Catering Tips Archive
6 Steps to Throwing an Awesome Grad Party!
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!
- 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.
- Set your budget. Set an approximate budget. This decision will help guide the others you need to make.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
6 Healthy Foods for the Heart
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
The Sweetest Battle: Wedding Cake vs. Cupcakes
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”.
| Cupcakes | Cakes |
| Trendy & whimsical | Formal & traditional |
| $$ | $$$$ |
| Fun & laid back | Elegant |
| Easier to eat/ Less messy | More decorative |
| Easy to have multiple flavors | Limited flavors but crowd pleasers |
| Sprinkles! | Cake toppers! |
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.
Celebrate Administrative Professionals Day With Us
Administrative Professionals Day will mark its 60th anniversary on April 25, 2012. The job and responsibilites of an administrative professional have changed alot of the years, but admins have always remained a huge and intergral part of any company. By helping ensure that jobs get done right, on time and under budget, admins are one of the most important roles in any organization. In a world that demands the accuracy and speed in a complex digital world, admins are masters of it all. They serve as the gatekeepers for many customers, clients and employees.
Over the years, Administrative Professionals Week has become one of the largest workplace observances. Celebrated worldwide, this holiday brings people together for events, educational seminars and individual corporate activities recognizing support staff. There are more than 4 million secretaries and administrative assistants working in the United States, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, and over 8 million people working in various administrative support roles.
In honor of Administrative Professionals Week, Saint Germain Catering is offering the following special menus:
Staff Appreciation Breakfast #1
- Fluffy Farm Fresh Scrambled Eggs
- Diced Yukon Potatoes O’Brien
- Turkey Sausage Links and Crispy Bacon Strips
- Buttermilk Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Fruit Topping and Whipped Butter
- Mini Muffins, Danishes, Bagels and Croissants
- Sliced Seasonal Fruit and Berries
$12.99 Per Person minimum 50 guests
$11.99 Per Person minimum 100 guests
Staff Appreciation Breakfast #2
- Assorted Breakfast Egg Frittata “Cupcakes”
- Assorted Donuts and Dipped Donut Bites
- Sliced Seasonal Fruit Platter
- Individual Greek Yogurts with Granola
$10.99 Per Person minimum 50 guests
$9.99 Per Person minimum 100 guests
Staff Apprciation Lunch #1
- Mediterrean Chicken Kabobs & Beef Kabobs with Roasted Vegetables
- Shirin Polo Rice with Pistachios
- Mixed Field Greens Salad with Feta Cheese, Black Olives and Pepperonicinis
- Red Pepper & Garlic Hummus Dip
- Dill Cucumber Yogurt Dip
- Crispy & Soft Pitas
$17.50 Per Person minimum 50 guests
$16.50 Per person minimum 100 guests
Staff Appreciation Lunch #2
- Selection of our Around the World Sliders
- Mini Pretzel Hot Dog Bites
- Condiments Station with lettuce, tomato, pickles, mustard, mayo, ketchup
- Sweet Potato Wedges
- Homemade Parm Chips with Dip
- Assorted Gourmet Cake Pops
$17.50 Per Person minimum 50 guests
$16.50 Per person minimum 100 guests
Saint Germain Catering Offers Fresh Quality and the Best Customer Service
Saint Germain Catering is a full service catering and event planning Company located in Northern Virginia and services the entire Washington DC Metro area. Our around the clock staff is there to service you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most of our staff have been with us for over 10 years and combined we have hundreds of years of experience behind us. Our office opens daily at 3 am to ensure that our food is prepared on time using the freshest ingredients and that it is out the door on time to you.
We combine personalized service and beautiful ambience with exquisitely prepared meals. We offer a variety of menu ideas and gourmet specialties for your event, from simple to elegant. Our main goal as a full-service catering company is to work with our clients to ensure that their events and catered meals run smoothly. You can count on us to make your event or your day-to-day catering needs a success.
