ways, pairing what the location offers with your event’s specifications will add cohesion to your party vision.

Other things to keep in mind when selecting venues:

• Budget
• Guest count
• Length of time for the party
• Whether or not you’ll need room for dancing or other entertainment
• Space available for your guests to park
• What you’ll venue would look and feel like at the time of year you’ll be holding your event

Now that you have the framework to find an event venue that reflects your style and specifications, take a gander at Pepper’s list of preferred venues and see what each has to offer!

Blooming With Color

• Connors Center
• Elm Bank
• Habitat
• Garden in the Woods
• Tower Hill Botanic Gardens
• Tyrone Farm
• Roseland Cottage
• Concord Art Association

Historically Speaking

• Village Hall
• Sherborn 1858 Town House
• Commander’s Mansion
• Mechanics Hall
• Tuckerman Hall
• Asa Waters Mansion
• Holliston Historical Society/Asa Whiting Barn
• Pierce House
• Gore Estate
• Paine Estate

Start Your Engines

• Larz Anderson Auto Museum

Be a Sport

• Bosse Sports Club
• Harry Parker Boat House
• Donahue Rowing Center
• Vashon Sanctuary
• Outlook Farm
• Sandy Burr Country Club
• Camp Wing
• Camp Kewanee

Night at the Museum

• Higgins Armory Museum
• Fitchburg Art Museum
• Danforth Art Museum
• Fuller Craft Museum
• Worcester Art Museum
• Russian Icon Museum
• Griffin Photography Museum
• New Bedford Whaling Museum
• Concord Museum

What’s Cooking?

• Clarke Luxury Appliance Show Room

 Now Playing

• Hanover Theatre
• Jordan’s Furniture IMAX Theatre

Once you select a venue, allow Pepper’s to assist with party catering and event planning. No one understands the importance of cohesion in design and great food like we do!  We’ll work with you to create a delicious menu that your guests will savor and a memorable event to remember.

Celebrate the excitement in your life!

By Linda S.

Gala is another word for celebration—a celebration with a purpose. Galas are generally designed by a committee who work together with an event caterer and other vendors to raise money for an organization or to celebrate an accomplishment in the community, such as a new wing opening in a hospital or a new school being built.

Galas are inclusive affairs, incorporating the entire community to reach a goal or celebrate a job well done. Because they involve so many and their function so significant, there are a number of key elements to consider in the planning stages to help make your gala exciting and memorable:

            1.  Venue Selection

The venue is perhaps the most important component of any event—it sets the stage. A lot can be down to spruce up a bland space, but the basics like size and location should be regarded in choosing your gala venue. 

            2. Theme

Your event doesn’t need to have a theme, but theme can do wonders in getting your attendees excited about your cause. If you decide to go with a theme—try to match it with your cause. Raising funds to repair the library? How about a theme that celebrates the great books and authors of the 19^th and 20^th century?

            3. Fabulous Food

Selecting your event caterer is a crucial part of wowing guests. You’ll want to choose a caterer who will work seamlessly with your committee, designing a menu that will take into account the dietary and ethnic considerations of your many guests, while also wowing their palates.

            4. Entertainment

How will you entertain your guests? If it’s a fund raising event – be sure to select an auctioneer who can engage your guests and open their hearts to financially support the cause.

            5. Make it an Event to Remember

Many galas are re-occurring events. Be sure to choose unique elements that will set you apart from others and encourage your guests to return next year and continue to support your organization.   

Food can go a long way in making your event truly memorable. Serving just another piece of tenderloin on a plate may not be enough to set you apart, however, a piece cooked to perfection, topped with an unusual sauce, garnished with parsnip flan and served on beautiful platinum boarded china plate paired with a complementary wine selection  can certainly help set your event apart from the others.

Don’t be afraid to step out and pull out all the stops when planning a gala. Galas are celebrations with a purpose and to that end they should not only be a blast, but accomplish a lot for your organization, too.  

At Pepper’s, I have seen a lot of creative and interesting ideas come to fruition. Everyday I experience the excitement from our party event planners as they create memorable, delicious celebrations for our clients. We are a group of people on a continuous quest to bring unique and thoughtful ideas to weddings, family parties or galas using our vast experience and diverse, creative personalities.

I have so many memorable experiences of all the great events we’ve been part of through the years, and it’s made me wish I had chosen to capture the excitement of it all in a more personal way, such as with a journal, for instance. There is a bond, a friendship, that is created as we guide and explore how to make a celebration come together. And though the memories of each bond are still strong, I can’t help but feel sad that I didn’t choose to document it more concretely—to have something physical that I could look back to and remember.

