Gourmet Caterers Orange County

November 13, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving to You and Yours!

Filed under: Uncategorized — nancy @ 10:56 pm

This time of year always makes me stop and think about all I have to be thankful for.  Too many times, we take for granted what we are blessed to have.  The little things in life that mean so much go by un-noticed.  I am so thankful for my family, my friends, my job, where I live, the advantages of living and working in the United States.  God has blessed me in so many ways.  Unfortunately, these are things I don’t stop and take the time to appreciate.

We live is such a beautiful place, there is no where like Southern California.  It has so much to offer, great weather, good food, Ocean, a bountiful lifestyle.  Those are just the tip of the iceberg.  There are so many positives about living here that I can’t begin to mention them all.  Think to yourself about how good we have it and be thankful.  So so thankful.

Each and every day, take time out of your busy life to be thankful for what you have been blessed with.  Take a few minutes to reflect on your blessings.  Too many of us look at life from the wrong perspective.  The glass is half full, not have empty.  You are blessed, appreciate what you have.  Express your thankfulness to your family and friends.  Tell them how much you appreciate them.  Tell the mailman, thanks for delivering your mail.  The trash man for picking up your trash.  These are the little things in life that need to be acknowledge.  Be nice to someone, tell them they did a great job.  It will make them feel better and it will make you feel better also.

Try this exercise in relaxation and reflection.  Spoil yourself in preparation of the upcoming crazy busy Holiday season.  Sit down and reflect, soak in a warm tub, take an afternoon nap.  Do something for yourself, so you’ll feel better and you can express how thankful you are for life and what others so for you.

Life is a blessing!  Take time to appreciate what you have and who you are.  Really think about how good you have it.  It may seem like there are trials and tribulations to endure but you will get through them and come out a better person.  Think positive.  Can you imagine how much nicer the world would be if everyone reflected on what they have not what they need?  It would be a beautiful sight for sure.

It all can start with you.  Smile at a stranger, say hello to someone you don’t know.  Make a gesture to a stranger that puts a smile on their face.  One smile leads to another.  Make a promise today to brighten our world.  Smile and make the world smile around you.

Happy Thanksgicing!  I know I am thankful for you!  I appreciate everything I have.  I work hard but life has been a blessing for me.  I hope more will see life the way I am seeing now.  Love to you and yours!

May 10, 2011

Gourmet Caterers salutes Laura’s House

Filed under: Appetizer event,Conference Catering,Corporate Catering,Donor Appreciation event,fund raiser,Fundraisers,Miscellaneous,orange county catering,Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , — nancy @ 12:00 am

Gourmet Caterers joined four other Orange County Caterers at the Laura’s House fundraiser, Under the Tuscan Sun, held last Saturday, May 7 at the Giracci Vineyards and Farms in Silverado Canyon.  It could not have been a nicer day.  Laura’s House was able to raise over $15,000 at the fundraiser.  Congratulations to Laura’s House!

We served a couple of our new Appetizers, Antipasto Skewers and Pesto Fontina Tartlets.  The beautiful and tasteful presentation stayed with in the Tuscan theme.   All of the guests enjoyed the tasty appetizers we served.

The Giracci Vineyards is a beautiful venue.  I looked around and could see how beautiful a Wedding caterer, such as Gourmet Caterers, could create the Wedding and reception of any Bride’s dreams.  I also could imagine how great a Corporate event would be if it was held at this venue.  I think the combination of Team Building, Food, and Wine Tasting would create such a successful event.

When planning your next event, be sure and call us at Gourmet Caterers, and we will be happy to assist you in planning your next event at Giracci Vineyards or another Orange County venue.  We look forward to speaking with you soon.

May 6, 2011

Let’s Celebrate our Mom’s!

Filed under: Appetizer event,brunch,Conference Catering,Corporate Anniversary Party,Corporate Catering,corporate Menus,Dessert Party,Fundraisers,Future plans,Gallery Opening and Exhibition,Holiday Parties,Miscellaneous,satisfied clients,Surprise party,Uncategorized,Wedding — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — nancy @ 5:40 am

Gourmet Caterers would like to take this opportunity to celebrate all Mom’s.  Being a Mother sometimes seems like it a thankless job.  It never ends from the time your child is born until the day you die.  Children all rely on their Mom’s for advice, love and support.  Being a Mom is also the greatest reward of life.  I can’t explain how wonderful it feels to experience the wonder of love between a Mother and her child.  It is the best feeling in the world.

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! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 12, 2011

Administrative Professional’s Day Special

Filed under: Corporate Catering,corporate Menus,Holiday Parties,Miscellaneous,orange county catering,Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , — nancy @ 12:07 am

It’s that time of year again.  Time to thank the person that is always there for you at work.  They can almost finish your sentences because they know you so well.  Gourmet Caterers wants to make it easy for you to thank all of the administrative employees at your company.  We have put together a menu for you to choose  the way you want to honor your admins.  Please see link below:

Administrative Professional’s Day Menu Special

I think sometimes being an admin is a thankless job.  They feel unappreciated and you need to show them some love.  Just a little encouragement from a boss can make an employees day, week or even year.  Human beings are quick to judge and let others know when something is wrong nut we too often forget to say thank you and you are doing a good job.  So why don’t you join in with the rest of the country and salute your assistant on their special day.

Call Gourmet Caterers to set up your event today before it is too late!

Recipe of the week-

Banana Bread

 Preheat Oven to 350° Grease & flour a bread pan or use cupcake pans with paper liners.

