We take sandwiches seriously, maybe a little too seriously. Fresh bread, expeller pressed oils, grain-fed meats – there’s nothing artificial about our signature sandwiches! Whether it’s for office catering or an outside picnic, Saint Germain provides the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia area with irresistibly delicious sandwiches. Our sandwiches use sophisticated fillings stacked between slices of fresh-baked ciabatta or focaccia bread. We never stop evolving our method in creating new ways to provide healthier and better tasting sandwiches. We recently switched to higher quality vendors that match our obsession with excellence. Here are two ways our sandwiches have changed for the better:

1. The Meat. We demand high quality. We have upgraded our meat vendor to focus on healthier meats with high quality and delicious flavor all for the same price for you, our customer. We insist our meat is low fat, low salt, no trans-fat, no MSG but most of all, we insist on great taste. All of our sandwiches use briskets and rounds of meat in an extensive variety of whole muscle and processed cold cuts. The result? Juicy, tender and irresistible meat in our delicious sandwiches.
2. The Bread. Our new bread is the greatest thing since sliced…uh, well…bread. No artificial colors or flavors, no preservatives, baked in a hearth oven, unbleached and untreated flour using long and natural fermentation. Our artisan bread is praised for its balanced, grainy-but-moist texture and pleasant flavor.

Next time you order from our lunch menu for your next office or picnic catering, try our savory Boardroom’s Best sandwich platter with fresh mozzarella, sundried tomato, red pepper, fresh basil and balsamic vinaigrette on a focaccia roll; or with roasted turkey, avocado and smoked bacon with sprouts, tomato, and herb mayo on a sourdough roll. Your taste buds will notice the excellence in quality.

We care about our food and welcome any tips on making a better sandwich. Respond in the comments below, tweet us at @SGCatering or post on our Facebook Fan Page!

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Cheers to the Class of 2012! Graduation is a momentous achievement that deserves a congratulatory grad party to fit the occasion. A graduation party can be a difficult one to plan, but never fear, Saint Germain is here! We have helped plan unique grad parties for years now and have it down to a science. This blog post will go over some of the basics to help you through this process. And if you book your grad party with us, we will gladly give back 10% of the total dollar value to your school’s All-Night Grad Party!

1. Pick a Date. Choose a date and time for the party. Remember that there are many festivities and family commitments scheduled at this time of year, so choose a date and time that allow graduates to be flexible.
2. Set your budget. Set an approximate budget. This decision will help guide the others you need to make.
3. Theme. Consider the type of party you want. Again, keeping in mind that a lot may be going on, perhaps an open house or drop-in type party might be best. Also plan decorations ahead of time if you want them. Consider school colors, graduation year or school sports teams as themes. Whatever you decide, make sure you communicate your ideas with the graduate and get him/her on board with the plans.
4. Food. Decide on a menu. Keep the age of the partygoers in mind when choosing food and drink: Soda may be great for high school graduates, but college graduates may expect something more “sophisticated.” Saint Germain offers many custom menus for graduation parties; from hamburgers and hotdogs to grilled teriyaki chicken and pineapple glazed beef. Check out more of our items here.
5. Who’s Invited? Make a guest list. You can limit the guests to close friends and family, or you can aim for a broader cross-section of friends or classmates. You can either make physical invitations or go digital with a Facebook event, Eventbrite, or Evite invitation. Remember to include the date and time of the party, a general idea of the dress code (whether “dressy” or “casual”) and indicate whether there will be a meal served or if it’s just hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
6. Cake, Cake, Cake, Cake. No graduation party is complete without a “Congratulations Graduates!” cake to share!

Have any tips on throwing grad parties? Respond in the comments below, tweet us at @SGCatering or post on our Facebook Fan Page!

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Mother’s Day is just around the corner and Saint Germain wants to help make this year special. Nominate your mom by telling us why she is the best on our Facebook Fan page and be eligible to win a surprise catered dinner (up to $200) by Saint Germain for you and your Mom!

How to win:

1. Nominate your Mom on our Facebook Fan page by sharing why she’s the best (in 140 characters or less).
2. Share on Facebook and Twitter to collect likes and support for your entry.
3. One lucky entry will win a gourmet catered dinner.

Respond in the comments below, tweet us at @SGCatering or post on our Facebook Fan Page!

