Ladies Cocktail Birthday Party

 Ladies cocktail birthday party this past June.  How gorgeous this setting is...So chic!

Chilled pea and tarragon soup "Shots" with goat cheese crostini

 

 Chicken Pecan and Dried Cranberry Salad in crunch Phyllo cups

 Cheesecakes and cupcakes....oh my!

 Chilled Asian peanut noodle salad in mini chinese take out boxes with chopsticks

 Puff pastry bites with asparagus, brie and ham....how French!

Petite cheddar cheese burgers with rosemary onion jam and baby pickles....who could resist?

 

beautiful candlelit display....the food is too pretty to eat, but I'm sure you could manage it

Spring Cocktail Party

Cocktail Party Buffet
Orange Tarragon Salmon in Spoons with Hollandaise Sauce...The hit of the night!

Spicy Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, Swedish Meatballs and Cold Asian Peanut Noodle Salad in "Take Out" Containers with Chopsticks

Pecan and Dried Cranberry Chicken Salad in Crunchy Phyllo Cups

It always brings me great pleasure to be able to help people entertain, but it brings me greater joy when a client calls me that I have not heard in a while. I feel flattered by the fact that I have repeat customers and I feel privileged that they want me to cater their affairs over and over again. I always feel right at home in anyone's kitchen, but I feel very comfortable in familiar surroundings that conjure up memories of joyous events from the past. Making new memories of great food and conversations with my client's and their party guests is something that I can draw upon and get inspired for more amazing parties that I can cater in the future.

The party that I did last night was a Spring Cocktail Party, eventhough it was pouring rain out and so very cold...I guess the Ground Hog did not see his shadow this year. Party guests rushed in from the cold rain to warm up to delicious Swedish Meatballs and Champagne. Other fabulous vittles on the menu included the hit of the night, Orange Tarragon Salmon served in Chinese Soup Spoons with a sinfully amazing Hollandaise drizzled over the top. I have always thought that their is a "guilty pleasure" from Hollandaise, don't feel too guilty about this one, it's a "small bite" and you don't eat it everyday...so enjoy it and savor every bite!

My client did her homework before I arrived that I didn't even ask her to do! She took her menu that she had decided on serving and brought it to her local wine sommeliers so she can get the best wine pairings for the food and it was a great success; we served a pinot gris and champagne with the menu. She had mentioned to me that it would be a great idea to suggest wine parings with my menus, which is something that I don't have. So, off to the wine sommeliers so I can learn more and give more to my clients; I guess my client gave me homework to do!

Below is the full cocktail party menu that I served. Make sure to visit my website so you can view my cocktail party menu samples and start to plan your next soiree...go to http://www.butlerforhire.com/ and hire me to cater your parties...and remember, Good Food is Always in Style!

Mary and Glenn's Spring Cocktail Party Menu

Asian Peanut Noodle Salad in mini individual "Take Out" containers with chopsticks
Butternut Squash Soup served in “Shot” Glasses
Savory Swedish Meatballs with Sherry
Tuna Tartare on Crispy Won Ton with Edammame Wasabi Puree
Assorted Fine Cheese with Grapes, Strawberries & Crackers
Pecan & Chicken Salad in crunchy Phyllo Cups
Orange Tarragon Salmon in Chinese Spoons with Hollandaise Sauce
Sausage & Sundried Tomato Stuffed Mushrooms with Monterey Jack Cheese

Weeknight Soiree

An elegant Weeknight Soiree on a chilly autumn night
Chicken Curry Turnovers with Almonds & Golden Raisins

I think I'm getting hungry! What about you?

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Gingersnap crust

My fabulous regular client called me needing help 48 hours before she needed me to help her entertain friends and associates after a school meeting on Thursday night. Of course, I was delighted to assist her with her entertaining needs!!! I love what I do and I really do enjoy sharing my skills with people that enjoy what I create. This was a simple affair at 8:30 with just a few Hor D'Ouevres, but simple does not mean it can't be beautiful! For the centerpiece, I carved out some sugar pumkins and a squash to use as a pillar candle holder, I thought they turned out wonderful; I also scattered some mini pumpkins and gourds and some preserved autumn leaves
Menu
Mini Cheddar Burgers with Rosemary Onion Jam
Curried Chicken Turnovers with Golden Raisins and Almonds
Tuna Tartare on Crispy Wonton with Edammame Wasabi Puree
(a favorite among party guests)
Mini Pumkin Cheesecakes with a Gingersnap crust