Fresh flowers, locally grown fruits and vegetables, warm nights and beautiful sunny days – these are just a few of the reasons why we love summer weddings in New England.  From botanical gardens with beautifully restored mansions, to rustic barns or beach front ceremonies, any Boston catering company will tell you summer provides the most wonderful backdrop for your event. 

Gardens are beautiful summertime venues. Their bright blooming flowers and wafting sweet smells will add another dimension to your party. Instead of bringing flowers to the venue, you can bring the venue to the flowers! The Tower Hill Botanical Gardens, which is located in Boylston, Mass., is spread out on 132 acres of beautiful terrain overlooking Mount Wachusett and the Wachusett Reservoir. The Orangerie at Tower Hill is an impressive room with a high vaulted glass ceilings and a great sense of openness, truly bringing the outside in.

Museums are always great places to hold a classy summertime event. The large halls and great rooms leave a great impression upon guests. Add in fresh flowers and beautifully set tables, and you have a breathtaking space custom designed for your unique affair.

Many museums also feature outdoor space for entertaining. The Fruitlands Museum, located in Harvard, Mass., showcases amazing panoramic views of the Nashua Valley. It features 200 acres of manicured grounds and boasts beautiful sunsets all year long.

Whether you’re planning an elegant dinner, or just a fun outdoor barbeque, consider the EcoTarium in Worcester, Mass.. The EcoTarium is a Science and Nature Museum featuring both indoor and outdoor space. The entire museum, including three floors of exhibits and a planetarium, is available after regular business hours. The EcoTarium offers a wide range of ambiance, making it a great venue for just about any summer event.

At Pepper’s, our favorite summer time venues are the ones we work with our clients to create from scratch.  Nothing gets our creative juices flowing quite like transforming an empty field or quiet back yard into a stunning wedding reception.  Building your wedding or special event from the ground up allows you to execute your vision without compromise – ensuring every detail is just as you imagined it.  Working with our extensive network of tent, rental and lighting professionals – we can truly tailor each function to your taste, no matter how formal or casual it may be.   When you think of summer time, think of celebrations – hopefully we’ll see you there!

By: Tori N

"Let them eat cake” is no longer something all brides must say! Although traditionalists may insist on a classic white, 3 tiered cake, many modern brides and grooms are turning to more unique catering ideas for their big day, including what they serve for dessert. 

When deciding what is right for your wedding reception, there are many factors you will want to consider, such as the formality of the event, your guest count, even the season, or the time of year.

Cupcakes arranged on tiers are a wonderful and fun option, especially for guests who may be too busy dancing to stop for a piece of cake. 

One of our favorite ideas was a fall wedding where the bride and groom cut a small ceremonial cake and had us serve the guests warm apple pie with homemade cinnamon scented ice-cream, using her grandmother’s blue ribbon recipe.  We also love tables of mini sweets and candy as an alternative to a traditional served wedding cake. 

No matter what you decide, just remember that dessert is everyone’s favorite part of the meal! 

 

By: Liz O.

At Pepper’s Fine Catering, we have the pleasure of continually developing custom, creative menus for our clients, as each and every event is unique.  Some of our parties have themes, and as true culinary artists, our Chefs have put together some terrific catering menus for such special events.

Keep in mind, just because a party has a theme, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to wear a costume!  Success can be achieved easily with some simple and tasteful themed décor, creative menu planning and some of our favorite catering recipes.

Recently, we had a client who was throwing a Hawaiian themed Baby Shower for her daughter. We sat down with our Executive Chef and developed what turned out to be an amazing luncheon feast for our client and her guests. Even our pastry chef got involved—creating a special cupcake flavor profile just for her! Below are descriptions of the Hawaiian inspired dishes we served at the shower.

Lo Mein Salad with Bamboo Shoots, Water Chestnuts, Mung Beans & Soy Nuts with Spicy Szechwan Dressing

Coconut Cashew Rice Salad (Warm) with Diced Onions, Garlic, Ginger, Scallions, Mandarin Oranges, Toasted Cashews, and Toasted Coconut, all tossed with Rice in an Orange Sesame Vinaigrette

Pork Tenderloin napped with a Cherry Pineapple Sauce

Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Banana Lime Topping

Chicken Kabobs with Onions, Peppers and Tomatoes marinated in a Coconut Cream Sauce

Grilled Pineapple

Fresh Coconut Chunks

Banana Leaves for décor on platters

White cupcakes with Pineapple Rum Filling, Coconut Infused Butter Cream Frosting, and Coconut Flakes on top.

