Summer cocktails and foods.

It is HOT outside! We are in the midst of a busy wedding and corporate catering season. Lots of outdoor and pool parties, we are doing event design for a major conference in the city for a non-profit from Mexico, and a wedding for a television star from a very popular show, a few things on the beach this week. It is very exciting!

Time to relax in the backyard with a cool summer cocktail and take advantage of the great foods and preparations only available in the summer. Our catering and event staff certainly has opinions about their favorite summer foods and drinks. From all over Connecticut, New York, and beyond these people know food! Here are some of our favorites…

Jamie has eclectic taste! She runs our catering and events office but when she has down time she likes Pomegranate Mohitos, Red Bull and Ketel One, and Wheat beer with an Orange Slice. To eat she prefers things on the grill - her favorite? Grilled Eggplant with a sprinkle of Kosher salt. She also LOVES anything on a raw bar! Oysters, Clams, Shrimp, Crab Legs… Oh, and she is from Philadelphia and is a bit of a cheese steak snob but tried one of Fairfield County’s best and just may be a convert!

Our senior event planner Becky prefers Grey Goose with FRESH squeezed Grapefruit juice - has to be fresh squeezed! Summer White Peach Sangria - Really cold Amber Beer in a FROZEN mug - a nice chilled oaky, crisp chardonnay - preferably with a touch of peach. She absolutely loves our chefs Marinated Salmon with teriyaki, fresh oranges, brown sugar. Becky eats lots of salads and is really into fresh raw foods. We are easing her into baby lamb chops as we speak!

Chris likes a good Cabernet, no matter the weather. On a hot day a Grey Goose with Pellegrino, and a splash of Grapefruit hits the spot. Around Derby time ( a huge day in the catering and events calendar) nothing beats a Blantain’s Kentucky Bourbon with a splash of water.
He likes foods that are as visually pleasing as they are tasty, things that have surprises. Anything fresh, raw, or grilled that explodes with flavor and color! Grill a piece of mango and let the sugar caramelize, the grill marks look fantastic! Eat it with a nice chevre, glass of prosecco - doesn’t get much better! Another favorite is fresh radish, cream butter, and fresh baked baguette, wow!
Ridge prefers Bombay Sapphire and Tonic, fresh lime - lots of it. He really eats most anything, but again fresh and grilled rule the day for him… Oh yeah, coffee, no matter the time, season, or moon phase…

Erica, an event planner and from Connecticut, likes fresh Maine Lobster with drawn butter, Roquefort grapes, and watermelon, tomato and cucumber salad. Fresh across the board! Seems she has broken her Campbell’s soup addiction… To drink, she likes anything that is funky, fruity, and frozen. Crisp white wines too…

Keith likes dark beers, good red wine and Arby’s! He is also a Spanish food fanatic and makes some great summer risottos.

Marlene likes grilled burgers with onions and capers, any cut of beef fresh from the grill and summer salads with lots of fruit. She likes nice white wines and fresh iced tea.

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Time to plan your catered Corporate Event.

Most companies traditionally throw a holiday event in December where they fight for space at a banquet hall and ultimately are served a mediocre uncreative meal that no one remembers.

The catered corporate event should have a positive impact on the company hosting the party. It should be strategically planned to not only treat the employees for a “job well done” but to also include key customers and clients for a “thank you” they’ll remember.

As we move towards the half way point of the year, most company executives and business owners look to see what can be done in their operation to end the year in a more positive way. They look to improve sales from the previous year. At the halfway point, the third and fourth quarters become a “rally” time. There is a push to generate more business following the holiday trend of the retail business world.

A great idea for the corporate event is to plan now for early summer event. In planning and creating the corporate event, a company should set a goal to have fun while achieving a ROI, a return on investment. The goal is to motivate employees and stimulate new business by bonding with their existing valued prospects, customers and clients.

What kind of corporate event will keep the interest of all your guests? We’ve found that wine & beverage bars paired with a variety of accompanied foods at different stations creates an innovative affair. This type of party keeps the room flowing. Creating a corporate event that promotes interaction is quite important to obtain the ultimate goal. You can introduce a variety of foods that will appeal to everyone with themed tables that are paired with chilled wines, mohitos, daiquiris and of course, flavored iced teas & lemonades plus other interesting non-alcoholic drinks. Guests should find something that appeals to their own unique taste.

The corporate event wine and food station ideas from the
Chefs at The Cantering Caterer:

• Italian Pinot Grigio and California Sauvignon Blanc served with Orzo & Ricotta Cheese Salad, Endive Spears with Crab Mousse, Crostini with Olive Tapenade Cranberry sparkling water with lime.
• Assorted Zinfandels (semi-chilled) presented with Olive and Goat Cheese Tart, Orange and Watercress Salad with Champagne Vinegar served next to a perfectly Roasted Sliced Turkey with a Cranberry Orange Relish. Pomegranate Spritzers.
• Assorted Fine Sakes and Japanese “dry” beers served with Soy Glazed Ahi Tuna with Wasabi Crème Fraiche, Seaweed Salads and Japanese Noodle Bar comprised of Udon & Buckwheat noodles with an assortment of toppings including chilled crab, shrimp and maybe picked lobster. Chilled Sweet Green Teas.
• Assorted Beers to accompany assorted Grilled Brats and Wurts, the BEST Sirloin Burgers, Lemon Zest Bliss Potato Salad and Caraway White Slaw. Non-alcoholic Beers of course.
• Late Harvest Wines on a dessert table. A variety of Fresh Fruits & Sweet Treats coupled with different flavored iced coffees.

This represents just a fraction of the ideas that can be presented for an impacting corporate event. Hundreds of items can be selected from to create a customized menu that “fits” your company’s needs. Now is the time to plan and schedule your corporate event to make sure that every penny you invest in it will be returned in new business. Invite your employees, your clients and the team from The Cantering Caterer to your home (or other venue) for your summer corporate event. The “net net” will be a very positive bottom line for the end of the calendar year.

Posted by Chef Scott…

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The Cantering Caterer has just been named the exclusive caterer at the Westport Inn! We are very excited and honored to serve their guests. We are providing corporate clients and travelers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and conference services. We have given them package menus for quick and easy ordering but we offer the same one on one menu selection and planning that all of our guests receive.

Also, we are pleased to announce that Jamie Lairson has been named our office manager! Jamie is new to the are from Philadelphia and has a fantastic background and personality. More often than not, it is Jamie’s voice that answers your phone calls.

June is a crazy month! One of the busiest of the year! In the midst of LOTS of parties and events we are donating to The Red Cross, The Connecticut Autism Spectrum Resource Center, Staples High School and we have just committed ourselves to underwriting the entire cost of the 2007 SPINODYSSEY to be held at the Saugatuck Rowing Club in November. This event funds research into breast cancer research, family, and support services. We are honored to help.

As the summer party planning season kicks into high gear, please call us anytime to discuss your event! We are always here and love to talk about this stuff….

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Congratulations to Becky and Jason! They are just back from their honeymoon in the Greek Islands. They had a beautiful wedding ceremony and reception in the mountains of Central New York. We were honored to be guests at their wedding - it was a nice change of pace!
We wish them a lifetime of happiness and success!

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