A Better Banana Recipe Alternative: Caramelized Banana Tart Made in a Skillet

This isn't just another one of those banana recipes.

Never in the history of bananas, has there ever been a better banana recipe alternative: caramelized banana tart made in a skillet recipe quite like this one before.

It's fast and easy. You don't make the dough - unless you want to, and who would do that?

So if you thought that a tart - is a tart - is a tart, let me tell you, that's not true because this one is different. This caramelized banana tart is some kind of special because it's not only fast and easy to make, it's delicious and gooey good too!

This caramelized banana tart recipe was birthed from an idea that I had to restructure my Easy Apple Pie Alternative: Caramelized Apple Tart Made in a Skillet recipe, by replacing apples with bananas. Leave it to the Cater-Hater to take something somewhat typical and "Kick it up a notch", as the Food Network star, Emeril Lagasse, would say.


Let's face it... We've all tried just about every banana recipe imaginable - from banana bread recipes to banana nut bread recipes to even banana cake recipes.

And if you think about it... We've been indoctrinated with the same old banana recipes so much so that - searching for something new - we see the name, "Banana Republic", and practically think it's the name of another (new?) banana recipe, too. And that's crazy!

Don't be fooled by the 10 steps.
It's easy to make! And fast, too!

Make this recipe. See if you agree with my catering clients that have tried it (who always ask for the recipe). They love it! And if you feel like they feel, come back one day and leave a comment.



Carlo's Caramelized Banana Tart
1 egg yolk

1.) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2.) Place a 10-inch cast-iron skillet on medium-high heat on your stove. Stir sugar and 2 tbsp. water together. Cook, stirring occasionally until light amber color (about 4 minutes).
3.) Remove from heat (you'll notice mixture will continue to darken, that's normal). Stir in butter.
4.) Peel and slice bananas 1/2 inch thick. Arrange bananas in skillet in a circular pattern, overlapping slightly to fit.
5.) On a lightly floured surface, roll out thawed puff pastry dough to 10 inch square. Using a 10 inch lid or plate as your template, cut out a 10 inch circle. Remove leftover pastry dough scraps and throw away or reserve for other uses.
6.) Poke pastry circle all over with fork. Place dough on top of bananas.
7.) In a small bowl, whisk together yolk and remaining 1 tablespoon water. Lightly brush on pastry.
8.) Bake uncooked banana tart in lower third of preheated 400 degree oven for 20 minutes. Then move to upper third of oven and bake until pastry dough is puffed and golden brown, and filling is bubbling - which should take about 15 minutes.
9.) Run a knife around the crust to loosen it. Then place the skillet on the stove over medium heat again (not medium-high heat), for about 10 to 15 seconds.
10.) Place serving plate over the top of the skillet and flip the caramelized banana tart onto the plate (lightly tapping it), and let it sit about 2 minutes. Remove from skillet. And use a spatula to remove any loose pieces that may be left in the skillet, if there are any.


Here's the topping twist: I'm leaving it up to you. Serve the tart as is or do your own thing to make it your own! If you're serving your tart soon after making it, cut 2 raw bananas into pieces the same size and place uncooked banana pieces on top of the tart. Sprinkle with chopped nuts or any small-sized cereal that you like. Then make semi-loose whipped cream (loose enough to drizzle all over the top - made from "whipping cream", found in refrigerated area at your local grocery store, near the milk and coffee cream) and sweeten with Equal (or sugar, if you'd like) to taste. And for even more decadence, drizzle it with Hershey's Syrup. See the photograph above for an example.

Viola! You've just received a "made in a skillet" recipe for something easy, fast and different; one buttery good and delicious caramelized banana tart, instead of the same old thing.

This caramelized banana tart will leave people talking and giving you compliments galore. That's a banana fact!

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The Color Effect of Your Party

I'm enamored with the colors of the next few seasons.

"You mean the major, new upcoming color statements for the next year or so has already been dictated?", you ask. "You're telling me that the color effect of my party has (basically) already somehow been decided?" Yep, it pretty much has.

