So Long Ray Nagin
Unfortunately, the LA2LA Chef was unable to make it to Jazz Fest this spring. It’s been interesting to sense the mood of the would have been especially glad to take the temp of the city now that Ray Nagin will soon be gone, and Mitch Landrieu takes over next week as Mayor.
read moreThe Advantages of a “Boutique Caterer”-Part 2
Okay, here are my further thoughts on the advantages of hiring a "boutique caterer" (I hope you've taken the time to read Part 1 on the advantages of hiring a boutique caterer)-oh, and btw, in case I didn't say it before, let me admit to you right up front that I'm biased. I strongly believe that unless you're having a party for say, a 1,000 or so of your closest friends (I have to insert a little aside here-a catering friend of mine, who does sometimes cater for a 1,000 or so, once told me that she thought it was pretty easy for a caterer used to doing parties for 100 to scale up to parties for a 1,000. Hmmmm, I wonder if that's easier than the other way around ?), there are definite benefits to hiring a smaller caterer, and getting more attention from your caterer (the owner of the company, not just someone in their office) is one of them, especially if you are having a smaller party. I once had a client who was planning a wedding for 40 guests, tell me that she called one of the big name caterers in town before she called me. "Frankly" she said "I felt like they weren't even that interested in talking with me." Often larger caterers will preoccupy themselves with the overall operational aspects of the business, but tend to delegate the management of individual events (again, especially smaller events), while the owner of a smaller company will most likely actually show up and work at your event. I make it a point to attend just about all of my events- in 14 years, I've missed only a handful. The larger “household name” catering companies may have several events at the same time, and since they can't be several places at once, yours may not rate them personally being there. And I know I talked about the staffing advantages with a small caterer last time, but here's another little secret. If a large catering company has several events at the same time, they may have to supplement their regulars with brand new staff, or even temp agency workers. Now it's very possible that the staff will be excellent, but you may very well lose the benefit that comes with people who have worked many parties together and understand each other's shorthand. Here I am below with a young party guest! Bon Appetit! And please visit my other blog, pain perdu. Gisele...
read moreThe Advantages of a “Boutique Caterer”-Part 1
I was chatting this morning with someone about the food business, in general, and the catering industry specifically, and when she asked more about my company, I used the term boutique caterer to describe Small Pleasures Catering. “You mean like a boutique hotel” she asked. Exactly! Wikipedia describes boutique hotel as a term used “to describe intimate, usually luxurious or quirky hotel environments. Boutique hotels differentiate themselves from larger chain/branded hotels and motels by providing personalized (and highly attentive, I might add) accommodation and services…” I went on to give her what I thought were a couple of the advantages to hiring a boutique caterer, and related this story to her. I once-in the early days of my company, lost a job (an office party for 250 guests), because the prospective client was concerned about my being able to handle that large a number. The office manager, who had recommended me for the job, had been a guest at an intimate wedding shower I had catered, and really fought for me. In the end, she said, they decided to go with a company that catered parties for 1,000’s. Talk about overkill! A truly successful event depends largely on the quality of the team, and even though I was new to running a catering business, I knew this dirty little secret. Bigger companies often have less experienced staff people working their parties. Here are some of the reasons why. Catering staff are freelancers, they work with a variety of caterers around town. So, at best, you will get the same quality staff with a smaller caterer as with a larger one. More likely, you will get less experienced people. People starting out working in the catering world will often start with the big companies, but eventually get burned out, and move on to smaller companies. They will often get paid more at smaller companies (yes- another dirty little secret- even though the larger companies will charge at least as much and maybe more for their staff, they usually pay most of the staff less). Additionally, the servers, bartenders and chefs, prefer working in a more personalized environment. In my company for example, I have had a core group of party staff that has been with me for years. I know everybody’s name (larger caterers often don’t even know the names of people working their parties). In fact, I know them very well. I know their likes and dislikes, their strengths and weaknesses, and their "energy", if you will, so I can staff them accordingly. They also know each other very well, and we all have a sort of short hand when it comes to working together. And because they have been loyal to me, I like to believe they are happier working with me (and I work to keep them happy), and have more of a stake in the success of my company. Tune in next time to hear another advantage! And please visit my other blog www.smallpleasurescateringblog.com/painperdu ...
read moreCelebrating Earth Day -40 Years Later-with Asparagus and Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes
I had no idea then I would end up cooking professionally, but 25 years later, after working in the restaurant, hotel and catering industry in New York, I returned to the Bay Area to attend culinary school- btw, I lived right next door to the house with the organic garden of those early years.
Now, I regularly shop, for both my personal consumption and for parties I cater, at any of several local farmer’s market, and indeed, locally grown and organic produce have become a big trend in the catering business.
read moreGumbo z’Herbes- New Orleans Green Gumbo
Gumbo z’Herbes, New Orleans’ gumbo of mixed greens is a dish directly descended from the West African dish, Palaver Sauce, variants of which also appear in other outposts of the African diaspora.
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