Fire & Ice at McKee Botanical Gardens

This year, we had the opportunity to help plan and cater the annual Orchid Ball at McKee Botanical Gardens. The Fräbel exhibit was in full swing, so his artwork inspired much of the décor of the night. From the performers to the food, everything that was incorporated was used to enhance the theme. Dancers and stilt walkers dressed in fire & ice costumes, ice sculptures and torches were incorporated throughout the gardens, and the food ranged from house-made ice cream to a churrascaria station, and Arctic Char cooked on cedar plank. The result was spectacular.

Photos courtesy of: Vitalic Photo.

Ralph Rendsland, Director of Special Events

407.478.2733 | ralph@puffnstuff.com

Themed Parties Make a Comeback

From a Barbie-inspired birthday party to a Kentucky Derby celebration, themed parties are back. And they’re more fun than ever! This year, I’ve had the privilege of working on a few themed parties – here are some highlights of my two favorites!

Barbie Turns 50 Party. The guest of honor held her 50th birthday in her Orlando home. Barbie also turned 50 this year, so our client decided to go with that theme and host an adult dress-up party. We enhanced her home with hot pink lamour linens and martini-tied cocktail tables. We even covered her sectional sofa with white lamour for a more feminine touch! To further accentuate the theme, our staff (Stacey and Jeriko) had fun playing dress-up for the day. Barbie dolls were incorporated into our station set-ups, and there was even a life-size Barbie box where guests could pose and take pictures.

Kentucky Derby Party. In celebration of the 2009 Kentucky Derby, our client wanted to host a party. This southern theme was clear from the start. We paired fried green tomatoes with English tea sandwiches and sweet corn and ricotta fritters. The host even provided traditional silver mint julep cups for us to use for the traditional derby drink. Guests cheered on their favorite horse around the client’s big screen while they enjoyed the menu themed for the occasion.

Sandy George, Special Event Planner

407.478.5831 | sandy@puffnstuff.com

Accenting with "Pops" of Color

During my first meeting with Maxine and Lamar, Maxine came to me with several beautiful and unique color pallates. Swatches and color chips inhand, how was she ever going to choose! I could tell she had a flair for style and wanted to design a beautiful and unique look. We looked through some of her favorite color options, but decided to focus on the menu during our first meeting, knowing that her color scheme would fall into place. When Maxine and Lamar came in for their tasting the details had begun to fall into place. They had decided on a color pallatte of light blue and silver with “pops” of yellow. Quite fitting for an Easter weekend wedding!

With the help of wedding planner Tamuel Coward from Remembering When Event Planning, we used Wedgewood Bichon on the seating tables and Silver Bichon for the head square table of 6. Silver chivaris were the chair of choice and she accented the tables with silver chargers and butter yellow napkins. We also incorporated the butter yellow “pop” on the buffet and display tables as well.

One of my favorite aspects of the wedding was their Popcorn Bar. Maxine and Lamar chose popcorn flavors that included white cheddar, buffalo wing, chocolate, caramel and butter. A creative touch and special treat for their guests and another "pop" of yellow.

While pops of yellow were present in the reception decor, they were also noticeable in her attire. Maxine carried a gorgeous yellow bouquet created by Vicki at Peddles that included orchids. She really let her style shine with her choice of yellow shoes. A stylish and sassy touch. The yellow bouquets were the perfect compliment to the bridesmaid's light blue dresses and the groomsmen's traditional seersucker suits.

Color "pops" are often the final accent that tie a wedding together. They underline the couple's sense of style and personality, and more importantly create a beautiful atmosphere for their guests.

Amanda Berg, Special Event Planner

407.478.5819 | amanda@puffnstuff.com

Chef Paul Lorrain on The Daily Buzz

Our own Chef Paul Lorrain appeared live on The Daily Buzz Wednesday, April 21st in celebration of Earth Day with eco-friendly ideas that we can bring to the table or anyone can create at home.

Culinary Musings on Achieving Excellence

Cooking by definition is what happens when you apply a temperature change and/or chemical change to an edible object (ingredient). The relationships between ingredients and a controlled environment, as well as exposure to other ingredients, are the building blocks to knowledge. Its the understanding of these relationships that inspire innovation. From the simplest forms of manipulation such as butchering a piece of meat to accent its appeal in flavor, texture, and visual attributes; to raising the experience of elements through altering their structure on a molecular level through all forms of technique. This library of knowledge and experience of these relationships are what forms and shapes style. Where creativity meets methodology innovation is born, but it's not enough to achieve excellence.

Finesse

Accuracy

Respect

Timing

Execution

These are the building blocks of greatness, but these attributes alone are still not enough to achieve excellence. It's through the harmony of all these elements in unison that even approach excellence, like the building of a dish. Each flavor layering and accenting another, each technique bringing out the most relative flavor, texture, and color of an ingredient to create balance and union, and at the same time evoke awe and satisfaction. Thomas Keller (tkrg.org) once said to me "It's just food Chef" as we were in the middle of service on a busy Saturday night. The defining moment of my culinary career is having my mentor tirelessly drive my dishes and cooking to perfection...and in the same breath utter the words "It's just food."