Don't you remember the scene in the feature film, The Devil Wears Prada, when the big shot fashion editor reduces her "anti-fashion" office assistant down to size when she catches her snickering under her breath about her making such a big deal about blue belts?



What's been dictated about color is less about Joseph's Technicolor Dreamcoat hues than about the upcoming color chart tones, many of which haven't been popular since the late '70's or early '80's, when individualism in choosing colors reigned over choosing any particular "status color". Mind you, the only status color that's constant is: black.

What's different about it is mixing and matching; rather pick a color that suits you (or your client), that you feel comfortable with.

If you think about it, you'll notice when looking at party linen fabric swatches, especially at fantastic places like BBJ Linen Fine Linen Rental for example, that every fabrication option isn't shown in every color. You could find the turquoise satin for your wedding party bridesmaid dresses and the reception linen that's a match (which turquoise will always stand out in a sea of black and neutrals), but not find that perfect shade of coral that you're looking for. And that's when you know that colors and the color effect of your party is not 100% determined and controlled by you.

Cater-Hater says, if your a "color junkie" that loves color - just go for it. But avoid being color-loud and ostentatious. Unless you're planning a kiddie party for a 5-year old. I know you don't want to look cheap and nothing says cheap like over doing your party color scheme and poor fabrics (that usually don't take color well). The devil (whether wearing Prada or not) is in the details, so save money for your gala event somewhere else.

If you're not buying high-end, keep it simple, and let your party planner in on your "keep it simple" game plan. Keep it simple? Keep some color, and dial down your choice of fabric if you have to. Classy and gorgeous does not make color, "color pink" perfect.

If you can afford the big linen rental price tags, more than likely you'll hire an event planner who will rid you a lot of the hassle, and the color effect of your party will be considered (from every angle and possibility, no doubt) by them. Your planner already figured out what works together, so trust in their talent and slap down your credit card for something wonderful that will have your guests "ooo-ing and ahh-ing".

A good planner won't have you out there with an over-the-top room that looks like it was designed by Elton John during his Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy early drug days.

When choosing the design of your party or wedding reception site, a question that consistently arises is - “How do I select the most effective colors?” Choosing the right color palette for a your special event is essential to communicate your message, brand your product or service, and, if you are a corporation entertaining clients, sell your products. Everyone has favorite colors, but how those colors are interpreted may vary from person to person and culture to culture. Color communicates far more than most people realize. Choosing wrong colors can be a disaster.

Before selecting colors, ask yourself the following questions:

• Who are you trying to please?
  
• What are you products or services, if any?
  
• What is your key objective?

If you're a corporate client entertaining potential business partners for example, some of (if not all of) your potential guests might come from a global or regional market, or exclusively from North America. Did you know that the color white symbolizes mourning in China? Or that purple is the color of death in many Catholic countries?

Yellow is an Imperial color in Chinese countries, but in America it may symbolize cowardliness or some might go as so far to say, urine. More important, shifting colors to another area of the color spectrum can completely change their impact. For example, yellow shifted toward red results in a color that indicates gold or "having value".

Your party or reception guest demographic also can make a difference in how colors are perceived.

Young people are drawn more to saturated colors (or primary colors) than adults, who may find them garish or offensive. Strong color contrasts can also drive older guests crazy. They just don't "get" why it had to be (they mean, look) so wild. While young people typically respond positively to new color trends, fashionable (trendy) colors can be overused. Besides, trendy colors go out of style as quickly as they appear so it may be better to go with the simplicity of the classics or neutrals.

Party and wedding reception background color choices on signage (table place cards and table placed guest dinner menus) also affect readability, which can be an issue for older guests and those with visual impairments.

