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Creative Cakes: Hemingway Book Replica

Posted by Pepper's Team Blog on Thu, Jul 02, 2015
Hemingway Cake Replica
 
by Lisa McCaffrey
Pepper's Pastry Chef

A customer came in recently and wanted to create a birthday cake for his daughter at the last minute, unfortunately he had no idea what he was looking for. We sat down and together had a discussion about Amanda and the kind of person she is, her likes and interests. I soon found out that his daughter was a huge Ernest Hemingway fan and that his birthday gift to her would be her favorite Hemingway book. This gave me a great idea: to replicate the book! Her father soon came back to pick up the cake and was beyond thrilled when he saw 'The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway' in the form of a hardcover book-shaped cake. He loved it so much that he said that they weren’t even going to eat it. Another beautiful cake and happy customer.

Happy Birthday Amanda!

Chef Inspiration: Creative Interests & Presentation

Posted by Pepper's Team Blog on Thu, Jun 25, 2015

 

chef inspiration

 

By: Chris Lawrence

As a chef at Pepper's Fine Catering for over 25 years I am passionate about food and presentation. I enjoy creating a memorable visual presentation and using different types of foods as authentically as possible.


While designing food presentations for our clients, I try to use the most creative and visually stimulating formats. I work at creating a lasting impression for our customers by arranging great food that always looks as good as it tastes. I'm left with a great deal of pride when our clients comment on my work, which continues to insprire and motivate me to research and try new ideas.


My passion extends to working in the organic garden at Pepper's and at my home. In my home garden I love to recycle and make homemade compost. For the first bed in my back yard, I made a bean crawler out of tomato stakes and rope, and in the second bed I used chicken wire and twigs to make a cucumber support. Both structures are currently working quite well, very exciting!
 

*photos (upper three) -  The Imagery Studio 

 

 

 

Graduation Season: Mocktails Anyone?

Posted by Pepper's Team Blog on Thu, Jun 11, 2015

Graduation Season: Mocktails Anyone?

Mocktails….oh my!


Everyone enjoys a delicious cocktail at a party, but a “mocktail” bar can be just as fun, especially for a younger crowd! A pre-prom party or graduation are perfect events for mixing up a few “mocktails” for the teenagers. This can be set up just like a regular bar with fancy glassware, decorative signage & décor and all of the typical bar fixings - minus the alcohol, of course.


Consider mixing up an Arnold Palmer with a lemon wedge or a lovely Lavender Lemonade with a pretty fresh Lavender sprig. It’s so easy! Squeeze some lemons and limes to make fresh juices, brew a pot of sun tea and ice it down and then add some fun ice cubes to your drink with frozen berries or fresh herbs inside! Top your drinks off with a fun straw or garnish and ENJOY!  

The possibilities are endless...

 

 

Bridal Shower Season: Time to Celebrate!

Posted by Pepper's Team Blog on Wed, May 20, 2015

 

 

  

Bridal shower season is here once again and that means it’s time to celebrate! This cake was made for a special bride whose shower was held at Cyprian Keyes Country Club. The bride wanted something in pale pastel colors with an elegant look. We selected shades in pale pink and pale green with simple chic pearl drops and fresh flowers. The cake flavor had to be something absolutely delicious! We decided on a double tiered round cake with two separate distinct flavors. The first tier was our popular Pink Lemonade cake, a delicious three layered cake in pink ombre colors, filled with fresh lemon curd. The second tier was a hit for the chocolate lovers, an amazing chocolate raspberry fudge combination.

After the shower, the bride (Gail Arcieri) let us know how much she and her guests enjoyed the cake with this great feedback: “We LOVED it! As a matter of fact, people thought it was one of those fake ones because it looked so pretty!! We put some rose petals around it on the display table which was just enough to set it off. Thanks so much-it was a big hit and we told everyone where we got it!!” 

Riverbend Gala: Hoedown Hooplah

Posted by Pepper's Team Blog on Sun, May 10, 2015
Riverbend Hoedown

YEE HAW For Fundraisers!

 

Over 130 guests donned their finest western duds – boots, denim, bandanas and cowboy hats – and headed to Elm Bank for Riverbend Montessori School’s recent “Hoedown” in support of the South Natick school.   

 

Peppers Fine Catering’s Style and Design team loved coordinating creative theme details including building custom swinging saloon doors at the entrance, “cowboy and cowgirl” signs for the rest rooms, hay bale and whiskey barrel lounge seating areas, and a coordinating buffet display.

 

An old west dinner included spit-roasted pork loin cooking outside for guests to see as they arrived and to smell the flavors that awaited them at dinner.

 

Guests danced to a lively country-western band, while a caller got the crowd to participate in new and favorite line dances.

 

Talk about putting the FUN in your fundraising!  

 

 

Wedding Table Design: The Vintage Traveler

Posted by Pepper's Team Blog on Thu, Apr 30, 2015
Wedding Table Design: Traveler

 

 

Sometimes a couple wants to design their wedding around something they love, so we decided to design a table around something we love, travel! To bring in some rich colors and develop the look, we decided to go a more vintage route with our triage theme. We started with a dark moody green linen and added a more classic design for our place settings.