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Sunshine with the scent of fresh-cut grass, charcoal and the rich, smoky aroma of meat sizzling over an open fire . . . May is here and that means its National Barbeque Month! Around this time of year, we get requests for tons of events that require outdoor barbecue grilling for company barbecues and picnics. You’ll quickly discover why we’re the best BBQ catering service in the area.  We absolutely love summer picnics and catering outdoor events for offices, and we especially love grilling.

Crisp and caramelized on the outside, but never burnt, with a bite that melts in your mouth as the savory, perfectly seasoned flavor of beef hits your palate.  Forget the steakhouse; we’re going to help you reach steak nirvana on your own.

1. Meet your Meat! Start with the best prime-grade, dry-aged beef or substitute a one-and-a-half-inch-thick choice steak from your local grocery store. We recommend prime New York strip steaks. Try to pick the meat with the most marbling, i.e., visible grains of fat running through the steak. As the steak is cooking, the fat will melt and naturally tenderize the meat and build in flavor.
2. Fire it Up! Begin by stacking around 35 pieces of charcoal in the center of your grill to get it started. Let the fire burn for 15-20 minutes, until the coals turn about halfway white; then spread them out to one side, leaving a cool spot on the grill. Cover your grill with the lid and leave the top vent open for 3-5 minutes until it’s very, very hot! You need it hot enough to sear the outside quickly and form a crust. Remember your goal – the perfect steak – is defined by the contrast between the charred exterior and the warm, juicy center.
3. Pre-game Warm Up! For four 14 to 16 ounce pieces of meat, grab 1/2 cup corn oil, 8 teaspoons each of kosher salt and cracked black pepper, and 2 sticks unsalted butter. Melt the butter and skim the solids from the surface, set aside to cool. Remove the steaks from the refrigerator 30 to 40 minutes before cooking to allow them to hit room temperature. Make sure to shape the steaks by pushing the side into the center to create height.
4. Marinate – Mix the oil and ½ cup of clarified butter on a large serving plate. Put the steaks into the oil-butter mix to coast each side, and then lift the steaks to allow the excess oil to drip off.  Also make sure the steaks don’t have too much oil-butter mix on them or it will create flare-ups on the grill.  Coat each side of the steaks with a teaspoon of salt and pepper each. (Salt helps make a great crust!)
5. Grillmaster Time – Throw the meat on the hottest part of the grill. If the grill flares up, move the steaks to the outside edge, and then return them to the center when the flame dies down. It is really important you do not slide the meat across the grill. Gently pick the steaks up with tongs; you do not want to pierce the meat at all! Also you do not want to flip them around too much; limit yourself to three flips, cooking each side for 3 minutes at a time.
6. How Do YOU Like It? There is no exact science to knowing when a steak is done. Most people cut a small slit in the steak to see the color of the meat, but the best way to do it is by comparing the meat’s firmness to your hand’s firmness. It sounds strange, but try it out some time. If the softer, fleshy part at the base of your thumb is the same density as the meat, the meat is rare. The firm center of your palm is the feel of a well-done steak.

Before you devour your perfect steak, allow the meat to rest for 3 to 4 minutes before serving to allow the juices to emerge from the center.

What’s your favorite grilling technique? Respond in the comments below, tweet us at @SGCatering or post on our Facebook Fan Page!

image via flickr user secretlondon123

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Graduations and picnics galore! It’s grilling season and we have one thing on our minds: consistently juicy, perfectly seasoned and precisely medium-rare cheeseburgers! There is an insatiable appetite for making the perfect burger, and we figured we would bestow our griddled wisdom for your next barbeque event.

The heart of every burger is the patty and most people prefer beef, so that’s where we’ll start. For maximum flavor and juiciness, grinding your own burger meat does the trick. The golden ratio is 80 percent fattier chuck-eye steak and 20 percent leaner flank or skirt steak. Try to always use whole cuts, not scraps or pre-cubed meat. It is important to keep both the grinder and the meat cold so the fat doesn’t melt out. Try to freeze the beef and tools for about 20 minutes or until a layer of ice spreads across the meat.

To make four juicy and tender beef patties, start with 1 ¼ pounds of beef and heat your grill to medium-high.

Step 1: Divide the meat and gently form it into 4 balls.

