We are very excited to have been selected as the exclusive caterer at the famed “Spinning Wheel Inn,” in Redding Ridge, CT! It’s five banquet rooms, lush gardens, and fantastic central Fairfield County location make it an ideal spot to host your wedding, bar mitzvah, cocktail party, or corporate affair. Its unique charm stems from the bones of the main building built in 1742. It has a clever mix of classic New England but has the ameneties of a modern event space.

The Spinning Wheel Inn has a scenario for every event.

The Ridge Room features and antique boardroom table and is the perfect spot for the important meeting or small rehearsal dinner.

The Tavern, with its large fireplace and warm surroundings, can host 50 for dinner and 100 for cocktails. Imagine hosting your own pub night in a centuries old pub!

The Nutmeg Room features another fantastic fireplace and comfortable seats 80 for dinner or 110 for cocktails. This room abuts the beautiful terrace and the views out the west windows look down over acres of lush woods and foliage.

The Connecticut Room can can seat 110 and hold 150 for cocktails. This room has a dancefloor, bandstand, and also direct access to the terrace.

The Waverly Suite can comfortable host 200 guests for a seated meal or 300 for cocktails and hors d’oeuvre. It hosts a magnificent fireplace, dance floor, bandstand, and access to the Terrace and the great western views!

The Spinning Wheel Inn is also a great spot for corporate events, retreats, and conferences. You can seat 400 theatre style, and can bring in nearly any technology. Full service catering and snacks are designed to fit your needs, your timing, your budget.

The food! The Cantering Caterer is known for fantastic, creative food! We have designed menus specifically for this space but as always, everything is customizable. We will offer the same policies here as we do in the Westport kitchen. Unlimited site visits, unlimited tastings once contracted, and unlimited planning…

Please call us anyime for availability and rates - the space will surely sell out during the fall foliage season and there are still some unbelievable dates available this spring and summer.

Please call The Cantering Caterer at The Spinning Wheel at 203-227-7459.

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LOTS happening at The Cantering Caterer this time of year!  Tomorrow we are meeting with editors at The Knot.com, PartySpot.com, Elegant Bride, and The Bridal Guide.  These interviews will be about new things happening in weddings, green conscious weddings, summer parties, and new trends in catering and event design.  We are really excited!

The Cantering Caterer was just hired to cater and design a fantastic wedding in Easton, CT.  Working out of an acre sized clearing in the woods we will deliver a memorable night to 100 guests under a tent and canopy of trees.  The very next day we will transform a private home into a magical setting based on “Where the Wild Things Are,” for a childrens birthday party.

We were hired today to cater an opening for a French artist at the home gallery of a prominent collector in Greenwich.  We will do a classic French menu, paired with amazing wines, (all white!), and our service staff that day will all be native to France.  This will be an unbelievable event!

Roger Williams University just contracted us to cater their tailgate before and after an away lacrosse game on Saturday.  We will have an exciting barbeque in the cold as we cheer The Hawks to victory!

 Every caterer says “now is the time to start planning your summer party.”  Now, its true!  Now IS the time to schedule your date.  Despite the gloom and doom in the financial papers lately people are booking parties and events more that ever before.  We noticed that over the Christmas school break many people that normally would have been away stayed home and had parties.  Small dinner parties, large cocktail parties…  Now really is the time…

Lastly, we were just contracted to cater a Kentucky Derby Party.  This is the day of the year in the sport of kings!  We are service a traditional Derby menu and we start testing Mint Juleps this week!

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Wedding season is fast approaching and we are seeing lots of new and exciting things things this year.

-Locations - we are seeing lots of non-traditional venues…  Museums, galleries, beaches, private homes.  We have been named exclusive caterer at the Downtowm Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport and this is one of the most amazing places we have ever worked.  2 floors, cabaret style seating, a fantastic stage and light system.  The theatre has some sound capability, and the staff is very friendly and easy to work with.  The price is right and we have recently done 2 weddings and a Bar Mitzvah there - it is definitely worth looking into.