Pepper’s Fine Catering is now entering its 25th year, and I truly feel we just keep getting better. To that I say thank you across the board to both our clients and our team.

A group of us sat around having lunch last week reminiscing over some of the wonderful memories, delicious meals, and unexpected challenges, and we thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun to hear from our clients?” Their stories, their memories of having a Pepper’s catered event. 

So if you have a moment to share your story, I speak for both myself and the entire Pepper’s staff in saying that we would love to hear it. My hope is that your stories will become the journal I wish I had started long ago.

Susan

By Chef John

Pepper’s is often called upon for creative & cost effective solutions to celebration catering. In fact, nearly every client has this on their mind, regardless of whether they’re calling about a bridal shower, surprise birthday party or a black tie gala.

This past weekend we hosted our family for New Year’s Day Brunch.  What better time than the new year for extended family to get together and partake in delicious food?

Now, having been raised by a chef (dad) and a dietician (mom), you might think that everyone in our family is a foodie. In reality, when it comes to palate, we’re not so different than most families. We have family members with predilection for meat dishes, a vegetarian and a couple of fussy eaters.

Our goal was to accommodate everyone’s tastes without over-blowing our budget. To hit the mark, we decide to serve several smaller dishes, at least one of which would be sure to appeal to even the pickiest family members. Sure enough, once the family saw our smoked salmon platter, display of roasted vegetables, potato & smoked garlic sausage strata, fruit platter, and honey glazed ham they were tantalized into trying it all—and enjoying it too!

But the big hit of the celebration was by far our pumpkin waffles. We served them with crushed hazelnut maple syrup. Even those who passed on the syrup said hands down, these were great waffles.

If you’re looking for a menu idea for a cost effective brunch, our pumpkin waffle recipe (included below) is sure to fit the bill and please your guests. Even if you don’t have an event coming up, go ahead and treat yourself and your family members on a weekend morning—you’ll be glad you did!

Pumpkin Waffles                            yield 12 each, 4 in. waffles

2.5 cups all purpose flour

1/3 cup  light brown sugar

2 & ¼ teas. baking powder

1 teas. baking soda

½ teas. salt (my preference is Kosher in nearly all cooking)

2 teas. cinnamon (love Vietnamese cinnamon)

1.5 teas. ground ginger

½ teas. ground star anise or nutmeg ( both provide different nuances, but either are fun )

¼ teas.  ground cloves

4 eggs, large

2 cups half & half cream

½ each lemon juice (optional)

1 cup pumpkin puree, canned & solid pack

1/3 cup butter, melted

Whisk together all of your wet ingredients (eggs, cream, pumpkin & butter). Whisk in the dry ingredients until smooth.

Spray your pre-heated waffle iron with pan release spray (Pam) and follow the directions of the waffle maker.

Serve with warm maple syrup, whipped butter and Enjoy.

By Leslie C.

The art of celebration is the combination of delectable food and seamless party planning. Very often we reminisce about our favorite events to draw inspiration and entice creativity for future events.

Nothing excites the Pepper’s team quite like party catering. Once the thinking caps go on, it’s no holds barred on fun, unique ideas that will make the event truly stand out.

When we think back to our favorite party events, it can be difficult to narrow it down. What makes an event a favorite? Is it menu, design, guest list or entertainment?  We believe it’s all of those things. And vision. For us, a memorable event springs from taking our client’s vision and using our imaginations to fulfill and surpass their party dreams.  

A very recent favorite was the transformation of a rather drab banquet catering hall into a magical holiday themed event. The client wanted to incorporate the “Little Drummer Boy” into the theme, and knowing the client’s taste, traditional wasn’t an option.

Well, how does one make the “Little Drummer Boy” contemporary and glamorous?

We got crafty.  We purchased hat boxes at Michael’s, painted and embellished them with glitter, rhinestones, and glitzy ribbons to mimic the look of a drum.  Then, we stacked them on tables preset with decadent colored linens to compliment the client’s request.  They were thrilled. 

You can create your own special party moments, too. Regardless of what your elementary school art teacher may have told you, we know there’s a crafter in all of us.

Our recommendation when planning your party is quite simple:

1. Go crazy

2. Have fun. 

When creating your own event, aim for cohesion in décor and cuisine. Integrating all the elements of party planning to pair together well will go a long way in making your event a favorite with your guests, not to mention show off your killer do-it-yourself party planning skills.

Have you attended or planned a fantastic holiday event this season? We’d love to hear about it. Share some of your favorite holiday events details, from décor to menu ideas, in the comments section below.   

