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Monday, October 27, 2008

Your Wedding TV

Your Wedding TV is the newest and most innovative tool designed to help today’s engaged couples plan their perfect wedding. Features of this site will include streaming of your city’s local Your Wedding TV show, along with web based planning tools, fashion samples, your own personalized and customzied wedding web site, local wedding professionals, web talk radio, gift registry links, their unique on-line wedding magazine and planner, and much more!

This is a fantastic resource for information on a Wedding in your area. Make sure to check out this resource. The site allows you to go to your location and pre-screen providers in your area for different services, venues and you can even watch their TV shows!!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Englewood Catering Company

If you have a event or party coming up and you need to find a catering company in Englewood, you need to give The Food Guy a call! The Food Guy catering company is located just north of Englewood on West Colfax avenue. They have a huge kitchen with a nice display room located at the front of the offices.

The Food Guy catering company is the best Denver caterer and easily the most experienced caterer in the Denver Metro. Having served and organized all of the major events in Denver, The Food Guy will provide you with over 10 years of proffesional catering service. If you need an Englewood catering company for a wedding, social event, corporate event or even just a family meal, The Food Guy has done it all. They also have very good connections with all of the major venues in the Denver area and can help you get your party or event where you want it.

Of the few Englewood caterers, The Food Guy brings not only experience and expertise but also excellent service. The Food Guy has the best catering staff of anyone, they are very personal and have always concentrated on making your event the best possible.

Survival Tips for Profitable Catering

By John Foley
The time to think about how important a catering event is shouldn't be moments before the guests arrive. Thought, planning, creativity and communication between staff, management and client are all important and should begin as soon as someone says, "Sounds great. Do you need a deposit?'"

That of course is the humorous fact about catering. Every company usually takes a deposit, which one would think is the beginning of a contract. Yet, many catering directors and managers pay little attention to a client until just days or moments before the event begins. That's not the way to build a serious clientele and develop a business that will be profitable. Catering is often looked upon as the secondary business, when in reality it is the profit center that promotes business and financial survival.

Here are ten tips to use as a survival guide:

1) Style: Make sure your events have some. If you don't feel as though you can project the right style, ask the guest what they are looking for. If they don't have any taste, buy a book on catering and duplicate the pictures until you get the feel of it.

2) Customer Service: get back to the customer more than you need to. Most catering customers are self conscious about events – otherwise they would do them themselves- so they need their hands held. Plus, that is the way to building repeat business.

3) Creativity: Do something un and borderline spectacular at each event. Keep the crowd talking. It could be something as simple as whole stalks of celery and colorful kale in vases around the restaurant.

4) Value: Don't skimp on food. Make sure that the buffet table is always presentable and the food never looks tired.

5) Pricing: Don't gouge the customer. Be fair. Remember, if planned well there is no waste so you do not have to build that into the price. Also, many items are seasonally on sale. Sell these items. Your profit will be larger while your cost is the same.

6) Ambiance: Don't ever let your restaurant get so worn you don't want to turn the lights on during the day. If something needs fixing, painting, freshening up or painting, do it.

7) Consultation: Make sure to spend time with your customer to find out their needs. Invite them in for a complimentary lunch or dinner to sample some menu items before they make the decision to have you cater their event.

8) Menu: Give choices on the menu. Don’t get too fancy, unless they want fancy. Most catering customers look for well prepared simple that everyone enjoys.


9) Flowers: Don't ever do a catering event without flowers. Add them into the price of service, ambiance, style or whatever, but a room looks naked without them.

10) Staff appeal: Make sure your staff is happy, friendly and customer service oriented. Nothing ruins an event more than a frown from Frederico, the head server.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

SIP Fine Wine & Spirits

As you walk into SIP Fine Wine & Spirits at 19th and Market, you are immediately overwhelmed by the beautiful cedar wine racks which hold over 1,000 different brands of wine ranging in price from nine dollars to several hundred dollars a bottle. Located in the heart of Lodo, SIP Fine Wine & Spirits is a great place for not only for the wine enthusiast but also for the individual looking to buy their first bottle. Along with an abundant wine selection, SIP also has a significant selection of cold beer and liquor.
If there was one characteristic Jim Rice, owner of SIP Fine Wine & Spirits, stressed about his Denver wine store it would be providing individuals with the highest quality wine for its price. “Whether you’re spending eight dollars or over a hundred dollars on a bottle of wine, we make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck” says Rice. “We taste thousands of bad wines so you don’t have to.”

