I've made my salad dressings from scratch for years. When the freshly combined flavors within the dressing burst in your mouth, that's when you realize you've just created a little slice of raw food culinary Heaven right here on earth.
So, it's easy to figure out - get away from all the preservatives, save yourself some money, and make your salad dressings from scratch.
When I'm planning and cateringparties for clients, I have to be sensitive to their dietary needs.
Because there are so many people suffering from food allergies - it's always important that I address their dietary concerns and needs, as well as the concerns and needs of their guests.
This is not your standardized Caesar Salad dressing.You can make this recipe in about 5 minutes.
This is an easy Caesar Salad recipe with an easy Caesar Salad dressing with no eggs or anchovies. The original ingredients for Caesar Salad dressing are a problem for some people. Why? Because the staple in traditional Ceasar Salad dressing is raw eggs. Raw eggs are a health concern for many people who suffer from food allergies, not only pregnant woman, as many of you might have suspected.
Determined to serve healthy food for everyone, it was important to me to create the best recipe for Caesar Salad dressing that not only would be healthy but would also taste phenomenal.
File this one under "easy egg-free recipes".
I like to add Good Seasons Italian All Natural Salad Dressing & Recipe Mix (found in your grocers salad dressing aisle) to my recipe, which gives it a lot of great flavor. I also prefer to use more garlic than usual, and because I like to customize things, most of my salad dressing recipes are devised to be made by each persons personal taste.
If you grow your own vegetable garden, take advantage of it 100%. Don't just stop at customizing the Caesar Salad dressing recipe. Customize your salad, too. Put your signature stamp on it by adding complimentary salad vegetables (tomato, onion, etc.) to it. Or, change your lettuce to fresh spinach or use baby field greens.
I sometimes like to add fresh grilled chicken or fresh grilled fish to a Caesar Salad. And when I don't want a plain egg-free Caesar Salad, in a pinch, I'll add water-packed Albacore tuna. I bet you'll get a lot of compliments when you serve one of these Caesars. And to fancy it up even more add artichoke hearts or hearts of palm.
This is how to make a good Caesar Salad dressing that's egg-free and tasty...
Easy Egg-Free Caesar Salad Dressing Makes 1 and a half cups (Printable Recipe)
1 cup mayonnaise (I prefer mayonnaise made with olive or canola oil) 1 to 2 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard (I prefer Temeraire Dijon Mustard with Herbes de Provence or Grey Poupon) 1 to 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoon lemon juice 1 to 2 tablespoon garlic pepper 1 tablespoon onion powder 1 tablespoon Good Seasons Italian All Natural Salad Dressing & Recipe Mix 1/4 cup freshly grated parmigiano reggiano cheese 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced (or 3/4 teaspoon minced garlic re-hydrated in 1 tablespoon water)
1.) Mix all of the ingredients together, starting with the smaller amounts listed. 2.) Blend well, taste and add more as desired. 3.) Toss with bite-size pieces of romaine lettuce.
Eat healthy to be healthy, and enjoy! Be sure to read the comments below. Leave your own question or comment too!
It seems like I always see things about parties differently. To the point where, sometimes the things that remind me of event planning and catering parties would seem way off to most people. Case in point, big cardboard boxes.
I have to blame Seth Godin, who continues to lead us to great people like Clay Shirky, for this one.
Clay Shirky inspired me to see something in a way that I never would have thought of. I have to thank him for that. What, pray tell, is the correlation between big cardboard boxes, Clay's speech and parties?
Like when we recently came upon the S.A.G. voting season, last month. Quentin Tarantino's people sent a "For Your Consideration" copy of Inglourious Basterds to me because they wanted my vote. And once again, don't ask me how - finding something that relates to a party (or catering, or event planning) in almost everything, prompted me to write about something that had been bugging me: the bastardization of catering. Hence, I found myself writing Inglorious Food Bastards: The Bastardization of Catering. Go figure. Don't say I didn't warn you...
Cater-Hater might be hazardous to your mental health. Sorry.
I was in the 4th or 5th grade when my parents bought a new double-door refrigerator; the old one finally broke down and died.
And unlike buying appliances today, where you grab your neighbor or brother-in-law, get into a pickup truck and head over to Costco, Sam's Club or IKEA with some rope so you can tie down your new appliance and take it home, back then the place of purchase would deliver it to you.
