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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:


International Caterers Association


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
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Football 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!"
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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.
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Decoration ideas include: wheat grass or artificial turf on the buffet,  Nerf 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  with chips), chili peppers, etc.
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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.
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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. 
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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.). 
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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.
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If possible, include TVs in all rooms where guests will congregate and place radios in the bathroom.
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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.

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.
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Chef's Corner
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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)

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
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
"False Start "
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.
"Super Bowl Slammer" or "Colts Cocktail "
1 part Vodka
2 parts Blue Demon Full Throttle Energy Drink
(by Coca-Cola)
Serve chilled in a martini glass or tall shot glass.
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Hosting a Party
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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


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…
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.
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| 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.
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Contact Us
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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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