January 2008

 

Chef’s Corner

Recipes, menus, advice

 

 

Trends in Catering

What's hot, what's not!

 

 

Hosting a Party

Where & when?

 

 

What's Happening

Upcoming Events & Announcements

 

 

Contact Us

 

 

 

 

Proud members of:

 

 

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International Caterers Association

 

 

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Q & A

If you have a question about catering or event planning, email it to: info@thomascaterers.com 

 

Q:  How far in advance should invitations be mailed ?
 

A:  Typically, the rule of thumb is to mail invitations 6-8 weeks in advance and set the RSVP date 7-14 days from the event date. However, if you are hosting a small gathering (50 people or less), you can mail your invites 2-3 weeks in advance and set the RSVP date 3-5 days from the event date. Basically, the more people you have, the further out in advance you want to mail your invitations and give yourself plenty of time to follow up on the RSVPs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Southwestern Super Bowl! 

by Jennifer McKinney-Seet, CSEP

 

 

superbowl_42_v2.jpgFootball fans will enjoy a Southwestern themed Super Bowl this weekend as the New York Giants and the New England Patriots travel to Arizona on Sunday, February 3rd to battle it out at Super Bowl XLII. This is a great opportunity to spend time with friends by throwing a Super Bowl party. Below are a few tips on how to make it a great "Football Fiesta!"

  • Send your guests fun football themed invitations that can be found at www.party411.com or create your own by duplicating a Super Bowl XLII game ticket that contains your party details.
  • Decoration ideas include: wheat grass or artificial turf on the buffet, football_on_wheatgrass.jpgNerf footballs, pigskin linen (www.bbjlinen.com), team flags or pennants, football equipment, jerseys on chair backs, football jersey bottle/can insulators, balloons, streamers, etc. For the "Football Fiesta!" theme, include a football pinata (break at halftime), Mexican blankets, sombreros (purchase an inexpensive sombrero hat at local places like www.kipptoys.com, cut out the top or punch it down, place a bowl of dip in center and surround football_jersey_coozy.jpgwith chips), chili peppers, etc.
  • Encourage guests to wear their favorite team colors or jerseys. The host can wear a referee's jersey. Decorate your beverages with your favorite team jerseys too.
  • Divide the main TV viewing room in two with painters tape and then decorate one side for the New York Giants and the other for the New England Patriots. fajitas.jpg
  • Offer a casual buffet with quick grab and go items that can be served at room temperature or can be kept hot by a crock pot or warming tray to allow the host more freedom to watch the game instead of tending to the buffet. Theme the food items after your favorite team (New England clam chowder, New York style deli sandwiches, etc.) or around the event location (Arizona Iced Teas, Southwestern food, etc.). Superbowl_Jersey.jpg
  • Set up snack stations ("End Zones", "Snack Bars", etc.) in each room where guests will spend the most time watching the game. Include a cooler with drinks and dry snack foods such as chips, pretzels, popcorn, etc. This will allow them to be able to grab a quick drink or snack without missing a minute of the game.
  • If possible, include TVs in all rooms where guests will congregate and place radios in the bathroom.
  • Create a couple of fun signature drinks, such as "False Start" or "Super Bowl Slammer". Make these in advance and place in pitchers that will allow guests to serve themselves.

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Click here to view the online article from the Indianapolis Star featuring these tips, recipes, photos and more from Thomas Caterers of Distinctionon how to throw a great Super Bowl Party.

 

 

 

 Chef's Corner

 

Southwestern Super Bowl Party Menu

 

Featured in Jan 23rd issue of Indianapolis Star's "Taste" Magazine

(click here to view the full article with recipes)

 

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Super Bowl Seven Layer Dip

Touchdown Tortilla Soup Shooters

Grilled Chicken and Beef Fajitas

End Zone Empanadillas

Seafood Margaritas

Pigskins in a Blanket

Corn Salsa with Tortilla Chips

Football Brownies

 

 

Recipe of the Month

Touchdown Tortilla Soup 

 

referee.jpg  1/2 Gallon Chicken Stock

  1/2 Bag 13 oz Tortilla Corn Chips

  1 1/2 Tablespoons Dried Oregano

  1 14oz Canned Corn

  1 Small Jar Diced Green Chilies Drained

  1/2 Red Bell Pepper Diced

  1/2 Small Red Onion Diced

  1 Tablespoon Garlic Minced

 