Speaking of lighting, we are seeing more attention being paid to lighting this year.  Candles can create an intimate atmosphere and in some situations can reduce the need for more expensive equipment.  With creative lighting you can make a large space smaller and a smaller space appear larger.  Using ambers and pinks will really make your skin look great in photos too.

 Another fun thing we are noticing is brides with 2 dresses.  The traditional formal wedding gown that gets ditched after the ceremony!  I have seen cocktail dresses, slim gowns, and a really hot red dress recently.

 Rental jewels…  You can rent a pair of Vera Wang designer diamond earings valued at 2600.00 for about $100.00! 

Documentary style wedding videography catches the whole day from begining to end…  It is on the expensive side but will give you a great look at the buildup to that fantastic moment! 

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The movement toward green and environmentally friendly foods is really gaining steam!  People want to know that their foods were raised, harvested, and prepared in an ethical way.  At The Cantering Caterer, we are leading the charge in trying to buy as much local organic produce meats, and other ingredients as possible.  This has many advantages…

-By not trucking foods all over the world we are reducing emissions.

-Buying locally supports your economy - in fact, we are going to hire a driver this spring to pick up our produce and meats from local farms daily.  We can now tell you that the lettuce you are eating at 6:00pm was cut at 4:30am!

-Flavor, freshness, quality!  We can see the products that we serve as they grow!  We visit the farms, talk with the farmers, taste things as they develop…  One local farm is going to grow organic herbs just for us this year.

-Organic and Fresh is healthy!  No preservatives, no growth hormones, no pesticides.

Sustainable food sources are another hot item.  We are buying our fish from sustainable populations only.  As the world gets smaller and access to once exotic ingredients is easier we are able to be less dependant on stocks that have been overfished.  For example, once rare Baramundi from Australia and New Zealand is in our local grocery stores right now…

Next week we will post some ”green decor” tips. 

Some helpful green links:

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MyFox Holiday Video

When it comes to holiday catering and party planning, it’s easier than you think to do it on a budget! Christian was recently featured on Fox TV’s Good Day New York to talk about catering, event planning and design, and some really sharp ideas about entertaining on a budget without sacrificing quality.

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There is no better time of the year to drink beer than in October. The Germans agree with me as they chose October to celebrate beer with their beer festival, Oktoberfest.

In honor of Oktoberfest, I have put together suggestions for some delicious beer and cheese pairings. These are perfect to serve at an Oktoberfest themed event. Hosting your own Oktoberfest is a great excuse to get friends together and enjoy an outdoor beer garden experience while the weather is still warm enough. Our event planners can even arrange for tenting and music if you want to give the original Oktoberfest in Munich a run for its money.

You can always serve traditional Oktoberfest fare like sausages and salted pretzels but why not do something a bit more refined and unexpected? Often looked down upon by the oenophile, beer is gaining respect with the growth of microbreweries, and as a result, beer and Artisanal cheese pairings are becoming a major trend. The grain that is used to produce beer is the same that is fed to milk-animals to produce cheese, so it makes sense that these two would make a good pair.

One of my favorite kinds of beer is the Wheat Beer, it is the perfect choice for outdoor drinking as it light and fruity and great with a lemon wedge for some added citrus. Wheat beers have many high notes and pair well with Lactic cheeses, like Loire Valley goat’s milk or young, soft-ripened cheeses.

Another unique style of beer is Indian Pale Ale (also known as IPA) – this beer has a very distinctive taste due to the overwhelming hop profile. It takes a brawny cheese to stand up to such intense flavors, and strong stinky, washed-rind varieties are the best match for this flavorful beer.

There are so many varieties of beers and delicious cheeses to pair with them but instead of listing them all I thought I’d give just a bit of inspiration. Give us a call or schedule a tasting at our Greenwich or Westport office if you want to learn more.

Here are a few links with useful information:

- Beer and Cheese: It’s Better Than Wine and Cheese. - a great article!

