Summer Cruising Fun!

Have you ever kissed a Sting Ray or eaten Turtle Soup?  I never thought I would do either but while on my summer vacation, I was fortunate to have taken my first ever cruise to the Western Caribbean. It is an amazing way for a couple to spend their Honeymoon or a family to spend some quality time with their loved ones.  I was fortunate to have my daughter come visit me, and felt a cruise would be the perfect way for us to enjoy the summer sun!  One of our stops was to Georgetown, Grand Cayman Island where we visited a Turtle Farm.  Wouldn’t you know they  have a restaurant on property where I tried their Turtle Soup recipe.  Weird, I know!

We were adventurous and tried it.  Guess what it tastes like – of course everyone said – chicken!  I thought it tasted a little like conch chowder myself.

Next we were off to Sting Ray City and the sandbar.  Sailing the aqua blue seas, we were taken to a huge sandbar where we swam and snorkeled with amazing, huge sting rays.  They were swimming under and all around us.  We even got to KISS and pet them.  As soon as a boat came close to the sandbar they started swimming towards us where the guides always have food for them.  It was a weird twist on the Pavlov’s  dogs theory.  I think the stingray kiss was one of the highlights of my trip!

With so many cruise option to choose from, I encourage you to check one out.  If you’re already a pro, then check out the new Norwegian Epic, featuring our friends from Cirque Productions for the ship’s Cirque Dreams Dinner!  It’s on my list for next summer. :-)

Cheers!

We Can’t Pick One Either!

Planning a wedding should be a fun way to express your identity as a couple.  As one of the most personal experiences you can share with family and friends, a huge part of the wedding process is…(drumroll)….color selection!

While it might strike you as an odd importance next to the wedding dress, or say, groom choice, it’s tough to plan a wedding with zero color inspiration.  Think about it, from invitations and flowers, to endless yards of table fabric and the unavoidable bridesmaid dress debate, it all lies in the fate of the right shade, tint or tone.

Pantone is a great way to help make your event a visibly continuous experience. Their 2010 Color of the Year is 15-5519 Turquoise, with colors like Purple Orchid, and Woodbine as runner’s up. For many brides the  decision is easy, for others overwhelming. Enter Dessy!  A match made in hue heaven, it’s known for adorable bridesmaid dresses (note: debate solved!), evening gowns and more, including a color inspiration section we nicknamed the Pantone Playground!  Experiment with a variety of colors and styles, then print it up to take on your next vendor visit.  Now you’re two steps ahead!

Still feeling lost?  Before you throw away your crayons, stop and visualize how all the colors of your wedding will come together and make you feel:

• Where is your ceremony located? 
• Will the weather season weight in on your design idea? 
• Does the carpet at the reception hall make a case for a color intervention?
• Is there a color that is special to you and your Prince Charming?

Jot down your thoughts, and trust one or two close friends for advice.  Too many opinions can result in disaster, so be sure the choice ultimately reflects who YOU are, and have some FUN!

I have been a wedding planner since I was 5 yrs old. I remember playing with my friends, wearing my mother’s wedding dress and dreaming of Prince Charming on his white horse with the best of them.  (Insert the Jennifer Lopez joke here!) Though I’ve worked in this industry for over seven years, I always knew one day, it would be my turn for my “happily ever after”…minus the whole “falling in love with the groom” thing!

I recently became engaged and boy, does the game change on this side of the court! So many things to do… so little time! Thank Goodness for my Calendar Countdown to keep me on track… I actually follow one of those!

We are planning our wedding for July 2011 in Miami, Florida. Formal engagement announcements are a very traditional way of letting everyone in on the celebration! You’ll need to be sure that everyone who received an engagement announcement will also be invited to the wedding, and that it won’t be mistaken for an invitation.

I decided to put together our engagement announcements with the help of paper guru Hillary Gawron from IDO! Custom Invitations and the always fabulous photography of Roy Llera Photography. The end result was this beautiful, a simple, fun yet elegant announcement. Developing a great relationship with the vendor responsible for all of your printed materials, from announcement to thank you cards, is important.  You want everything to be a reflection of you and your significant other.

Announcements are available in a variety of styles and prices ranges to fit any budget. Be careful though, if you get carried away they can cost more than the wedding invitation itself.

If you can’t spend the extra cash consider these other options….

• Publish an Announcement in Your Local Newspaper
• Announce Your Engagement at a Party
• Create a Free Wedding Website

No matter the route you choose, make sure you take the time to enjoy the process! 