Back in the day, seeing a giant new appliance box sitting in front of your house meant that you were cool. Similar to when you had a party - but better, if you were in grade school. Because the kids in the neighborhood were left with a new "toy" to play in - your parents big cardboard box. Getting a big box delivery at your house made you damn near a celebrity. Popularity is a child is always fleeting, but thanks to a new appliance box, at least for a moment in time you could be known as the coolest kid to hang out with on the block.
This might come off as a bit schizo. Now stay with me here. I do have a point.
The Internet is just shy of being 30 years old; 27 years old to be exact. We've entered into this new decade with the critical technology, that we know as Internet technology, shifting itself into it's place - our lives. As this 27 year transformation in the making is whizzing by, we're also trying to deal with the financial shift that has happened, which means that the only thing most people can do to manage is to make a life-shift.
And after 27 years of Internet existence, still many people are just waking up to realize that, like at the mall, we are here.
We've awakened enough to find out that the Internet structures that are here are a big part of "the shift", which is what I call the Internet revolution that is going on right now. I mean, when there are more people getting their news reports on Twitter everyday than actually reading the newspaper or watching television news - which is what things have come to and apparently what we like and want - that didn't just happen. No more than the economic shift, which is making most of us have to make major life-shifts just happened. We can stop being babies - whining about the economy, try to look at what's happened as an asset somehow, and move on - realizing it will never be like it was again.
Think of this period of time as a time of vast Internet surplus - that we better try to figure how to be a part of the design of, instead of viewing it with disdain. Because whether we like it or not, we actually do spend more time sharing conversation, pictures and videos with complete strangers on the Internet than with people that we really know. Thus, making us a true Internet society.
Like Clay said, "We did that for decades." We've spent our time at MySpace. Now we've moved on to Facebook. And for the record, I practically live at Twitter.
In case you didn't get where this was going, thanks to someone that Clay Shirky knows named Tim, I guess I'm writing about an architecture of party participation.
I started thinking about the simplicity of the past (like the days when big cardboard boxes were used as a toy) versus modern living today (you know - DVD's, the Sony Wii and all kinds of videos and video games) as I sat writing a book I've been working on called Pimp My Party. I thought about this after a conversation (that I had with my knee surgery friend, Jan) about my book.
Surplus means excess amount, excess money, extra worth, and additional to requirements. Do you thinkwe're in that phase of excess; amount, money, worth, additional requirements? I think, consciously, and subconsciously, we're trying to figure the Internet out; not knowing what to do with our vast Internet surplus, exactly. We're less about TV shows and advertising, and more about hanging out with our friends at Facebook and fun.
This is an interesting time. We've got the escape-ism of the Internet, along with the witness of the escape-ism of finances and jobs. And increasingly our lives are becoming altered from what they once were.
Now if we could just get back to the simple times of being a kid again - playing inside a big cardboard box. We need to.
What Clay Shirky got me thinking about is how in touch we are with each other. Yet, how we're not; we're far removed from a lot of things, physically, because we're on the "Internet/Outernet". The industrial revolution had the "idiot box" known as television and the Internet revolution seems to have the personal-impersonal abilities of itself.
Maybe now is a good time to meld the old with the new to create a new, face-to-face architecture of party-participation. To get true human interpersonal contact to happen, it just seems easier to play "inside the big cardboard box". Or, to simply have a party. In other words, because most adults wouldn't play inside a cardboard box, we would replaced the box today with having an actual party.
Why not pull away from the computer screen long enough for a little face time with your friends? If you ask them, they might be willing to help you plan something. It doesn't take an army to pull off having a good time. Keep it on the small, intimate side.
Heck, I don't think we were ever as content as when we played in big cardboard appliance boxes. We had to be creative then, pretending one day that the box was a space ship and the next day that it was a fort.
If you think about it, there's not a lot of difference between creating a party concept and creating new ways to play in a big cardboard box.
The economy tanked, people are depressed about it and you're not planning a "cheap-as-hell-everybody-chip-in-let's-get-together-and-feel-good" party? Now's the time!
You could even host a "jobs party". What's that? A "jobs party" is a cocktail party with a guest employment opportunity requirement. It's a party centered around not only good food and beverages, but you also require that everyone invited has to bring a current, valid employment opportunity stating information about a position a company is looking to fill. You could also feature a guest speaker; a corporate head hunter or a manager of an employment agency. Or, you could host your own private "Job Fair Party", complete with food, beverages and dessert, along with several human resource directors from local companies in your area.
Instead of climbing out of the big cardboard box like we did, it's time that we go back inside.
