6 years ago
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wedding dates booking fast!
If you are planning for an October or November wedding this year in the Tampa Bay region, you may want to book your caterer soon! Fortunately for Good Food Catering Company, business has been great and is only looking better for the remainder of the year. Since we're a "boutique" caterer, we choose to only cater one event at a time, so your wedding will get the utmost attention to detail and be our sole priority for the day. For this reason, we sometimes have to turn down business. Please don't let us turn down your business!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Exciting News! New Location!
You probably already know that Good Food Catering Company is busy providing unique food and great experiences for weddings, corporate events and socials in the Tampa Bay region. And with 100% certainty, I know that you've tasted our food at a location near you, like a wedding venue, private residence, community clubhouse or even an airport hangar (that story coming soon). But now you'll be able to stop in soon to taste our food in our new home.
Last month, Good Food Catering Company moved into a new kitchen space in South Tampa, located at 2013 W. Platt St., near the SOHO district. With this move comes a plethora of new possibilities and opportunities to meet us, including a monthly open house and tasting, beginning in April.
The date for our first tasting has not been set yet, but stay tuned for more details. Although the space is small, it is the perfect opportunity to see what goes on "behind the scenes" in our kitchen and the new catering ideas we can utilize that will make your event unique and memorable.
Last month, Good Food Catering Company moved into a new kitchen space in South Tampa, located at 2013 W. Platt St., near the SOHO district. With this move comes a plethora of new possibilities and opportunities to meet us, including a monthly open house and tasting, beginning in April.
The date for our first tasting has not been set yet, but stay tuned for more details. Although the space is small, it is the perfect opportunity to see what goes on "behind the scenes" in our kitchen and the new catering ideas we can utilize that will make your event unique and memorable.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Shrimp & Andouille Pasta... Almost Famous!
Yesterday I had the pleasure to visit with Staci Mandikas of Unique Event Design and learn about how she utilizes both classic and cutting edge designs to make every event and wedding "unique." I had originally met her at the Davis Island Garden Club bridal show a couple of weeks ago and wanted to spend some time getting to know more about her and the services she offers for for her clients in the Tampa Bay region. In the process of checking out her website, I stumbled upon the fact the she hails from New Orleans, which gave us a few fun things to talk about. It also gave me the opportunity to introduce her to my signature dish, Shrimp and Andouille Pasta.
When my wife and I began dating, I probably originally won her over through my cooking and my use of cream sauces, good seafood and of course, sausage. When I was developing some dishes, I combined the three and ended up with one of my signature dishes. It became so popular that it was being requested by many of my friends for every dinner party I threw. And believe it or not, the media came calling.
Many of you know that I moved here as a result of Hurricane Katrina. But you may not know that for many years, I wrote a blog about New Orleans food and culture. It wasn't long after moving to Tampa that I was featured in a story for the New York Times and later the St. Pete Times. A couple of months later I was contacted by a talent agency in New York City and was asked to submit some cooking videos for use on Yahoo Food. I had nothing to lose, so I sent them two videos - one about the New Orleans Style Bloody Mary and the other one? You guessed it, Shrimp and Andouille Pasta.
The video never made me famous, but I had a lot of fun making it. I can't bring myself to watch the video, but for posterity, it is still found online even today. Fortunately you're still able to see it and can pretty easily re-create my signature dish. And if you are hiring us to cater your next Tampa Bay event or wedding, we'll be happy to serve it for you and your guests. (The only difference is that in our catering operation we use penne pasta instead of the linguine that I would use at home.) You can check out the video above and feel free to email me for a copy of the recipe for our soon-to-be famous Shrimp and Andouille Pasta. Enjoy!
-Kevin
When my wife and I began dating, I probably originally won her over through my cooking and my use of cream sauces, good seafood and of course, sausage. When I was developing some dishes, I combined the three and ended up with one of my signature dishes. It became so popular that it was being requested by many of my friends for every dinner party I threw. And believe it or not, the media came calling.
Many of you know that I moved here as a result of Hurricane Katrina. But you may not know that for many years, I wrote a blog about New Orleans food and culture. It wasn't long after moving to Tampa that I was featured in a story for the New York Times and later the St. Pete Times. A couple of months later I was contacted by a talent agency in New York City and was asked to submit some cooking videos for use on Yahoo Food. I had nothing to lose, so I sent them two videos - one about the New Orleans Style Bloody Mary and the other one? You guessed it, Shrimp and Andouille Pasta.
The video never made me famous, but I had a lot of fun making it. I can't bring myself to watch the video, but for posterity, it is still found online even today. Fortunately you're still able to see it and can pretty easily re-create my signature dish. And if you are hiring us to cater your next Tampa Bay event or wedding, we'll be happy to serve it for you and your guests. (The only difference is that in our catering operation we use penne pasta instead of the linguine that I would use at home.) You can check out the video above and feel free to email me for a copy of the recipe for our soon-to-be famous Shrimp and Andouille Pasta. Enjoy!