Here's a list of colors and their potential meanings:

• Red: passion, romance, fire, violence, aggression. Red means stop, or signals warning or forbidden actions in many cultures.
• Purple: creativity, mystery, (reddish purple) royalty, mysticism, rarity. Purple is associated with death in Catholic cultures, as mentioned above.
• Blue: loyalty, security, conservatism, tranquility, coldness, sadness. Light blues create a feeling of openness, clean air and freshness, while dark blues can convey tradition, trust and solidity.
• Green: nature, fertility, growth, envy. In North American cultures, green means ‘go,’ is associated with environmental awareness, and is often linked to fiscal matters. A lighter, somewhat desaturated green is the color of money and indicates wealth or value.
• Yellow: brightness, illumination, illness, cowardice. Some yellows can symbolize the precious metal - gold - and are universally valued.
• Black: power, sophistication, contemporary style, death, morbidity, evil, night.
• White: purity, innocence, cleanliness, truth, peace, coldness, sterility. White is also the color of death in Chinese culture, as mentioned above.

There's a party or wedding reception going on somewhere right now reflecting the negative effect of bad color choices. People often choose colors to "dress-up" their special celebration without any regard to their overall objectives.

Here are several mistakes commonly made by corporate clients that unfortunately negatively showcase the color effect of their party:

Colors you select can conflict with your party vision, your brand, service or products.

If you have a well-known brand like Coke, you can use bold colors like 'Coca-Cola red' as much as you want without concern. But very few companies are in the unique position where the brand name is more powerful than their brand color. Less well-known businesses should carefully consider the colors they choose, and for continuous company branding, should stick with colors from their logos and website.

Certain colors work well with specific types of businesses. For example, warm colors, such as reds, yellows, and oranges – often called a 'fiesta palette,' can work well for restaurants and bars that offer spicy food. Colors in the warm range can also be effective in selling products associated with sun, passion or sensuality.

Creams, whites and dark brown colors can be used successfully at parties for companies having a dessert focused party or "chocolate party", or that sell chocolate products.

Party color themes of cool colors, such as blues and greens, complement outdoor products, airlines, medical services, law firms and intellectual content. These colors reflect trust or a relaxed attitude. As one person has noted, "… the color blue has a relaxing effect on the nervous system, and some studies have shown that it increases productivity when used as a background color." But I wouldn't use blue as my first choice in a color scheme if I were promoting a product that is food-related, because the color blue is a natural appetite suppressant.

There's no such thing as too bright for a child's party, but keep the doodads (accessories) to a minimum (though mixing a few more brights or an off-color would work). And If you're a bride-to-be don't go for too girly. You're not the only one getting married here, remember? There is a groom that should get some consideration, at least.

Have the considerations of the color effect of your party blinded you senseless? Cater-Hater says, it's okay to boldly go with color where you may have never dared to go before. Just be wise about how you do it. And if you're not sure, hire a party decorator or an event design company that does.

Have fun. Have a colorful party and please let me know if this information has helped you!

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Party Fashion: Color Blind to Making your Party "Green"


Image source: Wikipedia

Technorati tags: Color Color scheme Devil Wears Prada Elton John Event planning Kid's parties Palette Wedding receptions Weddings China Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy Graphics

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Top 10 Blogs for Design Style Inspiration

Designing events is one of my guilty pleasures. And as I've mentioned before, much of my inspiration comes from design guys like Richard Meier, Kenneth Nolan, Marc Newson and Tord Boontje - just to name a few of my design heroes. But I also explore the Internet, looking for new ideas and trends.

If you're into party and event design - or any other types of design - these Top 10 blogs for design style inspiration are worthy of being bookmarked.

Take a look at my pics for interesting and creative design blogs:

