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

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

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

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. 

WINTER REIMAGINED WITH TOWER HILL AND PEPPERS ARTFUL EVENTS

Winter Reimagined is a fun family event for all ages. As evening falls at Tower Hill, visitors have the opportunity to marvel at glittering lights displayed throughout acres of formal gardens. The prized collection of trees and shrubs, along with illuminated paths, sculptures, and fountains, come to life in the glow of the lights. Inside, guests will see hand-made and nature-inspired ornaments, a wishing tree forest, an up-cycled igloo, and two towering conservatories brimming with subtropical plants and seasonal music.

We’re excited to partner with Tower Hill Botanic Garden to offer a variety of dining options for their annual Winter Reimagined light show. Take a break from walking and dine in the cafe with a selection of delicious small plate offerings like our ever-popular short ribs, chicken pot pies, and butternut squash lasagna! Also available will be flatbreads, seasonal salads, and hearty soups. No dining experience would be complete without a sweet ending like our homemade cinnamon apple cranberry crisp or a slice of pecan carrot cake - to name a few! The cafe will also be offering themed cocktails and craft beer. 

Looking for something on the go? Stop by one of our food stands to grab a warm cider donut paired with mulled apple cider. Or head outside to the Winter Garden to roast marshmallows over an open fire and build your own s'mores. A perfect activity for the kids to enjoy!

Don't miss out! We strongly encourage making dinner reservations and purchasing tickets in advance as Tower Hill frequently sells out on busy nights and weekends.

Purchase Tickets Here or call Tower Hill 508-869-6111 x 147 to place a dinner reservation. 

Follow us on facebook for updates on special dining options Peppers Artful Events Facebook 

VENUE FEATURE: TOWER HILL BOTANIC GARDEN

 
Samantha Melanson Photography

Plan a Stellar Graduation Party

 Graduation parties are a great way to celebrate your recent graduate’s achievements with friends and family. Here are some tips to help you throw a memorable backyard event. Planning a graduation party during the covid-19 pandemic? Check out our blog post on planning a memorable graduation celebration during Covid-19 for our top tips.

1. Choose the date. You should select a date a month out to get your invitations to guests before they make their summer plans. Don't stress if there are other graduation parties on the same day, as most of your graduates' friends will hop between parties.
   
2. Guest count. Determine your guest count based on budget and how many  you can comfortably accommodate. Do you want a smaller get together with close family or a larger celebration including both family and friends?
3. Consider renting a tent. If the party will be held outdoors, consider renting a tent. The weather won’t always cooperate, and large party tents are perfect for keeping your guests dry and avoids the tough decision of rescheduling.  Rain or shine, a tent provides great shade to cool off and relax with friends. Not to mention, it also keeps your food out of direct sunlight.

3. Catering. Booking a caterer to handle the food lets you enjoy the party and make memories. Don’t spend your time cooking and replenishing the food, or standing behind a hot grill for hours. When it comes down to style of service, buffets are a great option for a backyard graduation. Guests can eat when they would like and  you can accommodate guests that come and go. At Peppers, some of our most popular graduation menus include hamburgers and hot dogs, Texas BBQ (pulled meats, briskets, and all the sides), Mexican Fare (quesadillas, fajitas, and tacos) and flatbread pizzas - to name a few!
   
   
   
4. Stock up on supplies. Be sure you’re fully stocked up on supplies like utensils, cups, and plates.  An open-house party creates the kind of atmosphere where guests might put down a plate or cup they were using and forget to pick it up when they want a refill. A caterer can supply all of this and keep it replenished throughout the event.
   

6. Desserts. A sweet morsel is a must at any party.  
   How about a graduation cake designed after the school’s logo or sports team? Or cupcakes topped with graduation hats?  Desserts are a great opportunity to get creativeand have some fun!

7. Decorations. Make the party personal by incorporating school colors in the table linens, balloons, and paper products. Show off memories with a photo wall along with any trophies or awards the graduate has earned. At Peppers, our graduation buffets are adorned with graduation hats with custom tassels to match the school colors- to add a personal touch! 
   
   Most importantly remember to have fun planning!
   
