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Celebrating Marriage Equality

posted by Mary Anne Erickson

May 09

 
I've had this blog in mind for months, and today seems like the perfect time to share it. So sorry for North Carolina, but so happy that our President Barack Obama has come out in favor of same sex marriage. Here in New York State we were all ecstatic last summer when the legislature passed the Marriage Equality Act. In this day and age, people of all inclinations should be able to legally share their lives with one another! This has really changed the face of the wedding industry, as the old traditions make way for new forms of expression. The possibilities are endless! How fabulous to see two male figures on the top of a wedding cake! (or two women, as the case may be). All notions of "what's appropriate", in terms of dress and fashion, the type of party to have, how to decorate, invitations, music - it's all up for grabs!

We were honored to cater a fabulous wedding celebration last September here in Woodstock and here are the menu highlights from this festive occasion:

Passed Appetizers
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Mushroom Parmesan Risotto Cakes
Truffle Mousse on Red Wine Biscuits
Citrus Poached Shrimp, Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce

Autumn Harvest Bisque, served

Buffet Dinner
Poulet Roti Grandmere, roast chicken with mushrooms, bacon and pearl onions
Whole Roasted Shell Steak
Butternut Squash - Sage Bread Pudding
RSK Farm local mashed potatoes
Vegetable Wellington
Chef’s Seasonal Vegetable Medley
Bread and Butter

Dessert
Cutting Cake as the Wedding Cake
Assorted Homemade Cupcakes
Catskill Mountain organic coffee service

In the following slide show you'll get a sneak peak of the chef's putting the final touches on the dinner buffet before the guests were served. One of the greatest challenges we faced with this dinner was the served butternut squash soup. We took this on like you would if you were a contestant on Top Chef! It was the end of September and most likely it would be a cool evening. Not a problem to keep the tent warm for the guests, but how would we have the warm soup on the tables awaiting the guests when they first sat down from the cocktail hour?

 

We had to take into consideration that from the moment we told the guests to sit down to the guests actually sitting down could be at least 15 minutes. So the bowls would have to be piping hot when we put the soup in them, then taken by the waiters to the tables awaiting the guests - hopefully still hot and nourishing!

We devised a way to bring hot bowls to each table and then pour the hot soup into each bowl just minutes before the guests sat down. We hope they all have wonderful memories of their first sip of our delicious Autumn Harvest Bisque!

Enjoy a few snapshots from this lovely wedding!

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November 2011

"So, the wild wedding craze is over and we are writing our thank yous to all participants. One very special Thank You! goes out to you and Richard and your crew - you have all been so nice and friendly and helpful with everything and the food was fantastic ("epic" as my father called it.) Thanks to your great organization everything went super smooth. Please feel free to use us as reference for prospective customers."

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April 2011

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June 2012

"Thank you so much. The party was fantastic. We had perfect weather. Everyone raved about the food. It was delicious. Michael and Megan were so wonderful in the way they arranged everything and their sense of timing. I could really enjoy the party too. I would be delighted to give a recommendation any time but you probably don't need it since you have such a wonderful reputation. Please thank Richard and all your staff who prepared the food."

By Karen, Palenville, New York

July 2012

"Hello Mary Anne: just wanted you to know the food you provided for our party at Onteora Mountain House last night was DEEEE-licious and is getting rave reviews today. As always, it is a pleasure working with you and Bistro-to-go."

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July 2011

"A belated thanks for the wonderful food and energetic helpers who made my party such a success. Despite the rain, everything worked out perfectly and the food was much admired. I am glad we decided on the fillet of beef, which disappeared almost immediately, despite the professed vegetarians amongst us. But it was all delicious: the appetizers were beautifully displayed, thanks to the skills of the "ladies", the cakes were scrumptious , and I am sure you have acquired new fans."

By Marjorie, Woodstock, New York / New York City

June 2012

"Thank you for your creation and execution of Emily and Ben's glorious wedding celebration. Your skill and competence in arranging and composing such large wedding was extremely impressive. I enjoyed working with you both in the process of planning this memorable day."

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August 2012

"Thank you, thank you, thank you! The food tasted delicious and it looked like a painting. Richard, Alan and I know that you are an artist in more ways than one. Michael and his assistant ran the whole show in a professional, pleasant, personable manner. Everyone enjoyed the party."

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July 2011

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August 2009

"Matt and I just got back from Italy on Sunday night, and of course we spent much of the time on our honeymoon reminiscing about the wedding and reception. When we got back,we were inundated with notes and calls from our guests, praising every aspect of the event, and in many cases they complimented the food, the catering, your staff. It all ran so smoothly and everyone had such a great time, including Matt and myself. I just wanted to let you know that you deserve huge thanks for helping make our wedding such a success. We can't thank you enough and we are so grateful for your professionalism, calm and culinary expertise. Each characteristic contributed immensely to what in hindsight we both agree was the happiest moment of our lives."

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October 2011

"I can't thank you enough for your help in making my niece's engagement celebration so memorable. From the moment you helped us plan the menu until the last dish was carefully washed and put away your professionalism has been unsurpassed. The guests raved about the food, the servers were efficient and hard-working, and every detail was impeccable. We will never try another caterer...because your service is the ultimate!"

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April 2013

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June 2009

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