1.) DesignDawgs (designdawgs.blogspot.com) is one of the preeminent design blogs out there, revealing ideas in events and more.
2.) David Stark Sketchbook (www.davidstarksketchbook.com/my_weblog) is a blog that I've stopped by to look at for a while now. Talk about a talent!
3.) COCOCOZY (www.cococozy.com) is an L.A. based leader on the forefront of all things interesting and unique.
4.) ready2spark (www.ready2spark.com) is one of my Top Pics. It's author is an event industry maven that offers a provocative perspective. A "must-see".
5.) Designage (designage.wordpress.com) will give you a new way to look at things; another one to stop by and check out.
6.) The Haystack Needle (www.thehaystackneedleonline.com) is more of a lifestyle blog, but worthy of mention if you like eclectic, like I do.
7.) Sunday Suppers (sunday-suppers.blogspot.com) is a new one for me. I found it and fell in love with the gorgeous photos and the creativity.
8.) design*sponge (www.designspongeonline.com) touches on crafting, interior design, graphic design and a lot more. Love it.
9.) Material Girls (www.materialgirlsblog.com) is about new ideas and interior design for days; decor and furnishing ideas galore.
10.) inside the D*LSH studio (blog.dlshdesign.com) comes from a design experts that are super inventive and wonderfully stylish, too.

A couple of blogs made the list after I saw them listed in Event Solutions magazine. Being the decor and design geek that I am, most were already old "familiar friends" that I've stopped by to take a peek at from time-to-time.

I hope you enjoy looking into the window of the talent of these Top 1o blogs for design style inspiration blogsters as much as I do.

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Technorati tags: Art Design Event design Graphic design Interior design LSH Marc Newson Party Design Party tent design Richard Meier Special Events Tord Boontje Weblogs

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Party Spy: Corporate Parties 101

Christmastime last year was, as ever, fun, exciting, and what-else-is-new busy. I didn't make it to every party that I was invited to. But I was invited to (and was a spy at) a so-chic corporate dinner party at the home of a CEO who (in my opinion) "get's it".

Here's what I mean: Rental halls are generic. Hotel banquet rooms are impersonal. And both are too vanilla and terribly "pedestrian".

Certainly venue ideas for corporate parties can be stretched beyond more than the boring standard. Besides, think of the room rental fees you'd save!

And don't even think about celebrating anything at work. Unless it's goodbye party for someone, your team isn't being given a real, much deserved corporate party.

Back to the party... I was seated next to a woman who wanted so much catering and event planning advice that I immediately thought... There must be a mix-up! I must be their guest speaker. And any minute now, I'm going to get "in trouble" (wait a minute, I'm past the age of getting in trouble, aren't I?), for fraternizing with the guests.

Of course this dinner was a "catered affair". So I tried to change the subject so that I could just sit there and scope out the other company's catering prowess.

The evening was delightful. Watching Mr. and Mrs. CEO talk was interesting. They were so beautiful and so, well, human. It was a great evening, listening to them describe their charity work and boards that they sit on, respectively. And here I am, in the midst of "the experience" - that so many caterers and event planners dream of, yet miss because their working. Paydirt. Totally.

It's funny, we expect hosts like this to be sort of superhuman - living their fortunate opportunities to have "the best of everything", including a beautiful corporate party once or twice a year. These people "get it". Team building a corporate team never actually quite happens with year-end, year out corporate party plans that are predictable, that always look the same. Bonding with the team just doesn't quite happen.

Your corporate team member's want to feel that they've been considered.

Do what this CEO did. Entertain the troops in a more personal style. He not only hosted his event at his home (held in a drop dead gorgeous tent, by the way), but he thought about his corporate party's entertainment and hired someone amazing. After dinner, a strolling magician made his way through the room amazing us with his card tricks. A larger company could hire an entertainer to perform for everyone at the same time.

People like to help. People want to help. People like to "do good".

If you're planning an elegant dinner party with some strolling entertainment thrown in, you could turn the party into a charity event as well, with donations made throughout the evening in support of your designated charity.

Our host made up a game with a 25 pound bag of ice, that was displayed in a attractive container on a sturdy table in the bar area, with Post It-sized pieces of paper and pens next to it. The bartenders made sure to tell everyone that the goal was to win a prize by writing down how many ice cubes they thought were in the bag. The generous prize for having the accurate (or closest to accurate) answer was an all-expense paid trip for two to Sonoma, in California's wine region.