   Interested in catering? The thought of planning a graduation party has you overwhelmed? Contact our team of Event Designers today. We are here to create a memorable stress-free event you and your graduate will remember for a lifetime! 
   
   

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE | MINI DESSERT IDEAS

Dare to go smaller at your next event. Offer your guests mini versions of your favorite dessert. These individual size desserts are fun to eat and can also double as an edible favor. We especially love individual desserts for a bridal shower or baby shower, in which you can customize the dessert to fit the look and theme of the event.

Heart shaped pie pops are a perfect dessert for a bridal shower. Instead of dealing with a messy pie, it’s much more enjoyable for your guests to receive their own pie pop.  Oreo pops, cake pops, and rice krispie pops can be color coordinated to fit with the baby's gender at a baby shower. Or different kinds of cake can be served in small jam jars that guests can take home.

Individual desserts can also be enjoyed at the event. We recently served mini wedding cakes at a bridal shower. Guests could choose from 3 different individually plated and designed 3 tier cakes.

Individual desserts are cute, convenient and fun! To see more dessert inspiration ideas check out our CakeART page. 

FEATURED EVENT VENUE: HANOVER THEATER

Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA is a 2,300 seat theatre that draws over 197,000 patrons annually with world class performances and popular Broadway Shows. The Theatre combines old warm charm with state of the art technology making it a unique venue to host an event. Offering a variety of spaces to accommodate events of all shapes and sizes you are sure to find the perfect location for your event.

551 Main street, is Hanover's newest event space. Recently renovated with gorgeous hard wood floors and interesting architecture to create two contemporary and beautiful event spaces. 551 can accommodate groups of 40-250 depending on the event set-up. This is a wonderful space for both corporate and social dinners or luncheons.

photo ©  Erb Photography

The historic lobby offers stunning chandeliers, antique mirrors, a granite bar and an iconic grand staircase. The lobby can accommodate up to 150 guests and is the perfect spot for a cocktail style event.

The grand promenade overlooks the lobby and is a large space that can accommodate up to 200 guests for a seated dinner or 300 for a cocktail style reception. This space is ideal for a pre show cocktail party.

Photo © Joe Dolen Photography

The stage is Hanover's most unique space to host your event. Commonly used to host large corporate dinners, fundraisers and weddings. The stage can accommodate up to 300 guests for a seated dinner. Additionally, the theatre can hold up to 2,300 guests making it ideal for a large presentation or tradeshow.  
Photo © Joe Dolen Photography

Photo ©  CJ Gonzalez Photography

Interested in hosting your event at Hanover? Contact us!

For more information on renting the space or seeing a broadway show click here.

3rd Annual Farm to Table Dinner at Indian Head Farm

Another year and another successful farm to table dinner at Indian Head Farm. We are fortunate to collaborate year after year with Lilac Hedge, Indian Head and Crystal Brook Farm to offer a delicious dinner featuring great local products. Over the course of two days we fed more than 140 guests an array of passed appetizers, local beer, and a three course dinner. Music for the event was provided by The Brother Rule Band and The 19 Carter Band.

Menu

Hors d'oeuvre

Zucchini, Lemon & Mint Bruschetta

Roasted Vegetable Croustade, Crystal Brook Chevre Boursin

Pissaladiere Tart with Honey from Peppers own Bee's

Eggplant Caviar, Bloody Mary Pearls, Basil Crust Cornet

First Course

Chilled Local Corn Soup, Basil Chantilly Crema

Field Green & Herb Salad, Shaved Radish, Beets & Herb Vinaigrette

Second Course

Nicoise Potato Salad, on Rocket Lettuce, French Tarragon

Farm Fresh Vegetable and Spelt Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette Honey Roasted Carrots with Tahini Yogurt

Braised Cabbage with Raspberries Zucchini and Summer Squash Potatoes au Gratin

Smoked Lilac Hedge Ham

Spit Roasted Baron of Beef from Lilac Hedge Farm

Third Course

Fresh Basil Pot d' Creme

For More Information about the farms:
http://www.indianheadfarm.com/
http://www.crystalbrookfarm.com/
http://lilachedgefarms.com/

We are proud to be a Certified Green Caterer by the Green Restaurant Association. Click here to learn more about our green catering program.