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Updates & tips
HOW TO BUILD A CHARCUTERIE PLATE LIKE A CATERING COMPANY CHEF
How do you impress guests with a spread that looks like it was made by a professional catering company but is still easy enough for an amateur to pull off? It’s all about the eye-popping bounty of an expertly prepared charcuterie board. This DIY snack-a-palooza gives hungry diners a chance to customize their plates and perk up their palates with a personalized combination of meats, cheeses, nuts, jellies, fruit and more. Serve yours along with aperitifs as guests trickle in, or make it the main attraction at a cocktail party, Easter afternoon brunch or Oscar night celebration. STEP 1: THE FOUNDATION They say we eat with our eyes first, and it’s true. Presentation really matters, especially when you’re laying out a bevy of high-quality ingredients buffet-style. Professional chefs spend a lot of money on beautiful, pricey serviceware, but charcuterie often looks best on something simple, natural and inviting. Our top choice? A wooden or stone platter — even a cutting board works in a pinch. STEP 2: THE MEAT Charcuterie literally translates as “cooked flesh,” a reference to the smoky, preserved meats that take center stage. Mix and match flavors and styles, including some of the following options, allowing about 4-6 slices per person (depending on size): Prosciutto Capicola Bresaola Salami Mortadella Sopressata Jamon Iberico Chorizo Paté STEP 3: THE CHEESE Visiting the cheese section of a gourmet grocery store is like walking into an explosion of dairy deliciousness. There are cheeses made from goat, cow or sheep’s milk, cheese infused with fruit and herbs, stinky cheeses and milk cheeses, those that are fresh and soft and some that are aged and hard. What’s a hungry host to do? Choose three or four of the following, aiming for one aged, one young, one “specialty” (smoked, spicy or herbed, for example) and one super-creamy option, with a total of 1-2 ounces per person: Havarti Triple-cream brie Blue cheese Fresh mozzarella Grass-fed cheddar Gouda Parmesan or asiago Comté Gruyere Jarlsberg Taleggio Chèvre STEP 4: THE SWEET Salty and sweet go together like Bert and Ernie. Complement your salty protein selections with fresh or dried fruit (pears, figs and dried cherries are three of our favorites), jams, jellies, candied nuts and honeycomb or raw wildflower honey. STEP 5: THE BREAD Some people like to stack their meat and cheese on bread while other people eat it with a crunchy accompaniment, but either way, a charcuterie plate needs some carbs. A simple, crusty baguette works, as would crackers, crostini or breadsticks/grissini, and we’ve seen pretzels and bagel crisps make a few appearances as well. STEP 6: THE REST Garnish your masterpiece with elements that are both useful and pretty to look at. A sprinkling of salted pistachios, a pile of currants or in-season berries, a dollop of whole-grain mustard, plenty of homemade pickles and a scattering of marinated olives provide lots of crunchy, punchy characteristics to help cut through the fatty meat and cheese and create balance. A few wild cards: Deviled eggs Ranch dip Pesto Cherry tomatoes Roasted garlic Grilled and chilled prosciutto-wrapped asparagus Hot pickled peppers Preserved lemons Edible flowers STEP 7: THROW UP YOUR HANDS AND CALL YOUR LOCAL CATERING COMPANY Does it all seem like way too much work? Keep it simple and choose just one or two things from each category or concentrate on more important matters — like mixing up a pitcher of your signature margaritas — and let Saint Germain Catering company do all the work. Our appetizer spreads and display platters are second to none, and we take care of everything from prep to cleanup, so all you have to do is pile your favorite picks onto your plate and enjoy.
