Ultimate Kitchen Challenge!!!

Dejuan Luke and Pastor Harris from New Life Church decided that it was time to get the staff into competition mode...the Ultimate Kitchen Challenge was the way to go! There were 4 teams, consisting of 4-5 members. Each team was challenged to create a tapas style dish with the ingredients available to them. Each team had a mystery vegetable. Even though one team didn't realize their vegetable was indeed a vegetable, it was HILARIOUS to see how each team could collaborate to design a dish in less than 30 minutes! The winner, needless to say, had a creative team name, a creative dish, and a creative way of telling the judges that 'trust me, it's gonna be good' :)

We served the enthusiastic bunch with a hearty lunch that they surely enjoyed:

Spinach au Gratin

Mashed Sweet Potato Bliss

Panko Crusted Chicken Tenderloins

Dessert - Organic Berry Tarts with Vanilla Creme and Graham Cracker Crust

Summer Showers

When you have cooks in the house, we wouldn't dare have someone else come in and cater! So, with our new bundle of joy entering the world, Little Drake, of course a Baby Shower was a MUST. But, of course, we're always busy....so catering our own shower on Saturday wasn't the only shower we catered that weekend. Repeat client Darlene & guest of honor Candace needed us for Candace's shower the next day! Both showers were extremely different: ours being light lunch and Candace's shower was a Candy-themed brunch. We introduced a fabulous hummus with grilled pita chips for the lunch shower, along with:

Whatever Your Way Wings - Jerk & Southern BBQ
The Queso-Dilla
Seasonal Aged Cheeses
Fresh Raspberry-Lemonade!! (Last count 30 lemons were squeezed by hand!!)

Candace's "Candy" Brunch had a different flair, and assorted candies were used in the decor. Skittles were sprinkled across white linens and jelly beans filled vases were some of the ideas used.

Shower Menu:

Georgia Peach Belini (non-alcoholic)

Fried Chicken Satay with House Honey Mustard

Asian Salmon Croquettes - fresh flaked salmon fillet, scallions, soy sauce, fresh ginger

Petite Quiche wrapped in Phyllo Dough - fingerling potato, baby spinach, range-free eggs

Cool Watermelon Salad - Spring mix, vegan feta cheese (because pregnant women should stay clear of soft cheeses), house vinaigrette, shaved watermelon

Bridal Shower & Photo Shoot!

_

Close etch&market friend, Tyler B helped with an impromptu photo shoot for some dishes while catering a bridal shower. She's also responsible for the lovely catfish shot above the blog! Client Darlene S. was hosting a bridal shower for the couple-to-be at a trendy new place, named SPACE. Sous chef Tiana was on hand helping with the event and made some wisecrack joke that got us all giggling! Thanks Ty for lending your eye..and capturing food and laughter at the same time!

Menu

Salmon Tortilla Chips

Savory Spinach and Artichoke Dip

BBQ Rotisserie Chicken Salad

Catfish Fingers

Cooking Class for Ladies at Play

Chitan knows how to re-invent herself and also draw a crowd. This event included a live cooking lesson for 30 people. Cooking classes work well for groups of 10 and if you have an open kitchen. We'll come in and setup the entire space to make it as interactive as you'd like. We taught the audience how to make Breakfast in Bed, a Crowd Pleaser, and quick and easy desserts:

Breakfast in Bed - Asparagus and Potato Fritatta

Crowd Pleaser - Mango Chutney Turkey Sliders aka Maro Lago

Dessert - Organic Berry Tart, Vanilla Creme and Graham Cracker Crust

Why Go Out When You Can Bring the Restaurant Home?

Mr. and Mrs. Powe wanted to do something special..so special that they knew a restaurant wouldn't fit the bill. So, why not dress your own home up as a restaurant?! What a great idea! We setup tables in the living room, center pieces included! However, there was a slight catch...I had to create a Carribean influenced menu for the newly engaged couple with roots from Jamaica! Now, I'm scared! But, with my love for food, if I find an ethnic food that I love and admire so dearly, I will try and try and try to re-create it to get it just right. With one good trip to Jamaica, Negril to be exact, I had to take from the experience, and memories of jerk chicken by the beach..That's what we did. We're not from the islands, but we'll get you as close as possible if you let us!

Menu:

Mango Salad with a Ginger Citrus Vinagerette

Sweet Fried Plantains

Black Beans & Rice

Fire Grilled Jerk Chicken (Yes..scotch bonnett peppers make it hot!!)