Unlike other Denver wine and liquor stores, SIP provides a wide variety of wines to those looking for a great bottle of wine. The four fulltime employees of SIP have tried every wine in the store and are experts when it comes to matching any of their amazing wines with any meal. Jim Rice guarantees his staff can answer any question you may have about a specific wine they carry; and with over 1,000 different bottles in the store, that’s quite a promise!

Every Thursday and Saturday afternoon, SIP Fine Wine & Spirits offers free wine tasting to those looking to expand their palate and maybe even their cellar. It’s a great way to try a new cabernet from Napa Valley or a Chardonnay from Sonoma Valley. “I want the experience to be both fun and educational” said Rice when talking about SIP’s first time visitors. Whether you’re looking to impress the neighbors or just try something different, the staff at SIP Fine Wine & Spirits will make sure you’re happy with your selection.

Besides providing wine and liquor to downtown residents, SIP Fine Wine & Spirits also provides wine to parties, Denver weddings, Denver corporate and social events, local restaurants and hotels. If you are thinking about planning an event with a Denver catering company, SIP Fine Wine & Spirits will work with your caterer in order to provide the perfect wine to accompany your meal. Many Denver caterers use SIP to provide the wine at all of their events because of their exceptional service and great wine prices.

SIP Fine Wine & Spirits was recently voted 5280 Top of the Town and featured in the Insider’s Guide to Denver magazine. Whether you are a wine enthusiast or a first time wine purchaser, SIP Fine Wine & Spirits has the staff and wine selection for any occasion.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Denver Barbecue

Just picture this, a stunning backyard on a warm summer afternoon, delicious food and a sound system playing a smokin' jazz track or the newest upbeat tunes or some modern rock records. Fill up those pitchers with margaritas, or some vodka and pineapple-juice, or iced cordial for the kids. All that's left are the loved ones to come in numbers. I for one cannot think of a more appropriate time and setting for a barbecue.

Now, when planning the barbecue menu, don't forget that even the simplest of food are made totally delicious by the smoky barbecue taste. The classic sausages, burger patties, steaks, chops or cutlets are somewhat simple foods. Top them off with onions or capsicum and these vegetable sides mesh together in taste just by cooking them on the barbecue.

Make it easier on yourself. Gather up some pre-cut vegetables and pre-made salads from your local supermarket. These same outlets also store, in numbers, some ready-to-grill beef kebobs, marinated chicken, souvlaki and fish. Depending on what you want to cook, this could save a considerable amount of preparation time.

Pick up bunches of strawberries and grapes, a few watermelons, cherries and some rock melons while you're at the supermarket. Arrange these fruits in a stylish platter and you have a simple yet tasty and attractive dessert. Oh, it's also important to keep these fruits chilled. Maybe place the platter on a large tray filled with ice. It's up to you what recipes you want to dish up for your guests but you can have all sorts of different barbecues.

For an informal outdoor barbecue, attempt having a BBQ ribs cookout. Ribs can take quite a while to cook so remember to start a few hours early. Serve the bbq ribs up with some garlic bread and corn on the cob straight off the grill. On the other hand this type of barbeque is neglecting the little ones.

For a cookout centered around kids, I recommend giving the children a choice between hot dogs or burgers. Remember to teach them about adding a few greens on their plate! Place salads out with carrots and celery sticks so they can add it to their plates themselves without being forced to. If you're looking to entertain by sophistication (for dinner) try serving up some grilled salmon, baby Asian vegetables and some steamed white rice on the side.

Hopefully, these ideas can get you going, but take note that I didn't get into detail, so unless I studied hospitality/catering I probably would have already floored you with hundreds of ideas, which is why I'm moving your attention to this handy little book - Super BBQ Secrets. It contains easy to read guides to throwing a 'kickass' barbecue. It will save you time AND money for every barbecue event you plan on having. For loads of other terrific barbecue secrets, keep coming back to my blog at least once a week to find newly added barbecue recipes, so YOU can cook up your own unique BBQ ideas.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Selecting A Corporate Catering Company

This first time that you are looking to hire corporate events caterers you can feel a little overwhelmed by the process of finding the best one at the best price. The following are some tips that can help you make your way through this endeavor.

A good place to begin is by asking people you know if they have any experience with corporate event caterers. Request that they give you both their positive and negative experiences so they can let you know some things to avoid. They should be able to give you the name of a company or two.

The next step is to take a look on the internet and see what information is out there for your particular location. For example, if you were looking for a caterer in the Denver Metro area, you would start by doing a search for something like party rentals Denver. Then, take a look at some sites that rate these companies. It's always a good idea to read about what other consumers like you have experienced.