Chances are, most of your friends could spin off exactly what you drink when you go out for cocktails.  You know, the Long Islands, Cosmos & Cuba Libres of the world?  And chances are they probably came about because your hangout of choice was too loud to request (or shout) anything else more innovative.  Why not shake it up (pun intended), and try something new this summer?  I’m sharing three innovative recipes from major US cities where I’ve had the pleasure to live, work & play!

There you have it, three fantastic recipes sure to please you and your guests. So why wait?  Turn your backyard into the new party venue this weekend with these great cocktails!

Except the loin cloth please. You may however use it as a couture dish towel while we whip up African Lamb Shank, a sample creation from my upcoming Meats 101 Course at CaterArts2010. (Have you registered?!)  Continuing on the World Cup kick (yep, pun intended), what better place to get acquainted with such a unique and diverse continent than in your kitchen? Africa offers a variety of flavors and aromas not found on your usual dinner table.  Let’s get started!

Ingredients:

Lamb Shank 4 ea Lamb Shanks 2 cups Diced Red Onion 3 oz Butter 2 cups Stock or Demi 2 cups Red Wine 1 tbs Garlic 1 oz Worcestershire Sauce 6 ea Cooked Quail Eggs 2 tbs Berbere Paste

Berbere Paste 2 tsp Cumin seeds 4 Garlic Cloves ¾ tsp Cardamom Seed ½ tsp Black Peppercorns ¼ tsp Whole Allspice 1 tsp Fenugreek Seeds ½ tsp Coriander 4 ea Dry Red Chili Peppers ½ tsp Fresh Ginger ¼ tsp Tumeric 1 tsp Salt 2½ tbs Paprika 1/8 tsp Cinnamon

Method:

Berbere Paste: Toast cumin, cloves, cardamom, peppercorns, allspice, fenugreek, coriander and chili peppers. In a mortar grind the toasted ingredients. Mix in the rest of the ingredients, set aside.

Lamb: Marinate lamb with garlic, Worcestershire sauce. Sautee onions in dry pan until they darken. Add butter and berbere paste. Add lamb to the pan, deglaze with red wine and add stock. Cook until the lamb is tender.

Recommend serving with- Fresh corn and Goat cheese Polenta, Saffron oil brushed flatbread, bitter greens and quail egg.

Unfortunately, Team USA is now out of the running.  The female conglomerate here at AJW seems to be rooting for the team with the most eye candy/potential to bring home to mom!  Having that debate yourself, you say?  Here’s a little something to help pass the time as the lamb shank marinates.  Enjoy!

Admit it, lately your cocktail concepts have become a bit dull.  You’ve had your run of Rum & Cokes, Mojitos and Cuba Libres, and while the Caribbean has a great deal to offer, you need something more…exotic.

Well our Executive Chef, Elgin Woodman, was born in beautiful Lima, Peru, so she knows a thing or two about exotic.  Take a break from reading World Cup updates and focus on something even your boss will approve of…only on Friday of course. 

Presenting the Pisco Sour, a staple Peruvian cocktail twist on the Whiskey Sour.  Try it at home, and I am sure that it will become a cocktail favorite for you and your friends!

Ingredients 1 cup of Peruvian Pisco 6 tbsp of Passion Fruit Purée 2 tbsp of Fresh Lime Juice 6 tbsp of Sugar 3 tbsp of Water 2 cups of Ice 1 Egg White Passion Fruit Seeds for garnish

Method

Place sugar and water in a pot. Heat until the sugar dissolves, then cool. In a blender, mix the Pisco, Passion Fruit Purée, Lime J uice and dissolved sugar. Add the ice and crush. Add the egg white and blend (this will add a nice frothy finish). Pour into glasses and garnish with Passion Fruit seeds. *This recipe yields ten servings*

Cheers & Viva Lima!

This garden soirée had our entire team putting their heads together creating everything from custom bars to an out-of-this-world menu! Our Director of Sales, Creative Director and Executive Chef had just returned from the 2010 Event Solutions Conference & Tradeshow in Las Vegas with plenty of ideas for this trendy couple. In the world of Design, the hot trend is Urban Rustic Shabby Chic and this beautiful couple could write the book.  Our team used a mixture of vintage and antique furniture, chandeliers, romantic linens layered with soft colors and textures adorned with classic china to create a charming event space.

The food was unique yet familiar in its design and taste. Guests were welcomed with a fun Lemonade Stand and “Ball Park” cocktail station, dined on Ahi Tuna Tartare & Petite Salad followed by Chipotle Braised Short Ribs, and ended the evening with French Macaroon Towers.

Pictured Above: The stunning tent was constructed by Premier Party Rentals. Design Elements (Chairs, linens, small wares, etc.) provide by Nuage Designs, Panache, and Elements & Accents!  Check out the gorgeous wedding cake by We Take the Cake!  Thumbs up to the Wedding Planner, Heather, from Posh Parties!

