Here's my Plan for Sunday Brunch

I'm catering a Sunday Brunch and I have a professional conference I am coordinating for my real job on Friday and Saturday. By Saturday night, I'll be exhausted. So, on Sunday morning, I'll be whipping up some fabulous finger foods for a jewelry party finger food brunch. My plan...mini quiches, mini cinnamon rolls, mini (2-inch) pumpkin and bluberry breads, mini peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (using tiny biscuit cutters) for the kids, palm sized omelets, and a lovely bowl of cut fruit and dip. Ok, I'm getting hungry!

Contracting with Another Caterer

I've found that I just don't have the time to do a dessert party this Thursday, due to my full time job schedule. So, what I did was contract with a friend of mine who only makes desserts and she'll cater the party. The client was fine with the substitution because the same menu will be followed and no change in pricing. I gave her a piece of the dessert caterers chocolate torte and she was hooked. I'll get a $50.00 kick back from my friend and that might take me shopping...no not for food or kitchen gadgets...shoes!

Oh boy, another request for wedding catering

OMG! This is 2 requests for weddings in one week. But this second wedding isn't until 2010. I can handle that!! She has offered me an option, cater the rehearsal dinner or the wedding reception. She wants to keep the spending to a minimum- nothing fancy. For the dinner, it will be in the parents backyard. The reception is in a hall and will have a kitchen. I'm thinking it over because the dinner is for 50 and the wedding is for 150. Much easier to cook for 50. But, for the wedding, she wants pans of lasagna (easy to make ahead), salad, and bread. Also, very do-able. We'll see...

Trying out some BBQ ribs and butter beans

Thought I'd make a crockpot full of BBQ ribs and a side dish of butter beans for dinner. Oh man, it smells wonderful in here. I found a new recipe to try with boneless pork ribs in the slow cooker. I've been thinking of a side dish that uses beans, but not baked beans. I came up with a recipe I modified because I didn't have all the ingredients. I chose butter beans, garlic, red onion and spinach. The recipe called for cheese and other veggies which I skipped. Oh, these are divine! WOW! I'm shocking myself! A fabulous Sunday dinner!

Wedding options

Today I got an option to cater a wedding celebration (the wedding happened on New Year's Day). His parents wish to have a backyard party in June. I was asked to do finger foods that don't need to be hot or cold and they are going to do some grilling. Aahhh, a new challenge. Defintely a day for salsas, veggies, fruits, pastries and NO chocolate...

New Catering Recipes

Today was the last day of my vacation. A perfect time to practice some new recipes. I'm trying to come up with a whole variety of finger foods that can be room temperature for 2 hours. That limits the time I have to be present and finger foods are the most popular. We're all trying to save on paper products and the need to wash dishes is never an option anyone chooses. I love my cream dishes as I use them to make the food colors jump off the plate! Today was a black bean salsa and a corn salsa in tortilla scoop cups...fabulous!

Great Items for Cooking and Catering

Stainless Steel Cookware:

As functional as it is handsome, this 10-piece professional cookware set from Superior® has a brilliantly polished 18/10 stainless steel overlay which adds protection and durability to the rapid response and even heat distribution provided by the thick base.

The nonporous stainless steel doesn't interact with foods, and it provides high resistance to sticking. Handles, engineered for elegance and comfort, are generously sized and feature a rectangular hanging hole.

Due to their hollow, tubular shape and the incorporation of airspace between the pan and handle, they remain comfortably cool while in use.

On the stovetop or in the oven--all 10 pieces are oven safe to 500 degrees--this 10-pc cookware set gives professional performance!

Features:
o 18/10 Stainless Steel
o Steel handles and knobs
o Polished 18/10 stainless-steel overlay finish
o Brushed stainless steel interior finish
o Hi Tempered Glass Lids with steam vent
o Encapsulated Base
o 18/10 stainless steel non-reactive with foods, meaning flavors remain true
o Oven safe to 500 degrees

Complete Set Includes:
o 6QT Dutch oven w/glass lid
o 4QT Sauce pan w/glass lid
o 3QT Sauce pan w/glass lid
o 2QT Sauce pan w/glass lid
o 10" Skillet (fry pan) w/glass lid

http://www.stainlessteelcookware.totalwarehouse.com/

Serving Utensil Set:

Everything you need for a new kitchen, this high quality 41-piece utensil set makes a great housewarming gift for any house— including yours! This is the best group of serving utensils for taking on the road. When catering, you'll always know your own serving pieces for quick cleaning and packing. Cutting board: 5 1/2" x 9" high.

http://www.completeutensilset.totalwarehouse.com/

Four Bowl Fountain:

Four granite-finished tiers cycle sparkling water from bowl to bowl, creating an enthralling tabletop piece. What a great centerpiece this makes when catering a party! Talk about gossiping at the water cooler...everyone hangs out in the kitchen next to the food. With 120v pump. For indoor use only. UL recognized cord. Polyresin. 9 1/2" diameter x 10" high.


http://www.fourbowlfountain.totalwarehouse.com/

Cream Dinnerware Set:

Spun ridges lend a touch of pleasing texture to a dinnerware collection that's loaded with casual finesse! The look of hand-thrown pottery is given a luscious bath of creamy off-white glaze; the perfect place setting to spot-light any meal. Off-white complements any food by showing off the bright veggie colors with no competition. Any time you want your food to make an entrance- put it on a quiet, elegant creamy plate and your menu will POP with presentation!

Comes complete with full place settings for four include: 11 oz. mugs, bowls, dinner plates and salad plates. Ceramic. Microwave and dishwasher safe. Large plate (each) : 10" diameter; Small plate (each): 7" diameter; Bowl (each): 7" diameter x 1 1/2" high; Mug (each): 4 1/2" x 3 1/8" x 3 3/4" high.

http://www.creamdinnerwareset.totalwarehouse.com/

Complete Knife Set:

This 19-piece knife set features handsome stainless steel blades and riveted, heat resistant handles providing durable, long-lasting utility. How perfect is this to take on catering jobs!! It couldn't any more compact or complete. And, once again, you'll know your pieces in anyone's kitchen. No mix-ups, no lost knives! With knives being one of the harest items to tranport...problem solved! Includes 6 steak knives and forks, large chef's knife, sharpener and much more! Hand wash only. 14" x 12" x 2" high.


http://www.completeknifeset.totalwarehouse.com/

Starting out...

Here I am, writing about what I love...why? I think there are others out there just like me and I want to share some the helpful hints I have learned during my journey as a home-based caterer.

First of all, I only choose the events that I know I can handle. Most of my work is from word-of-mouth marketing; which suits my needs right now. I currently work full time for the health and retirement benefits, but I'd love to cut back or quit some day and focus on my catering business.

Last week I catered a Bunko party for 12. I always ask a theme when deciding on a menu; then I bring something related to the theme, like a vase, platter, water fountain or such. This is always a huge hit and I get more business simply for the presentation (and of course the great food).