It's time to find the creativity to create the perfect party architecture for your unique version of "playing" or whatever reason you can think of to host a party. Only instead of playing inside an imaginary cardboard box, host a gathering of good friends and family at your place. Because it's certainly time to have some quality, inexpensive fun, don't you think? Don't wait until something bad happens, like somebody dies, for a reason to plan a get-together.
Don't worry about things being 100% perfect, either. Just plan something, anything. Because there's a large chance that your friends, that spend so much time talking to you on Facebook, would really like to see you and talk. You know, actually see your face.
Just do something.
You have lots of options. Take an initiative. Take matters into your own hands. Get together with people.
If you're unemployed (or know people who are unemployed, and who doesn't?) that "jobs party" or "job fair party" should sound like a good idea. You know what they say, don't you? "People help their friends."
Look at it this way, there's no excuse not to plan something, no matter how small. Because for every hour that we're on MySpace, Facebook, Ning, or Twitter - and for many of us, this adds up to be a lot - we could have done more than put pictures of Fido on our favorite social networking site. Or, done more than submit our resume (with the highest of hopes to get a response) online, to a corporation who doesn't know or care about us.
Shirky said, "It's better to do something than to do nothing.", and he's right. But why just... do the work, when you can work being smart? Call me biased if you want to. But I'm sorry, I happen to think that having a job-related type of party while catching up with friends is as smarter than looking for one in the sea of online employment abyss. And it's as creative as a kid figuring out a new way to play in big cardboard box. Brilliant.
Since modern media is "actually a triathlon", according to Shirky, comprised of three different events, then get into the race; produce, share, and consume.
What's astonished people who were committed to the structure of the previous society, prior to trying to take this surplus and do something interesting, is that they're discovering that when you offer people the opportunity to produce and to share, they'll take you up on that offer. It doesn't mean that we'll never sit around mindlessly watching Scrubs on the couch. It just means we'll do it less.
Shrink the amount of time that you spend online by just a little and theoretically you might have the chance to turn down 6 to 12 jobs in a year, and gain a bevy of new face-to-face friendships.
A few years ago, I may have felt differently. But I think that's a big deal. Don't you?
You might not think of this is as a big deal. But I can tell you right now that it is. The Internet revolution is real. Even so, you're still in the real world. You still need to play in your big cardboard box. You still need to know people and sometimes come face-to-face with the people that you know.
It's only now that we're finally waking up. Many of us are starting to realize that something "permanent and different" is really going on.
But hey, there's no need for alarm. This isn't a crisis that we need to fight. Besides the fact, we can't fight it. Because you can't stop progress. And, we sure as heck can't stop Internet progress. But, we sure can have a party and talk about it.
Are you an Internet junkie? Or, do you spend time playing inside a big cardboard box? Leave your opinions in the Comments section below. Thanks.
I bet most of the people that you know, if they're lucky, have a "job".
Which usually means that they've "played it safe" (is it safe, really?) and lack first-hand knowledge of living their dream of following their ultimate career calling.
I've asked quite a few people what they'd do if they could do anything that they wanted in life for a living, and when I did, 98% of them shot back that they'd do something entirely different.
Some even admitted how much they hated their jobs, and that they'd leave if it wasn't for the money.
That's pretty sad.
Okay. I know I'm not the only one; a die hard party maven. You might be a "party freak", too. And maybe, because of the tanked economy, you can't figure out how to muster up the courage to start your own catering or event planningbusiness - but deep down inside you're chomping at the bit to do it.
If parties are what you love - you should do it. Start your own business.
"In order to act, you must be somewhat insane. A reasonably sensible man is satisfied with just thinking." - Georges Clemenceau
Before I took the supposed big leap, when I told my Dad about my plans (who was self-employed until the day he retired) he said, "If you don't do it you'll never know... And, if it doesn't work out, don't sweat it. The beautiful thing is, you will have learned something."
Well heck, I love to learn. So I jumped in. I didn't worry about being enough of anything for anyone else and you shouldn't either. That's stupid.
Fortunately, I learned how to cater food and produce parties from some of the top 25 big caterers in the business. And because I studied them and paid close, close attention - after going out on my own - I've had a track record of all wins and no losses. See, for me it was a no brainer - do what you love so much that if you were able to, you'd do it for free. In other words, go make what you love to do happen.
