Unique Yuletide Feastivities

by Jennifer McKinney-Seet, CSEP

Those who are adventurous enough to try something new this holiday season will enjoy experimenting with the latest trend in dining entertainment: miniature meals. This style of serving offers an exciting, hearty, and satisfying alternative to traditional hors d'oeuvres or over indulgent buffets.

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Mini meals are most ideal for cocktail parties. With so much party hopping during the holidays, it is common for guests to opt for multiple bite-sized items in lieu of heavy meals. You also eliminate long lines around the buffet table and the need to provide seating for all your guests by offering small "grab and go" items that can be eaten quickly while walking around.

                                                                                                                      Shrimp Shooters
When planning this type of menu, you can stick with the traditional foods you love, just present them in a different way. For instance, serve your favorite salad in a martini glass or place shrimp in individual shot glasses with cocktail sauce. Offer a complete mini meal by placing

           Vegetable Salad-Tini            Steak Cubes with Red Wine Mushroom Gravy over Mashed Potatoes garnished with a Baby Carrot served in a red wine glass.

For desserts, try passing or displaying creatively on a decorated table miniature delicacies such as White Chocolate Truffles with dipping sauces, holiday Petit Fours, Peppermint Semifreddo Mousse, Persimmon or Bread Pudding in mini ramekins with demitoss spoons, or mini Cinnamon Roll            Cinnamon Roll Lollipops

Lollipops displayed in a gift box (use Styrofoam to hold lollipop sticks, cover top ofStyrofoam with fake snow, tissue paper, beads, etc). 

Finally, when it comes to serving cocktails, again, try adding an original twist to old favorites. Add cranberries and a sprig of rosemary as a garnish to a traditional Cosmopolitan and call it "Christmas-tini" or mix Godiva White Chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps and Vodka and garnish with a Candy Cane for fun and festive

   Cranberry Martini    "Candy Cane Martini" and serve in a miniature martini glass.  Try serving champagne and Midori (for a festive green color) in a tall cylinder glass instead of a traditional champagne glass for added "Christmas Cheer".

Have fun during the holidays by experimenting with food and drink presentations to celebrate the season in a playful and creative way.

                                                                                                                  Champagne Cocktail

 Chef's Corner

Recipe of the Month

At Thomas Caterers of Distinction, we make all our food from scratch. We are proud to share some of our

time honored recipes with our friends.

White Chocolate Truffles

8 oz White Cap Chocolate

2 oz Heavy Cream

1/8 cup Butter

3 Tbsp Sugar

1 1/2 Tbsp Frangelico Liqueur

Powdered Sugar (for dusting)

Dipping Delicacies:Caramel, Chocolate, Toasted Coconut, Chocolate Blossoms,

Butterfinger pieces, Pecans, Pistachios, crushed Candy Cane.

Directions:
Melt chocolate over simmering water. Bring cream, butter, and sugar to a boil to dissolve sugar. Allow to cool a little then mix in chocolate. Blend in Frangelico. When chocolate has cooled and is thick enough to hold its shape, scoop bite sized balls onto parchment or waxed paper and refrigerate until set.  Roll truffles into balls and dist with powdered sugar. Poke with lollipop sticks and display creatively with a variety of dipping sauces.

Holiday Drink Recipes

Eggnog Martini

1.5 oz. Vodka
1.5 oz. Amaretto
3 oz. Eggnog
Splash of Cinnamon Schnapps
Sprinkle of Nutmeg

Mix the first four ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Sprinkle with the nutmeg.

Merry Martini

3/4 oz. Midori

2 oz. Citrus Vodka

1 oz. White Cranberry Juice

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass with sugar rim. Garnish with a Cranberry.

Hosting a Party

Choice Days to Host a Party or Gathering   

Where to Host a Party - Hot Spot Feature

Hilbert Circle Theater

32 East Washington Street, Suite 600
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2919
317.262.4908

www.indianapolissymphony.org

The Hilbert Circle Theatre hall, spacious lobbies, and The Wood Room are available during non-performance dates for meetings, seminars, receptions, concerts, or public/private functions. Tours of the Hilbert Circle Theatre are also available.

In addition to concerts, the grand auditorium and stage offers a unique setting for company meetings, seminars, and seated dinners. The Main Lobby / Oval Promenade is an ideal location for wedding receptions, chamber performances, business receptions, and seated dinners.

The elegant Wood Room, with beautiful views of Monument Circle, is wonderful location for pre- or post-concert entertaining, elegant dinners, and private meetings. The East Lobbies are contemporary spaces ideal for receptions, small dinners, and meetings. For more information, visit their website at www.indianapolissymphony.org.

Kelly Early, CSEP, General Manager, was recently asked to

write an article for "Special Events Magazine" on "Food Art" due to be published in the March 2008 issue.

Vince Early, CSEP, Event Designer has been appointed by the International President of ISES to be Chairperson of the Conference Education Committee for the Conference for Professional  Development "EventWorld 2008" in St. Petersburg, Fl.

Dee Haddad, CSEP, Event Designer, is currently serving as President-Elect of ISES Indiana Chapter. Her term as President will begin in July 2008 and run through July of 2009. 

Jennifer McKinney-Seet, CSEP, Event Designer is expecting her third child, a baby girl, due in April. 

Contact Us 

     Thomas Caterers of Distinction

     4440 North Keystone Ave

     Indianapolis, Indiana 46205

     Phone: 317-542-8333

     Fax: 317-545-0683

     Email: Info@thomascaterers.com
    

About Us

We are a full service off-premise catering and event management company specializing in award winning gourmet cuisine for over 23 years. We custom tailor each event to fit the client's personality and style, making each occasion a unique experience.

Our highly qualified staff is certified and trained to assist each client with every detail of planning their event, from creative menu designs and elegant décor to entertainment, tenting, power and travel needs, you can relax knowing that our Certified Special Event Professionals will handle every detail with care to allow you to be a guest at your own event.

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