Easter Holiday Brunch

A Delicious Easter Brunch Buffet

Shrimp Louie Shell Pasa Salad

Chicken Apple Sausage Rolls

Sweet Endings of Maple Pot De Creme

I always enjoy looking forward to catering my parties. I have catered many events for Peter and Cheri; and today's Easter Brunch was another successful event that I helped create. I enjoy clients' that feed my creativity with their optimism of what I LOVE to do! It really makes me want to try even harder. Boy, the weather was so different out here in the San Francisco Bay Area this Eater Holiday! Rain, wind and cold threatened the festivities, but that didn't stop the party guests today from enjoying a delicioius meal...in style, of course!

Holidays, especially Easter always bring back good memories from growing up. Special foods during the holidays were something I always looked forward too. My mother is a wonderful cook and I was always in ahh of her while she was in the kitchen when I was a little boy. I can remember, I was really young; say...like five years old and I begged her to help her out in the kitchen, no matter what it was. Licking a spoonful of cake batter or watching her create magic with her hands with lots of love with everything she touched. Cookies, Pasta or a bowl of soup...every meal was a gourmet show for me! Holiday ham was one of her specialities; I remember one year she made a ham that was enrobed with some type of pastry or something like it with a floral design on it. My mom was the Queen...according to me! The ham that I serve at my Easter catering parties may not be as special or unique as my mom's but everyone still enjoyed it! Cheers to you mom for always inspiring me to cook the best that I can for my client's and their guests!

Inspiration for me comes from many things, great clients, chefs on t.v., many good friends, but my mom inspired me to become what I am today...a great cook and someone that really enjoyes helping people entertain with an approach that is from the heart.

Menu

Apricot Mustard Glazed Smoked Ham

Roasted Red Potatoes with Peppers & Onions

Plain Biscuits & Cheddar Chive Biscuits

Chicken Apple Sausage Rolls

Petite Spinach & Gruyere Quiche

Fresh Fruit Salad

Endive Leaves stuffed with Goat cheese, Mandarin Orange, Balsamic Glaze & Pistachios

Shell Pasta Shrimp Louie Salad with Hearts of Palm, Peas, Cherry Tomato Halves, Green Onion, Celery & Louie Dressing

Assorted Mini Cheesecakes

Petite Maple Pot De Creme with Pecans

Hor D'Ouevres Party Galore!

Orange Tarragon Salmon with Hollandaise Sauce in Spoons
Miniature Grilled Tomato & Cheddar Pannini with Dijon
Miniature Cheddar Burgers with Rosemary Onion Jam
It was another smash hit birthday party that I catered last night in Los Gatos. This was a 60th birthday party for a new client.
She had ordered 10 different Hor D'Ouevres passed by servers and buffet style. The biggest hit of the night were the Orange Tarragon Salmon with Hollandaise Sauce served in Asian Soup Spoons, people could not get enough of those and of course the Mini Burges, who wouldn't want that, comfort food city! (menu below).

Over the years I have catered numerous parties and the interesting thing is, most of them are Hor d'ouevres parties. The reason why I think that this type of party is so popular is that people can taste many different cuisines. I get more excited over the prospect of catering a party of all finger foods. I enjoy the challenge of inventing new ones so I don't get bored and It really puts a smile on my face when I get to present foods in a "small" way that party guests don't see or get to see everyday!
Food should be fun and interesting not boring, it not only nourishes are bodies but it should nourish are imaginations and tastes. Appetizers, Small Bites, Hor d'ouevres, Finger Foods, Tid-Bits-Whatever you may call it, is always in style!

Menu
Mini Cheddar Burgers with Rosemary Onion Jam
Tuna Tartare on won ton with Edammame Wasabi Puree
Miniature individual Macaroni & Cheese
Orange Tarragon Salmon with Hollandaise Sauce in Spoons
Grilled Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Baby Lamb Chops with Honey Mint Peppercorn Sauce
Fine Cheese & Crackers
Mini Tomato & Cheddar Pannini
Asian Peanut Noodle Salad in “To Go” containers with Chopsticks
Butternut Squash Soup “Sips” in Shot Glasses with Pumpkin Seeds