Directions:  Boil broth, add crushed tortillas and oregano. Cook at a low boil for 10 to 15 minutes. While broth mixture is cooking, sauté corn in butter until somewhat dry. Turn off heat, add chilies, peppers, onion, and garlic. Add corn mixture to broth tortilla mix. Simmer 10 to 15 minutes more. Season with salt and black pepper. Top with sour cream and snipped cilantro. Serve in bowls or cactus shaped shot glasses to make "Tortilla Soup Shooters". Yields 80 fl oz.

 

Drink Recipes

 

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4 oz Apple Cider

2 oz Bourbon

1 oz Apple Brandy

1/2 Lemon

 

In a shaker filled with cracked ice, squeeze juice of lemon. Shake well with cider and spirits. Strain into two rocks glasses filled with ice cubes.

 

 

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1 part Vodka

2 parts Blue Demon Full Throttle Energy Drink

(by Coca-Cola)

 

Serve chilled in a martini glass or tall shot glass.

 

 


 Hosting a Party

 

Choice Days to Host a Party or Gathering   

                     

Super Bowl Party Feb. 3
Chinese New Year (Year of the Rat) Feb. 7
Valentines Day Feb. 14
Presidents Day Feb. 18
St. Patrick's Day March 17
First Day of Spring ("Spring Fling") March 20
Easter March 23

 

 

Where to Host a Party - Hot Spot Feature

 

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1235 Jackson Street

Columbus, Indiana 47201

Ph: 812-314-0910

www.factory12eventloft.com

 

Wedding & Event Designer, and owner of Eclectic Events & Design LLC, Katina Kaisher, opened Factory 12 Event Loft on October 24, 2007.  Factory 12 Event Loft is one of largest venues to open in Columbus, Indiana in some time.  The Event Loft is located in the downtown area inside one of Columbus’ historic buildings which was originally a sewing factory in the early 1900’s.  From weddings & receptions to corporate events…the upper loft is 10,000 square feet in size and designed for a variety of special events to fit every client's need. The interior design of the upper loft showcases…

  • Factory_12_Photo_2.jpgexposed brick walls
  • wood posts & beams
  • hardwood floors
  • large windows
  • skylight
  • ambient lighting
  • new rooftop courtyard (spring 2008)

 

The lower loft is scheduled to start renovations in 2008 and will showcase the same interior design elements and open space concepts on a smaller scale.  This level will house a staging kitchen for professional caterers to utilize in preparing for events and an event design showroom that will allow our staff to meet with clients in designing their special event. 

 

"Experience the difference at Factory 12 Event Loft. To see it is to love it!"Call today to schedule an appointment to tour this wonderful new event space.

 

 

What's Happening  

 

 

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Multiple Course Gourmet Dinners
Prepared by our talented Chefs especially for you and up to nineteen additional guests. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be presented in our state of the art kitchen, followed by a five course dinner to be served in our custom designed Client Tasting Room. Perfect for a quiet night out with friends or an impressive evening with clients. This unique package includes a multiple course surprise gourmet meal, wine, and service staff. Hands-on experiences are also available led by our talented team of Chefs to test your skills in our kitchens with "Iron Chef" Competitions (great for corporate team building events) or private cooking lessons. Limited times available. $75 per person. Limited to parties of 20 or less. Call now for reservations: 317-542-8333.

  


Contact Us  

 

TC_logo_2c.jpg     Thomas Caterers of Distinction

     4440 North Keystone Ave

     Indianapolis, Indiana 46205

     Phone: 317-542-8333

     Fax: 317-545-0683

     Email: Info@thomascaterers.com
    

About Us

We are a full service off-premise catering and event management company specializing in award winning gourmet cuisine for over 23 years. We custom tailor each event to fit the client's personality and style, making each occasion a unique experience.

 

Our highly qualified staff is certified and trained to assist each client with every detail of planning their event, from creative menu designs and elegant décor to entertainment, tenting, power and travel needs, you can relax knowing that our Certified Special Event Professionals will handle every detail with care to allow you to be a guest at your own event.

 

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