Events Galore

Posted on August 9, 2013 by katherinescatering

We’ve had a busy (but fun) Summer, and it’s not even over yet. Rather than go into detail about each of the beautiful Wedding Ceremonies, University Banquets, Company Picnics, Unique Client Tastings, Anniversaries, and Fun Plate Ups we’ve been a part of over the past few weeks, we decided to just show you what we’ve been up to.

Sweet Endings: Wedding Cake Vs. Dessert Table

Posted on June 14, 2013 by katherinescatering

Your guests have arrived. They had the honor of witnessing your beautiful union. They’ve enjoyed the delicious food you selected for the reception. They’re ready for something sweet.

Traditionally large multitiered cakes have been served at Weddings, but a new trend has been popping up in recent nuptial celebrations: Desert Tables. Over the years we’ve been able to see it all (or at least most of it), and we have to admit–we love both. Here are reasons for both types of desserts for your big day.

Dessert Table

It’s a new and interesting concept, and in some cases your guests won’t have been to a wedding that isn’t featuring a big Wedding Cake
A table full of desserts offers more variety, so if you have gluten intolerance or just a picky guest, there is more room for accommodation
Some Wedding Cakes can be bland, as the focus is on how it looks and not always on how it tastes.
Since you have multiple assets going on your table, there is opportunity to create a more profound presentation
Just because you don’t have the cake doesn’t mean you don’t get the cutting ceremony: sub cup cakes or just a small 1 tired cake, you can still smash the pieces into each others faces
While the going price of Wedding Cakes can be roughly $5-$7 per slice, you can make that money stretch further with other types of dessert or candy
You can theme the desserts to your wedding (Michigan-based, tropical, vegan, color scheme, etc)
Things that can go on a dessert table: Candy (and get fun with it: retro candy, single/dual color candy, all chocolate…), Cupcakes, Dessert Shooters, Flavored Drinks, All Chocolate Theme (cakes, cookies, brownies, dark chocolate tasting, hot chocolate…), Pies, and more!

Wedding Cake

Wedding Cakes are the more traditional route, offering great (and fun) photo opportunities
Cakes are easier to serve in a sit-down style meal as they are uniform
Just because you have one dessert doest mean you can’t get creative. There are many ways to dress up a cake on the outside, utilizing colors, graphic elements, and non-traditional decor (flowers, toys)
You can save it (frozen) for over a year
Cakes are less complicated to orchestrate on the day-of, so that’s one less thing you have to worry about
You can select to have different flavors on different tiers, allowing more versatility for your guests’ tastes
Another cool way to bring more flavor is to opt for Bride and Groom’s cake (with different flavors for each)

Emergency Plan B: Preparing for Rain at Your Outdoor Event

Posted on May 31, 2013 by katherinescatering

You know the saying “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst”? Well we think rain on the day of your event is the perfect embodiment of that statement.

While planning your big company picnic grill-out or your dream wedding under flowering trees in a garden, it’s easy to forget that your entire day can be drastically transformed by a change in weather, especially in Michigan. We all joke about snow in June, but a part of you knows that there is still a small chance it could happen…

Don’t be left out in the rain. Here are a few tips from our years of experience on how to create a Plan B for Cloudy with a Chance of Percipitation. Best case scenario? You won’t need to use it, but now you’ll have the knowledge.

Tents – It is always good practice to have a tent at any outdoor event, even if you’re hoping to have an all-outdoor event. A tent keeps the food shielded from the wind and sun, it offers guests a place to sit in the shade, and it creates a warm and intimate conversing space.

Create 2 different floor plans for the tent: one for rain, one for clear skies. In case of rain it’ll be a snap to move tables and elements of your event under the tent without crowding the space. Was your wedding reception going to take place under a tree? The dance floor under your tent is a great place to exchange nuptials. Also scout out just-in-case spaces if you are utilizing an outdoor grill (garages are always a great alternative to the great outdoors).
Always order sides for your tent. This is a great way to block the wind in rain or shine, but it especially helps out with the rain. At an extra price of $200-$400, it’s not a huge expense to ensure your guests stay dry and non wind-whipped. If you’re 100% sure it won’t be raining, you are sometimes able to cancel your tent sides with a few days notice. Extra tip: opt for tent sides with windows, it will give the feel more more space, and you’ll still be able to enjoy your outdoor surroundings.
Enjoy your dry ground. Tents are normally set up at least a day in advance, so the ground won’t be soggy from the morning showers, and your guests will be able to enjoy your event with dry feet.

Umbrellas – As a rain shield or a sun accessory, umbrellas are always a thoughtful element to offer your guests to ensure they are comfortable in whatever type of weather you encounter during your event. It’s easy to find them of any size, price, and pattern nowadays.

Utilize your Ushers. If the rain is going strong at the beginning of your event, arm your ushers, servers, or good friends with a few umbrellas to meet your guests at their cars and walk them to a covered area. Trust us, your guests won’t forget this extra hospitality.

Bugs – If you have the fortune of seeing the sun come out and the rain recede on your event day, don’t forget that this is when mosquitos and other bugs like to come out. As we like to say “rain stops, mosquitos begin”

Fog the day before. There are many easy and inexpensive bug bombs you can utilize, and even if there’s no rain, it’s always good practice to try and rid your event area of as many bugs as possible.
Cut your grass before your tent goes in. A well manicured lawn will cut down the amount of bugs hiding in your grass, therefore limiting their access to the all-you-can-eat buffet that is your guests.
Offer spray. Before the event assemble a discreetly placed (and attractively put together) basket of multiple bottles of bug spray for your guests to use. We try not to use Citronella candles when possible because the smell can sometimes be overwhelming and negatively interact with the food served.

So fear not when you see that forecast of 80% chance of precipitation on your event day, you know how to circumvent that obstacle. Now all you have to worry about is making sure the bathrooms are clearly marked…

Earth Day at Katherine’s

Posted on April 23, 2013 by katherinescatering

On Monday, April 22, volunteers from our office and kitchen staff at Katherine’s Catering decided to roll up their sleeves and clean up the area surrounding our offices. We picked up trash, set up a home-built flower box, sanded and sealed our picnic table, and did some general parking lot/garage beautification. We’re not done (we still have some gardening to do), but it was lovely to spend the SUNNY afternoon outside together getting our hands dirty!