Those words shook my core at a time in my life where I was focused entirely on training and perfecting my technique and pallet. It was then I was reminded of the primal necessity of what created the existence of my field, and defined what I do as a chef. At the core food is a cornerstone of survival and demands the reverence of sustenance before all else. It is that experience in which we all must participate in order to survive that my goal in life is to bring pleasure to. At the end of the day it's these ideals that drive me to achieve excellence. But its not just about getting from A to B and doing it well, a big part of it all is enjoying the journey.

Bryce Balluff, Chef de Cuisine

bryce@puffnstuff.com | 407.629.7833

Nisbett 50th Birthday Party

Social catering has always been my favorite type of event. I love meeting with the clients and seeing their lovely homes. Creating fun themes and really getting to know my clients on a personal level is very important to me. Most of my social clients have been with me for several years. I’ve watched their kids grow up and have been able to enjoy being a part of their lives in a special way with baby showers, baptisms, birthday parties, 1st communions, sweet 16 and high school graduations.

I had the joy of meeting Janice Nisbett this past month who was planning a 50th birthday party for her husband. She had put so much thought into her event and we were planning it in a small park in College Park. We met there and walked the site to be sure there was proper lighting, electrical outlets and work space for us as we bring our ovens and kitchen equipment to the site. With our layout in mind we moved onto the menu – which consisted of chef attended tenderloin of beef, great heavy hors’d and a beautiful lemon cake for the birthday boy in addition to our miniature pastries. The event colors were white, black and a splash of red with tall cocktail tables throughout the park and a group of seating tables. Of course we needed centerpieces so I call my good friend at Special Event Floral and she designed beautiful centerpieces to compliment the event style.

Everything was running smoothly except the weather reports were starting to say that rain and windy conditions were most likely to be on and off that weekend. Janice and I spoke early in the week and since the work had not begun at her home as of yet we decided to meet there as a back up plan. Well, she has a great house and certainly large enough to move the event over there if need be, and it put her to ease that we could be so flexible. We decided we would make that decision on Friday so I could relay it to the appropriate management teams in our organization. I didn’t hear anything from her so I assumed we were a go for the park. Saturday morning came and I get a phone call from Janice and she is very worried about having the b-day party at the park so I tell her no problem we will just move it over to her home.

Lucky for me I have a wonderful management team and service staff. I made a few phone calls and it was a done deal! Everyone was flexible and had no issues with the change. The best part of all was the beautiful displays and fabulous food that we put out that evening. I was so proud of my staff and Janice was delighted, as well as, her guests. That is what makes if all worthwhile. No matter what changes are made we partner together and get the job done!

I have been in this business for 20 years, but I have to say that by far this is the best team of people I have ever worked with. I guess that’s what keeps my social clients coming back again and again!

Mary Brumley, Special Event Planner

407.398.6304 | mary@puffnstuff.com

Eco-Friendly Event Ideas

Whether you are planning a wedding, baby shower, private dinner for two or a large corporate event there are a lot of ways to not only make your guests happy but also the environment. Many people are focusing on making their events eco-friendly. Saving our planet just gives us one more reason to celebrate. So in honor of earth day, here are some great ideas for making your next event more green.

Invitations. When choosing your invitation, consider using plantable seeded paper, recycled paper, or even bamboo paper - and to go completely natural have them printed with soy or vegetable oil-based inks. A less formal alternative is to send an email invitation. Sites like Evite.com have endless options to choose from with every theme imaginable and the best part there is no paper, no waste and no fuel emissions.

Décor. There is nothing like first impressions. Using natural, earthly elements will enhance the ambiance of your party. Try decorating with old colored glass bottles in shades of green, blue and browns to bring the colors of nature right into your centerpieces. These one-of-a-kind vases used in different shapes and sizes add dimension to your tables. You can also use potted plants and flowers and invite your guest to take them home as a cheerful reminder of your special event that they can cherish for years to come. Fresh fruit also gives lots color and texture to a normally plain centerpiece. Use fresh oranges, limes, lemons or kiwis in a crystal vase with twigs to add color. Place cherry tomatoes and blueberries around a white candle in a hurricane to set the mood for a Fourth of July celebration. Allow your imagination to go & grow wild.

Menu. Ask your caterer to buy organic and use local farms, when possible. When Puff 'n Stuff Catering needs organic materials we turn to our local farmers for example Adale Farms. Adale Farms helps supply our innovative chefs with micro greens to incorporate flavor and texture as well as added nutrition. We have also teamed with up with places like the Orlando Brewery when we want everything including the Ale to be organic. These days everything from organic fruits, vegetables, poultry and meats can be readily found, so there is no reason not to have a healthy, eco-friendly meal for your guests to munch down on.

Serviceware. Lots of companies are making tableware with raw materials such as bamboo, bespoke palm, sugarcane or recycled biodegradable plastic. Puff 'n Stuff Catering frequently uses bamboo bowls, spoons and other serviceware not only to be more green, but also to enhance the décor. Or for a more formal option, pull out the “Good China.” This is a reusable option and is very environmentally friendly and adds a sense of sophistication to your party.

Dana Alvarez-Ferry, Special Event Planner Associate

407.478.5829 | dana@puffnstuff.com