- Beer and Cheese

Elizabeth Ethridge

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At The Cantering Caterer, we are always looking for new and innovative ways to bring the best and freshest ingredients to your catered events. Right now we are using local produce, lots of organic vegetables, and fish from sustainable stocks.

With the advance growth of ‘mega-agriculture’ in America there has been a gradual depletion of the ancient varieties of Native ‘Non Hybrid’ plants. Unfortunately for those who truly appreciate full flavored fruits and vegetables the produce seed conglomerates focus on only those seeds that have ‘mass’ market appeal- which means the so called beautiful and hardy, but not necessarily best tasting or healthiest varieties.

About 25 years ago a few dedicated individuals began saving what they could of the remaining open pollinated (not genetically engineered) seed varieties, which have become known as ”heirloom seeds”. Some of the many heirloom fruits and vegetables grown today are beets, carrots, corn, dried beans, lettuce, potatoes, and the ever-popular tomatoes. As the public continually becomes more aware of these wonderful and healthful alternatives, farmers also are becoming more interested. Heirloom produce can be found in some produce and specialty markets as well as farmers markets throughout the country now.

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Healthy Summer Foods that are perfect for Catered Events!

Summer is the BEST time for parties- outdoor BBQ’s, cocktail parties, weddings, you name it! And of course, who can resist all the delicious summer foods (and drinks) that go along with partying? I certainly can’t! The Cantering Caterer makes some of the BEST summer foods- Rich Man’s Sirloin Burgers stuffed with Smoked Mozzarella! Creamy Classic Potato Salad, beautiful summer Cheeses, Fusilli with Oven Roasted Tomato and Artichoke Pesto, Grilled Filet…Lychee Martinis, Ice Cold Connecticut Amber Beer…I could go on and on…
Eating and drinking these types of foods on special occasions is perfect (and everyone should do it!) BUT, how are we going to fit into our summer bikinis if we eat like this every night?
We, at The Cantering Caterer have some tasty ideas for healthy summer eating…Here are a few…

Hors d’oeuvre
Shucked Malpac Oysters with Horseradish and Cocktail Sauce- fresh Lemons- YUM!
Lobster and Corn Salsa with Sweet Potato Crisps

Summer Soups
Summer White Gazpacho with Slivered Almonds
Chilled Roasted Red and Yellow Pepper Soup with Avocado Salsa

Burgers
Jalapeno Turkey Burgers
Grilled Tempeh Burgers with Horseradish Aioli

Entrees
Lemony Poached Halibut with Creamy Cucumbers
Pan Seared Chicken with Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

Sides
Watermelon, Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette
Grilled Eggplant brushed with Olive Oil, Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper- this is GREAT and SO simple!

Dessert
Fresh Summer Berries- with just a touch of Minted Cream!
Peach-Almond Parfaits

Drinks
Tangy Lemonade (the no sugar kind!) with Fresh Mint
Handmade Fresh Mango Iced Tea

Ya see? It really CAN be done!
Call us for more ideas…and happy cooking!
Becky

–We did a fantastic pre-wedding brunch on Compo beach in Westport on Saturday. The bride and groom are from Greenwich, CT and live in New York City. We also did an amazing dinner for a big client at their estate in Southport. It is a busy time for catering in Fairfield County!

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We are very excited to announce that Elizabeth Ethridge has joined our boutique firm as an event planner! Elizabeth is a fourth generation resident of Greenwich and a graduate of Connecticut College. Her background is in the arts working in some of New York City’s most exclusive and prestigious art galleries. Working with high-end collectors and dealers, her creativity in niche marketing, and her tremendous customer service skills make Elizabeth a fantastic addition to our team!

The Cantering Caterer is the established company for event planning and high-end catering to the hedge-fund community in the tri-state area. We specialize in creating top-of-the-line events, geared to the most discerning tastes. Elizabeth will target this market and focus her energy in our Greenwich office. She is a pleasure and we are glad she is on board!

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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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