Red Anywhere Catering » private catering

Top 10 Ways to Catering Bliss

peter — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:02:52 +0000

One of the most stressful occasions in life, apart from moving house or having a child, can be organizing an event with catering. Nobody wants to be remembered for being the organiser of a wedding event, or a corporate engagement that falls spectacularly on its face because the catering was a disaster! I have experienced both success and failure, and have tried to list methods of making the process as comfortable as possible.

To begin with, does the caterer offer a range of menu options including the particular cuisine you are after? Most good Caterers will have detailed menu listings on their website. If they don’t you can contact them and request that it is sent to you via email or snail mail.
Identify what type of function you are planning to organise? Do you need private catering or corporate catering, a big or small event, formal or informal, inside or outside? Whatever you are planning, ensure that the caterer that most interests you, can actually handle the event.
Ensure the caterer that you choose is available on the day that you have planned. It is also worth checking to see that the Caterer has a 24 hour service and can be contacted 7 days a week. Many events are held after hours or on weekends so it will be a great disadvantage and frustration if you can’t contact your Caterer in the evening or on a Sunday morning when you suddenly think of something you need to discuss! You will definitely not want to pay more for your catering purely because it is not in the normal hours of business!
Does the catering company provide their own well-trained waiting personnel? Will the caterers ensure that the staff will be correctly addressed for the type of event that is being planned? Will the staff take care of everything from delivery and preparation, to waiting on the guests and cleaning up afterwards?
Looking at the list that was initially prepared, do you think that the catering company of your choice is capable of organizing the equipment that may be needed? This probably would include the tables, chairs, linen, crockery, glassware, cutlery and maybe even ovens and a bar serving area. Make sure they can provide what you need so that you don’t have to do additional running around to get what you need. Also ensure that their equipment is new and in pristine condition. The last thing that you need to offer your guest tatty linen and tarnished crockery.

Maybe you have to find a venue for your event? If so, a Caterer who can source a venue for you will save you time and have an established relationship with the venue. This will streamline the whole catering experience and make your life a lot easier!
If it is you desire to have a theme-based event, can the catering company help you to organise this, from cuisine choices to decorations and table settings?
Where will the caterer prepare the food? If your venue doesn’t have a kitchen the caterer will need to prepare and heat it at their premises and then deliver it ready to serve.
Can the Caterer organise all your drinks? This can be quite a difficult task if you were left to organise it yourself. Your first move would be to physically buy the drinks and then ensure their delivery to the venue. Then you need somewhere to store them and a method of keeping them cool. On the day you will need staff to serve the drinks along with a bar serving area, plus glasses etc. So if the Caterer doesn’t handle the drink side of the event, you will have a fair amount of work to do yourself. This should be crucial to your selection process.
Does the caterer of your choice have a cancellation policy in place? Are you likely to get all of your money refunded if the event is cancelled for whatever reason? It is advisable to scrutinise the company’s terms and conditions of business before you commit yourself to a deal.

Top 10 Ways to Catering Bliss is a post from: Red Anywhere Catering

Red get Pretty Clever in Bath!

Dan Clarke — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:23:58 +0000

I will start with saying “WOW” and a huge well done to Sam and Terri from Pretty Clever Events and all the team at Red Anywhere for what was an amazing party…. well weekend in Bath

The event was a 60th birthday celebration with a difference… the setting was a stunning country estate just outside Bath with beautiful views and amazing gardens. We then came along and stuck one of the biggest marquees I ever seen right on it!

There is so much to say about this event that I could write a book let alone a blog but I will give you a few snippets and then please look at all the pictures.

Canapes… Foie Gras Brule, King Prawn Cocktail, Crispy Duck, Fish and Chips served in wooden effect cones!

The menu consisted of 4 courses and started with a Wild Mushroom Veloute with Truffle Oil, Followed by Home Cured Gravadlax, Smoked Salmon and Horseradish Potato Salad. Main Course was Rump of Welsh Lamb, Fondant Potato, Roasted Vegetables and a light Rosemary Jus. Pudding was a delicate Vanilla & Star Anise Pannacota with Home Made Apple and Basil Sorbet…. one of my own creations and dam good I have to say!

The Entertainment was well amazing and so much of it…. there were Stilt Walkers, Fire Breathers, Jugglers, Magicians and even a show that had music and cabaret which all the guest loved! and then if that was not enough Marilyn Monroe made an appearance (well a very fine look a like) at midnight to sing Happy Birthday to the birthday boy!

A great band then sang some good old oldies and got the place rocking and rolling to the early hours of the morning!

After a couple of hours sleep and a large coffee we then prepared ourselves for the Sunday Tuscan Brunch which was an array of breakfast items, cold meats and fish, Hot roast Beef and Vegetables and even my good self on the stoves in front of guests cooking omelette’s, fried eggs and scrambled eggs, they loved it and I must admit so did I!

well I think by now your getting the gist of this party…. it was amazing and 200 very lucky people had a wonderful weekend which was put together by Pretty Clever Events based in Brighton…. we have been working with the ladies for about 6 months now and there passion, creativity and professionalism is second to none and once again a huge applause to Sam, Terri and all the girls….

Here’s looking forward to the next event…

Dan – Creative Chef, Red Anywhere

Red get Pretty Clever in Bath! is a post from: Red Anywhere Catering

Red Anywhere Cater for LWS Creative Launches

Dan Clarke — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:05:07 +0000

Claire Love-Jones, Managing Director of Local Web Solutions asked us to cater at the launches for her sister company LWS Creative.

There were three launches all together, Red Anywhere served a glass of champagne on arrival and drinks throughout the evening to the …guests, who included……

After a presentation, we then served a selection of Canapes including seared scallop, apple sauce and spiced sultanas, Chorizo & Mango Risotto and Sunblushed Tomato Tapenade with Poached Asparagus on Tomato & Basil Toast. Red Anywhere also served some Dessert Canapes which included, Lemon & Vanilla Posset with Blueberry Compote and Eton Mess.

Daniel CLarke, Creative Chef of Red Anywhere gave a demonstration during one of the launches which included filleting and deboning a whole plaice and explaining how to season and cook it. Dan then went on to show how to cut, prep and cook a Saddle of Lamb and a Whole Fillet of Beef. Everyone watched attentively while Dan explained the importance of seasoning meats with Salt & Pepper and then enjoyed watching him cook them. Dan even gave them a little taster so that guests could determine for themselves the difference between well seasoned meats and unseasoned meats. They then bombarded Dan with questions about how to cook certain meats and whats the best way to cook this and where the best place to buy that…etc

Red Anywhere Cater for LWS Creative Launches is a post from: Red Anywhere Catering