Catering Connection

Summer Bridal Shower Tea

Ursula O'Neill — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:15:34 +0000

This summer’s day bridal shower at a private home in Santa Barbara was one of my favorites. Ventura Party Rentals provided the rentals. The home and beautiful day set the perfect backdrop. Our menu consisted of: Lemon Crab Tea Sandwiches, Cucumber Tea Sandwiches, Turkey with Brie Cheese on Whole Wheat Bread, Scones, Lemon Curd Tartlets with Raspberries, Chocolate Profiteroles, Fresh Fruit Tartlets, Fruit Skewers with Apricot Yogurt Dipping Sauce, A selection of teas and a Specialty Coffee Station with Whipped Cream, Cinnamon and Chocolate Shavings.

Chase Palm Park Plaza Santa Barbara Wedding

Ursula O'Neill — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:18:27 +0000

Photo by Foto Cielo

Destination weddings in Santa Barbara offer so many options for wedding locations. For those who want the view of the ocean without the hassle of securing park/beach permits to be on the beach itself, the Chase Palm Plaza offers a gorgeous view of the beach right across the street, the Santa Barbara Riviera and mountains and the elegance of an upscale park with old-fashioned romantic carousel.

This couple chose to focus on the fun and the setting and featured food stations, including many vegan options for their menu.

Ventura Party Rentals provided the rentals and Foto Cielo captured the story on film and gracing the pages of our BLOG here.

Photo by Foto Cielo

: Photo by Foto Cielo

Photo by Foto Cielo

Foto Cielo

Santa Barbara Wine Country Wedding

Ursula O'Neill — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:16:37 +0000

Melissa Musgrove Photography

This May wedding could not have had a more picture perfect backdrop. The private home in Santa Barbara’s own wine country, the Santa Ynez Valley, was setting to one of the loveliest weddings I have enjoyed being a part of . It was an amazing wine country wedding location. The bride and groom looked gorgeous and the groom’s Scottish heritage was incorporated in little details throughout the celebration: from his kilt to the wedding menu itself.

The events team working this wedding included the area’s best wedding professionals. From Ventura Party Rentals, Music by Bonnie, “day-of” coordination by LaFete, wedding cake by Decadence, lighting by Premier Event Design , EOS Transportation, and the talented and wonderful photographer Melissa Musgrove, this was an “all star” cast.

The Menu:

Hors d’oeuvres

Trio of Crostini, Herb Goat Cheese in Phyllo Cups, Miniature Scotch Pastries with Beef Fillings, Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Almonds, Grilled Shrimp with Spicy Orange Dip, Traditional Scottish Haggis

Plated Dinner:

Field Greens with Goat Cheese, Roasted Walnuts & Apricots

with Homemade Balsamic Dressing

Potato-Crusted Halibut with Lemon Dill Sauce served with Wild Rice Pilaf

Lamb Shank with Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Sugar Snap Peas with Teardrop Tomatoes

Photos of this beautiful event:

Melissa Musgrove Photography
Melissa Musgrove Photography
Melissa Musgrove Photography
Melissa Musgrove Photography
Melissa Musgrove Photography
Melissa Musgrove Photography
Melissa Musgrove Photography

Check back soon – more photos from this wedding coming!

Summer Santa Barbara Wedding Location: Godric Grove at Elings Park

Ursula O'Neill — Tue, 04 May 2010 19:10:53 +0000

Loved this Santa Barbara wedding at Elings Park. Discount Party Rentals provided the rentals and White House Florists provided the florals. One of my favorite elements were the way the bride and groom chose to name their tables as well as the hanging white lanterns, which added a fun and refreshing “pop” to this summer Santa Barbara Wedding.

Our authentic California BBQ featured grilling right on site with all the accoutrements of a delicious ranch-styled, hearty meal with unpretentious fun.

Cruise Ship-Themed Fundraiser Benefits Local Private School

Ursula O'Neill — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:02:47 +0000

Parents, Alumni, Faculty and Supporters of a local private school gathered at QAD headquarters on Ortega Ridge overlook in Santa Barbara to take in a breathtaking sunset, enjoy fine cuisine and support a cause dear to their hearts.

The cruise-ship-themed fundraiser featured a captain who greeted guests, celebrity MC John Palminteri who hosted the silent auction, great dancing music and much more.

Guests dined under the stars on a gorgeous evening with rentals provided by Ventura Party Rentals.

The menu:

Hors D’oeuvres

Three Cheese Wontons with Roasted Pepper Aoli, Japanese Eggplant Crisps (Crispy Fried Eggplant topped with Cherry Tomato, Creamy Mozzarella & Oregano); Grilled Chicken Quesadilla with Queso Fresco and Cilantro;

Dinner

Shepard Salad with Blue Cheese, Roasted Walnuts & Cranberries served with Champagne Dressing, Chicken Picatta, Grilled Marinated Salmon Filet with Basil Sauce; Penne Pasta with Tomato and Green Olive; Seasonal Vegetable Medley; Wild Rice Pilaf; Assortment of Freshly Baked Rolls and Butter

Dessert:

Fresh Fruit Tartlets, Almond Cheese Bars, Chocolate Profiteroles, Lemon Curd Tartlets with Raspberries, Pecan Bars, Rum Balls, Marzipan Petit Fours

Spring-time Carpinteria Lion’s Club Park Wedding

Ursula O'Neill — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:32:54 +0000

Colegrove Photography

Loved this spring-time wedding at Carpinteria Lion’s Club Park. Relaxed setting, sweet couple and great weather. AMS Entertainment provided a fantastic celebratory atmosphere with great music while photographer Colegrove Photography captured every moment. From the ivory/raspberry color decor, rentals provided by Discount Party Rentals , wedding cake provided by our own team (lemon with raspberry cream), to the Californian/Southwestern Cuisine menu, this was a refreshingly simple wedding filled with lots of heart.