Ingredients-

1 cup  Sugar   

½ cup     Butter

2              Eggs

3              Mashed bananas

Pinch       Salt

1 tsp       Baking Soda

½ tsp      Baking Powder

1¾ cup   Flour

½ cup     Chopped Walnuts

Directions

  1. Sift together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda
  2. Cream together butter, sugar & eggs   
  3. Add mashed bananas
  4. Mix in sifted ingredients
  5. Pour into pan

Bake in oven for 50 -60 min or until toothpick comes out clean.  If making cupcakes bake for 20 – 22 minutes.

Do you have a favorite recipe to share? Send it to nancy@gourmetcaterers.net and we’ll feature it on our blog. Have you made one of our suggested recipes? Let us know what you thought!

October 26, 2010

The Holidays are Almost Here!

Filed under: Conference Catering,Corporate Catering,Corporate Holiday Party,corporate Menus,Dessert Party,Future plans,Holiday Parties,Miscellaneous,orange county catering,Planning that party,Uncategorized — Nina Varkel @ 6:44 pm

Gourmet Caterers is gearing up for the Holidays.  We have a great new menu for the Holidays.  Corporate lunches are starting to come in so reserve your date on our calendar.  Here is our menu:

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.

August 2, 2010

Rosh Hashanah /Yom Kippur is almost here

Filed under: Future plans,Miscellaneous,nationality buffets,Shabbat Dinners,Uncategorized — Nina Varkel @ 7:40 pm

Gourmet Caterers is gearing up for the holidays.  Our new Holiday Menu is ready!  We can take all the work out of your holiday meals so you can celebrate just like you remember childhood celebrations!  Remember what Grandma used to make……

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!

July 26, 2010

Nancy Celebrates the Big 50!

Filed under: Appetizer event,Boat cruise,Dessert Party,Miscellaneous,Planning that party,satisfied clients,Surprise party,Uncategorized — Nina Varkel @ 6:10 am

Gourmet Caterers provided a Tropical Feast as Nancy celebrated her 50th Birthday on Lido Isle.  The celebration started with a boat cruise to Catalina Island. 

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

October 27, 2008

Gourmet Caterers does Brunch

Filed under: brunch,Uncategorized — Nina Varkel @ 12:50 am

What a brunch it was, for a dog walking club. Our staff of Gourmet Caterers, greeted guests on arrival with mimosas . Hungry guests delighted in the Hash brown quiche with ham, peppers and mushrooms, sausage patties and crispy bacon. We had delicious warm cinnamon buns. French toast stuffed with cream cheese, raspberry and almonds. We ended the meal with fruit platters and cheesecake. And of course they all brought their cute dogs with them.

See pictures at :
http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid20839274&pathID=2034352

July 24, 2008

Western BBQ

Filed under: Uncategorized — Nina Varkel @ 11:20 pm

Gourmet Caterers offers an exciting Western BBQ with all the trimmings.  We offer much more that just burgers and hot dogs.  Garlic rolls, stuffed mushrooms, spicy vegetables in pastry and asparagus rolls were the appetizers.  Giant gourmet home made burgers , Tangy Persian chicken kebabs, creamy potato salad with fresh dill.  Grilled chipoltle vegetables.  Greek salad.  To end this delicious meal we served fresh sliced fruit, chocolate chip cookies, lemon bars and brownies.

We have done many corporate BBQ’s with ribs, chicken and burgers, usually at a beautiful picnic spot in Sunny summer california.

See pictures from this past weekend http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20128961

May 6, 2008

Suggestions and Ideas on Planning that Special Party

Filed under: Planning that party,Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Nina Varkel @ 9:29 pm

So many decisions to make…Firstly the reason for having the party. A birthday, Anniversary, Bar mitzvah, wedding, or corporate holiday party. Venue is of the utmost importance. Depending on what you are having, whether its a sport museum, or home party, or just a large venue-Gourmet Caterers can assist you with lots of suggestions-we have catered in most venues in Orange County so we can certainly advise you on whats out there. Then you have to decide what time of day you want your party. In Winter an outside venue would need to be a morning to midday party, or you would need to bring in heaters, although this is fine, its not optiomal. In Summer, a nice beach Luaui or outsid e BBQ is great. Entertainment is something else to think about, a disco, band, a comedian or kids entertainment, we can assist you with all of these and more. Decor is very important, and again Gourmet Caterers with all their experience can help you, create that special vibe and look for your party, we have lots of vendors that work with us. We also work with wonderful vendors who can help with Lighting, video, photography, decor and entertainment. Of course to us the most important is the Menu. Choosing the right menu to fit the right setting and right kind of party. We offer a lot of different Nationality catering. Mexican, Indian, Mediterranean, Asian, french and any other cuisine that you want, we love doing nationality stations. Also when planning the menus, do we need an appetizer hour, to either pass appetizers or an appetizer station, with cold or hot foods so guests can help themselves. Depending on the amount of guests that are invited, we have many options of serving the foods. We can have a few stations around the room, examples are a salad station with a selection of 6 salads, a meditteranean station with Schwarma, fellafel pita and fillings, a pasta station with a selection of three pastas and fresh hot pizza, and an asian station with sushi, and a couple of stir frys being done in front of guests. Or you could have all in one or two lines, salad and breadrolls, two main entrees- rare roast beef served with mushroom sauce, a stuffed chicken breast, two vegetables – asparagus and spinach, and two starches – a risotto rice and potatoes in onion sauce. And a dessert buffet, with an assortment of little pastries and dessert french style. Or you could have every course served to the table. We at Gourmet Caterers offer a great variety and can help you every step of the way to select competent vendors, great food and make it so you can enjoy your party like a guest.

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