By Liz O.

The countdown begins!

The pressure always seems to be on for New Year’s Eve Party hosts.  You’re trying to create a memorable experience for your guests, a celebration worthy enough to usher family and friends into the coming year—and that can cause party planning stress.

New Year’s celebrations should be the icing on your holiday cake, so from all of us at Pepper’s Catering, here are some Event Planning Tips to help your Auld Langs Syne celebration yield wonderful memories.

Ten, Nine, Eight…

• For music, consider a band or DJ—or create a play list on your iPod that includes holiday and dancing tunes.
• Activities or fun games always add fun or games.

Here’s a fun game idea: everyone writes down his or her resolutions on a slip of paper (no names), toss them into a hat, and randomly read them aloud. Everyone has to guess which resolutions belong to whom.

Seven Six, Five, Four…

Plan a fun and festive menu.

• If your party starts later in the evening, a nice selection of hors d’oeuvres and sweets will hit the spot.
• Serving alcohol? If you’re like most of us, we never know how much to buy. Event Planners like me, use on-line Drink Calculators to solve the mystery, such as E-Vite’s: http://www.evite.com/pages/party/drink-calculator.jsp
• Do you have a bit more room in the budget this year? Hire a local special events caterer who can design a party with cuisine and décor that will suit your personal taste and budget.
• Don’t forget about New Year’s Day. Save some champagne for mimosas in 2012.

Three, Two, ONE!

 What to wear? The age old question for NYE parties!  

• How about a costume party? Themes set a tone, and provide a common focus.
• Not in to costume parties? Be sure to swing by your local party store, like iParty and pick up hats, noisemakers and party horns for your guests to have fun with

HAVE FUN! You’ve planned and prepared, so sit back, relax and enjoy the festivities!

So, you want to throw a small party and need a little guidance.  We understand.  There are a lot of components to planning a party –when, where, how many and, more importantly, what am I going to serve!  So before you pick up the phone to call your favorite caterer, here are a few tips to help get you organized.

• Choose a Party Type/Theme
  The type of party has a big impact on the food you’ll serve.  Working within a theme is a good way to match food and décor for your party.  For example, a grill party might work best for your favorite graduate.  Dinner parties are a great way to celebrate milestone birthdays, and elegant brunches work well for communions or bridal and baby showers.  A cocktail party with to-die-for hors d’oeuvres is a wonderful excuse to enjoy time with your friends. 
• Location. Location. Location.
  Whether in your backyard, a nearby park or your own favorite spot, location plays a key role in determining your party’s needs.  Take a good look at the space and determine if you need to rent tables, chairs, china, glassware, linens and/or a tent.  Is there enough space for all of your guests?  If you’re not sure, ask your sales consultant to visit the site so that he/she can determine the best possible scenario for your party.
• Know Your Guests
  We say this all the time when talking about event planning – know your guests and their needs. It’s much easier to do this when planning small parties versus a 200-person wedding, so let them know you care by factoring in their special dietary or food allergy requirements.
• Do You Need Waitstaff?
  A staffed event can free up time for you to relax and mingle with your guests.  Consider having wait staff pass your hors d’oeuvres or serve your plated dinner.  You can even have a chef on-hand to cook your burgers and steaks to perfection or a bartender to keep your guests refreshed with a tasty beverage.

A party’s success depends on the amount of thought that you put into it, so the better prepared you are, the better results you’ll receive when working with your event coordinator.  Together you can create a great party with lasting memories.

The Importance of a Wedding Tasting

Juggling all of the details involved with wedding planning can be difficult, to say the least, but one thing you should definitely make time for is a food tasting.  A wedding tasting is about the food, yes, but it’s also about building a comfortable relationship with your caterer.   

Wedding tastings are offered either in a group setting or private.  A formal “one-on-one” wedding tasting allows you to request specific foods versus tasting a choice of the most popular items offered which is typical for a group tastings. Group tastings can be more lively and provide the opportunities to meet other couples in a relaxed setting. Whether you go for the group tasting or private they both allow an opportunity to meet with the chef who can answer menu questions and/or provide recommendations to suit your needs.  Your event coordinator will also use this time to go over other important details with you, such as color schemes, linen and china choices, florals, and timeline execution to name a few.