-Kevin
Service Matters!
Several months ago my wife and I attended a wedding at a prestigious yacht club on the west coast of Florida. The decor, centerpieces and flowers were gorgeous, the cocktails were flowing and the opportunity to spend time with friends was great. As fantastic as the wedding was, the one thing remembered by many of us today was "smelly Bob," the name given to a bartender who was surrounded by a cloud of offensive odor. Given the amount of money spent on the wedding, it was shocking and inexcusable for a venue to skimp on the one thing that mattered the most - service.
Although it sometimes seems like an afterthought, the service staff will make an event memorable, for good or bad. I am sure you've been to a party and waited an exorbitant amount of time in line to get a drink, only to finally make it to the bar and be greeted by a bartender who would rather be elsewhere. And I would bet there was a time when you went to a restaurant with mediocre food but still had a great experience because of that talented waiter or waitress who made you feel special.
Good Food Catering Company was established to provide superior culinary experiences for events and weddings in the Tampa Bay region. Although food is a top priority for us and for our clients, we feel that providing top-notch service is just as crucial to making an event memorable. We don't use a staffing agency to fill spots in our staff; each of our team members is hand picked for their respective talents and experience. When it comes to service staff, we hire based on a positive attitude, willingness to go the extra mile and a great big smile. In addition, we've teamed up with uDream Events of Clearwater for all of our bar staffing because they share our passion and pride for providing great service.
When it comes to your image and your successful event, we take it very seriously. By working with Good Food Catering Company for your event, not only will you get fantastic food, but your guests will leave with a lasting positive impression that they will remember for a long time to come.
-Kevin
p.s. I'll leave you with a few photos of some of our great team members...
Although it sometimes seems like an afterthought, the service staff will make an event memorable, for good or bad. I am sure you've been to a party and waited an exorbitant amount of time in line to get a drink, only to finally make it to the bar and be greeted by a bartender who would rather be elsewhere. And I would bet there was a time when you went to a restaurant with mediocre food but still had a great experience because of that talented waiter or waitress who made you feel special.
Good Food Catering Company was established to provide superior culinary experiences for events and weddings in the Tampa Bay region. Although food is a top priority for us and for our clients, we feel that providing top-notch service is just as crucial to making an event memorable. We don't use a staffing agency to fill spots in our staff; each of our team members is hand picked for their respective talents and experience. When it comes to service staff, we hire based on a positive attitude, willingness to go the extra mile and a great big smile. In addition, we've teamed up with uDream Events of Clearwater for all of our bar staffing because they share our passion and pride for providing great service.
When it comes to your image and your successful event, we take it very seriously. By working with Good Food Catering Company for your event, not only will you get fantastic food, but your guests will leave with a lasting positive impression that they will remember for a long time to come.
-Kevin
p.s. I'll leave you with a few photos of some of our great team members...
NFL Brunch with Jim Kelly, 4-time Super Bowl Legend
Last month during Super Bowl week in Tampa, we had the unique opportunity to work with one of the NFL's greatest quarterbacks and did it for a good cause. Good Food Catering Company was the perfect fit to cater a "Carolina Coast" themed brunch to benefit Hunter's Hope, a charity started by Jim Kelly, 4 time Super Bowl legend and NFL hall of fame member.
The event was held at the MiraBay Welcome Center in Apollo Beach and featured a top-notch Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar, a jazz quartet, an appearance and speech by Jim Kelly and of course, outstanding Southern style food from Good Food Catering Company.
The menu was designed with the Carolina coast in mind, including some of the best Shrimp and Grits found outside of Charleston, slow smoked pulled pork, and also featured Cajun Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya and a dynamite team of omelet chefs that made them to order!
The event was held at the MiraBay Welcome Center in Apollo Beach and featured a top-notch Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar, a jazz quartet, an appearance and speech by Jim Kelly and of course, outstanding Southern style food from Good Food Catering Company.
The menu was designed with the Carolina coast in mind, including some of the best Shrimp and Grits found outside of Charleston, slow smoked pulled pork, and also featured Cajun Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya and a dynamite team of omelet chefs that made them to order!
Menu
"Charleston Style" Shrimp and Sausage over Creamy Cheddar Cheese Grits
with tasso gravy(as good as you'll find outside of Charleston!)
Cajun Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya
the real deal, made by a Ragin' Cajun- one of our most requested party dishes
Carolina Style Hickory Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwiches
with cole slaw, soft mini potato rolls and our secret BBQ sauce (yes, we smoke it ourselves)
Stationary Breakfast Display
Mini Assorted Quiche Cups
Fresh Fruit Cascade
Passed Signature Appetizer Bites
Pan sautéed Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes
with Creole white remoulade sauce
Fried Mac-N-Cheese Lollipops
comfort food meets class
Omelet Station
Omelets to Order
chef attended station with made-to-order omelets
menu includes two custom designed omelets for the opposing Super Bowl teams: the Ben Roethlis-BURGER Omelet and the Kurt Warner Western Omelet.
