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.

Thank You from Meta Fusion

Hi Terence and Diana,

Thanks again for the support provided to Meta Fusion for our events.Our compliments once more to the staff at Stamford for the wonderful job in ensuring that our guests had an enjoyable experience.

Wishing you and your team a Merry Christmas and Blessed 2009!

Kind Regards,

Nicholas Zheng.

Thank you for the wonderful service

I am writing in to thank Stamford Catering Services for a wonderful service rendered to us at LG Architects & Associates on 20 Dec 2008. I like to give special thanks to the delivery personnel who came to set up the buffet table. A few of us were moving a big and heavy glass table out of the office to the common area outside and your delivery personnel saw us. He quickly came by to help us move the table too. I was very impressed by his initiatives and help.

Towards the end of the event, he came by to pack up the buffet table. Seeing that we were still chatting inside the office and that there were still some left over food, he offered to help us pack the remaining food into boxes so that we could return to the gathering.

I like to express my heartfelt thanks to this delivery personnel who was so kind, considerate and helpful. To me, he has gone the extra mile for us and helped to portray an excellent and friendly image of Stamford Catering Services. Through his gestures, I am reminded of your organisation's statement "We Cater, We Care".

I will sure recommend Stamford Catering Services to my family and friends whenever they require catering service.

Thank you once again and Merry Christmas.

- Jennifer Ng,
an invited guest at a gathering at LG Architects & Associates on 20 Dec 2008

How to plan the perfect party

Hosting a party can be fun and exciting, but if you've never been the party host before, you may be unsure of how to proceed in planning your fabulous party. Follow these tips to plan and throw the perfect party!

Step 1
Decide on a party theme which can add an fun element to your party. Some party themes include and are not limited to: 20s, 60s, 70s, 80s, James Bond, Graduation, Christmas, New Years, Birthday, Black Tie, Cocktail, Mardi Gras, Cowboys, Costume, Vegas, Murder Mystery...etc. Once you decide your theme, make your invitations and send them out 3-4 weeks in advance. Consider sending out Evites to save on paper and postage. That way you can also send people updates and reminders as the party date arrives.

Step 2
Set the mood of your party with lights from Pretty Glow Set the MOOD. Lighting is very important in setting the mood of your party. Big white candles are elegant for any theme. Do your lights have dimmers? Then dim the lights! If not, use soft colored bulbs with candles. DO you want it to feel cool or warm? Use blue bulbs for cool, or soft pink bulbs for a warmer feel.

Step 3
Serve the right FOOD. When hosting a party, it's best to go with bite-size everything. It's less messy and awkward. Some ideas to try: Mini Cupcakes Mini Quiches Mini Burgers Mini Sandwiches Cherry Tomatoes Mini Tarts Serve whatever you want, but keep it small. Also keep in mind that people LOVE comfort food. Have a buffet of mini foods, appetizers, yummy desserts and a fun bar with specialty drinks. Cheese platters always seem to do well and don't forget to include some fresh fruit! However, when deciding what food to serve, take into consideration you party theme, as you may have the opportunity to get creative and serve food that goes with the party theme.

Step 4
Be COOL. You are the hostess, so even if you are stressed out or frazzled, play it cool. Make introductions as guests arrive to keep people mingling and having a good time. Take a deep breath, envision yourself being the perfect party host and then go for it.

Step 5
Look HOT. If you feel overdressed for the party...perfect! You should look the best! Looking and dressing your best will make you FEEL your best. Dress fancy and you will shine as host or hostess. Plan a trip to the salon before your party to freshen up your look.

Step 6
Scent. If the mood lighting candles you are using do not have a scent, find something that gives off the scent you want for your party. Just remember to stay away from sicky sweet smelling candles & potpourris.

Step 7
Find a bold bouquet to spruce up the place. One on the buffet table would be great as well as any other side tables or coffee tables.

Step 8
Music. Keep music going constantly. No one enjoys awkward silence at a party. Play a variety of music including all time classics from the Jackson Five, Jimmy Buffet, Journey, Bob Marley, Guns N' roses, Aerosmith, Madonna, to Jay-Z, Gnarls Barkley, Brittney Spears, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg and whatever else you like in-between. Make a playlist on your computer or Ipod, hook it up to the stereo system and let it go all night!

Step 9
Entertainment. Keep a few games on hand for people to play if conversation gets dull or the party is lagging. There's nothing like games and competition to help loosen people up and feel more comfortable.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_2153455_plan-a-party.html

Stamford Catering Christmas Promotion

Planning a Christmas? Try Stamford Catering's Christmas menu, 4 menus to choose from, price range from $15.80 - $38.80. We had a food tasting session last month, the food was drool-worthy... My recommendations -

Crispy Shrimp Finger with Thai Mayo - Cause I'm a prawn loving person, don't really fancy mayo (hate the thick egg-gy taste) but in this case the mayo portion is on the lighter side; more like thai creamy chilli sauce.


Citrus Orange Cream baked Ocean Catch - Crispy fried fish with creamy orange sauce, it's tangy and sweet but not too creamy.

Winter Salad with Trio Berry - Had some salad to balance the fried oily stuff I ate. Out of all the salads this had the best presentation. I prefer fruits over vegetables so if you're like me this is definitely the dish to go for. With strawberry, raspberry and blueberry and other tropical fruits this was my favorite salad out of the 4 menus.

Slow-Roasted Leg of Lamb coated with Yellow Mustard and Province Herbs - Not really a fan of lamb but my colleague made me try this and it turned out to be the best dish. The meat was really soft, the combination of the mustard and herbs was surprisingly good, no lamb-y smell at all. There's just something about the sauce that has that "go back for seconds" (or thirds) quality about it.

Right now we're having a "Celebrate Christmas with Your Family" discount. 10% off for all household Christmas Orders from 25/12-1/1. Go to http://www.stamfordcs.com.sg/ for more details.