Clearly, there are a gazillion corporate party ideas and corporate party themes you could come up with to plan a memorable corporate party - especially if it's a corporate holiday party. In fact, you could make it a corporate cocktail party, serving only great drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

You could host a corporate Christmas party Vegas-style. You could get your corporate group together and head out for a night of fun and gambling at a local casino (if that's a viable option), where you would also be able to get a meal thrown in (pre-paid, of course), and spend the next few days discussing the biggest winners and losers of the night.

Think of it this way, if you do your corporate party planning early and budget months in advance you can plan and host one, really fabulous and impressive corporate party that your team will brag about all year long. Not to fail to mention the great deals you'll get on your corporate party invitations, and all kinds of other good stuff.

I almost forgot this... I was the hired planner (and was also invited to attend; that never happens!) at the event mentioned above. And there are 12,681 ice cubes in one 25 pound bag of ice.

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Easy Apple Pie Alternative: Carmelized Apple Tart made in a Skillet

Probably just like you, I've been making homemade apple pies for as long as I can remember. Easy apple pie, French apple pie, sour cream apple pie - you name the apple pie recipe, I betcha I've made it.

But now I'm a caterer with a catering company, and people expect more from me than a plain (but good) old fashioned apple pie. So I went into "research mode" until I came out of my kitchen with this easy apple pie alternative: caramelized apple tart made in a skillet.

This really easy caramelized apple tart made in a skillet recipe always impresses people.

Think of it as apple pie retooled.

Not only does it taste good, but the beauty of it is... it's really fast and easy to execute.

Apple picking season is right around the corner. This a great time to get your family together to drive to the closest apple orchard in your area to pick apples. I'll leave it completely up to you... Make homemade pie crust yourself and tack on about 20 minutes. Or buy store-bought pie crust and you can assemble and place this delicious and easy apple pie alternative in the oven leaving it to cook for about 30 minutes. That means you can feed a hungry crowd a home cooked dinner and still spend the evening with your feet up and a good book, relaxing!

Caramelized Apple Tart made in a Skillet
Serves 8
Total prep and cooking time, 1 hour and 30 minutes

6 Rome Beauty or McIntosh apples (about 2 and 3/4 pounds), peeled, cored, and each cut into 8 wedges
6 tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
Pie dough (recipe below) or 1 unbaked store-bought refrigerated pie crust (7 and 1/2 oz.)
All-purpose flour, for dusting

1.) Preheat oven to 425 degrees. On a floured work surface, roll out pie dough to a 1/8-inch thickness (or unfold store-bought dough). Invert (trace) a 9-inch plate on top of dough; trim dough around plate with a sharp paring knife to form a round (throw away scraps; or save for another use). Refrigerate until needed.
2.) Assemble tart in a 10-inch cast iron skillet. Press the softened butter evenly into the bottom of the skillet, then sprinkle with the sugar. Arrange apple wedges in a circle around edge, then fill in the center with remaining apple wedges.
3.) Place the skillet in the oven; cook until apples have softened, about 30 minutes. Carefully place pie dough round on top; bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes more.
4.) Let cool, about 20 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of skillet, then flip tart over onto a serving platter. Drizzle with any remaining pan juices. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Cater-Hater Tip: Brew a pot of French roast coffee to accompany this delicious caramelized apple tart made in a skillet, and add a big scoop of Haagen Daas vanilla bean ice cream to go with it. A nice late harvest Riesling will pair well with this tasty dessert. However, I like a dry Blanc de Blanc to serve with sweet desserts. Enjoy!

Easy Pie Dough
Makes 1 pie crust

1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for dusting
2 to 4 tbsp. ice water (make sure it's really cold)

1.) In a food processor, pulse together flour, salt and sugar several times to combine.
2.) Add butter pieces; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, with a few pea-size pieces of butter remaining
3.) Add 2 tbsp. ice water; pulse until dough is crumbly but holds together when squeezed (if needed, add up to 2 tbsp more ice water, 1 tbsp at a time). Do not over mix!
4.) Turn out dough onto a floured work surface; knead once or twice, until dough just comes together. Wrap tightly in plastic, and chill at least 1 hour or overnight.