Credits
Catering
Good Food Catering Company
Event Planning and Bartending
uDream Events
Photography
Veckio Photography
Location
MiraBay Welcome Center
Wine vs. Beer Party
On New Year's Eve 2008, Good Food Catering Company sponsored a Wine vs. Beer party, which set out to settle the debate as to which beverage is best to pair with food. Wine has long enjoyed the distinction and attention of being paired with foods, through the popularity of wine dinners, wine tastings and even the popular media. But the rise in popularity of craft beers over the past several years has opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for beverage and food pairings.
For the challenge, we chose five savory dishes and two desserts, each paired with a respective wine and beer. Partygoers were given a scorecard that listed each of the dishes along with the beer and wine selections. Set up as food stations, the party was a relaxing way for guests to sample each of the dishes at a relaxed pace and sip on their favorite wines and beers.
Menu
Caesar Salad
Wine: Sterling Sauvignon Blanc
Beer: Paulaner Hefeweisen
--
Manchego Cheese with Roasted Red Pepper
Wine: Rioja
Beer: Stella Artois
--
Pasta Carbonara
Wine: Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc
Beer: Murphy's Irish Stout
--
Cajun Jambalaya
Wine: Chateau de Segries Rose
Beer: Dogfish Head 90-min IPA
--
Spicy Tuna Sushi Rolls
Wine: Cristalino Cava
Beer: Kona Fire Rock Pale Ale
--
Hickory Smoked Baby Back Ribs
Wine: Ravenswood "Zen of Zin" Zinfandel
Beer: Sam Adams Black Lager
--
New Orleans Style Bread Pudding
Wine: Taylor Cream Sherry
Beer: Abita Pecan Harvest Ale
--
Dark Chocolate
Wine: Deco Port
Beer: Old Rasputin Imperial Stout
Wine: Sterling Sauvignon Blanc
Beer: Paulaner Hefeweisen
--
Manchego Cheese with Roasted Red Pepper
Wine: Rioja
Beer: Stella Artois
--
Pasta Carbonara
Wine: Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc
Beer: Murphy's Irish Stout
--
Cajun Jambalaya
Wine: Chateau de Segries Rose
Beer: Dogfish Head 90-min IPA
--
Spicy Tuna Sushi Rolls
Wine: Cristalino Cava
Beer: Kona Fire Rock Pale Ale
--
Hickory Smoked Baby Back Ribs
Wine: Ravenswood "Zen of Zin" Zinfandel
Beer: Sam Adams Black Lager
--
New Orleans Style Bread Pudding
Wine: Taylor Cream Sherry
Beer: Abita Pecan Harvest Ale
--
Dark Chocolate
Wine: Deco Port
Beer: Old Rasputin Imperial Stout
If you would like to host your own party, email me for a free copy of a basic party blueprint and some helpful ideas on throwing a wine vs. beer party. If you'd like us to do the work, give me a call and we can talk about how Good Food Catering Company can cater a very memorable Wine vs. Beer pairing party at your location. We can custom design a menu and depending on your selections, it can cost anywhere from $50 per person and above (minimum 20 guests), not including the beer and wine. I promise it will be the party of the year and the talk of the town!
Corporate Tailgate - Panthers vs. Bucs
This past weekend, Good Food Catering Company was proud to team up with Designing Divine Events and Transportation to throw a dynamite VIP tailgate party before the Tampa Bay Bucs' victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Although extremely hot outside, we couldn't have asked for better weather and the party turned out to be a winner. The food was fantastic and the presentation was classy, including linens and table decorations to match the colors of the two opposing teams. In addition to the outstanding food, a luxury motor coach was brought in to provide air conditioned leather sofas and clean restrooms for all of the guests.
If you are a corporate event planner and would like to throw a tailgate party for your executives, customers or VIP guests, give us a call and let's talk about how we can impress them all with something different and unique. (813) 731-0819.
Credits
Catering: Good Food Catering Company
Event Planning: Designing Divine Events and Transportation
Although extremely hot outside, we couldn't have asked for better weather and the party turned out to be a winner. The food was fantastic and the presentation was classy, including linens and table decorations to match the colors of the two opposing teams. In addition to the outstanding food, a luxury motor coach was brought in to provide air conditioned leather sofas and clean restrooms for all of the guests.
Menu
Sliced Cajun Grilled Ribeye
Carolina Style Pulled Pork
with mini Potato Rolls
Assorted Mini Quiche Cups
--
Sweet Potato Hash
Carolina Cole Slaw
Grilled Seasonal Vegetables
Cold Penne Pasta Salad
--
Assorted Dessert Bites
(cheesecakes and cream puffs)
If you are a corporate event planner and would like to throw a tailgate party for your executives, customers or VIP guests, give us a call and let's talk about how we can impress them all with something different and unique. (813) 731-0819.
Credits
Catering: Good Food Catering Company
Event Planning: Designing Divine Events and Transportation
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