Maybe what will happen to you is what happened to me. I started catering parties, here and there (basically when I had the time and felt like it), before I formally started my business. If you're going to do that too, I suggest that you research things thoroughly while you're working and working things out. You might be surprised about what you'll find out. For instance, for asset protection purposes, my company is set up in a different state than the one that it is operated in. Check into everything. Then go do your dream.
The first time I produced a big, six-figure dollar party, I cried tears of gratitude and joy for being given the opportunity to produce the party of my dreams.
If you feel a lot like I do and parties are what you're wild about, when you finally "get there", don't be prone to second guess yourself. Over thinking the opportunity of a lifetime is not what the writer of your life script - in your case, you - should worry about. Sobbing gratitude, maybe - yes. Driving yourself nuts with worry, no. Do your best work, enjoy every moment of your opportunity and bask in every one of it's moments.
You recall what things were like prior to getting your opportunity of a lifetime, don't you? You didn't have a clue as to how anyone would feel about you doing parties, your design style or you - period. But you had a feeling or you knew for a fact that you could do it. And you knew that when people saw your work, they thought that you did a good job. So, follow your dream and go get in the game.
Look, just about all of the novice "closet" caterers and event planners out there think that their work is above average. And when given the chance to work, if they're worth their party-weight in salt, they use a common sense strategy (and you better have one). Having that, along with the tenacity of a bulldog, and their career will happen.
You may not be your local party business "It Girl", but you can live your dream and work.
I support you. I'm telling you to not give up. I'm cheering you on, telling you that you're going to make it - that you can do it. Don't let any snarky nay saying haters get you down. Remember, you can always come to Cater-Hater to get your batteries recharged if you have to. I know what it's like.
Because people might not realize how lucky they are that you're there to help them. They may not have heard of you and therefore don't realize that you're reliable and capable to get the job done. They might not know that what you have to offer is exactly what they need. But don't push things. If you want to do something... you know you can. It's doable. That's not to say that you won't have to figure out how to do it. I'm a living witness, if you really want to, you can.
There's plenty of room for you in the party industry.
Maybe the moment you planned or catered your first party you knew this was what you wanted to do. If you felt that way, you have to do it. You're smart. If you're the only one in your family and circle of friends interested in working in the party business, you know it's okay to leave their possible fear and "accept your lot in life" upbringing behind.
"Inaction breeds fear. Action breeds courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy." - Carnegie
Having spent some time in the party business, I feel I have a sense of how things work when it comes to making things happen. Maybe you, like me before I actually started, felt that it went something like this: A new caterer or wedding planner starts a business, their critics and the public don't know if they can do it, and a few people that believe take note. The reality is that the party business, like all industries and businesses, as a way of speaking - take bets on whether or not you'll make it. And to some extent, when the business world bets, all bets are off.
Here's what I mean. When you begin (or if you already started; you began) catering and producing parties, people wonder if they should consider you for the job. Anyone familiar with the quality of your work and your good work ethic could tell them that they wouldn't find anyone better. Yet, unfortunately, if you're unknown and not perceived as the hot, new "flavor of the day" - you will not persuade them to ante up the money to hire you.
Because none of us have any control over how things sometimes change overnight, before I finish writing this sentence you could become an "overnight sensation" - whereby you find yourself in high demand. And if you are blessed like that and that has happened, now that you're a few parties busier and had to hire more people to help you meet all of your work requests, the very same people who shunned the idea of hiring you have changed their minds and now want you to work for them.
Too bad for them for not catching on to your talent sooner. They could have hired you (then) for a price known as, way less money, a few weeks earlier. And then, you, wanting to prove yourself so badly and wanting to work, might have even thought about substantially discounting part of their bill. Of course, they might all decide that they hate your work, but the message will take a while to get through to those that like you, who have decided to invest in your stock by hiring you.
See what I mean?
When you are amazingly talented and hard working, your success, when you get it, should come as no surprise to anyone who knows you or has seen your work.
If you've perfected your craft, what could be the difference between your work before you're a known caterer or a known event planner and now? The answer: Your focus to get them to hire you. If you've gone through all of that, by now - you're probably not a wide-eyed party ingenue anymore. You're the consummate professional.
You're highly committed and on a mission. It's a relief to know that you believe that you're capable.
Your successful "audition" - when they saw first-hand what you could do - that proceeded their true acceptance of you and your work, will eventually push you right into a new world called the World of Far More Work.
Aspiring food caterers and event planners: you're going to make it.