Remember, themes can come from anything—movies, culture, television, eras and trends. Just about anything that interests you or the guest of honor can make a great theme. So have fun and let Pepper’s help you plan a terrific themed catering menu for a memorable event.

What Makes a Catering Company Stand Out?

There are so many caterers out there and they are all looking for your business. How do you sift through them all and choose the right catering service to make your event a success? What factors make a catering experience unforgettable? What sets them apart from the crowd? Anyone can put food on a table, but it takes a certain touch to make that food pop. What are the factors that make a gourmet catering company one step above the rest?

Pizzuti Photography

Passion for food and service is something that will always shine through. If a chef loves what he or she is doing, it can be seen in the final product on the plate. Cooking is often a labor of love, and if that love is not there, a dish can fall flat. Look for new and interesting dishes on the catering menu, a sure sign of fun, fresh, original food. Our chefs love creating new innovative dishes and putting twists on the classics. 

Joe Dolan Photography

Creativity/Originality whether in the food or the decoration. Doing something a little different can make your event go from boring to extraordinary. A themed party is a fun way to do this, and a great caterer will be willing to work with you, matching the menu to whatever theme it is you had in mind. This takes some measure of creativity and thinking outside the box, which are some qualities of a great catering service.    

Personality. Every catering service has a personality that comes through to the guest. As the connection between the caterer and the customer, the staff should be friendly, gracious and  well informed on the menu and event. Staff should know every item on the menu frontwards and backwards, and be able to answer any questions a guest may have - especially when it comes to allergies. This shows that every member of the staff is paying attention to the customer, and that your event is not just “another event” to them. A knowledgeable staff member with a positive attitude can often easily smooth out any hiccups encountered during an event.

Of all these factors, nothing is more important than attention to detail. A good caterer will take the time to make the setup look absolutely amazing. It is said that people “eat with their eyes” first, so the food needs to be visually appealing. Colors and textures are extremely important, both in the food and the décor.  Bright, fresh colorful displays will always draw the eye and wow the guest. It is surprising how a simple garnish can change the entire look of a plate, and make it truly eye-popping with little more than a flower or a sprig of rosemary. Attention to detail is an all-encompassing factor, because often if a caterer has a keen eye for detail, all the rest of the factors tend to fall into place.

At Pepper’s, we pay attention to the details. Making that extra effort for the customer yields results that are easy to see.  Passion, personality and creativity are all factors that put a gourmet catering company at the top of the list—and those are attributes that Pepper’s prides themselves on. 

 

By Lindsey D. 

Whether it’s a baby shower, bridal shower, birthday party or even just a get-together with friends, a garden tea party is a great theme for almost any outdoor occasion! Consider employing some of these dainty details for your next tea party soirée:
Invitations & Décor:

• Customizable teabags or small boxes of tea cookies make adorable invitations, favors and thank you cards for your guests. 
• Choose real table linens and napkins over paper or plastic ones if at all possible.
• Accent with lace and pastels. The colors will compliment the natural surroundings of spring, and the lace adds a whimsical and elegant feel to any tea party table setting.
• Consider bringing your dining room chairs outside for the event.  This will make you and your guests feel more sophisticated than if you all were sitting in lawn or outdoor chairs.
• Get creative by having your guests bring their own teacups-adding to both the décor and conversation of the party.
• Decorate with glass jars, biscuit & tea tins (old or new). Fill them with flowers to use as a centerpiece or simply scatter them around your table as décor.
• Mix high-quality silk flowers with real flowers to stretch a budget. Loose petals also add color and elegance guest tables or a buffet. 

Food & Drink
                Considering tea party catering? Maybe doing it yourself?  Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Use fun serving platters that match your theme-whether that be florals, pastels or even all white trays to complement your surroundings. 
• Other than teaspoons, no other cutlery should be used if possible. Go with small finger foods and dainty desserts to add a fun and sophisticated feel to your event.  Here are some simple finger food ideas that will satisfy your guests while maintaining the “feel” of your event:

                -Deviled eggs
                -Cheese & Crackers
                -Mini quiches
                -Scones/muffins
                -Fruit skewers or fruit cubes
                -Soup shooters
                -Tea sandwiches and pinwheels
                -Éclairs, cannolis, cookies, pound cake, mini cupcakes, lemon squares, tarts, etc.

• Don’t forget the tea! Try having a mix of sweet and unsweetened as well as hot & iced.
• An array of options helps please everyone, add lemonade & punch for the non-tea drinkers. Mimosas, champagne and sangria are great alcoholic additions, as they pair nicely with all aspects of your event!

