Big Adventures with Little Foods

Whether a wedding is based on tried and true traditions, or a modern affair with a twist, there is a formula that is almost certainly followed: First the ceremony, followed by a cocktail hour and meal, dancing and more drinking, cake, and some more dancing and drinking. At the end of the night, the crowd shrinks as people say their goodbyes and wish the happy couple well; but, there is always a crowd that keeps the party alive late into the night. Whether the party continues at the venue or moves to a family member’s house or suite, it is only fair (and good sense) to offer those late night troupers a late night snack!

There are a number of ways to incorporate the late night snack concept into your wedding or party. One way is to have a dessert and candy display that stays out for people to munch on at their leisure. If you want to go with the dessert bar but want to offer a savory option as well, a gourmet cheese spread with fruit, nuts, and crackers is the perfect addition.a href=”http://biteblog.bitecatering.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Doughnut-Cone.bmp”>

Another popular option is to offer a round of appetizers one hour before the end of the reception. You can be sure the crowd remaining has worked up an appetite from all that drinking and dancing. Think about what people crave after leaving the bars at closing time. The majority generally crave salty snacks. Just visualize those taquerias and burger joints busting at the seams at 2am. Bite’s Comfort Food and California Chic menus provide inspiration: Offer some mini bacon cheeseburgers, gourmet corn dogs, mac ‘n cheese bites, fish tacos, quesadillas, or mini pizzas. To be sure you have something for everyone, add in a tray of brownie bites and milkshake shots.

Today’s reality for many people planning a wedding is a tight budget that may not allow for yet another round of food service. In this case, a fun way to add the late night snack is to combine it with the wedding favor. A small to-go bag of snacks, either savory or sweet with packaging that goes with your theme kills two birds with one treat.

“The most romantic day of the year,” some say about Valentine’s Day.  Others say that sentiment only applies to those who do not have a romantic bone in their body.  After all, does buying the obligatory chocolate heart or stuffed teddy bear really count as romance?  The majority may answer “no” to that question, but that is definitely what the majority does.

Bite Catering challenges you to spice it up this year.  Whether you are in a relationship or not, get out there and celebrate the romance…the romance of food that is!  After all, isn’t food sexy?  Valentine’s Day happens to fall on a weekend this year which also happens to be the best time of the week to throw a party!    

Some of your ideas for Valentine’s parties this year are: A Girlfriend’s Party (for all you single ladies!) with elegant finger food and lots of chocolate desserts.  Or a children’s party– invite the class over for an evening of comfort food and valentine’s cards and, of course, can’t forget the dessert party-those strawberries and marshmallows dipped in chocolate fondue!  For all you romance haters out there, don’t worry…you can throw an Anti Valentines Party!

Decide who will be on your guest list, and create a menu geared towards that group.  Create a theme for your party.  If the theme is Valentine’s Day, love, or romance, choose foods that are known to compliment that atmosphere.  Don’t forget the favorites:  oysters, asparagus, almonds, chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate!

Maybe you get the point; Valentine’s Day and desserts go romantically hand-in-hand.  Create a dessert and/or candy display for your guests. Use a buffet, dining room, or side table covered with linens that complement the theme and décor of your party.  How you create the display will depend on what you are serving.  Think out of the box for presentation ideas. Use mason and apothecary jars filled with candy or cookies. Play with making labels for the jars, or just tying colorful ribbons around them.  Real china platters, wooden cutting boards, cake plates, and pretty baskets will all help your display come alive. 

Don’t forget the fresh flowers—long stemmed roses in a vase, strewn on a table, or simply the petals, scattered around the party food.  Oh, did you know that you might EAT those flowers?  Candied flowers-roses, lavender, and others will add an extra sparkle to the candy dish.  Organic, edible flowers inject that romantic extra touch to salad, dinner, or dessert plates.

Here is Bite Catering’s suggestion for a Valentine’s Day menu.

 The Pork Tenderloin vs. The Po’ Boy

Is this the ghost of your Superbowls past: a group of guys sitting around in the basement rec room watching the game on the big screen TV, eating chips and dip with one hand, and gulping a can of Budweiser with the other?  Well, folks, it doesn’t have to be that way!  If you plan on entertaining (other than little brother Billy and Cousin Frankie) check out these creative ideas for a festive atmosphere while paying tribute to the teams that have made it to the top!

This year, the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints go helmet-to-shoulder pad in Super Bowl XLIV. Pay respect to those teams with a typical menu from the teams’ home towns.  If you are a fan of one team or the other (or their home town’s food!), create a theme and a menu based on your favorite team.  But, if your team didn’t quite make it this year and you just want to celebrate those that did, combine the two — a menu of selections from both cities.  You can even create your own competition: put the teams’ food on separate tables and have your guests choose the winning side!

Indianapolis may not have New Orleans’ internationally recognized cuisine, but there are certainly some local favorites.  One that cannot go unrecognized is the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich which is famous all across Indiana.  Think comfort food for other ideas, such as corn or popcorn, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and biscuits and gravy just to name a few.  Try a sugar cream pie for dessert!!

New Orleans is famous for their Creole and Cajun cuisine.  When thinking about food from New Orleans, your mind might immediately draw up images of blackened catfish or Oysters Louisiana.  Some other favorites that are sure to please your guests are gumbo, jambalaya, crab cakes, and po’ boy sandwiches.  For dessert how about some beignets, and don’t forget the hurricanes!

Stay tuned to see how Bite would do it.