Step 2: Flatten the balls into ¾-inch-thick patties. Also flatten the top and sides of each patty to ensure that the thickness is the same throughout.

Step 3: Use your fingers to make a dimple in to the top of each patty (this will prevent from over plumping and make it easier to put on the bun and stack the toppings). Liberally season the patties with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Oil the grill grate with a pair of tongs and a paper towel dipped in canola oil. (Never spray the oil or you’ll risk a flare-up.)

Step 5: Grill, with the wells facing up, until the burgers release easily, 4 to 5 minutes for medium. (We know it’s fun, but resist the urge to press or flatten the meat! We recommend using tongs to avoid unnecessarily poking or piercing the burger.) Flip patties and cook 4 to 5 minutes more. Instead of prodding the patty with a knife or a finger, gauge doneness by sight: no juices flowing from small cracks at the top of the burger means it’s rare; red juices indicate medium-rare; and rosy to pale liquid means it’s medium-well to well-done.

Step 6: If you are making cheeseburgers, add your preferred cheese 2 minutes before the burger is done and cook with the grill covered. To get that oozing, melted effect everyone craves, be sure the cheese
you’re using is properly prepped. Firm cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss, American) should be sliced or grated; soft cheeses (fresh goat cheese, feta, blue) should be crumbled.

What are your secrets for grilling the perfect burger? Respond in the comments below, tweet us at @SGCatering or post on our Facebook Fan Page !

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The nominations are in, and we have a winner! In March we asked you to nominate your office administrator for an Ultimate Day of Beauty Package at the Ritz Carlton, Tysons Corner in celebration of Administrative Professional Week (April 23^rd-28^th). We are also awarding two runners up with the Invigorate the Spirit Package at the Ritz Carlton, Tysons Corner! In order to be eligible we asked you to answer why he/she deserves the spa package, and what’s one thing he/she does to make the office a better work place.

1^st Place is Rosi  

Ultimate Day of Beauty at the Ritz Carlton: 300 minutes of relaxing spa time; this includes a 50-minute therapeutic massage, European facial, gourmet spa luncheon, deluxe manicure with paraffin, and deluxe pedicure with paraffin.

Runners Up: Paige & Brenda

Invigorate the Spirit at the Ritz Carlton: The ideal precursor to an upcoming weekend: 180 minutes of soothing spa time. This includes a 50-minute therapeutic massage, petite facial, spa manicure and spa pedicure.

We would like extend a huge thank you to everyone who participated in nominating their office administrators and an even larger thank you to every office administrator for everything that you do for us every day!

What are some ways you like to relax? Share them with us! Respond in the comments below, tweet us at @SGCatering or post on our Facebook Fan Page wall!

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Our philosophy of healthy eating extends well beyond our doors! Every catered meal, from a graduation party to a corporate office lunch, is created by our Chefs who take great pride in using fresh and seasonal ingredients. They devote personal attention and creativity to each savory meal, without neglecting nutritional value. You’ll quickly discover our healthy heart meals don’t sacrifice any of the flavors that can be found in their full fat origins.

Here are 6 healthy foods that should be ‘keepers’ in your diet:

1. Salmon: The omega-3 fats in fatty fish like salmon can help reduce the risk of heart related issues and boost energy levels. If you have a choice between wild-caught and farmed salmon, pick wild-caught, it has less PCB contaminants than farmed salmon.
2. Sweet Potatoes: A nutritional heavyweight, the sweet potato is one of the most nutritious vegetables you can eat. They’re absolutely loaded with carotenoids, Vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Bake and then mix in some unsweetened applesauce or crushed pineapple for extra moisture and sweetness.
3. Mangos: Just one small cup of mango supplies 100% of a day’s Vitamin C, one-third of a day’s Vitamin A, a decent dose of blood-pressure-lowering potassium, and 3 grams of fiber. Bonus: Mango is one of the fruits least likely to have pesticide residues.
4. Broccoli: Overloaded with Vitamin C, carotenoids, Vitamin K and folic acid, broccoli is the perfect heart-healthy side dish. Steam it just enough so that it’s still firm, then add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and a spritz of lemon juice.
5. Leafy Greens: Kale, collards, spinach, turnip greens, mustard greens, and Swiss chard are powerhouse greens you just can’t miss! These leafy greens are stuffed with Vitamins A, C, and K, folate, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, lutein, and fiber. Serve with a splash of lemon juice or red wine vinegar.
6. Watermelon: Watermelon is an all-star in the nutrient department. A standard serving (about 2 cups) has one-third of a day’s Vitamins A and C, a wonderful shot of potassium, and a healthy dose of lycopene for only 80 fat-free, salt-free calories. And when they’re in season, watermelons are often locally grown, which means they may have a smaller carbon footprint than some other fruits!