When you're happiest when you're working and you just want to work, and want more than you've already got, don't worry about it if that seems imbalanced. Keep going forward. Because until you feel it's time to address the imbalance and as you continue aspiring to greatness above mediocrity, keep getting ready for your life to change beyond all recognition.
Aspiring champions of catering and party planning, blaze your trail.
If you want to know how to become a caterer or how to become an party planner, and have questions like, "How much do party planners get paid?" - remember, we're in a down turned economy. So be prepared to work hard and acquire a thick skin.
You probably have a lot to say.
That's why guest comments and guest posts are welcome at this site. I hope you'll consider contributing a 250 to 600 word post sometime during the months ahead or at least stick around this growing passionate-about-parties community.
For free start-up tips and resources for corporate event planners and party planning businesses use the Google search widget. To review our caterers directory listings link refer to the Resource section at the top left-hand side of our home page.
Mexican Town in Detroit is known for the best-priced, fastest prepared and best tasting ethnic food around. The only thing is, when you live and work in the suburbs, it's so far away.
My dad, pushing me as a caterer would say, "Well, don't drive all the way down there - make it yourself!" My comeback would be something like, Alrighty then, Mister Smarty Pants man. Then, we'd both break out in a big smile, and laugh.
I've prepared beans and rice a gazillion times for various party clients through the years. Everyone knows that beans and rice are easy to make. But my quest was to come up with an easy, yet super delicious recipe for chimichangas. Because the chimichangas served in Mexican Town at Xochimilco are perfection. And I did it.
I came up with an easy to make baked Mexican chicken chimichanga recipe that takes only 30 minutes to prep and 20 to 25 minutes to cook if you use leftover chicken or meat from a roasted chicken from Costco Wholesale or Sam's Club.
Because of my love for parties and Mexican food, I felt that I had to share this great recipe with you. I hope you enjoy it.
2 and a half cups chicken, cooked and shredded
2 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/2 cup chopped onion (1 small one)
2 garlic cloves, minced (or 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic rehydrated in 1 tablespoon water)
2 mild green chilies, roasted and peeled, seeded and chopped (or one 4 oz. can chopped mild green chilies)
1 teaspoon medium hot chili powder 16 oz. salsa
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 and a half teaspoon ground cumin
salt to taste
6 ten-inch flour tortillas or 12 six-inch tortillas
1 cup canned re-fried beans (fat free)
2 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil for basting
Optional: sour cream, guacamole, and tomatoes
1.) Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2.) In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until tender. Stir in green chilies, chili powder, salsa, cilantro, cumin and salt. Stir in shredded chicken. Let cool.
3.) Grease rimmed 15" x 10" x 1" baking pan with 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
4.) Working with one tortilla at a time, spoon a heaping tablespoon of beans down the middle of each tortilla. Top with a scant 1/2 cup of the chicken mixture (less if you're using smaller tortillas).
5.) Fold up the bottom, top and sides of the tortilla. Roll as though you're making a burrito and secure with wooden toothpicks if necessary.
6.) Place the chimichangas in the baking pan, seam side down. Brush all sides with remaining vegetable oil. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and crisp, turning them at least once.
Serve with optional sides of sour cream, guacamole and tomatoes if desired. Substitute ground beef or chopped steak, if you'd like. Just make sure you drain the beef really well.
Here's the deal. To hear some of us caterers and event planners tell it, you'd think that we're perfect and never make a mistake.
We brag about knowing how to produce the swankiest of parties with the very best decor, execute the perfect napkin fold, and make the best gourmet pizza imaginable. Truth be told, most of us have a gang of "party war stories" about things like being asked to throw together a large party or wedding reception - booked at the last minute, mind you (in 7 days) - and trying to get everything to come together, flawlessly.
Then, for us to talk about what went wrong at any of the parties that we've ever catered or planned is just so... so... not who many of us are. But sooner or later, those who aren't willing to admit any faults get caught.
Each one of the following stories is true and something I experienced or saw first-hand, or heard from someone who experienced it first-hand.
Sharing the reality of what sometimes happens - and how it was dealt with - can be instructive for novice and intermediate level do-it-yourself caterers and party planners/event planners. It's helpful to not feel like you're the "only one". And it's equally helpful to remember that if something goes wrong that we can get up, move forward, and do it again and win again - feeling stronger for having hung in there.