Hosting a tea party? Pepper’s would love to see the pictures! Share them on our facebook wall—www.facebook.com/pepperscatering.
For more catering ideas visit www.pepperscatering.com
Picture credit: sillypucci

by Tori N. 

We believe that no catering menu is complete unless every item on the bar is tailored to our clients’ specific tastes.  From a champagne toast to a perfectly paired dinner wine – beverages are a very important part of any wedding celebration.  Leave no stone unturned when it comes to planning your wedding menu, and use our drink suggestions as a guide or jumping off point for your big day.

One of my favorite ideas is to offer a “signature drink menu” of wedding themed cocktails:

Something Old – A classic cocktail such as a Gin & Tonic, Manhattan or Sidecar

Something New – A more modern cocktail, like a Cosmopolitan or a Flirtini

Something Borrowed – A cocktail from your favorite restaurant or vacation spot

Something Blue – There are so many fun ideas for blue cocktails – we’ve included some recipes below to get you started!

“Something Blue” Cocktail Ideas

Blue Kamikaze

1 part Vodka

2 parts Blue Curaco

Splash of Lime Juice

Shake over Ice and Strain into Martini Glass – Float Lemon or Lime

Blueberry Fizz

1 part Vodka

2 parts Blueberry Passion Fruit Schnapps

1 Part Sprite

Combine and serve over ice

Blue Lagoon

1 part Vodka

1 part Blue Curaco

1 part Lemonade

Shake over ice and strain over a cherry into a Martini Glass. 

List the cocktails (be sure to include a brief explanation of their significance to you) in a pretty frame to put on the bar – Our Pepper’s event design team is here to help with beautiful décor that aligns with your vision.

Getting creative and taking time to personalize your wedding food and drinks will go a long way towards personalizing and adding cohesion to your event.  Your guests will notice and appreciate the extra thought you put into it and you’ll be thankful that you did.  

We look forward to raising a glass to you on your wedding day!

 

 

By Tori N. 

Ocean breezes, twinkling lights, dancing under the stars. Outdoor events aren't just for Hollywood anymore—you, too, can host a wonderful outdoor event just by adhering to a few simple rules!

1.   Know your space

Whether it's a dramatic seaside wedding, or a back yard company picnic, it's a good idea to take some time to really get to know the space, and how to maximize its potential.  Basic questions such as, "is there an area large enough to accommodate my guests?"  And "are there sources of water and power?" are essential to ask in the early stages of planning any outdoor catering event.  

Our event designers understand the importance of visiting a site prior to the event, to be sure we can understand the vision our client's have, and work with them to exceed their expectations. 

2.  Work with what you've got

You've chosen to have your event outdoors –a venue that is certainly no empty canvas, holds a wealth of possibilities. Make the most of your location!  Seasonal menus are a logical choice for outdoor events. Consider a lobster bake for a casual beach wedding reception, or an elegant tasting menu of fresh ingredients from local farmstands.  In addition to the menu, be sure to take advantage of the space itself.  Maybe there is a great brick patio perfect for dancing, or a pergola to serve as backdrop for the bar. 

3.  Bring in what you need

We all know New England weather can be unpredictable, so planning for inclement weather is always a good idea.  Tents offer not only protection from the rain, but also shade from direct sunlight, should the day be overly warm.   Remember to consider your menu when planning for seating.  Cocktail tables might be adequate for an informal reception, but a traditional dinner calls for tables and chairs. 

You may not be able to control the weather, but you can get a leg up on maximizing your outdoor event potential. Hosting an outdoor affair certainly will bring unique challenges and a bit of unpredictability to your event. But it also does wonders for setting the mood, adding to theme or showing off the simple, elegant beauty that only nature can provide. Happy planning! 

By Linda L.

The ruffle wedding dress cake is complete and I’m excited to finally share it with you all!

 

                        

It was quite an experience, and I learned some great new techniques in the process, techniques that I already plan to incorporate into future cake designs.  The client requested that her wedding cake mirror the look of her wedding dress, a delicious, detailed gown. My goal in designing the cake was to make fondant act and look like material, a challenge I was all too happy to take on.

Sources of inspiration come from all over—but I find craft stores to be particularly great places to cull ideas due to the bevy of materials and their range of applicable uses. Walking through the craft store, my eye struck upon some crystals. These crystals, while not suitable for the cake part of the gown, made a wonderful addition to the train, giving the skirt dimension and sparkle. If you desire more bling, edible gems are also available and can be quite fun to use!