Next, we wanted to build up our centerpiece to make a real statement. We created multiple levels with stacked vintage books and an old travel chest. Having multiple levels allows the eye to bounce between all the different design elements, which adds interest and dimension. We used two vintage silver vessels for our florals and added quail feathers for texture and height. Next we found a mini globe and painted it black and the stand gold. Then we hand-painted the table number on both sides of the globe so the guests could approach from any angle and be able to see the table number. Last but not least, we incorporated paper elements.

To tie into the vintage feel, we wrote our menu and place cards by hand in white calligraphy and then added foil to tie into the gold on the spines of our vintage books. A table like this can't help but make the special couple excited for their honeymoon!

Wedding Table Design: Quirky and Bright

Posted by Pepper's Team Blog on Sat, Apr 25, 2015

 

quirky and bright table design

 

Some couples want to be completely unique, and we think they should have a wedding table design that is different from the rest! Though the previous wedding tables we've talked about, Rustic Romance and Modern Romance  are beautiful and unique in their own right, sometimes, we like to do something a little... quirky! 

Bringing the Wedding Quirky Table to Life

For this table, we started with a bright chartreuse ikat and these white animal head vases. We filled the vases with bright flowers and greens to set the mood. Next we created this completely unique table number out of wood, nails and string. We think the table number is a perfect piece of graphic art! Next, to add another dimension to the table, we mixed different graphic china patterns to create a graphic place setting. Last but not least, we designed a modern and graphic menu and a place card that slides right onto the water glass, just another perfect little design detail that helps bring our quirky table to life!


Custom Themed Events: Play Ball!

Posted by Pepper's Team Blog on Thu, Apr 23, 2015

The Art of Baseball

 

“Play Ball!”

 

You could practically hear the umpire’s call at the Concord Museum’s recent opening party for their latest exhibition “The Art of Baseball”. With over 50 fine and folk art pieces that interpret America’s national pastime, plus many Boston Red Sox artifacts, this is a baseball lover’s paradise.

Over 200 guests arrived to enjoy Peppers Fine Catering's fun baseball-park themed menu. Delicious beef sliders, mini hot dogs, petite grilled Italian sausage subs and warm pretzel bites with Dijon crème & honey mustard were a hit amongst guests.

The beverage stations had vases filled with baseballs and baseball bats under glass for the table top. Even the staff offered flair with red and white checkered ties, khaki aprons and baseball caps.

And, of course, our homemade Cracker Jack in baseball paper decorative cones (with a mini American flag prize inside! ) ended the night with a home run!

Concord Museum's Senior Membership and Development Officer wrote us to say: " I have never heard so many compliments about food at an opening, and when our director thanked Pepper's in her remarks there was applause. Wow-what a fantastic evening last night! I cannot thank you and your team enough for helping make the baseball opening wonderfully run, successful and a great time all around."

 

*We'd like to thank The Concord Museum for the positive feedback!

 

 

 

Wedding Table Design: Rustic Romance

Posted by Pepper's Team Blog on Thu, Apr 16, 2015

Rustic Romance

 

In our first "Wedding Table Design" post we talked about creating a modern romantic table. This time we decided to design a table for a wedding around the idea of "rustic romance". We started with a tweed burlap linen which set the base for our rustic table, next we added heavy ceramic dishes with a worn vintage look and hammered flat wear. All these pieces set our rustic table and now we're ready for the details!


A purple crystal goblet adds our first hint of color, which we tied into all our paper goods. For a romantic touch, we added hand-painted flower details on the menu and favor tag. We used more casual and whimsical fonts for our paper goods at this table. Then with hand-painted table numbers on wood rounds, and craft paper cartons (filled with delicious macaroons from our bakery!) for the favors, we've brought in more rustic elements. Last but not least was our centerpiece, with a corrugated tin vase, purple cabbage, silver brunia berries and large white mums, we've created the perfect rustic table for your wedding!


Check out our Pinterest to see more of our creative table designs.  

 

A Magical “Starry Night” Bat Mitzvah

Posted by Pepper's Team Blog on Sat, Apr 04, 2015

 Starry Night Bat Mitzvah

This past Saturday (3/28), Pepper’s Fine Catering had the opportunity to transform a raw, blank space at the Mass Ballet in Framingham and turn it into a spectacular “Starry Night” themed event for Harper’s Bat Mitzvah celebration.

With the use of lots of pipe & drape, up lighting, lounge furniture, café & high-top tables with bar stools, custom, themed décor, and lots of attention to detail the space came alive, wowing guests and creating a memorable event for everyone who attended.

Bat Mitzvah Table Design

Pepper’s Style & Design team brought in many custom pieces including posters and signage, centerpieces, a light up sign- in board, bathroom baskets with all of the necessities and bandana party favors with Harper’s logo on them.

Bat Mitzvah Starry Design

Our in house baker, Lisa, created a stunning “Starry Night” themed three-tier cake featuring fondant stars, purple glitter and Harper’s very own logo! 

Pepper’s offer a wide selection of food from passed and stationary appetizers, to fun chef-active food stations including Beef & Fried Chicken Sliders served with Spiced or Sweet Potato Fries passed to guests in paper cones, a Quesadilla station with Southwestern Caesar Salad and an Asian station with Steamed Dumplings, Beef Teriyaki Skewers and Springs Rolls.

Bat Mitzvah Food

There was a large bar available for the adults with a full selection of beer, wine and liquor and a Smoothie and Soda bar for the kids. The night ended with a fun “Decorate Your Own Cupcake” station and a Candy Bar. What a memorable and successful event it was!