THE WRONG PARTY
A party buddy of mine that works at a company located in another state told me about one of her surprise birthday party ideas that went terribly awry, that they'd planned and prepped for, for weeks. This was her pet project. She's wooed this client for weeks. He was a new client that she really wanted to impress. He owned one of the most profitable companies in her area, which could potentially bring big dollars to the company that she worked for.
The day of the party came, but eventually she felt really heartbroken and sick. The trucks were packed and rolled away without a hitch. But as soon as the set-up began, everything went very wrong. "What's with all of these bright colored flowers?", she asked in a complete panic. "Where are the elegant floral centerpieces made of antique cream colored roses, muted blue-gray hydrangea, the loose flowers and lemon leaves for decorating?", she asked the floral drop-off team. "Oh my God, oh my God", is what she told me she was thinking. She ran to the rental guys nearly in tears, screaming, "These napkins are the wrong color, and where are the rented china, silverware and wine and water glasses?". She yelled to everyone to "Halt what you're doing!". The room came to a complete standstill. All eyes were on her. She flopped down on the floor, pulled out her cell phone and called the office. When they answered the phone, tears began to stream down her face and she saw her job flashing away before her very eyes as she explained as calmly as she could her dilemma. You do know what happened, don't you? A baby shower event date, that was scheduled to happen in two weeks, was somehow mixed up and delivered to her rich clients wife's surprise birthday party. Talk about a nightmare! Luckily, the guy ended up calming down and being cool about it - after he was apologized to profusely, and promised a huge, huge discount on his next party. To have to come to the conclusion that you've screwed everything up, really badly, in a big fat, irreversible, super expensive way - and so much so that the chorus of the song "You're No Good" by Linda Rondstadt plays over and over in your head, all you know and can see for the future is that this a disaster that you'll have to explain many times over, whether you like it or not.
So after my poor friend and her client talked about how to handle what happened, she and the kitchen crew and waitstaff, scrounged up some appetizers and with permission dipped into the clients personal champagne stash for his guests, who then waited to jump out and surprise his wife, the birthday girl. Meanwhile, my friend remembered that her client had mentioned a particular restaurant that he liked, so she called the restaurant, begging for a favor. And thankfully, she got it. So, shortly after his wife arrived and greeted everyone, they left, making a trek their favorite restaurant for her birthday dinner. His wife was none the wiser; she never saw the tent and all of the wrong party accoutrement that was placed at the back of their house. Because when they returned from her birthday celebration - everything was gone.
Believe it or not, you do get to the other side. My friend did. It's been years since it happened, so she laughs and makes fun of herself about it now. But when it happens and you're in the throes of it, it seems career-obliterating and like social suicide. But as with life, even party life does go on.
THE WRONG DATE
No catering company, or party planning or event planning company, lacks some type of anecdote about the importance of double and triple-checking a party date. One would like to think that this is the last thing that could ever foul up things, but it has happened. A big West Coast party company booked a party with a client and to this day, I'm not sure who screwed up the party date - the client or the party company. Neither one of them was lucky in this case. This was a party booked by the owner of one of the three biggest talent agencies in Hollywood, which were all referred to as "The Big Three". I'm talking big money, big client roster, and a big ego-filled talent agencies - all vying to steal the biggest stars in the world from each other. Big time money madness, I tell you. Unfortunately, it's like this Murhpy's Law, "You're not planning (catering) a party unless something strange or bad happens", that caused the aforementioned party company to lose their hotshot client - and for years. Thank goodness this particular company is still known for being the best of the best. Because the embarrassment is lived down and no longer recalled by anyone except the embarrassed. Anyone else that knew about it stopped shaking their head and chuckling about it a long time ago. You have to know that, still, there's no such thing as checking and re-checking a party date too many times.
A UNIQUE RESULT
Sometimes what starts out as a mistake can end up looking like a winner. Certainly, you don't want to have a crappy party (or wedding reception location, or whatever) that would make your guests feel uncomfortable and cause you to look incompetent. If you can't get the right party themes to the right party or have your party date set on the right day (which would probably never happen to you, not unless you own or work for a party business), how could anyone trust you to plan or have a party?
Sometimes a negative party situation can become a humorous party situation. And sometimes not. Sometime after I started producing parties I took a job that I didn't like from the onset as a catering supervisor at a college. Several of the workers had testy, unenthusiastic attitudes and others were lazy. One person unashamedly sucked their thumb, for real. On top of that, there were workers who wouldn't show up for work, which meant that everyone else had to do their job. I'd call to find out what happened and if anything was wrong, and either their telephone was disconnected or they would answer and whine as they would tell me their "story" about what happened and why. And that wasn't funny to me. That place had to go. So I quit.