When you have pinned it down to a few catering companies, call them and get an estimate. You have to be aware of how many people you expect to feed and the kind of food you need. There are several ways to negotiate with a catering company. One way is to let them know specifically how much money you have available and find out what you could receive for your money. Make sure they know you are considering different companies. Another way is to just let them know how many guests you invited and let them give you suggestions.

Another thing to be certain to remember is to request a discount for large orders. You might imagine that the discount will be given to you automatically on a bulk order like this, but you often do have to ask. In any case it will never be bad for you to request information about any deals or promotions that they have. This will help you save money, or perhaps get more out of the money that you will be spending.

The bottom line is that when you're planning for an event like this you should really be looking specifically into corporate events caterer who specialize in the type of order your placing. Try to find someone with a lot of positive reviews on different consumer sites and be sure to get everything in writing before hand.

If you're looking for a Denver caterer in the Colorado area, you would start by doing a search for denver catering company on Google. Then, take a look at some sites that rate these companies. Choose at least three reputable caterers to canvas; make a list that includes the number of people you are expecting to serve; what foods you need prepared and how much you want to pay per person. The bottom line is this: when you are planning an event such as this, you must be looking very specifically into corporate events caterers who specialize in the kind of order you are placing.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Things to Consider When Choosing BBQ Meat

Everybody loves a good barbecue. But once in while, we get that itch when we just want everything to be absolutely perfect - from the bbq marinade to the the barbecue meat to the paper plates and cups. Speaking of barbecue meat, there are some things you should consider when choosing meat to help bring out the perfect flavor of the barbecue.

In general, the most common barbecue meat choices are beef, pork and poultry, with each type of meat having something different to offer to the palate. As a general rule, select meats that were derived from younger animals since these would be tender and more flavorful.

BBQ meat tip # 1. Beef cuts ideal for barbecues are the New York strip, Filet Mignon and Rib eye. The appropriate thickness of the beef should be about a full inch. A little seasoning rub helps bring out the natural flavor of the beef without overpowering it.

BBQ meat tip # 2. Poultry is another barbecue favorite that can either be in the form of duck, chicken, game hen or even turkey. Choice cuts of poultry like wings, legs and thighs can be marinated or flavored using a dry spice rub. Chicken breasts can also be seasoned in the same way before grilling.

BBQ meat tip # 3. Pork is a barbecue staple enjoyed by everyone. It is the simplest type of meat to barbecue. To appreciate the flavor of pork, choose lean cuts like tender chops and spare ribs or baby back ribs seasoned with spices or barbecue sauce.
Seasoning Meats

Barbecue rubs give traditional barbecue a whole new dimension. It makes for a tastier and more flavorful barbecue. In fact, most famed barbecue restaurants use rubs to give their ribs, chicken and steaks a rich deep flavor. Barbecue rubs should be rubbed thickly into the meat and left there for at least four hours or more. When grilling, the barbecue rub will give the meat a nice, chunky and crusty coating.

Ideally, you should rub the meat first, and then add the sauce while grilling. BBQ rubs come in all kinds of mixtures. For a nice brown color, you should add some more brown sugar. Paprika is also a popular ingredient in rubs. It has a very light peppery taste, and gives the meat a nice, rich, brown color. Oregano, thyme, and rosemary are excellent herbs which go well with red barbecue sauces. Rubs also typically have onion and garlic powder to flavor the meat.
For an all-around sauce, try the Jim Bean Honey BBQ Sauce and Maguire's Irish BBQ Sauce. They are two exceptional sauces that can be used for any type of meat even fish.

On the other hand, the Bone Suckin' Sauce Rib Rub, the Cowtown BBQ Seasoning and the Habanero Seasoning from Hell are multi-purpose dry rubs that can be used to season everything from beef, pork, poultry, fish as well as eggs and pasta.

Organizing the Wedding Reception and Hiring a Caterer

If you've been keeping your wedding plans organized, you probably realize by now that you still have a lot to do. S ure you may have hired a photographer, set the dates, ordered some decorations, and bought a dress. You know just how you want your reception to look - but have you decided what you want to do? Have you thought about what you want to feed your hundreds of hungry guests?

Don't panic. Receptions are pretty much an open celebration. Anything you want goes. First, look at your wedding plans and check to see if you wanted a big or a small reception. Once you know that, you will have an idea of what you want to do. A traditional reception includes several parts. You can start off with a receiving line. This will give guests time to personally congratulate the bride and groom, as well as the parents. After the receiving line, when guests are seated, the food can be served. This too, depends on the style you have chosen. If your reception includes a buffet, guests can eat as soon as they have finished passing through the line. If the dinner is more formal, food should typically be served when the designated time for the receiving line has ended. At some point during dinner, you may have asked your best man and maid of honor to give speeches. This can be done before the dinner, to kick off the celebration with a toast, or it can be done as dinner is winding down.

