Future Food

It's NYE! I always love New Years Eve because it makes me think about what is to come in the near future year. I think most of you are like me and love change and innovation. Innovation is in everything that we enjoy from furniture/design, fashion, technology, and even food. Food does not stay constant unless you choose to make it that way, so why keep a traditional cuisine in a modern wedding? I came across some knowledge of this amazing chef in Chicago who has a restaurant called Alinea. This chef inspired me to pass on the inspiration to brides-to-be that are considering catering choices, or specifically, the style of the menu course. I'm all about progressive trends which is why I started this company in the first place-to offer something new and in the mindset of forward thinking. Chef Grant Achatz, who tutored under famed Thomas Keller in Yountsville, CA, brilliantly decided to change the experience of eating all together. By separating the flavors of each invididual ingredient and using the latest culinary technology, he combines avant garde presentation with modernist cooking techniques bringing an interactive experience for his guests to enjoy. This style of cuisine is fashion forward, innovative and interactive - all of the most important elements that I prefer to bring to the table with my clients.

When it comes to selecting the elements of your wedding, I always suggest presenting something new and exciting for your guests to enjoy. This will always leave a long lasting impression on your guests minds. This style of catering may be influenced by celebrity chefs such as Thomas Keller and newly reknowned Grant Achatz, but don't let that stop you from suggesting his style/techniques to your own chosen caterer. A caterer should be able to work with your desires and present the quality and style of presentation suited for your event.

Here are some tips to consider when selecting a caterer:

• First and foremost, make sure the caterer has a license.
• Find out if the caterer specializes in a particular style of service, such as modernist or traditional, or ethnic/regional.
• Try and work with a caterer that is not only reputable but affordable. There are many caterers out there and many are highly qualified as the high-end caterer yet more affordable and willing to work within your budget.
• See what is included in their price: plates, silverware, glassware, table linens, etc. This will help decrease the cost of having to rent these items from an outside vendor. Altough, make sure to get a detailed pricing of their price of these items compared to an outside vendor-sometimes it can save you money in the long run.
• Make sure you know exactly how many staff members will be available for your event. Also be sure to verify what type of attire they wear and that it coordinates with your theme correctly.
• If your wedding or event is being held outdoors, the caterer must have a portable kitchen. Also make certain that they have a back-up plan if anything within the portable kitchen breaks or needs repair in the middle of your event-you don't want to be stuck without food!
• Be sure to gather detailed information as to whom will be supervising the catering staff at your event in case anything goes wrong. Many caterers work multiple functions in one day, and they have the staff to spread around each event to do so successfully. It's very important to know who is handling your event specifically in case of any mishaps or need of immediate assistance.
• Another major element to consider is whether the caterer has insurance. We all want an event to turn out flawlessly, but there is always that rare possibility that could occur and you don't want to be liable for damages. Make absolutely sure that they have valid proof of insurance-if not, do not work with them otherwise you could be liable for any damages.
• Discuss the arrival times with the caterer as well as the event itinerary to ensure that everything is cohesive. You want to make sure that the food is prepped in time for the event as well as making certain that they are still at the event until the end, unless otherwise agreed upon.
• It happens, guests arrive unexpectedly even though they didn't RSVP. You better make sure you can accommodate them just in case. Most caterers add a few extra plates for this reason. Make sure that it is included in your contract. The rule of thumb is to add about 5 extra plates for unexpected guests. 
• Some guests are allergic to certain ingredients or have specific dietary restrictions. You must accommodate your guests needs. Make sure the caterer is well aware of any guests with specific needs such as food allergies or dietary restrictions - you don't want any medical emergencies on your big day.
• Last, but not least important, make sure the caterer is a qualified caterer by ensuring that they use fresh ingredients. It's sad to report, but there are many caterers out there pulling the wool over their clients eyes by buying pre-store bought food/frozen ingredients and heating them up and serving them for the price of a qualified caterer. Don't be fooled by these unprofessional types of vendors.

What has been your experience with selecting and working with caterers?

What? You don't like cake?

Nobody said you had to have your cake and eat it, too...or did they? Well, I won't argue with history, but regardless, you're planning this historical moment, so it's best to choose what works for you! There are many alternative options available to choose from aside from the traditional wedding cake. You don't have to eat any sweets at all, but it's always a good idea to provide something soothing to the guests' sweet tooth once the reception commences. Some of the options include the following: a cupcake tree, which closely resembles a tiered wedding cake but offers individual cupcakes instead or if you'd like to get a bit a more fancy you can go the traditional French route with "croque-en-bouche," can you say that three times fast? Also, chocolate truffles, decadent cookies, mousses, puddings, tarts, and squares can be served as an alternative. If you want a down-home country feeling and want to get Auntie Mae involved in the wedding, you can even offer pies as dessert. But if you really can't decide on which option works best, it's always popular to go with the Viennese spread. This spread is a dessert table that has a wide array of sweets that each guest can choose from that suits their craving. Another option is the chocolate fondue which can be placed at each table or at one table and guests are provided fruit individually and dip them in the fondue fountain-just don't start tossing coins over your shoulder, it's not that kind of fountain! Of course, if you want to have more fun and lighten up the mood of the whole place, why not have an ice cream sundae bar? It'd be like going back to the good-ole days of soda fountains and summertime treats! Well, not everyone will remember that, but we can pretend we did! It might just fit a retro-themed wedding!