THERE'S HOPE... IF YOU'VE FALLEN, YOU CAN GET UP
Not even the most seasoned party professional is immune to problems and big errors. When you find yourself facing the misfortune of getting things wrong, know that you're "not the only one", like I said before.
Quite honestly, sometimes it's your mistakes that will lead you to an outcome that might be better than you feel you deserve, and make you an even better catering or party planning enthusiast. And even when that doesn't happen, your mistakes will usually provide a lesson or two that might be painful, but you'll be grateful you learned.
The trick is to walk into all of your party plans with a Murphy's Law type attitude. You do this and you'll come away from dealing with any party problems you've encountered better than before you went in. Did anything eventful or zany happen to you when you planned your party?
Your ability to evoke more than the typical, "Nice party", response from your guests when they're leaving is definitely something obtainable.
Whether your guests excitedly praise your efforts or not, when you add your dynamic personalization to every aspect of your party, people can't help but get excited with you; it's human nature.
It's not hard to know how to keep guests entertained at a party. When you get an overly appreciative type of response, it's from the effort that you put into making sure that your party was on point (great food and beautiful decor), and because each of your guest was made to feel special and cared for, and comfortable.
And the best thing about that is, you've garnered a reputation for having the "party touch". Your guests feel compelled to come to your next party and probably will ask you when you're planning to have it.
Good job, if you can get that. Because something's amiss if too many people later say to you, "Sorry I missed your party."
This might make you uncomfortable and might possibly seem odd. Or, maybe you'll be able to completely relate. I don't know. But for starters, I think it was last year when I heard the most overused phrase was, "It is what it is". And I hate to tell you this, but that's true in my case.
To cut to the chase, what I mean is that I think my grandparents loved me, somehow. But it was rarely to never shown. It's a known family fact that I wasn't their favorite. Therefore, this article wouldn't apply to or help me. And all I can say is... Thank goodness I've gotten over it. Because if I wasn't over it, I wouldn't be able to think about writing about this - not even to help you; getting a grandparent to help you with your (or your child's) party. Because mine never did pay for it. But that doesn't mean that your grandparents, or your parents who are obviously the grandparents to your child or children, wouldn't help you.
Look, there were a bunch of goofy circumstances and things that happened. And it's a long story - about my life. Suffice it to say, that these things can keep you feeling damaged for years because it was messed up. I forgive them, now. But it sure used to hurt like hell.
But like many of you I had two sets of grandparents. One set of grandparents didn't show any grandparent-ism toward any of their grandchildren, I don't think. As a way of speaking, they're off the hook. The other set of grandparents made no bones about their loyalties and unfortunately had none to me.
My mother said for years, "The sun set, rose, and shines in your brother", which often felt apparent. In a nutshell, that being explained - now you get it. Therefore, this article, for me, I would have to say - I would render useless. But like I said, let me help you out.
Here's what's up...
You might be thinking, "Ask grandparents to help with a party? They're old. They don't have any money. I'd feel like a complete idiot asking for their help." I don't know, but that might be whatthey want you to think. But hey, I didn't make this stuff up.
A study commissioned by Grandparents.com and a guy named Peter Francese who authored the book, The Grandparent Economy, say that there are about 70 million grandparents out there who are better educated, more affluent and more economically active than any previous generation of grandparents.
I thought you might want to know that.
Because it seems like there are a lot of people crying broke these days. And truth is, every one's not broke - case in point, grandparents. Check this out...
Grandparents in the age range of 55 to 64 years old average net worth per household is $254,000.00, which is the highest of any age group.
Grandparents spending has grown 7.6% per year since 2000, which is nearly double the annual growth rate for consumers overall.
Grandparents spend $2 trillion (yes trillion!) a year on goods and services, which is one-third of consumer spending overall.
Grandparents spend more than $77 billion a year on travel-related expenses, including airline and train tickets, meals and lodging, and other things.
Grandparents spend more than $100 billion a year on entertainment, including cameras, boats and bicycles, camping gear, and a bunch of other things.
See what I mean?
Here's what I figure. In your case, grandparent economy and your party, or their grandchild's party, might to go hand-in-hand. Don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting that anyone should attempt to gouge them, dupe them out of anything, or cause any abuse in their lives whatsoever. Listen, I know what it's like to be mistreated. So I never would. So don't get your bloomers twisted. There's no need to hall off and write me a I'm getting Cater-Hater toldabout this type of comment. Yet, due to the First Amendment, I guess you could if you want to.