We know how busy schedules can often make it difficult to maintain a healthy diet, but you should do your best to incorporate these healthy and delicious items into your diet. For healthier catering, check out Saint Germain Catering’s Healthy Heart Meals menu. We offer gluten-free meals, a Guilt Free Buffet, Heart Healthy Potato Bar, Heart Healthy Tilapia and more!

What are some healthy meals you enjoy? Share them with us! Respond in the comments below, tweet us at @SGCatering or post on our Facebook Fan Page wall!

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Between all of the wedding catering and corporate events, sometimes it’s difficult to show our colleagues, coworkers and employees just how much we value them. (A LOT, by the way!) So for this week’s blog post, we’re taking a break from talking about delicious meals to brainstorm some ideas for celebrating Staff Appreciation Week (April 23rd – 28th).

1. Dinner on Us! Give staff one night they don’t have to worry about dinner. A small restaurant gift card goes a long way in relieving one of life’s most exasperating questions.
2. The Quickest Way to the Heart is Through the Stomach! Take coworkers or staff to lunch for a birthday, a special occasion or for no reason at all. Even better, use Staff Appreciation Week as an excuse to treat your employees to some corporate catering at the office – we know just the caterer =)
3. Sweet Gestures. A surprise snack break always gets a smile and brings the office together. Offerings such as bagels, doughnuts, cookies or cupcakes are guaranteed hits. When all else fails, just bring chocolate. Chocolate anything.
4. A Cup of Joe. Provide your staff and coworkers a $5 Starbucks gift certificate–a quick way to recognize them and keep everyone energized!
5. Par-tay! Throw a pizza party, ice cream social, or happy hour. Give employees a chance to socialize with each other and have a good time!

Keep in mind you don’t have to wait for Staff Appreciation Week to show your staff some love. Employee appreciation is never out-of-place and in fact, a scarce commodity – so be the exception!

What are some ways you show your colleagues, coworkers and employees appreciation? Share them with us! Respond in the comments below, tweet us at @SGCatering or post on our Facebook Fan Page wall!

For the record, Saint Germain Catering has the best staff in the world! Check out our team in action below!

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You love wedding cakes, but you also love cupcakes. A wedding cake is traditional but cupcakes are whimsical and trendy. What’s a couple to do with this delicious dilemma? With over twenty years of experience, Saint Germain has quite the experience in wedding catering and this has given us some insight on how couples should decide what is best for them.

The wedding industry has changed in a big way; people are becoming more practical about their weddings. Extravagant luxury weddings are being exchanged for modest yet still classy wedding spreads. An example of this is the trendy replacement of traditional wedding cake with cupcakes, desert tables or even macaroons.

While every couple is different when it comes to their unique taste and preference; when it comes down to it you have to ask yourself, “What is right for your style”.

So who wins the battle? It’s a tie!

They both bring a lot to the table (no pun intended). It all depends on what the bride (and groom) prefers and what kind of wedding it is. If you have any more questions, our highly talented team of wedding planners and chefs can take care of every detail of your wedding. We can also cater your engagement parties, post wedding brunches, showers and much more.

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We are thrilled to announce our catering menu has been awarded and selected as the winner of the prestigious Hermes Creative Award by the Association of Marketing & Communication Professionals (AMCP).
Our menu was chosen because it “captures the food in tantalizing detail with eye-popping graphic garnishes.” The AMCP judges went on to say, “If it were possible to gain weight by reading, than this is the menu to do it.”
Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional materials and programs, and emerging technologies. Hermes Creative Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.
We are also honored to be currently featured on the AMCP Web site. We owe it all to our amazing clients and thank you for your continued support to make this possible.
Contact us today for one of our award-winning menus to keep in your office to assist you with your selection for you next event.

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