Monday, July 29, 2013

Trend Alert: Mini Desserts!

The HOTTEST TREND hitting all the mitzvah and wedding scenes this year is miniature desserts!  A lot of the hype comes from the crazy flavor combinations incorporated into these individual desserts. 

Reasons of Popularity
1) One bite flavor explosions.   
2) Smaller desserts are better for your waistline then one big piece of chocolate caramel peanut butter cake! 
3) They are just so darn cute!   
The fact is that no matter where you think their great reputation comes from, one cannot deny their popularity among party goers.

From olives to white chocolate, talented chefs invent, create and experiment with flavors.   Creating new flavor combinations is a continuous progression in the culinary world.  Miniature desserts are one bite wonders, filled with so much flavor that cannot be overdone! 

At Celebrations Kosher Catering, we take pride in not only the look of our desserts but the amazing flavors that come from our one bite desserts.
Below are a few examples of some of the creative desserts our chefs have come up with to sweeten your next party!





Friday, July 12, 2013


BBQ Season Has Arrived! 
Celebrations Summer BBQ Menu
The 4th of July is over, but the BBQ season just started!
Watermelon-Tomato Salad
Barley, Citrus and Fresh Corn Salad
Red Potato and Basil Mash
Marinated  Herb Oil and Grilled Seasonal Vegetables 
Curried Mango and Baby Spinach Salad

Bistro Burger 
Grilled Portobello Burger
Hot Diggity Dogs
BBQ Spare Ribs
Marinated Balsamic Grilled Chicken
Hot Dog and Hamburger Buns, Sliced Beefsteak Tomatoes, Lettuce, Caramelized Onions, Horseradish Ketchup, Regular Ketchup, Whole Grain Mustard
Watermelon Lollipops
Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Assorted Brownies
Icy Mint Lemonade
Pineapple Orange-lada

Minimum 60 People
$50/pp* ($75/pp Value, $25/pp Savings!)
*Includes plastic flatware, plates, cups and napkins
*Delivery fee may apply and taxes not included
*All items on menu can be changed. Staff may be added for an additional fee. 
Please call Celebrations for more information.
To place an order or for questions call 973-947-8808.  Ask for Laurie or Alison.
Guaranteed to put an ice cold drink and BBQ delicacies on everyone's smile! 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Vintage Venues

We are very excited to announce that we are now the exclusive caterers of Torne Valley Vineyards and The Garden Vista Ballroom!



The vineyard and ballroom are our NEWEST venues and we could not be more thrilled to be combining our strengths and expertise to make our clients events far superior then they could have ever dreamed possible!
If you have envisioned a romantic vintage wedding, Torne Valley Vineyards has no competition. Located in Rockland County New York, you can expect acres of scenery that are just as breathtaking as the bride! Originally a winery, this 19th century Victorian mansion has been lovingly restored to give the party an automatic feeling of stepping back in time.
 
A hidden jem in downtown Passaic, NJ, The Garden Vista Ballroom was the site for the hottest dance and party scene in the roaring 20's! Stepping into this ballroom is like going back in time, the gold leaf trim, crystal chandeliers, marble lobby, wooden floors and vaulted ceilings have been carefully restored to perfection thanks to the edgy creativity of its owner, Jim Robbins. The Garden Vista Ballroom is a perfect venue for a sophisticated private event without the Manhattan prices.
Contact Celebrations Kosher Catering for more information on these or any other venues!  We are here to help find you find your perfect venue!

Monday, April 8, 2013

Hiring a Caterer? Seven Facts You Need To Know!

Congrats! You are planning a Wedding/Bar Mitzvah/Bat Mitzvah/Bris/Birthday Party! 
This time in your life can be very exciting, but VERY stressful.  You want it to be personal and show your flair, but are dealing with difficulty planning and keeping within your budget.  One of the ways to make your event truly special is by picking a unique venue with an outside caterer. 

At Celebrations Kosher Catering, we take the stress out of your party and make it about you and what you want and the best for what you can afford!  We stand behind all of our parties with pride and guarantee a successful event for both you and us!

Below, we compiled a list of seven facts you need to know before you hire a caterer!

1.  Fresh does not always mean fresh
FRESH food, CREATIVE menu and plate PRESENTATION are important to our clients.  Few caterers will admit to using frozen products.  If there is a discrepancy in price between two seemingly similar menus, it is much more likely that it represents the difference between paying trained chefs to actually prepare your meal from scratch with fresh ingredients rather then having a body tearing open boxes.


2. Service is a matter of math/ratio
How many staff will your caterer provide to serve the menu you have selected? The answer to this can vary widely but our rule of thumb is one waitstaff for every 10-12 guests.  Lack of adequate staff is obvious to the guests and will undo all your careful planning.  It is also important that staff is well trained.  We have several separate training sessions for our floor staff, bartenders, floor captains and event managers throughout the year.  Having PLEASANT, ATTENTIVE and SERVICE oriented staff ensures your guests feel special.


3. Style is significant
Your event, whether a plated dinner, buffet or cocktail stations format, should have EYE APPEAL.  Striking garnishes, unusual serving pieces, china, and food that add color and zing are just a few elements of the style that a caterer can bring to your menu.  The visual impact of your menu directly correlates to the success of your event.  The best thing any caterer can bring to your table is the sheer enthusiasm.  The right caterer should display the intended style of the event through menu and its' presentation as well as in the surrounding and decor.



4. Menu design DOES NOT involve picking food from columns
Your Caterer's event planners should be well versed in menu design but should also be asking the right questions.  What kind of crowd is it?  Are they expecting to taste the LATEST TRENDS or are they more of a "meat and potatoes" crowd?  What time of year is the reception? Through we have access to everything year round, a fresh, in season product is always best.  What does the guest of honor like to eat and wouldn't it be nice to include some items to reflect this?  Just a few of the many questions your caterer should be asking to ensure the menu is perfectly suited for your event.


5. Customer service counts
How long did you wait for your information after you made your initial phone call and was it the information you asked for?  Are your calls and emails answered in a timely manner?  Have they taken the time to LISTEN and CUSTOM tailored your menu to fit your needs?  Does your planner make you feel as if they have an experience support system behind them?  The bottom line is that you need to feel important to the caterer you are working with without any effort on your part!


6. Your caterer should be a know-it-all
Being a KNOW-IT-ALL involves ongoing EDUCATION.   There are numerous organizations and topics a caterer is continuously growing and learning about, NACE (National Association Catering Executives), ICA (International Catereres Association), ISES (International Special Events Society), Catersource, new food trends, menu preparation, event planning and vendor relationships.


7. Word of mouth is the best advertising
What is your CATERER'S REPUTATION?  Look at the list of caterers for the facilities you are considering.  Do not hesitate to question the facility directors.  Ask around the office and other departments to see what experience others have had with a particular caterer or if they have even heard of them before.  Look for a caterer who gets HIGH MARKS time after time, year after year.  In the end, this consistent commitment to quality will give you a great catering experience.



Friday, March 22, 2013

Bite Size Appetizers

The latest trend is miniatures!  Miniature PB&J,  grilled cheese, pancakes...the rule is, if it's food then it can be shrunk into tiny bites of goodness.  Providing small portions of an array of dishes allows your guests to taste everything without committing!  At Celebrations, we pride ourselves in the handmade miniature appetizers and desserts.  What's your favorite miniature food?  

 Potato Pancake with Sautéed Spinach and Beef, Crispy Onion and Tomato Coulis
Sweet Potato Muffin, BBQ Pulled Brisket and Cranberry Relish

Sesame Encrusted Seared Tuna