I’d like to share a little history of how and why we celebrate Mother’s Day.

Contrary To popular belief, Mother’s Day was not conceived and fine-tuned in the boardroom of Hallmark. The earliest tributes to mothers date back to the annual spring festival the Greeks dedicated to Rhea, the mother of many deities, and to the offerings ancient Romans made to their Great Mother of Gods, Cybele.  Christians celebrated this festival on the fourth Sunday in Lent in honor of Mary, mother of Christ. In England this holiday was expanded to include all mothers and was called Mothering Sunday.

In the United States, Mother’s Day started nearly 150 years ago, when Anna Jarvis, an Appalachian homemaker, organized a day to raise awareness of poor health conditions in her community, a cause she believed would be best advocated by mothers. She called it “Mother’s Work Day.”

Fifteen years later, Julia Ward Howe, a Boston poet, pacifist, suffragist, and author of the lyrics to the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” organized a day encouraging mothers to rally for peace, since she believed they bore the loss of human life more harshly than anyone else.

In 1905 when Anna Jarvis died, her daughter, also named Anna, began a campaign to memorialize the life work of her mother. Legend has it that young Anna remembered a Sunday school lesson that her mother gave in which she said, “I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother’s day. There are many days for men, but none for mothers.”

Anna began to lobby prominent businessmen like John Wannamaker, and politicians including Presidents Taft and Roosevelt to support her campaign to create a special day to honor mothers. At one of the first services organized to celebrate Anna’s mother in 1908, at her church in West Virginia, Anna handed out her mother’s favorite flower, the white carnation. Five years later, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution calling for officials of the federal government to wear white carnations on Mother’s Day. In 1914 Anna’s hard work paid off when Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother’s Day as a national holiday.

At first, people observed Mother’s Day by attending church, writing letters to their mothers, and eventually, by sending cards, presents, and flowers. With the increasing gift-giving activity associated with Mother’s Day, Anna Jarvis became enraged. She believed that the day’s sentiment was being sacrificed at the expense of greed and profit. In 1923 she filed a lawsuit to stop a Mother’s Day festival, and was even arrested for disturbing the peace at a convention selling carnations for a war mother’s group. Before her death in 1948, Jarvis is said to have confessed that she regretted ever starting the mother’s day tradition.

Despite Jarvis’s misgivings, Mother’s Day has flourished in the United States.  In fact, the second Sunday of May has become the most popular day of the year  to dine out, and telephone lines record their highest traffic, as sons and daughters everywhere take advantage of this day to honor and to express appreciation of their mothers.

Did you know that:

• There are more phone calls made on Mother’s Day than on  any other day of the year. (Pew Research)
• The number of people calling their moms on Mother’s Day  has declined in recent years due to e-mail and other electronic means of
  communication.
• While nearly 80 percent of Americans will buy a card  for mom this year, 83 percent of the cards will be purchased by daughters.
  (American Greetings)
• Mother’s Day is the third-largest card-sending holiday.
• Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year for  restaurants.

And now to share some advice I’m sure you’ve heard at one time or another from your Mother:

• Always change your underwear; you never know when you’ll have an accident.
• Don’t make that face or  it’ll freeze in that position.
• Be careful or you’ll put your eye out.
• What if everyone jumped off a cliff? Would you do it, too?
• You have enough dirt behind those ears to grow potatoes!
• Close that door! Were you born in a barn?
• If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.
• Don’t put that in your mouth; you don’t know where it’s been!

Did any of that advice sound familiar, if it did, leave us a comment on our facebook page, www.facebook.com/gourmetcaterers

Give your Mom a hug and don’t forget to tell her how much you love her!

Happy Mother’s Day! 

Gourmet Caterers wishes you a Happy Cinco de Mayo!  What are you going to do to celebrate?  How about some fresh chips and salsa?  A refreshing Margarita? or treat your family and friends to Gourmet Caterers Taco/Tostada Bar or our Sizzling Steak or Chicken Fajitas?  It all sounds good to me!

Cinco de Mayo is literally the fith of May.  It is a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.  It commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862,  under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. It is celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla and in the United States.    ”Cinco de Mayo is not a Mexican holiday—it is an American Civil War holiday, created spontaneously by Mexicans and Latinos living in California who supported the fragile cause of defending freedom and democracy during the first years of that bloody war between the states.” Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day,  the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.

Like most holidays the United States celebrates, Cinco de Mayo is an occasion to enjoy eating and drinking.  Gourmet Caterers would like to help you celebrate.  When you place your order, mention this blog and you will receive a complimentary appetizer of chips and salsa  to enjoy with your guests.

Gourmet Caterers say Happy Cinco de Mayo to you and yours!

Gourmet Caterers also provided food for a Fundraiser at  Beth Jacob.  It was a beautiful and suiccessful event.  All were happy with the results.

Gourmet Caterers served Corporate Menus for other satisfied clients during this busy month.

We look forward to the balance of 2010 as a satisfying and successful year.  Call us for all of your catering needs.

Corporate Lunch Holiday Fare

 Carved Breast of Turkey with Light Herb Gravy

 Cranberry Relish with Fresh Fruit and Nuts

 Stuffing with Apples and Dried Apricots

 Garlic (or Plain) Butter Mashed Potatoes

 Rosemary Roasted Mixed Vegetables

 Mixed Greens with Sliced Red Onion, Tear Drop Tomatoes, Shredded Parmesan, and Caramelized Walnuts, with Tarragon Vinaigrette

 Fresh Bread Rolls with Sweet Butter

 Chocolate Pecan Pie OR Pumpkin Pie with Fresh Cream

 For a Minimum of 30 Guests – $16.95 pp

Delivery charge is additional 

Prices include all plastic ware.

China, Silverware and Labor can be provided for an additional charge.