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Image source: rhosoi

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The Top 25 BIG Caterers of 2009

Are one of the top 25 BIG caterers of 2009 in a city near you? Special Events magazine named their 2nd annual picks in their May/June combination issue. If you didn't get a peek at their report of the biggest caterers in the business, take a look.

I'm proud to say that three of the biggest and the best on the list are places where I cut my teeth; learning the tricks of the trade to producing large parties (see asterisks****). I learned to produce large events (1000 +) by talented people like Bill Starbuck, Erick Weiss of Honeysweet Productions, Janine Miccuci, Laura Fewell, Eddie Cooper, and of course, founder and owner Mary Micucci, of Along Came Mary Productions in Los Angeles, California.

Producing large events just seems more normal... than catering for 150 people. When you're used to it, it's customary - you can practically cater big parties in your sleep.

If you've ever had an opportunity to work in the catering industry and you let it slip by, that probably wasn't a very good idea.

The list below is a testament to the truth that with hard work, a great team, and a great planning, in the catering industry - the sky's the limit!

1. A Legendary Event (www.alegendaryevent.com) - Atlanta, GA/Event Count Forecast; 1500/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $18M
2. Alison Price Co. (www.alisonprice.co.uk) - London, England/Event Count Forecast; 300/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $10M
   
3. Along Came Mary Productions (www.alongcamemary.com) - Los Angeles, CA****/Event Count Forecast; 125/Revenue Forecast; $10M
   
4. Baker's Best (www.bakersbestcatering.com) - Newton, MA/Event Count Forecast; 485/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $13M
   
5. Behind The Scenes (www.btscenes.com) - San Diego, CA/Event Count Forecast; 325 Plus/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $11M
   
6. Blue Plate (www.blueplatechicago.com) - Chicago, IL/Event Count Forecast; 6700 (incl. drop-off); $22M (catering only)
   
7. Broich Premium Catering (www.broich-catering.com) - Dusseldorf, Germany/Event Count Forecast;2500/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $18M
8. Catering By Michael's Family of Companies (www.cateringbymichaels.com) - Morton Grove, IL/Event Count Forecast; 1000 Full service (6000 Drop off)/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $15M
   
9. Create Food (www.createfood.co.uk) - London, England/Event Count Forecast; 450/Revenue Forecast; $14M
   
10. Creative Edge Parties (www.creativeedgeparties.com) - New York/Event Count Forecast; 1000/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $20M
    
11. Design Cuisine (www.designcuisine.com) - Arlington, VA /Event Count Forecast; 2500/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $20M
    
12. Eddie Deen (www.eddiedeen.com) - Dallas, TX/Event Count Forecast; 2900 to 3200/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $10M
    
13. Epicurean Culinary Group (www.epicureanculinarygroup.com) - Centennial, CO/Event Count Forecast; 900 to1100/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $15M
14. Global Gourmet Catering (www.ggcatering.com) - San Francisco, CA/Event Count Forecast; 200 to 250/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $15M
    
15. Global Infusion Group (www.globalinfusiongroup.com) - Watford, Hertfordshire, England/Event Count Forecast; 750 to 800/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $20M
    
16. Great Performances (www.greatperformances.com) - New York/Event Count Forecast; 1500/Revenue Forecast; $35M
    
17. Jewell Events Catering (www.jewelleventscatering.com) - Chicago, IL/Event Count Forecast; 3500/Revenue Forecast; $$20M Plus
18. McCall Associates (www.danmccall.com) - San Francisco, CA/Event Count Forecast; 650/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $20M
19. Mustard Catering (www.mustardcatering.com) - London, England/Event Count Forecast; 150 to 200/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $12M
20. Occasions Catering Ltd. (www.occasionscaterers.com) - Washington/Event Count Forecast; 4000 to 5000/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $29M
    
