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!

While surfing today, I came upon this recipe.  It sounded good to me so I thought I’d see if anybody else thinks it tastes good.

The ultimate taco recipe: a double-decker taco with a soft flour tortilla wrapped around a crispy corn taco shell, giving them a crazy texture.

My Oh Maui Fish Tacos

1/4 cup vegetable oil

Directions:

1. In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add the jalapeño, chopped red onion and garlic and cook for 4 minutes. In a small bowl, mash the black beans with the cumin and season with salt and pepper; cover.
2. In a large bowl, combine 2 tablespoons oil with the honey, hot sauce and lime juice; season with salt and pepper. Add the sliced onion, cabbage and cilantro; toss.
3. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium. Coat the fish with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the lime peel. Cover and grill the fish, turning once, for 8 minutes.
4. Warm the taco shells and tortillas on the grill. Spread a few spoonfuls of mashed beans (stir 1 to 2 tablespoons hot water into the beans if too thick) on the outside of the tacos, and wrap a tortilla around each one, pressing to adhere.
5. Flake half a piece of fish into each taco shell and top with some cabbage slaw. Serve 2 tacos per person, with the crème fraîche and extra slaw on the side.

Gourmet Caterers would love for you to submit your favorite recipe to share with our readers.  Do you have anything?

See our pictures at:  http://www.picturetrail.com/gid23557742

Gourmet Caterers always works with you to create the party of your dreams.  Just ask we can do almost anything.  We strive to please your dreams.  Call us soon.   949-293-4688

Day 2 had a Harvest Lunch of Butternut Squash Soup and Asparagus Salad.  It was both a treat for the palate and the eyes.

Friday brought us to do a BBQ lunch for Kerr in Anaheim.  Kebobs and BBQ’d Chicken provided by Gourmet Caterers pleased all the palates on site.

Saturday took us to Temple Beth Tikvah for a Kiddush Lunch and the Best Rugelach served warm from the oven.  Guests feasted on Kugel and Fritatta, frsh Fruit Display, Cream Puffs and Chocolate Mousse Cups.

This week Gourmet Caterers again outdid themselves.  See our pictures at

 http://www.picturetrail.com/gid23518544

http://www.picturetrail.com/gid23518547

Gourmet Caterers out did themselves again with the Indian Food Luncheon.  Decorated with Bright Colors, the buffet provided Chicken Tiki Masala, Vegetarian Curry, Yellow Rice, Saag Paneer, Naan & Riatta.  The meal was finished by a Key Lime Tart.

See our pictures at http://www.picturetrail.com/gid23502632&pathID=2223272

Gourmet Caterers helped to make this another successful event for Quest Diagnostics.

Happy Birthday Robyn!

Gourmet Caterers was there to help celebrate this milestone birthday!  The yard was beautifully decorated in Pink and Black.  Gourmet Caterers tray-passed Appetizers that delighted every palate.  Turkey Schwarma cooked in front of the guests and served with Felaffel,  Pita Bread, Cabbage Salad,  Hummus, & Babaganoush was so inviting and the guests loved it.

The Beef Kebobs, Couscous, Meditteranean Vegetables, Israeli Salad & Mixed Greens Salad completed the buffet.  What a wonderful feast!

The featured dessert was a Red Velvet Cake and fruit filled sorbets.  All had a good time!  Gourmet Caterers scored big again!

See pictures at http://picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/23499110

Upon returning to dock Gourmet Caterers was ready with a spectacular appetizer display featuring Crostini and a Feta Torte with bagel Chips.   Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce and Vegetable Spring Rolls with a Mango Sauce were tray-passed while the guests had cocktails.

A Tropical dinner buffet was served to the guests featuring Macadamia Crusted Mahi- Mahi, Islander’s Beef Kebobs, Wild Rice with Cranberries and Pecans, Roasted Veggie Kebobs, Tropical Salad with Mixed Greens, Avocado, Mango, Fennel and a Soy-Citrus dressing, Fresh Rolls and Butter.  The guests taste buds delighted in the taste sensation.

The Guests gathered around to sing Happy Birthday to Nancy over her favorite cake a Tommy Bahamas Pina Colada Cake.  To complete the Dessert Buffet Gourmet Caterers provided Chocolate Cups filled with Assorted Fresh Berries accented by Whipped Cream.

Everyone enjoyed the celebration.  Gourmet caterers again exceeded all expectations.  See photos at

http://www.picturetrail.com/gid23386737

http://www.picturetrail.com/gid23371241

The day started with a Continental Breakfast including Spinach Frittata, fresh baked Bagels & Cream Cheese, Fabulous Fresh Fruit and Baked Pastries & Breads.  Topped off by Fresh Brewed Coffee and Orange Juice.

Lunch was an amazing assortment of Salads which provided a light meal for such a warm day.  The day finished with a wonderful reception of appetizers before a dinner of Chicken in a Wine and Hern Sauce and finished by a the Creamiest Chocolate Mousse Cups and Warm Apple Crisp.  We ate until we could eat no more.

Wednesday morning began with Gourmet Caterers providing Egg Salad added to a Continental Breakfast which enhanced the Bagels and provided a good start to the day. 

After all the presentations were completed there were the cutest box lunches with the best Wraps along with Sweet Potato Chips, Fresh Fruit & Chocolate Dipped Biscotti.  We left the event both feeling refreshed and proud of our accomplishments.

Gourmet Caterers would like to provide our Congratulations to all the Graduates and we look forward to providing our great service to the next group of attendees.

See photos at:

http://www.picturetrail.com/gid23371240

The guests enjoyed the evening while dining pool side enjoying the cool breeze and tasty delights.  There were raves on the decor and fabulous food. 

Gourmet Caterers again out did themselves in taste, presentation and service.