This is one of my favorite alternative dessert vendors in New York. Take a peak:

Amy Atlas Events     -     www.amyatlas.com

Cakes

With so many wedding vendors available in every city across the nation, I believe it's important to find a  confectioner that can create a truly magical wedding cake for your event. Why stick with the ordinary? When looking for a confectioner, it's wise to select one with the knowledge and expertise that is demonstrated in their work. There are a great variety of cakes out there, but there are only a few that can truly create works of art. A wedding should be a symbol of your unique bond and exemplify that in every element. The cake is one of the most important elements to a wedding! Therefore, it should also be just as distinct as you are as a couple as well as fit in with the theme. I always look for a confectioner that has a gallery of cakes that are out of the ordinary. The reason for this is because when I get a client that requests to have a wedding based on an unconventional theme, the last thing I want to do is introduce them to the traditional wedding cake! If you're going to think outside of the box, then you better carry it all the way through.

Another important point that needs to be addressed in selecting a wedding cake vendor is not only to look for creativity but quality. How do you find quality in the cake? Well, simple! Eat it! It's the most fun part of wedding planning. I have a big sweet tooth, so for me, I could live at a bakery! Well, no, not really, but wouldn't that be fun? You also must thoroughly research the vendor prior to working with them to ensure that you are hiring a reputable company. Check their work history, their portfolio, ask for client referrals and of course do a taste test. It can be a lot of fun, but there are still a lot of details when selecting the right cake. The confectioner, who is an experienced professional in their field, is able to guide you in the right choice that matches with your food selection-cake pairing is just as important as pairing wine with the main course. When you're ready to sign on the dotted line, be sure to check the following details:

• Cost per slice
• The deposit amount, date it was paid (usually 50%), as well as when the remainder is due (usually upon delivery of the cake)
• The date the cake will be prepared. The start date for the baking and the end date for the finished product should both be listed.
• Be sure a complete and accurate delivery address (reception venue) is listed, date of delivery, time of delivery and the exact location at the venue that the cake is to be displayed is listed accurately. 
• A list of the ingredients used with acceptable substitutions indicated in the event an ingredient becomes unavailable.
• A complete description of the cake, including the number of layers, the flavor and fillings, the icing, and the embellishments.
• What is included in the fee-- will delivery be extra? Any free extras or extra charges that you were not aware of when discussing the chosen caken?
• List of any items being rented and their cost (cake table, cake knife, dessert plates, etc.).

And of course, if you're not a big fan of cakes or sweets, there is always the real alternative method to the traditional cake, the dessert table and many other alternative options. More on that subject in the next blog!

Tron- Icon

With the new film "Tron" premiering this Friday, I thought it'd be a lot of fun to create an event based on the theme of this film. The special effects and the key element, LED lighting, really can say "future" for any event. This can be a design for a party, a very distinct wedding or a corporate event based on a company theme "bringing us into the future." There are many purposes for an event theme, but this one just seems to be a lot of fun! If it were to be used for a wedding, you could even bring the ceremony into the future by creating an LED platform as well as visual surround coordinating with the rest of the design of the event. Of course, you can't lose the element of elegance at a wedding, so there would remain quite of a lot of details that bring you back to reality-but don't be disappointed, it's always in the details that make an event a WOW factor! Take a look at my latest mood board. It's sure to make to you want to leave the past behind and step forward into fantasy land - the future.

Opening Day!

Hello Bloggers, I finally made it to the blogosphere. I'm so happy to announce that my vision and year long process of creating my first business has come to fruition. It's a thrill to begin. My company, Nouveau Events, specializes in re-creating the concept of a wedding. I was inspired one day on a trip to Los Angeles with my best friend realizing the excitement and awe that surround us everyday and within every day's life experiences that just isn't presented in the most memorable event of our lives - weddings. I'm an artist and designer specializing in interior design and I'm constantly looking for inspiration from all around me to re-create into a fantasy form within interiors and public spaces. So it's not far fetched to assume that I can present these concepts to those who desire to hold a unique wedding of their own. If you have a story that you loved to read as a child that you'd like to conceptualize as a sophisticated theme into your wedding, I'm here to help. It can be a movie, a book of literature, a song that inspires you, whichever it may be, there is a visual story that can be re-created just for you.

Have you ever been inspired by everyday experiences and elements surrounding you that you dreamed of re-creating as a visual experience of your own?