I hope you enjoyed the photos of the outcome. This cake was a great reminder that there are so few limitations when it comes to cake design and application. All it takes are a few good creative minds to come up with a fantastic idea!

Stay tuned for my next blog, where I will chronicle the answer to this question: What do plastic piping, Sculpey clay and cake have in common?  Once I get underway, I’ll have some great links for those of you interested in the mechanics of cake design. 

By Liz O.

I recently read an article that proclaimed cocktail parties are making a comeback.  We suspect the AMC hit TV series, Mad Men may have something to do with that!

“Mad Men” is a term coined in the '60s for men who worked in the advertising industry on Madison Avenue in New York. Watching the show, one is instantly transported back to the time when typewriters were high-tech, television was in black and white, and the go-to cocktail party delicacies were stuffed celery and deviled eggs. We’ve come a long way since then, but it’s fun to look back--especially in the form of a party.

Want to host a Mad Men party? AMC’s website features a How to Throw a Mad Men Party section, a resource that can be a great starting place.

The team at Pepper’s wanted to throw in our 2 cents as well. Below are our party tips for hosting the perfect swingin’ 1960s party.

First, be sure to dress the part, and include on your invitation that partygoers do the same. Tea length dresses and fedoras are a must. You can go the Betty route and wear something with crinoline (the frothy netting under 1960s evening dresses) to make a statement. Or take the Joan approach to fashion and wear a form-fitting dress that hits mid-calf.

When it comes to the meal, hiring cocktail party caterers like the team at Pepper’s will ensure your bar is fully stocked—not  just with the right alcohol, but appropriate glassware for martini and Manhattan drinkers. Since Cocktail parties are typically shorter in length (2 or 3 hours) stick to simple, small bites and possibly an active chef station or two (stations which guests can float between to grab goodies. For further inspiration, check out our suggested cocktail party menu.

Be sure to keep a few bowls of mixed nuts around, so your guests can do a little snacking in between doing the twist. A party soundtrack goes a long way towards setting the scene.  Artists such as Chubby Checker, The Beatles, Temptations and the Four Tops will provide the era appropriate tunes you’ll need to get your guests on their feet and transport them back to the 1960’s.

Combine these tips with a terrific guest list and you’re sure to swing in '60s style!

Photo credit: Zandwacht

By Liz O.

Weddings certainly don’t hold the monopoly on romantic affairs. While weddings celebrate the beginning of a couples’ commitment to one another, anniversary celebrations honor that continued bond. And for that reason, anniversary parties are special to all of us at Pepper’s.

I recently consulted with a couple on their 50th Wedding Anniversary Party. Donna and Tom met when they were just 11 years old. They had their first date at fourteen (they went to a movie), and were married at 20.

Donna and Tom’s real names have been changed for their privacy, but their celebration catering planning isn’t a secret.  Below are a few of the things we discussed during our consultation, which I hope will be helpful if you’re planning or know of someone planning an anniversary party.

Location

For location, think of a place that holds significant meaning to the couple. It could be a special outdoor spot such as the park where he proposed, or even a frequent date spot like a favorite restaurant.  In Donna and Tom’s case, they chose the hall of their church, where they’ve been attending services for years.  It’s the perfect size to accommodate their many friends and family members and it nicely encapsulates the years they’ve spent together.

Menu

Timing is everything. Donna and Tom are holding their party on a Saturday and the event begins at 5:30pm. Because the event begins earlier in the evening, hors d’oeuvres will flow nicely into a buffet meal, an Italian inspired menu selection chosen by the couple. We followed this with a light dessert (no cake, just mini sweets)—the perfect ending.

It’s important to note:  If you’re planning a celebration with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres only it should be noted on the invitation, as the start time of this event assumes dinner would be provided.

Décor

Décor is the “look-and-feel” of your event. Good décor should help shape the mood.  In this case, Donna and Tom wanted the focus to be more on friends and family, and less on fuss and frills. The focus, we decided, should be centered on four main elements: Simple décor, basic linen, terrific food from a gourmet caterer, and the company of their loved ones.

Their adult children will be assisting them with putting together invitations, wedding photo albums and table top decor.  Music will be background only, and set to an ipod play-list of favorites from the year they were married (if you’re supplying music, don’t forget the speakers!).

Pepper’s is all about the details, so naturally the above information is only a snapshot of what we discussed during their consultation.

Remember, you are limited only by your imagination. We’re happy to help guide you along the way to a terrific party!