TIPS & TRICKS TO HOSTING A CORPORATE PICNIC OR SUMMER EVENT
As we officially kick off the start of summer, many companies are looking to host corporate events for their team members and families. There is no better way to show your appreciation for your employee’s hard work than hosting a corporate picnic! Allowing your team to enjoy a fulfilled day out of the office with their family is the perfect way to say thank you and is a great moral builder. Company Picnics are the perfect setting to allow your employees a chance for teambuilding with their peers, strengthen the company’s culture and will keep them refreshed and engaged as they head into the end of the year hustle. Your next corporate event can be the talk of the office by offering unique menu options and planned activities to keep the party entertaining and fun for all ages. We have pulled together our list of tips and tricks to help you throw a memorable corporate picnic! Start Planning – Think about your company when planning your corporate picnic and ask yourself and team the following three questions. What is its personality or “culture” like? What are your values? What picnic activities would capture these values? Once your team has thought through the type of corporate picnic that will work best for the company and attendees, let the planning begin! Have your leadership team express enthusiasm for the event in advance and let your staff have several weeks to plan accordingly. The summer months can be extremely busy with sports schedules and family vacations that your staff will appreciate a save the date for this fun company event. Make sure to plan ahead so that you are able to provide a well thought out and thoroughly executed event for your team. A well planned and executed picnic will show your employees how much you appreciate them and value their part in the company. Choose a venue that will allow entertainment for all ages. Utilizing an outdoor area that is near a lake with boating and kayaking will allow for additional activities for your team to take part in. The Menu: There are several options to choose from when deciding what the perfect menu will be for your event. Depending on how many people you are hosting and what the makeup of your attendees will be can easily help you determine which menu option will best fit your event. Some of our most popular menus for corporate picnics are listed below. Be sure to offer a menu that will be enjoyed by all ages and fit the needs of those who may have dietary restrictions. Themed Menus – Southern BBQ, Chesapeake Cook-Outs, Mexican Fiesta, Hawaiian Luau Celebration, Tailgate Party, Traditional American BBQ & Comfort Finger Foods Dessert Options – Ice Cream Station, Popsicles, Cotton Candy Machine, Cookies & Brownies, Custom Cakes & Cupcakes incorporating the company logo, Cake Pops, Rice Krispy Treats, Candy Bar, and if the budget allows an Ice Cream Truck! Activities: Organizing activities that will provide entertainment throughout the afternoon is a great way to ensure that your attendees stay engaged with the event and make the most of the afternoon. Planned Activities can be as simple as having sports equipment available for use or planning group games to include the youngest attendees. Depending on your venue you may have to plan ahead to ensure that entertainment for the day is available. Choosing to utilize a venue that has access to water activities such as canoeing, boating, and swimming can make planning the entertainment very easy. We have pulled together some popular games & activities to help add a fun element to your afternoon picnic. Games for Everyone – Lawn Bowling, Frisbees & Kites, Croquet, Bocce Ball & Ladder Toss High Intensity Games – Softball, Kickball, Volleyball, Corn Hole, Tug of War, Scavenger Hunts, Horseshoes, Sack, Wheelbarrow & 3 Legged Races Kid Activities/Entertainment – Face Painting, Bubble Stations, Side Walk Chalk, Hula Hoops, Inflatable Bounce Houses, Balloon Artist, Magician or Clown Performer Overall, the most important part in hosting a company picnic is to make sure the group has fun and spends time together. Allowing your team and their families the opportunity to take part in team building activities, enjoy great food and spend time outdoors will make for a memorable event.We hope that our tips on menu selection and activities will help planning you plan your next company picnic. We have a menu for every occasion and unique dessert options to add a memorable touch to your event. Call one of our Event Specialists today so we can begin to plan your perfect corporate picnic!
MEET OUR FOUNDER & CEO MINA EBRAHIMI, AN EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESSWOMAN
Success does not happen overnight and neither is it achieved by saying the “magic words”. Mina Ebrahimi, the CEO of Saint Germain Catering, has proved that success comes by putting in hours of work and making strategic decisions. Saint Germain Catering today is widely known in the corporate world for its catering services. The business also serves events such as BBQ and picnics, baby showers, anniversaries and birthdays, bridal showers, graduations, and funerals. For Mina, the passion for the hospitality industry started at a tender age of 11 years in Seven Corners, VA at her parents’ bakery. At the age of 26, Mina Ebrahimi set out to establish her own business, Saint Germain Catering, which would grow to be among the top Fortune 500 companies. Mina Ebrahimi devotion to offering superior services in the hospitality industry has led to her being recognized several times. Among her awards include Top 40 under 40 in 2010, smart CEO Brava Award in 2012, and enterprising woman of the year 2014. She has been a hands-on CEO through overseeing the businesses operations and applying her experience and skills into kitchen management. Mina has always wanted to expand her business and ensure it stays at the top. Back in 1999, the Saint Germain Catering dealt with corporate catering, today it offers full-service catering. The growth has been owed to Mina’s dedication to making the business better every day. Mina stays up to date by attending professional seminars on cuisine, décor, and design to maintain the business’s relevance. Another aspect that has really driven the success of Mina Ebrahimi’s success is how she treats her employees. Her staff members are her team some of whom have been under her wing since the business’ foundation. Keeping her team motivated, empowered and satisfied has always yielded great results in terms of employee loyalty. Besides being a good leader, Mina Ebrahimi is also a generous philanthropist. She has given back to the community through supporting Operation Homefront which helps disabled soldiers, Mina is also the woman behind the one of a kind Interventional Radiology Veterinarian program, the Jack Ebrahimi Program. In addition, she sponsors the Penn Vet Working Dog Centre to help a dog named McBaine who detects ovarian cancer. Mina Ebrahimi is an extraordinary businesswoman who inspires many women of all ages to help achieve their dreams.