Keep in mind that wedding tastings, whether formal or group, are usually scheduled after you’ve booked with a caterer/venue and your menu has already been established.   Tastings can be very labor intensive, not to mention the cost of food, so you will usually encounter a reasonable per person fee.  But don’t let that discourage you from scheduling a wedding tasting.  Food usually consumes the biggest percentage of your wedding budget.  Having peace of mind that you’re going to receive the freshest and most flavorful fare far outweighs the tasting fee.  Your wedding day is important, so you want to be confident that the food you are providing for your guests is top notch and memorable. 

Helpful Tips for a Successful Tasting Event

• Get the Details.  Not all tastings are free, so make sure to inquire about a cost when making an appointment.  Consider the needs of your guests – do any of them have special dietary needs or food allergies?    
• Come prepared.  Bring a copy of your menu and other important details for discussion.  The more information you have available to you, the better you can make of your time.
• Bring your fiancé along.  It’s your tastes that really matter so, if at all possible, you should both be part of the decision-making process.  It’s not uncommon to bring parents or future in-laws too, but be careful; sometimes too many opinions can make the decision-making process more difficult.
• Take notes.  Taking notes will help refresh your memory when it comes time to make a final decision.  How does the food taste? How was it presented?  What did you like?  What didn’t work?   Note any suggestions/recommendations and maybe take some photos for reference.
• Provide feedback.  Feedback is critical to the success of your menu so don’t be afraid to speak up.  Great chefs are ready and willing to challenge the taste buds if you’re looking for bolder flavors or creative combinations.  Food allergies, dietary needs, religious or ethnic requirements are also important when creating the right menu.
• Be flexible.  Seasonal or specialty items may not always be available or fit into your budget.  Your event coordinator and/or chef can provide you with creative ideas and suggestions to design a menu that is both exciting and cost-effective.
  
  Photo Credit (Cupcake): Deborah Zoe Photography 

Wild Boar Gnocchi, Beef Short Ribs with Grits and Red Eye Gravy, and Ravioli di Zucca were some of the delectable dishes from this year’s annual Worcester’s Best Chef competition.  Nearly 30 restaurants were represented at the January 23^rd event held at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, where guests were treated to some delicious signature dishes from Central Massachusetts top chefs.

The Judge’s Pick was awarded to Chef Wilson Wang of Baba Sushi for his presentation of Sushi 4-ways accompanied by a Quail Egg, Caviar and Oyster Shot.  Runners-up included Rice Paper Salmon with Lobster Shu Mai by Jared Calderone of Feng Asian Bistro & Hibachi  and Cider-braised Pork Wings on Corn Polenta and Apple Slaw by Tim Quinn of Old Sturbridge Village’s Oliver Wright Tavern.  But it was Chef Quinn who captured the Worcester’s Best Chef title as all of the judge’s picks battled head-to-head in a final 20-minute Mystery Basket competition.  Chef Mark Hawley of the Flying Rhino Café & Watering Hole captured the People’s Choice Award.

Kudos to Pepper’s own Chef Paul Wilson for participating as a Worcester’s Best Chef judge, Event Managers Martha Olney and Heidi Bouchard for their expertise and logistical planning and the rest of the Pepper’s staff that helped make this year’s event a memorable one!

  
photos courtesy of ERB Photography

I came across an interesting article regarding dietary restrictions and if you should factor them into your event planning process, especially when the guest count is high.  It’s a tough question, no doubt, but with one in 25 people suffering from a food allergy, it’s certainly something to consider.

Food allergies occur when your body’s immune system reacts to a substance in food that it sees as harmful.  This sets off a chain reaction in the body and presents symptoms that can range from a runny nose and itchy eyes to sever or life-threatening reactions.   The most common foods to cause food allergies include milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, soy and wheat. 

So, what can you do?
The most important thing you can do is COMMUNICATE – with your guests, your event coordinator, the chef or anyone else who will be making food choices for you.  Ask questions, gather information and make sensible choices. 

• Start with your guests 
  Many brides add a place on their response card for guests to note food allergies, medically required dietary needs or restrictions.

• Talk with your caterer
  Make them aware of your restrictions and ask them questions.

  Provide the details of any food allergies to your event coordinator so that he/she can forward the information to the rest of the team.  The more people who know about your needs, the better.  The coordinator can also help you convey your efforts to your guests, putting them at ease to enjoy the day along with you.

  Ask to speak with the chef directly.  A knowledgeable chef will be willing to work with you, providing options and menu ideas that will meet your dietary needs without sacrificing quality or limit choices.

  Chances are your caterer is not preparing food in a “nut free” facility, so how do they handle cross-contamination?

It’s important to remember this too – it’s not all up to you.  Although your efforts will surely be appreciated, no one is more responsible than the guest him/herself.