Colegrove Photography

Summer Wedding at Elings Park

Ursula O'Neill — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:13:59 +0000

One of the things I love about Elings Park is the versatility it provides. From natural, more simple decor to the rustic elegance of the manzanitas dripping with jewels for this Elings Park wedding, there is a blank canvas for whatever your vision is.

Guests were greeted with Bourbon-Glazed Meatballs, Trio of Crostini (Toasted Bread Rounds with Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil; Green and Black Olive Tapanade, White Bean and Rosemary Puree). Dinner menu included on-site freshly grilled Tri-Tip and Salmon with Basil Sauce with all the accouterments.

From the Mariachi’s to DJ Danny V. from Elite DJ’s and rentals provided by Discount Party Rentals, to our radiant couple, this was a memorable day.

Santa Barbara Retirement Celebration In Style

Ursula O'Neill — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:12:30 +0000

Anyone retiring from years of service deserves a celebration. But perhaps there was no one more deserving of a wonderful send-off than Father Maurice O’Mahony at Mt. Carmel Church in Montecito. It was such a pleasure producing this Santa Barbara gala luncheon and celebration for Father O’Mahony and the parish, who love him dearly. And may I just add with a smile that it is completely coincidental that I am Irish, Father O’Mahony is Irish as was his predecessor and his replacement, Msgr. Stephen Downes. That said, it was especially lovely to be the chosen caterer for this Santa Barbara retirement celebration for Father O’Mahony’s dedication to his parish and community.

The parking lot of the church provided ample space for our white awning and the decor was freshly-chosen flora and fauna from the local Santa Barbara area with abundant hydrangeas popping up everywhere. Guests enjoyed our: Vegetable Crudite with Black Olive Aoli and Roasted Pepper Dip, Imported and Domestic Cheese Display with Fresh Fruit, French Bread and Crackers, an Antipasti Platter with Italian Meats, variety of olives and cheeses. First Course included our Shepard Salad with Goat Cheese, Walnut, and Apricots drizzled with Champagne Vinaigrette. For the Main Course: Beef Tenderloin, marinated in roasted garlic and balsamic vinegar with Cabernet Sauce, Grilled Salmon Filet with Basil Sauce, accompanied by Red Roasted Garlic Herb Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetable Medley and Assortment of Freshly Baked Rolls and Butter. To top off the event, our delectable Petits Fours accompanied with Freshly Brewed Coffee.

Special thanks to the team at Discount Party Rentals who provided the tent and rentals.

Santa Barbara Beach Wedding Location turns Hawaiian

Ursula O'Neill — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 20:56:33 +0000

Perfect Image Photography

It was a gorgeous Santa Barbara July day. While we are known as the “American Riviera”, our natural coastal backdrop provides versatility for almost any themed beach wedding. But perhaps one of the most natural options for a Santa Barbara beach wedding is that with a Hawaiian theme. If we didn’t tell you that this wedding was, in fact, a Santa Barbara wedding, the photos would probably lead you to believe that it was one in the islands.

Perfect Image Photography

It started with a beautiful location on Cabrillo Boulevard right on the sand called Calle Puerto Vallarta Beach through Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation. Guests arrived to a beautiful altar with tropical flowers and decor provided by Tsugumi Rew and an aisle custom built on the sand by Ventura Rentals with strategically placed flowers while Aloha Hawaiian Entertainment provided delightful music to set the mood.

Perfect Images Photography

Following a lovely and moving ceremony, guests celebrated with a cocktail reception with Bar Service provided by DJ’s, and some of our signature Asian appetizers including Vegetable Spring Rolls with Plum Dipping Sauce and Coconut Shrimp with Spicy Orange Dip. Dinner included: Spinach Salad with Jicama, Mandarin Oranges and Almonds with Sesame Ginger Dressing, Tropical Fresh Fruit Salad; Polynesian BBQ Chicken Quarters; Island Glazed Pork Ribs, Pineapple Fried Rice, and an assortment of Freshly Baked Rolls and Butter.

TC Bakery topped off everyone’s sweet tooths with decadent pastries and guests rounded out the evening with dancing to DJ Phil Birdsell.

Perfect Images Photography

The whole event was documented by Juli & Eddie Almanza from Perfect Images Photography

Perfect Images Photography Perfect Images Photography

Perfect Images Photography

“Around the World” -Themed Corporate Picnic

Ursula O'Neill — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 20:53:37 +0000

It would only stand to reason that an international company with multiple branches world-wide would need something unique for their American annual corporate summer picnic to wow their hard-working employees and create a little fun for them. No ordinary sandwich and potato salad picnic would do for this group of talented and multi-cultured employees. So, we decided to “make over” the traditional corporate picnic and have a little fun. I handle this company’s corporate catering needs exclusively year-round and it is always a pleasure working with them and coming up with new ideas; however, this event was one of my favorites of all time. We decided to do an “Around the World” themed event with food stations and activities representing all kinds of cultures.

Held at Manning Park in Montecito, a great corporate picnic event location and one of Santa Barbara’s loveliest event park venues, this picnic featured an Asian Buffet, including decadent sushi, a Mediterranean Station, a Fiesta Station with make-your-own nachos, chicken quesadillas and more; a Traditional American BBQ station; Around the World Salad Buffet including Hawaiian salads, Moroccan Cous-Cous Salad; Professional Luau dancers as well as a Salsa Cookoff Contest were fun entertainment and the kids were tended to with crafts, facepainting and their own pizza and burger buffet.

We are most grateful to Ventura Party Rentals who provided the linens and the tables for this internationally-infused picnic.