21. Patina Restaurant Group's Patina Catering (www.patinagroup.com/catering) - Los Angeles, CA****/Event Count Forecast; 7000 Plus/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $30M
22. Rhubarb Food Design Ltd. (www.rhubarb.net) - London, England/Event Count Forecast; 400/Revenue Forecast; $15.7M
23. Ridgewells (www.ridgewells.com) - Washington/Event Count Forecast; 20,000/Revenue Forecast; $29M
    
24. Windows Catering Co. (www.catering.com) - Alexandria, VA/Event Count Forecast; 14,5000/Revenue Forecast; Upward to $20M
25. Wolfgang Puck Catering (www.wolfgangpuck.com/catering) - Los Angeles, CA****/Event Count Forecast; 10,000/Revenue Forecast; $100M

For more information, log on to: Special Events magazine. All event count and projected revenue information is for 2009.

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Party Fashion: Color Blind to Making your Party "Green"

Do I need to take a color blind test? Am I the only one thinking like this? Let me tell you my "inconvenient truth".

As a party writer, and party designer, caterer event planner, I simply cannot be guilty of becoming - nor do I want to see you become - color blind to making your party "green".

Lately I feel like I'm not being "green" enough. I don't think I recycle enough.

I'm good at turning off unnecessary lights. And I don't waste fuel - I only drive out of necessity these days.

But am I the only one that feels a tinge of guilt when the subject of "going green" comes up? I mean, I wonder how many people are really trying to make a "green" home?

Now that there's all this talk about "being green" and "going green", is there such thing as being "too green"? And, if there is - is it because people try too hard, and end up shoving it down everyone's throats? I'm not going to go on about carbon credits and fossil fuel. But I kind of could. I administrate Cellulosic Ethanol Rocks!, a group over at the DNC. I know a little bit about it.

But I'm not here to lecture you. I really hate that.

I will say with certainty that while we can never do enough for the environment, it's pretty easy to go awfully wrong when it comes to planning a party using the color green.

Kind of like choosing a doctor (although this is not as serious, of course), you want to be wise about choosing how you use the color green.

Here's some Cater-Hater party-central style about what works and what shouldn't be recycled:

• Some food groups just aren't good for your party

Peas and carrots? I've said no and passed on peas my entire life, but the carrots were certainly alright. I say heck no to pea green when it's not a complimentary color at a party.
How I Would Style It: Carefully choose a partner color that will hang out well with this particular shade of green. Stick to neutrals for a perfect balance; black, gray or khaki.

• Keep it simple, baby - keep it nice and simple

You know what they say, less is more. Overindulging in one shade of green can verge between tacky and fabulously terrific. But if you're going green all the way, you can imagine which side of overindulgence you've landed on. Not good.
How I Would Style It: When you're greening your party environment, stick with shapes and forms. Style chic! The tendency, oftentimes, is to go with good 'ol green and gold. Keep it green simple and gold minimal. Otherwise, ouch on the eyes!

• Green envy doesn't exist here

I always tell clients who tell me they're unsure of what matches to go with a monochromatic concept because it always works. Never say never. Never say always, not to this color trend. Top to bottom green on Santa's helpers at Christmas time might be "cute", but it's anything but that outside of elfdom.
How I Would Style It: Go with green in one area, and do something else with the rest. Uh huh, one area. See bullet point No. 1 for pairing shade colors.

• My favorite martian? Heck NO!

Sure, every season Pantone dictates new trends in color and color combination's. Like, they say the color for today is Very Grape. But taking heed to their every word won't always work. Case in point, today I'm talking about not being color blind to making your party GREEN. There are no martians here so - neon green, for example, only looks good in small doses.
How I Would Style It: Return everything neon green for another shade of green that's not so offensive. When it comes to green, again I suggest the neutrals. I always add black or khaki.


Everything doesn't need to scream GREEN, but don't be color blind to making your party green. Rocking green and not looking like an extra from the national touring company of Wicked isn't impossible, nor is it challenging.

I saved this for last: My true favorite, favorite, favorite accent color to add to the color green? Metallics. But you know how it goes... Too much of a good thing can go a long way. Keep it simple. Keep it chic. Because when green is done right, it can be the perfect touch.