We prepare our dishes from the freshest ingredients and assemble them as close to serving as possible to retain the flavors of each dish. We value your input … your personal taste … we will even make your favorite recipe. We feel the menu should be a reflection of you. We hope to serve you and help make your special celebration a most wonderful and memorable event. Our careful attention to every detail enables you to enjoy being a guest at your own celebration! From Corporate Breakfasts, Coffee Breaks, Luncheons, Holiday Parties and Meetings to Social Events, such as Weddings, Birthdays, and more… let us cater to your every need!
Fun Facts about us:
- Founded in 1998
- Women Owned and Operated
- Focuses on Corporate and Social Events
- Services MD, VA and DC
- Full service options including staffing, linens, china, rentals
- Monthly Catering Specials
Unique Desserts & Candy Stations For Your Wedding Reception
If you’ve been to a Wedding lately you may have noticed that instead of a cake, there was a whole table dedicated to several desserts and a variety of candy. Sweets, Treats and Candy displays are expanding trend. A dessert display can be filled with trays of desserts and ornate glass jars full of candy that coordinates with the colors of your event or Wedding. Desserts can include cake pops, cheesecake lollipops, miniature pies, french macaroons, cookies & milk shooters.
The options for making these displays unique to your Wedding are endless. Not everyone loves cake, so why not try a dessert display full of cookies or pies? You can make your display unique by adding custom candy tags, a table linen that matches your wedding colors, or include your favorite childhood candy such as Smarties, Lemonheads and Snowcaps. A dessert display can also double as a favor for your guests to take home. Provide candy scoops and treat bags that can be use and they are a perfect way to get your guests involved.
Presenting your treats in a fun and unique way will make your guests feel like a kid in a candy store. Ask your wedding coordinator at Saint Germain Catering for ideas on how to display desserts for your next Wedding or event. it will leave a lasting impression and have your guests talking.
Saint Germain Catering Loves Our Corporate Clients
Saint Germain Catering has been recognized as one of the top corporate catering companies in the Washington DC metro area. Not sure of the difference between corporate catering and social catering? The term corporate catering mean catering on a corporate level or catering to businesses and companies.
A company does not have to be an actual corporation to utilize corporate catering services. Corporate catering services are designed with employers in mind. Corporate caterers prepare, deliver, and present various types of meals including breakfast, lunches, snacks, dinners and receptions for groups of employees or clients. The events could be for a lunch meeting, in-house workshop or product launch.
Saint Germain Catering offers delivery services up to 40-plus miles from our facility in Northern Virginia. Delivery always includes setup at no additional charge for corporate clients. The idea is to make the meal as easy and stress-free as possible.
In general, it is a good idea to contact your caterer at least 24 hours prior to the event. The caterer can assist with what items to order and how much to order.Additionally we offer last minute services. Orders can then be placed via telephone or through our online website. Payment arrangements typically require full payment for the order upfront. Your company may requestfor a direct billing account to be established as well. Payment methods that are accepted usually include company check, cash, or credit card.
Corporte Catering perfect for small meetings or large groups. By using a corporate caterer, team leaders and managers can focus on more important things such as their employees and production. Contact Saint Germain Catering today to learn more about there services.
Saint Germain Catering Offers Tips on How to Reduce Catering Costs
Need to come up with fresh, creative menus for your next office meeting or event? Need something nicer than pizza but still working on a limited budget? Saint Germain Catering offers attractive catered meals for business customers that need to work within a limited budget. Menus such coffee and pastries for a breakfast meeting; gourmet sandwiches, sales, desserts for a working lunch; and hot and cold appetizers for an early evening reception or happy hour.
Food accounts for just a slice of the total cost of an event. Other cost components include venue rental, set-up and decoration; food presentation; food and beverage service; and clean up after the event. You may need to handle these details yourself, make assignments to your employees.
A perfectly catered meal makes a simple meal an event. The food should inspire people, lift spirits in the office, and get people excited and talking about it. When you want to make a good impression on your customers, Saint Germain Catering can save the day.
