Wedding Catering and Food Services Caterer

The reception meal and dinner is a main component of weddings, as it is in any large event. A great meal and finger foods showcases your appreciation to the wedding guests. Food services and caterers must be timely, quality and offer choices for the modern bride and groom, and must accomodate the wedding theme.

Planning a wedding is a big step for many individuals. There are so many different considerations which go into the successful planning of an occasion of this type. One such item which couples need to consider in their wedding planning ventures is who will be catering their wedding. When considering the dinner possibilities, there are a few different factors which the couple should keep in mind in order to secure the best caterer possible for the big day.

• Price Range
  Prior to getting started with the search for wedding caterers, the couple needs to sit down and figure out their budget for food services. This can be done by considering how many guests will be attending the reception and figuring out how much money they can spend per guest. Since many professionals construct their price scales in a per guest format, this is the best way to proceed when fixing a budget for wedding catering.
  Once a budget has been made, the couple must then start the search for a professional within their price range. This can be done by making phone calls to local caterers, visiting their businesses or checking out their websites online if they are available. Any prospective that are above and beyond the desired price range should be passed over and the couple can look at the next prospect to see if they are a suitable match.
  

• Type of Catering Desired
  The engaged couple must then determine what type of catering they desire for their wedding reception. Some individuals wish to have buffet style dinners whereas others like to have a fancier type of reception with servers and exquisite cuisine. It is important to have an idea of style in mind when calling different businesses so that the couple can cross people off the list which do not provide the services that they want for their wedding reception.
  

• Tasting
  Ask about food tasting. Many caterers will allow a tasting in advance of the wedding so that you can choose cuisine that meets your needs. Some charge a fee for this, while others don’t allow it at all. Use discretion, and if possible, ask about bringing others to the tasting.
  

• Wedding catering menu ingredients
  Ask about the ingredients used in preparing your meal. Are the ingredients high quality, does the caterer bake in-house or order out (especially for bakery and dessert items)? All of this will play a role in pricing out the ultimate professional caterer for your wedding.
  Inquire about the cancellation policy
  Always inquire about the cancellation policy. Read the fine lines in any contract as there may be stiff penalties / taxes involved if you need to change your event date or cancel altogether.
  

• Availability
  Another factor which needs to be considered when searching for a caterer is the availability of the particular person for the special event. Since caterers get booked up months, if not years, in advance, it is pertinent to start off the conversation with the wedding date to ensure that the caterer has an opening on that particular day. It is also crucial to see what the available hours are as some only do evening receptions whereas others work day and night.
  

• What Is Included in Catering Package
  Lastly, the couple needs to find out what will be included in their catering package. Some include everything from start to finish whereas others only include the food and servers. This is important to find out as soon as possible so that the couple can acquire any extra items which they may need in the way of supplies for the reception.

These are just a few of the necessary items which individuals must inquire about with wedding caterers. By doing so, the couple can help to ensure that they have everything they need for entertaining the big event.

In the end, your choice of wedding cuisine should match you and your fiancés personal preference and style. By planning your wedding catering thoroughly and wisely months in advance, one of the most important aspects of you wedding will be thoroughly enjoyed by all. Bon appetite!

Source: http://www.my-wedding-blog.com/category/catering/

Valentine's Day Recipes

Planning a romantic dinner for V-day?
Restaurants can be so crowded during Valentine's Day. So why not do it at home or have a picnic under the stars.
Below is a menu, we at Stamford Catering came up with for V-day.

Entree

Mixed Greens with Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing

4 cups mixed salad greens
1/2 cup grape tomatoes
1 small red onion, chopped
1/4 cup dried cranberries or dried cherries
1/4 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup raspberry vinegar or red wine vinegar

1. Preparation - Combine greens, tomatoes, onions, cherries, pecans and Parmesan cheese in a large bowl.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil and vinegar until well blended.
3. Add salt and pepper.
4. Pour half of the dressing over the salad.
5. Toss to mix well and thoroughly coat.
6. Add additional dressing according to taste.

Main

Seafood Bouillabaisse

2 cans chopped clams with juice
1 cup clam juice
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 cup olive oil
3 sprigs parsley, chopped
1 cup fresh king crab legs
1 cup angel hair pasta

1. Simmer clams, juice, garlic, olive oil and parsley for 30 minutes.
2. Add crab legs and simmer an additional 30 minutes.
3. Serve over pasta.
4. Seafood mixture can be prepared in advance.

Dessert

New York Chocolate Cheesecake

1 1/2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 pounds cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped from inside of pod and reserved
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
8 ounces melted semisweet chocolate, cooled slightly
Fresh strawberries, for garnish
Whipped cream, for garnish
Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch spring-form pan.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the chocolate wafer crumbs, 3 tablespoons of the sugar, and the butter and mix well.
4. Press onto the bottom of springform pan and set aside.
5. In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, remaining cup of sugar, vanilla extract and vanilla bean seeds and beat until light and creamy.
6. Add the flour to the cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth.
7. Add the melted chocolate and sour cream and mix well.
8. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition until just blended.
9. Pour the batter into prepared pan and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, until the center is almost set.
10. Run a sharp knife around the rim of the pan and allow cake to cool on a wire rack before removing rim of pan.
11. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.
12. Cheesecake may be made up to 2 days in advance before serving and will keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
13. Serve the cheesecake garnished with fresh strawberries, whipped cream and mint sprigs.