And like I said before...

You get bonus points for incorporating anything previously shared. You get extra bonus points if you start a catering business!


Image source: Wikipedia

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Party Fetish

It would take someone with a serious party fetish (like me) to come up with the analogy that loving parties is like having a shoe fetish.

I bet you never heard that analogy before.

Parties are sexy and parties are like shoes. But it's easy to miss the connection.

Think about it. Wear new shoes to a party and see if someone doesn't say, "I like your shoes". Host or attend a party that's done right and inevitably you'll hear someone say, "Great party!"

Party fetish. Foot fetish.
The juxtaposition of parties and shoes.

Reality is, that the dual, opposite, and complementary principles of yin and yang are thought to exist in varying proportions in all things. In the cater-world of parties and shoes (which I both love - and I'm not the only one, of course), this makes complete sense.

The yin and yang of how this works are there to see if you're solely focused on all of their artistic flourishes. It's not so much about how you wear them, or how you host them, but rather that you're prepared for what will happen when you do.

Clearly they're both attention-getters.
But if you haven't had any experience with someone who has foot fetishes, I doubt you'd even come close to understanding the drive and passion it takes to be a party maven.

Outrageous shoes, like parties, put you in the spotlight. Step out wearing a pair of eye-popping, sexy glam shoes and see if at least a half a dozen people don't comment about them. Or throw a party that's the hottest ticket in town and see if you don't have at least half a dozen, men and women alike, positioning themselves to be invited to your next shindig.

Make no mistake, my friend. Either way, it's not you that they're after. It's your feet (which I'm banking on are quite lovely) or your party invitation (which to party people is lovelier still).

On the analogy-level of it, they can both be perceived as a little creepy; people who suck on toes versus over-the-top party people. Trust me, I know all too well about the both of them. Full disclosure: second-hand, when it comes to the first one.

Party fetish. Foot fetish.
The juxtaposition of parties and shoes.

I heard a story about a Richistani woman who paid $3000.00 for a pair of designer boots, whose dream came true when this rich-lady of a "shoehorse" had the experience of meeting the notable male shoe designer who designed her pricey boots (who designs woman's shoes and boots for a very la-ti-da French haute couture company).

She met him when she was on her way to, of all places, a Halloween party. I'm telling you, parties are like shoes - like two peas in a pod, kind of. Apparently she was all dolled up in some type of retro, Elizabeth Taylor Halloween-type garb, sans those gosh awful expensive boots.

The shoe designer told her that the boots take 45 minutes to get in and out of; kind of like the time it could take, making your way from the entrance to the bar at the hottest party of the season.

It was then that she thought... Any man who wanted to to get at her feet while she was wearing those boots would be meeting his waterloo. She figured she would zero in on a "shoe boy" at the Halloween party, and nab him at the end of the night. She thought - if she'd find any good-looking guy willing to demonstrate the patience required to spend 45 minutes unlacing her boots, he could suck on her toes, anytime.

Party fetish. Foot fetish.
The juxtaposition of parties and shoes.

Yeah well, it's the contrast of the thing that interests me. I'd plan and produce some kind of sexy and severely sculptural, avant-garde, shoe theme party.

Christian Louboutin, Payless, Nina, Johnston & Murphy, and Bally. Kenneth Cole, Keds, Marona and Clarks all rolled into the Governors Ball (Oscar Award ceremony after-party), a child's 1st birthday party, a big and bad New Year's Eve bash, or an intimate wedding reception for 50.

If you're hosting or invited to a party or shopping for or buying brand new shoes, as soon as you get to the party or see and try on the new shoes, you have to make your way through both of the style processes.
You've committed.
Either way, you have to make it til the end of the party and go through the trouble of breaking in new shoes with style.

Party fetish. Foot fetish.
The juxtaposition of parties and shoes.

I'm still rockin' my Cole Haan, calf hair leopard print "Fiona", Nike-engineered, high heels, and catering and planning parties.
It's all relative. Now ain't that crazy.

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