A Beautiful Evening in West Hartford

What a fabulous evening last Saturday was.  The room was dazzling, resplendent with giant white Calla Lilies, white Phalaenopsis Orchids kissed with the barest bit of yellow in their throats, bronze Cymbidium Orchids, white Roses with the slightest hint of pink through them.  Candles, mirrors,” floating” centerpieces, “ghost” chairs on tables clothed in brown faux suede for the adults and a sophisticated lounge for the children and the well heeled guests in blinding jewels and shoes to die for.  This hostess and her mother put their stamp on every aspect of this evening.  I think the menu and the photos speak for themselves.

                                               Adult Stationary Display

Vegetable Satays with Thai Peanut Pesto

Chimichurri Beef Skewers with Chimi Dip

Japanese Sirloin & Scallion Rolls

Portobello Satay with a Rosemary Ginger Dipping Sauce

Skewered Tandoori Chicken with a Cucumber Raita

Carrot Flowers, Radish Roses, Celery Curls and Green Bean Wands

Passed Adult Hors D'oeuvre

                            Watermelon Gazpacho Shots with Minted "Pearls"

Smoked Duck in Chinese Pancakes with Hoisen Sauce

Mini Kugel Bites

Fresh Mozzarella & Grape Tomato Bites with Aged Balsamic

Sushi Skewers

Plated First Course
Salmon Roulade with Gazpacho Cream and Paddlefish Caviar garnish

White Corn Agnolotti with White Truffle Oil and Frizzled Sweet Potato
Baby Greens, Shaved Fennel, Grapes & Dill in Sherry Vinaigrette
Asiago Crouton
A thin slice of Sourdough Ficelle toasted with Asiago Cheese

Plated Main Course
Bistro Steak Goan Style served on full bodied greens with Black Mustard Seed and Tamarind Sauce

Roasted Branzini with Orange Beurre Blanc and garnished with Mango & Hazelnuts

Sautéed Julienne Carrots, Yellow Squash & Haricot Verte

Sweet Green Pea Risotto with Pea Shoots & Mascarpone

Whole Grain Parmesan Crouton

Thinly sliced whole grain Ficelle, toasted with Parmesan Cheese

Bistro Tables for Cocktails

For the tiny tots....

Before the lights went low...

Basking

Room design was Brenda LaManna from Damselfly Designs, photography was by Geoffrey Tischman and of course food service and event planning by Charlotte Berwind Fine Foods, Inc.

Double Solitaire: The Surreal Worlds of Kay Sage and Yves Tanguy at the Katonah Museum of Art

We are bracing ourselves here in New York for Hurricane Irene; I confess that I LOVE a good storm, I give thanks that we have no brides, hostesses, museums, corporate clients and guests to worry about traveling in the rain and wind this weekend. With the unrelenting news coverage, knowing how much of our area is covered with coastline and that summer has everyone’s beach home open and in full swing I think that we forget how much work is involved with battening down the gems of our region…the museums, outdoor sculpture exhibits (thinking StormKing here- what Do they DO?), zoos, the botanical gardens… All the while these folks need to attend to their own properties.

Two week ago, under yet another threatening sky, we were the caterer for the August Second Saturday gathering at the Katonah Museum of Art. This is a cocktail party that utilizes the museums beautiful sculpture garden and brings the community in to enjoy the museum, an interactive art experience, music and food during the summer months. We have fun with coordinating our displays and passing trays to the exhibit and in the past the inspiration came easy. Surrealism and food. Aside from Dali’s melting landscapes I was at a loss and melting food…in August it happens anyway…this was going to be a tricky one.

The moment of inspiration came at the awe inspiring Alexander McQueen exhibit. The exhibit which proved his genius and that his collections were so much more than clothes had a headdress which dripped down the head of the wearer, and that coalesced with Joseph Wheelwright’s Tree Figures that are on the south lawn and sculpture garden.

We debuted one of the head’s for the winners of our donated auction item, a catered cocktail party for 10 in the museums center hall, and then to the crowd of 100 for Second Saturday. Much to my delight the Bedford Record placed a photo of one of the heads on their front page and while no credit was given to our company, I did find it flattering. Art was my first desire but the need to make a living trumped that and through a winding road of trial and error I found my way into the culinary arts and used that as my medium.

Maybe it’s the rain that has begun to fall that is making me more introspective but I have found “The Process” that creative people use for inspiration is really the foundation for all good decisions. Take in all information, use all your senses, try not to think too hard on a decision and let these influences come together in an organic fashion. I am so looking forward to this next phase of my life where I can play inside of art again, thank you Katonah Museum!

http://www.katonahmuseum.org/exhibitions/

Party Like It's Hot

We had some beauties this summer. A stand out was Geoffrey Morris’ of Litchfield Magazine threw a cocktail party in conjunction with their 50 Most Influential people which was held at the Arethusa Dairy Farm in Litchfield, CT. The Arethusa Dairy Farm

is owned by George Malkemus and Anthony Yurgaitis, president and vice president, respectively, of Manolo Blahnik in North and South America. They lived across the street from this parcel of land that looked like it was going to be swallowed up by developers. They stepped in, preserving this way of life, the quality of locally made milk, yogurt and cheese and the land itself. I will tell you that the cows are super models of the Bovine world and that is stated by a sign that is placed at the entrance of this immaculate barn which simply says, “The Cows in this barn are Ladies, treat them as such.”

http://arethusafarmdairy.com/

http://www.townvibe.com/Blogs/Litchfield/Posts-2011/A-Fly-on-the-Wall-at-Litchfields-Top-50-Most-Influential-People-Party/

What To Do in Armonk, Bedford & Chappaqua

I was asked in the bleak days of January to come up with some menus for a Memorial Day Celebration for the What To Do guide that just came out and is distributed in Bedford, Armonk & Chappaqua, so I surrounded myself with flags, sang I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy and got typing. I know May is still a bit away but there really is no time like the present to begin planning a party! Look for the guide in your mailbox, it is packed with useful information. In the days ahead I will post the decor ideas they requested as well.

The Traditionalist
· Burgers
· Hot Dogs
· Three Bean Salad
· Cole Slaw
· Potato Salad
· Watermelon
· Lemonade
The Traditionalist with a Twist
· Blue Cheese Filled Burgers with a Chipotle Sauce
· Portobello Burgers with Red Pepper Mayonnaise
· Tuna Burgers with Sweet Ginger Sauce
· Turkey Burgers stuffed with Goat Cheese and a Lemon Thyme Mayonnaise
· Grilled Hot Dogs with Red Onion Mango Relish
· Shrimp & Crabmeat Rolls
· Green & Wax Bean Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Mint & Oil Cured Black Olives
· Spicy Napa Cabbage Slaw with Wasabi Dressing
· Red Potato & Fresh Pea Salad
· Watermelon, Lemon & Blueberry Ice Pops
Ginger Splash (a sweet ginger“ade”)

The Sophisticated Gathering
· Grilled Chimichurri marinated Flank Steak
· Rotisserie Roasted Rib Rubbed Boneless Pork Loin
· Grilled Vegetables with Fresh Mozzarella
· Orange, Fennel & Watercress Salad
· Panzenella (an Italian bread salad)
· Red, White & Blueberry Ginger Shortcakes
· Lime Rickey’s