 Other Holiday Options and Menus are available

Gourmet Caterers looks forward to hearing from you soon.  Take care of you and yours for a Wonderful Holiday Season.

Gourmet Caterers will be happy to take your orders now from our menu.  See menu below!

2217 South Grand

Santa Ana, CA 92705

Call: Nina – (949) 633-3628/(949) 786-0882

Ruth – (949) 293-4688/(949) 551-4123

Fax: (949) 786-0882

Varkel@gmail.com

ROSH HASHANAH/YOM KIPPUR ORDERS

Hello All!

It’s Holiday time! 

Please place orders as soon as possible.  Last day for orders for Rosh Hashanah is Sunday, September 5, 2010.  Last day for orders for Yom Kippur is Monday, September 13, 2010.  Any changes and/or additions after that date will incur $1.00 extra per person for each item ordered. 

Orders for Rosh Hashanah to be picked up before noon on Wednesday, September 8.  Orders for Yom Kippur to be picked up before noon on Friday, September 17, from Gourmet Caterers at the address listed above. 

Chag Sameach – Nina and Ruth

+++++++++++++++

Name: _________________________   Address: ______________________________

Phone No.: _____________________

                                                            Cost                            Quantity                       Total $

Herring:

Chopped Herring                              $17.00 per lb.            _____                         _____

Kichel                                                  $20.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Danish Herring                                    $17.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Parev Pineapple Cream Herring         $17.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Mustard Herring                                  $17.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Fish:

Fish Balls                                            $17.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Fish Balls Curried                               $17.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Curried Fish Fillets                              $17.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Fish Fillets in Soy Ginger Sauce        $17.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Mock Crayfish                                     $17.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Salmon Lasagna                                 $36.00 (serves 12)      _____                          _____

Honey/Orange Fillet of Salmon           $17.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

With Soy and Fresh Ginger

Chicken and Meat:

Herb-Roasted Chicken with

Pomegranates                                                $19.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Honey Citrus Chicken                         $19.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Chicken Provencal (with

Tomatoes and Olives)                                    $19.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Sweet & Sour-stuffed

Mustard Cabbage                               $30.00 (for 6)              _____                          _____

Brisket with Portobello

Mushrooms & Cranberries                 $21.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Brisket and Tzimmes                         $21.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Pepper Crusted Roast Beef

in Mustard Wine Sauce                      $21.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Sweet and Sour Meatballs                  $21.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Chopped Liver                                     $17.00 per lb.              _____                          _____

Perogen                                              $16.00 per dozen        _____                          _____

Meat Blintzes                                      $24.00 per dozen        _____                          _____

Kreplach                                              $10.00 per dozen        _____                          _____

Soup – Chicken Noodle                    $11.00 (serves 4)          _____                          _____

            Roasted Red Pepper  $11.00 (serves 4)                    _____                          _____

            Butternut                     $11.00 (serves 4)                    _____                          _____

Kneidlach (Matzo Balls)          $1.75 ea. (min. 6)                    _____                          _____

Vegetable Sides:

Roasted Vegetable Tzimmes

With Prunes                            $26.00 (serves 12)                  _____                          _____

Grilled Chipotle Vegetables     $30.00 (serves 12)                  _____                         _____

Potato OR Sweet Potato

Kugel w. Red Peppers            $26.00 (serves 12)                  _____                          _____

Honey-Roasted Red

Potatoes                                  $20.00 (serves 12)                  _____                          _____

Butternut Squash and Yams  $20.00 (serves 12)                  _____                          _____

Barley (or Rice) with

Butternut, Apples & Onions    $20.00 (serves 12)                  _____                          _____

Dessert:

Majestic Moist Honey

Cake                                        $18.50 (serves 10)                  _____                          _____ 

Apple Squares with Honey

And Walnuts                           $20.00 (serves 10)                  _____                          _____

French Silk Chocolate Tart     $25.00 (serves 10)                  _____                          _____

Spiced Pear & Pomegranate

Strudel                                     $20.00 (serves 10)

Yom Kippur:

Mini Noodle Kugels with

Onions and Poppy Seeds       $24.00 per dozen                    _____                          _____

Bulkes (plain)                          $16.00 per dozen                    _____                          _____

Bulkes (raisin)                         $16.00 per dozen                    _____                          _____

Bulkes (chocolate)                  $16.00 per dozen                    _____                          _____

Babkes (plain, chocolate or

raisin)                                      $14.00 (serves 10)                  _____                          _____

Babkes (chocolate or raisin)   $14.00 (serves 10)                  _____                          _____

Creamy Cheesecake              $20.00 (serves 12)                   _____                         _____

Items Listed Below Can be Ordered Individually

Full Meal – $38.00 per head (minimum 10 guests)

Chopped Liver

Mixed Greens Salad with Apricots and Toasted Pecans, with Champagne Vinaigrette OR Spinach, Orange and Pomegranate Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette OR Mixed Greens Salad with Toasted Corn, Sliced Red Onion, Hearts of Palm and Caramelized Walnuts, with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Chicken Soup with Matzoh Balls

Pepper-Crusted Roast Beef in Mustard Wine Sauce OR Portobello Mushroom and Cranberry Roast Brisket

Herb-Roasted Chicken with Pomegranates OR Chicken Provencal (with Tomatoes and Olives)

Barley OR Rice with Butternut, Apples and Onions OR Honey-Roasted Red Potatoes

Roasted Vegetable Tzimmes OR Grilled Chipotle Vegetables

French Silk Chocolate Tart OR Spiced Pear and Pomegranate Strudel

DEADLINE: Orders to be received by Sunday, September 5, 2010 for Rosh Hashanah and Monday, September 13, 2010 for Yom Kippur!

http://www.picturetrail.com/gid19792650&pathID=1977376   See latest pictures