Pictured Above: Fun “Ballpark” food items were prepared on a station during the cocktail hour to represent the groom’s hometown of Philadelphia! Pretzels, popcorn, hotdogs, and more…Yum! As the stars appeared, late night desserts and Bubble Tea were served after dinner as the crowd danced the evening away to the Urban Guerilla Orchestra!

Congratulations to Becky and Seth! Best of luck to the two of you!

Held annually by the International Caterers Association, CaterArts is composed of classes with the catering chef in mind. Hosted in Louisville, Kentucky and sponsored by Sullivan University, I have been fortunate enough to participate and teach for the past 2 years. It is not only a great learning experience, but when catering chefs get together, it can’t help but turn into a party! My topic this year is meats, rediscovering cuts of beef, unique flavors and supporting side dishes. This Red Thai Curry Short Rib is sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next fete.  Hope to see you in class!

Ingredients:

4 Lbs Boneless Short Rib 3 Ea Kaffir Lime Leaves 1 Ea Cinnamon Stick 1 Cup Mirin Chicken Stock to Cover 4 Thai Chilis ½ cup Red Onion 6 Ea Garlic Cloves 4 Tbs Chopped Lemongrass 1 Thumb of Galangal

6 Tbs Fish Sauce 4 Tsp Shrimp Paste 4 Tbs Ketchup 1 Tsp Cayenne 1 Tbs Coriander 1 Tbs Cumin 2 Tbs Chili Powder 2 Tbs Brown Sugar 5 Tbsp Lime Juice 1 Can Coconut Milk

Method:

Season and sear Short Ribs. Deglaze with mirin, add kaffir leaves, cinnamon and cover with stock. Allow to cook until tender. While the beef is raising make the curry sauce. Puree all the ingredients in a blender.

Cook the sauce in a sauce pot for 10 minutes to incorporate the flavors. Once the beef is tender transfer the meat into the curry sauce and simmer for a few more minutes. This is a recipe that can be altered depending on your taste, by making it saltier, sweeter or spicier.  For a cleaner presentation remove the beef from the curry sauce, strain it and pour on top of the beef.

For a more authentic look, serve it as is. I normally cut the beef in ½ and tie with them together with a leek strand. You can also use a bone-in short rib. Recommend serving with coconut rice and a sweet and tangy pickled fruit slaw.

What could be more romantic than saying your vows on a beautifully landscaped property with serene Biscayne Bay as a backdrop?  We can’t think of anything! A fortunate few brides have discovered this hidden jewel in the heart of Coconut Grove…The Kampong.

Aaaaah…The Kampong.

Not only is this 7.5 acre bay front estate gorgeous, it has a wonderful history.  Dr. David Fairchild, namesake of Fairchild Tropical Garden, bought the property in 1916.  He and his wife Marian, daughter of Alexander Graham Bell, named it The Kampong – a Malay word for a village, or a cluster of dwellings for an extended family.  Dr. Fairchild, one of the most influential horticulturalist and plant collectors of his time, was akin to an early "Indiana Jones", conducting field trips in exotic locales all over the globe.

Now owned by the National Tropical Botanical Garden, The Kampong has recently been made available for a select few Weddings.  In addition to the stunning Ceremony location options, the new event space offers a wonderful setting for a dinner reception.

Carefully designed and built to compliment the original architecture, it offers the ideal setting for dining in a Tropical Paradise.  Limestone columns support large beam ceilings, providing a most romantic view of the lush Florida landscape.  If you are looking for a one of a kind venue, only minutes from Miami and South Beach, look no further.

On the Plaza outside of the New HISTORYMIAMI, enjoy this festive “Art Deco” themed evening with fabulous A Joy Wallace Food & Design. 

Below is an excerpt, courtesy of The Miami Heart Gallery website, giving more details as to the purpose behind the movement.

“The Miami Heart Gallery is a series of traveling photographic and multimedia exhibits created to find forever families for children in foster care. The Heart Gallery of America is a collaborative project of over 120 Heart Galleries across the United States (and growing) designed to increase the number of adoptive families for children needing homes in our community. The Heart Gallery model is being replicated in many communities across the country.

This site is dedicated to increasing awareness of the more than 150 foster care children in Miami-Dade who are in need of permanent homes. The individuality and spirit of the children were captured by some of the world’s top photographers, who generously donated their time and talent. In addition to the captivating portraits, The Miami Heart Gallery is among only several in the country with audio messages from waiting children, allowing you to hear their hopes and dreams for the future…”

www.miamiheartgallery.org – Miami Heart Gallery

www.thechildrenstrust.org – The Children’s Trust