How do businesses and companies affordcatering in tough economic times? One word….Flexibility.
Businesses are working with smaller budgets than they have been in the past. The flexibility that Saint Germain’s offers our clients by working with them during these times, will keepthem coming back. We can customize a menu that will fit within your budget.
Here are a few ideasthat people are requesting:
- Having the main part of the meal catered, while the employees/guest bring desserts to share
- Having employees set up the event, decorations, tables, chairs, table cloths and place settings. The caterer brings the food and displays it, and then employees help with serving.
- Ordering less food or cutting portions during office functions.
- Ordering less expensive food, not as much seafood and higher priced items
- Scheduling office meetings later in the morning/late afternoon and provide a variety of snack items
Helpful Tips When Selecting a Corporate Caterer
There is such a huge need for corporate event catering in the Washington DC area. It saves time, because everyone has to eat, and by conducting business during office hours, it helps keep people more productive. However it is a major undertaking to ensure that your corporate meeting goes smoothly. These are a few tips that I have learned over the years of booking and providing top level service in a business catering environment. It also may be a requirement, in order to get in front of clients that you’ll have to provide a meal. The reason we conduct business over meals is multifaceted but primary among them is that happy well fed clients are more receptive to doing business. If a client eats an excellent meal and receives top notch service one is more inclined to listen to the person that provided the meal. The meal is a reflection upon those that provide it. As caterers, we must remember this important fact. The meal in a corporate setting is a reflection upon those that supply it. If the meal is below quality and/or the service is bad, that is representative of those that provided the meal.
So we have determined the importance of providing an excellent meal with great service. How does one do this? You need to determine the type of event that you trying to create. Is this going to be a breakfast, lunch, dinner, or cocktail party? What type of service? How formal is the event? Will you need any type of décor? Are there dietary restrictions or specialized requests of attendees that need to be addressed? Are there Vegans, Vegetarians, Kosher, and food allergies such as gluten, or nut issues? All of these are important factors in ensuring that your Corporate Event goes smoothly and your clients are happy. It is important to address all of these questions ahead of time so that you are not surprised by them at the event and are forced to scramble at the last minute.
When you have determined the answer to all of these questions you then select a caterer. The selection of a caterer is of primary importance. The caterer needs to provide all of the components to fulfill your needs for the event. The caterer that will need to provide exactly what they state they will provide in their quote. The caterer needs to provide professional, unobtrusive yet friendly service. The food needs to be of high quality and fit within the dietary requirements of the client. The caterer needs to be on time. The caterer needs to be professionally attired and provide service per your requirements.
So how does one choose a caterer? You can search for your caterer online or through word of mouth. Regardless of how you locate the caterer there are several ways to vet the caterer to ensure that they will accommodate your requirements. Ask the caterer their level of experience, whether they have done the type of event your are looking to create, do they have catering testimonials or references that they can share. Also Facebook and Linkedin are also another online tools that often has posted recommendations on the caterer you are evaluating. Check for references, have they received any awards or recommendations, have they been reviewed or featured in any publications, what is there food style, and can they meet the needs of any specialized dietary requests or specialized service requests? That is an excellent starting point but if you have the time the best way to evaluate the capabilities of a caterer is to see them in action. Tastings presented by the caterer are another great evaluative tool in selective a caterer and it will be specific to your even.
Once you gain an understanding of the caterer that you will be working with, you will have all of the items in place in order to create a successful corporate catering event. So make it happen! Bring in more business through successful corporate event catering.
Adding a Bit of Pizzazz to Your Next Corporate Meeting
With conference season back in full swing, one of the ways to keep your attendees happy and excited is by keeping their stomachs full.
At the end of the day, many people remember if the coffee ran out or that their dinner at the keynote event was cold. But, they also remember the creativity involved with putting the event together, the layouts of the tables, and types of food that were generally served. All these things matter to your attendees, will play a pivotal role in their overall experiences, and help determine whether or not they will attend next year’s conference. So, keep these in mind when planning your next corporate event.
