One of the most rewarding things about my business is the art of decorating our passing trays. Since the first days of our business we have taken great pride in the beauty of our presentation, whether it be a buffet, a drink tray or the subject of this post: the hors d’oeuvres passing tray. Our male clients don’t seem to notice, but all of our female clients love to admire them as they go by during a cocktail party. We enjoy putting them together as much as we like to see the finished product. From shells and pine cones to green lentils and colored glass beads, no small item around the house has not made it onto our passing trays. Try one or some at your next cocktail party!
Tag Archives: celebrations
Entertaining Boston Style: 2011: A Year in Pictures!
It is one of the first wintry days of 2012. I lay here with a cast up to my knee(repeat foot surgery) and have time to reflect on 2011 and the events our team put together. In my mind, I’m pitching various themes for my next blog, but all I can imagine is a blog of pictures because what I remember most is how gorgeous my clients’ homes are. I am the luckiest person in the world, because I get to see one after another of the most spectacular homes in Massachusetts. So here it goes… 2011: A Year in Pictures! But please, please, don’t be lazy and take in only the first few shots, because the best ones are at the end. One in particular, can’t be missed. Make sure you have a few free minutes to get through this wonderful photo editorial.
The year started off with three birthday events. They couldn’t have been more different. I blogged last year about each one of them, they were each so amazing in their own respect.
The first being a foodie’s dream of shellfish, bruschetta’s, sausages, lobster panini’s, pulled pork sliders, and more…
Bruschetta Bar
Raw Bar
Red Velvet Birthday Cake with buttercream frosting
The second, an ex-rocker celebrating with a theme:
Sliders and Quesadillas
The third, a breathtaking barn, converted into an intimate dinner party for close friends:
Life is good
Dinner is served
We did our share of fundraisers as well this year. Emerson Umbrella in Concord, Concord Museum, Fenn School, and an Indian dinner party for Goodweave, a non-profit aiming to end child labor in India:
Emerson Umbrella:
Some pictures from two of the weddings we catered:
And another:
Pulled Pork with Jicama Slaw, Chipotle Cream on Sweet Potato Bisquit
Thinly sliced Smoked Sliced Sirloin with Chimichurri
Our team also catered some events at more public venues, like Larz Anderson Museum in Brookline, for the American Orthopaedic Association President’s Dinner, a corporate dinner at the Old State House and a Cocktail Cruise on the Liberty Clipper Schooner for State St.:
Larz Anderson Museum American Orthopaedics Association Presidents Dinner
Old State House:
Tablesetting Old State House Corporate Dinner Event
Liberty Clipper:
The Liberty Clipper Schooner
Roasted Russian Red Potatoes stuffed with Exotic Mushrooms and Chive Creme Fraiche
Yellow Tail Tuna Carpaccio with Sun Gold Tomatoes, Basil and Zucchini Blossom Slaw on Sesame Crisp
Last but not least, are the absolutely stunning holiday parties we catered this December season. Our clients homes are the most gorgeous in New England. My dream is to someday put a coffee table book together called “The Best of Boston Homes: Entertaining during the Holidays”. Our clients’ homes are the most gorgeous homes in the greater Boston area. My staff and I are typically speechless whenever we arrive at a new “spectacular” home, and they just keep getting better. My clients all have gorgeous taste and I am very proud to work with them year after year. Thank you to all of you!
I could not edit this one. This client is one of my favorite people in the world. Her mantra is one of service, as one of the key founders of City Year. Her kids were raised with this philosophy and it shows. They are amazing. There are pictures of the family in Africa, Haiti, and elsewhere… and for them, it’s all about giving back. This event was a fundraiser for the Pine Street Inn and no expense was spared. There were carolers, a boys A cappella group, a gospel singer, volunteers from City Year making crafts with the kids, pony rides, Santa arriving on a fire truck. At every turn, there were more niches of fun. I was running around like a 5 year old, trying to take it all in. On top of that, her house is absolutely GORGEOUS!! Furnishings and decor are very eclectic- Moroccan, Asian, Mexican, African, you name it… and it’s all pulled together in such a way that you cannot stop sneaking around to see all the little goodies she has.
Fire Pit Area in the back yard... one of many!
What a fireplace!
All for a good cause.... Pine Street Inn; helping people become independent again
Santa's Sleigh
Buffet: Turkey & Wild Rice Soup, Mexican, Moroccan, Southern Savories
Cookie Decorating Table in the Barn
Pony Rides
Relaxing around the outdoor fireplace
S'mores at (one of) the fire pit!
One absolutely amazing woman! My client. And she's gorgeous "to boot"
Santa arriving on a fire truck!
A Cappella boy's group
And, last but not least, a few more pics from the other holiday events we catered. Enjoy:
Crunchy Potato Cakes with Gravlax, Capers, Creme Fraiche
Filo, Parmesan and Prosciutto wrapped Asparagus... yum
Holiday Centerpiece- White Tulips and Hydrangea, skewered fresh figs
Centerpiece- Gorgeous 18" shallow bowl filled with Succulents and Moss
Catalan Grilled Shrimp with Romesco Sauce (Roasted peppers, garlic, almonds)
Goat Cheese and Sun-dried Tomato Crostini
Raw Bar with Jonah Crab Claws, Mustard Sauce, Island Creek Oysters, Mignonette, Shrimp Cocktail, Grapefruit Ginger Cocktail Sauce
And just a few more to top things off:
These small plates were passed to guests on giant silver trays at a Pharmaceutical Company’s Board of Director’s and Executives Holiday Party:
Syrian Pepper Dusted Swordfish with Romesco Sauce (Roasted red peppers, almonds, garlic and tomatoes)
Grilled Eggplant Roulade stuffed with Mozz and Ricotta
We’ve been catering this high-end holiday event since, gosh, 1997?!? One of my favorite clients, she reminds me of Princess Diana, a very elegant, gorgeous and poised woman. Love her!
Gorgeous home of one of my favorite clients!
Beautiful Kitchen
Billiards Room- the game table was covered with burlap
Guests mingling in the beautifully appointed living room
Spicy Tuna Tartare in housemade wonton chip
Yellowtail, Tuna, Salmon Nigiri; Spicy tuna roll, California Roll Maki
Zucchini Fritter with Eggplant Caviar
Winter Solstice- Pomegranate Martini... yummy!
If you made it this far, thank you so much for taking the time to see the hard work our team puts in year after year. They are amazing. We are amazing. Happy New Year!
