There are so many new trends in catering that it can really make or break an event.  We know it is really hard to keep up with all of them so here are some key elements to look for. Any party that you may host needs these to make sure it can be a full bash instead of a lousy soiree.

Photo by Gene Higa. Check out Gene's work at http://www.genehiga.com/

Color: Color is important to any party.  Color creates energy.  Dishes that are full of color are more appealing to the eyes and mean freshness to the client.  Mentally, freshness means healthier, better tasting, and of higher value to the client.  One dish you could try would be a Watermelon Salad.  Bright red watermelon with purple and green lettuces is sure to start any meal full of excitement and energy.

Sustainability: Our clients are so much more curious and knowledgeable about food and where it comes from (*cough* no need to blame the food network and various other “foodie” magazines).  It means that we must make that extra step to ensure our vendors are using ingredients that are globally conscious, and that we as coordinators have that conversation and take a moment to learn from our caterers.  Seafood is one hot topic for sustainability.  Many clients now want to know where it is fished from, whether it is wild or farm raised, and what they are feeding it.  So make sure that the next time you serve salmon puffs at your party, that your salmon supplier sells you fish that is fresh and sustainable.

Entertainment: Food is so much more than sustenance, especially now with the quality and variety of food we can serve our clients.  Our clients are now expecting more out of our events and our food.  Next time you are looking for a catering vendor,  see if they can provide some form of “action station.”  This is no longer the simple roast beef carving station, this is a full on chef producing food in front of the clients.  Many people find food production fascinating and entertaining, especially when done by a professional in a uniform.  Some examples of hot new trends would be a sushi chef producing fresh cut and maki rolls, or our favorite Fry Girls making fresh, fried, and decadent desserts for clients on a cute, portable conveyor belt.

Hope these tips and will help make your next party a tasty bash!

Guest Blogger: Jay Cosico

Tags: catering trends, event foods, trendy catering

Can’t believe I’m getting married in 2 months. I remember feeling like it was so far away in my previous post  “A Wedding Planner Plans Her Wedding”. In the past year I have received tons of questions/comments/feedback about my wedding from friends, family members and colleagues….but the truth is that wedding planning is never easy, especially when it is your own. Looking at the Big Picture…I just want to be married already (for those that are at my 2 month countdown, you know what I mean). The time that I have spent with my  Fiancé (still giggling when I call him this) during the planning process has been really special…for the most part, Albert’s answer to most of my questions has been “whatever you want”…for a planner it was the prefect answer. We have learned to make decisions and disagree as a couple. Many lessons of being patience and compromizing with each other were discovered along this adventure. The planning experience has made me more excited for us to start our married life together…can’t wait! One of our favorite wedding prepping activity was the engagement session. We had sooo much fun that we had 2 photo shoots: causal outdoors and a formal session. I selected my favorite photos from each e-session to share with you all.

I remember telling Albert…”who knew that playing dress up could be sooo much fun!” Can’t wait for all that girly fun on the Big Day. You can check out more photos from our very talented photographer, Caroline Tran’s Blog and we were also featured in The Style Unveiled Wedding Blog a few week ago.

{Click here for The Style Unveiled Posting}

Tags: engagement session, event planners, los angeles weddings, photo shoot

Some couples are a match made in heaven and other couples… are a match made in snow. Here is a story of a young couple that got married exactly 10 years to the day that they started dating. With Black Baccara Roses, an engagement ring buried in snow, and of course, life size cardboard cut-outs of the lovebirds, how much more romantic can it get!

The Wedding of Angeli and Franz. Photos by Desi Baytan.

The Proposal:

“On Friday, November 14, 2008, it “snowed” on the hilltops of Hollywood. As I was “playing” in the snow, something sparkly caught my attention. I needed help to dig it out. That’s when Franz stepped in and helped me find what was so cleverly hidden in the snow. It was a big and beautiful icy rock…my engagement ring! “

“To celebrate our 9 year anniversary, we made vacation plans to go to the Dominican Republic. Our flight was leaving on Sunday. The original plan was to propose there. I was clueless to his plans. We’ve gone on vacations before, so what made this trip the “one?” But, after so many years of waiting, anticipation and excitement got the best of Franz and he decided to pop the question on our real anniversary date. It happened at Yamashiro Sushi Restaurant in LA. He made it calmly through appetizers and dinner. A surprise came along with dessert, a dozen long stem Black Baccara Roses. They are the darkest burgundy roses on the market, with its deep red symbolizing the deepest desire. Even with these beautiful flowers I still had no inclination that he was going to propose. Finally, I excused myself to freshen up. When I got back, Franz was playing with something on the table. It was glistening and looked like snow.”

“But, why the obsession with snow? Before he asked his question, Franz reminisced about one of our first vacations together. We went to New York/Jersey one November and he knew how excited I was for the chance to see snow actually falling. Although, my cousins warned me that the snow would not fall that early. The snow came anyways.  We had snowball fight, and Franz made snow angels under the Statue of Liberty. I wished I could take some snow home to California with me as a souvenir. On this night Franz created that snow that I could take home and keep with me forever. He added some water to this powder, and like magic snow appeared. Plus, he included an even better treat!”

The Wedding Day:

“Magical. Romantic. Flashing lights and an inability to stop smiling. A dream come true…Exactly 10 years ago to the date, we started dating. Exactly 1 year ago to the date, we got engaged. This day was 10 years in the making. We were blessed that our family and friends from across the world could travel to witness our love and the beginning of our “happily ever after.” We also felt lucky that they chose to miss the Pacquio vs. Cotto fight for us. The day went by so fast and I could only remember glimpses of conversations with our guests. Thankfully, our life sized photo cut-out made a fabulous and amusing substitute. As we danced to Stevie Wonder’s Ribbon in the Sky, he described it best: “Oh so long for this night I prayed. That a star would guide you my way. To share with me this special day. Where a ribbon’s in the sky for our love.”

Married Life:

“We were old-fashioned and chose not to live together before we were married. So, cohabiting under one roof was our first adventure as newlyweds. Closet dimensions: 3/4 Angeli and 1/4 Franz. He does the cooking and I’m the dishwasher. “Mint.com” is our new best friend and our financial advisor. Saying “good morning husband” is the best part of waking up. Also, I wasn’t the only one who changed names after we were married. We are now referred to as “FrAngeli.” I never realized that we could love each other more than we already have, but being married just increases this intensity. We’re excited about our next 10 years…”

Tags: real weddings