The real deal is that if you've got any grandparent-types that love you to death and are cool with it, why not hit them up to help you with your party or your kid's party? I didn't say they had to pick up the entire cost. But if marketers know about grandparent economy and plan to go after their money, don't you think they'd feel better about spending it on you?
Just remember this...
If you're thinking about considering the grandparent economy and having a party and asking for help, be cool about it. The grandparents that I speak of are baby boomers that don't feel as old as they are, so don't remind them of their age. And more importantly, be real with them. Fess up, if your money is tight and you can't afford to repay them for any favors you might ask them. Express the benefit of getting them involved in your party planning process; don't just expect them to pay for it - that would be rude.
Now that you know this, just grant me one request. If they ask you what prompted you to get them involved, don't mention me. I'm kidding - you can if you want to. But don't overdo this (suggesting that they help) and don't screw this up. Grandparents are so vital. So be kind. Respect grandparents rights.
Be sure to always remember them. On NationalGrandparents Day craft something wonderful for them in their honor. So make grandparents day activities a high priority. Come up with interesting ideas for grandparents to stay in touch and close to grandchildren when living far away.
Bottom line... Keep it simple. Have a private party in your home and make your own free party invitations. Then, cut back on spending a ton of money on party supplies. Make your own party decorations and make your own party favors, too. If you want your grandparents at your birthday party, be nice.
You can imagine that when it comes to parties and corporate events, the color pink won't impress most men. As much as ultra-dark, earthy shades dominating any party's decor won't have much appeal for most women.
Whether you realize it or not, color is something most people are sensitive to.
Our talent as event planners and caterers, is to strongly consider color - even when it comes to the look of the food. Color is something I consider greatly because of the emotion it can create. I have to weigh it heavy when I meet with a corporate client about planning their event. Color is crucial.
The color choices that you make for your party or corporate event definitely can influence the outcome you might have.
But don't sweat it. The color police won't put you on blast (a slang term for "on notice"), nor will they put out an A.P.B. and then come and get you if you don't chose the perfect color for your party or corporate event. But keep in mind that the colors that you choose actually do set a subconscious tone - giving ideas to your client and your other guests about what it is that you're trying to convey.
So be conscious of the color message that you want to convey when you begin to choose your decor concept and get into choosing your linens, flowers, and party supplies. Yet, how you want your potential client(s) to perceive your party themes, you, your brand, and your product line is of course up to you.
I want you to be successful.
And to help you get across your color point of view to achieve specific business or personal results, please consider this...
Black conveys a strong price point and sense of power and promise. When featured with other colors black will give you the ability for high contrasts. Add sheen or matte to black, and it becomes even more powerful.
White (especially when presented tone on tone) implies sophistication and formality - and also a higher price point.
Purple (violet) is especially hot right now and is a great color to use to depict a high fashion or sporty look. Purple is also a good color to use for showcasing desserts on a sweets table.
Blue spells confidence and safety. It's great to use for financial and medical branded events.
Yellow is the first color the eye sees. And when yellow is used with dark colors for high contrast (for example, black on a yellow background), yellow becomes more powerful - making the black make a statement even more powerful to sell.
Orange conveys affordability.
Blue-based reds, such as a raspberry red, are used to associate something more expensive.
Yellow-based reds, such as tomato red, is the perfect color to choose if your desire is to downplay a high price, to intentionally leave your guests with a less expensive look.
Certainly, when it comes to color there is no "one size fits all". Because color-wise, the difference between two points of color point of view can vary greatly. But try to remember when marketing different brands of the same product with different price points, stay in the ballpark of your original or base color theme so that the color choices you make for your party don't run amok, which should help stabilize your financial bottom line.
Use my secret weapon and take this tip: Your vantage point and power point for your party, in terms of the color position that you take, can make or break you. Believe it or not, knowing this could represent a major economic turning point. Because knowing the color chart breakdown written above is your greatest subconscious strength when appealing to potential clients.
Written by Carlo of Carlo At Your Service Productions
Caterer, Event Planner/Party Planner, Blogger/Party Writer, Web Fanatic, Social Media & SEO Enthusiast. Always learning. And, like to meet new people too. Feel free to say "Hi!" on Facebook or Twitter
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Written by Carlo of Carlo At Your Service Productions
