Seasons Greetings,
Calling all Foodies and the whisk-challenged. A la Carte is inviting you into our kitchen. Starting in 2010, we will be offering a slate of cooking classes from 101 on up. Whether you are brushing up on the basics or want to experience Le Cordon New, learning from the pros is fun and enlightening for all skill levels. Check your in-box and our site for upcoming schedules.
This is always a great time to cozy-up and reconnect with friends and family. Parties in any size are a wonderful way to catch up, celebrate, pamper yourself, even encourage donations for your favorite charity. This issue has some great ideas that work for at-home, at your favorite venue or even for a destination event. In addition to our popular recipes you can prepare yourself, we are again offering the big ta-da meal of the year – Thanksgiving dinner! All the best, Karen Baker, Proprietor
Give thanks to À la Carte Really relax and pamper as few as four to as many as 1,000 of your closest friends and family this year. A la Carte is cooking your Thanksgiving dinner, right down to the homemade pumpkin pie. Your meal comes complete with step-by-step instructions. Orders should be placed by Friday November 20th. Your meal can be picked up on Wednesday, November 25th at our new location, conveniently located at 6100 Antioch Road, in Haymarket, on the grounds of Camp Snyder. We also offer at-home delivery. Read the menu> If traditional states you cook your own turkey—let us lend a hand and provide the trimmings. Ask about our “à la carte" menu. Overnight guests? We have easy to heat breakfast casseroles and sides. Just Email karen@alacartecaters.com or simply call 703-754-2714 ext 2.
Be seen in all the best places. À la Carte enjoys being a preferred caterer for these exceptional venues. • Briar Patch Bed and Breakfast • The Pavillion at The Farm at Broad Run • The Winery at La Grange • Pearmund Cellars • Philip Carter Winery • Rust Manor House View a complete listing of Venues>
Advice from a world traveler. Stay safe, Kris does not Tweet and text, when the sleigh is moving. His cell is used only when parked on a rooftop to call for supplies or send pics of the best cookies.
Warm Butternut Squash Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing A classic rediscovered. We made this for friends this past weekend and forgot how good it was this time of year. Recipe >
Pear & Cranberry Chutney with Spicy Nut Topping
A unique and welcome hostess gift. Serve with a smoosh of brie or cream cheese atop your favorite cracker. Recipe>
Bar Chefs – that’s right bar “chefs,” not tenders is becoming de riguer. Expect to see flavors usually reserved for the sous chef. Heady herbs and spices such as vanilla, ginger, chilies, lavender alongside persimmon, star fruit, smoked wood and even bacon. After all everything tastes better with bacon. It is too early to say good-bye to pre-produced sour mixes, but look for more fresh squeezed juices from seasonal fruits, fresh herbs and savory spirits such as Aperol, Campari, Cynar and Amaro’s. Since our palates continue to become more educated, try a contest amongst party guests. List all the ingredients in a few cocktails and ask people to check off what they taste.
Amidst Twitter, Facebook and e-invites there rises the next new thing. A tangible, real, three dimensional, hold it in your hand, invitation. Remember, etiquette states you RSVP to the first invitation and not wait for "something better." Emailed "Save the Dates" or final reminders are a sensible way to go to get the word out. To make a real impression, spend a little more time on the meat of your event announcement, a mailed or delivered invitation. Fun goodies to include are: themed cocktail napkins, coasters, personalized wine charms, "Hello my name is" tags, a coupon for a second helping, or ask your guests to bring the invitation for a door prize drawing. You get the idea, let your imagination soar. Oh and let A la Carte handle the food, decor, cars, clean-up, glassware, table settings, lighting...you get the idea.
An Affair to Remember. We love to throw parties for all kinds of reasons: to celebrate life's happy transitions, show off the remodeled house, a reason to declutter and donate, enjoy a few guilty pleasures after counting calories for months, or even to dust off the music collection and add some new tunes. Whatever the reason, a party should be fun for the host and hostess too. Just a little planning goes a long way. Use our handy Planning Guide and enjoy the event along with your guests.
Do Me a Favor. Extravagant party favors and overpriced gift bags went away like Bernie Madoff last year. But many of my clients still love the idea sending their guest home with fond memories and saying thank you with style. Here are ten budget friendly ideas.
1. Use a small tin of mints with a personalized label as a place card. 2. Seed paper (seeds are pressed into paper and cut into shapes) use a custom stamp to commemorate the event or place on a card. 3. Personalized playing cards or poker chips. Great for a Monte Carlo theme. 4. Personalized note pads. Write a thank you on page one. 5. Fortune cookies with unique custom messages. 6. Varnished Christmas cookie ornaments with the date. Hang on a tree near the entry. 7. Whimsical wine stoppers. 8. Select a confection from the party in advance, place in a small Chinese carryout box. 9. For the neighborhood party, place a photo of their house in mini magnetic frames. 10. Gourmet whole leaf tea sachets.
Home Sweet Home. We are pleased to announce our new location, on the grounds of Camp Snyder, complete with room for 600 inside and even more for summertime events. We also have the perfect professional kitchen, right in Haymarket. The address is 6100 Antioch Road, Haymarket, VA 20169 Directions>