After your guests are well fed, it's time for the party to continue. If your wedding plans include dancing, now would be the time to start. Consider including the traditional first dance, as well as a father-daughter dance. When you have danced yourself into exhaustion, it is time to cut the cake. Everyone has been waiting to see you stuff that frosting into your new spouse's face. (Oh come on now, be nice!) Take your piece, and then allow the guests to share the cake. Shortly before it is time for you to make your getaway, toss the bouquet to all those hopeful brides-to-be.

All of these are just suggestions that you may or may not wish to include in your wedding plans. One thing will be essential, and that is food. First, you have to decide whether you want a buffet or a formal dinner. If your reception is small and you chose a buffet, and if cost is an issue, consider asking several family members or friends to help by bringing an assigned item. Remember to be sure that your reception hall allows this. It is possible that you may only be allowed to use one of their caterers. If you want a larger reception (formal or buffet) you are going to want to hire a Denver caterer. Look at the list offered by the reception hall, or search for your own. Get an idea of how much each caterer will charge. You will also want to taste samples of the food you have chosen, and ask whether or not your caterer will also take care of serving the food.

Your reception can flow any way you want it to. This is your time to celebrate. With a little planning and some good food, your guests will enjoy themselves, and you will be able to share your joy with them.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Wedding Food- Good Eats

Everyone likes to eat and that is why choosing the right caterer for your wedding is so important. The kind of food you choose to serve at your wedding is a direct correlation with the amount of money that you have to spend.

If you are on a very limited budget you can offer your guest drinks, hourdervs and wedding cake. This can be done with the help of a caterer or you may choose to do this on your own.
If you are planning on a meal for your guest whether it is a buffet or sit down meal brought to them by a professional server it is best to use a Denver caterer. The best way to find a great caterer is by word of mouth, such as a satisfied friend or relative. If you have recently attend a catered event and found the food good then you may want to get in touch with that Denver caterer. It is a good idea to interview two to three caterers and get estimates.

After you have chosen your Denver caterer you must decide whether it will be a buffet were your guest can choose form an assortment of foods or shall it be a sit down meal were your guest can choose between one of three entrees. Which ever way you decode to go make sure that you have a written contract with your caterer so there will be no questions in the end.

A great deal of time, effort, and money is spent on a wedding and having enough tasty food is a very important element of that special day. You want your guest to look back at your wedding and thing what a lovely event it was and how delicious the food was.

How to choose a Denver BBQ Caterer

By Max Suther:

The South is one of the largest places for barbeque not only because of the warm summer days and mild springs, but barbeque with pig roasts and ribs is not limited to the south. There are many great places to get bbq in the midwest as well. Many Denver catering companies haven even started to cater bbq. If you are looking for a barbeque catering business in Denver there are a couple of ways to search. The most important way to find Denver barbeque catering is by word of mouth. There are going to be several businesses listed online and in the phone books, but how do you really know which business is going to be the best. Your friends and co-workers should be able to recommend a Denver barbeque catering company to you.

As I mentioned the phone book and internet are also going to have listings of the businesses in the area. If you don't have a friend to recommend a Denver bbq catering company to you then you need to find one through other means. Searching for the information is easy, but how do you chose a business that is not recommended? You certainly wouldn't just pick a name because it sounds interesting.

Online resources allow you to find out the most information about a business. You can go directly to the business website for catering to find out the dishes they make as well as their prices, but that is only half the information you will need. You will also need to taste the food prior to hiring them. Most catering companies offer taste tests and menu ideas before you hire them to make sure you are both on the same page. The other important aspect of choosing a barbeque catering in Denver is checking their credentials. Chefs usually attend four years of college in culinary arts. So asking about their background experience and references is one way to obtain information. You should also check with the better business bureau regarding any complaints. Most businesses that have had complaints are listed and those might be any area to stay away from. It also helps you find the catering business that you desire for your next party.

Cooking BBQ Ribs Tips

Tips by Max Suther

Cooking BBQ ribs is not that difficult but there are a few things you need to know before getting started. These tips will help you create championship BBQ ribs versus okay BBQ ribs. So let's get started.

Tip 1 - Buy fresh ribs and your local butcher or farmers market. Never buy frozen ribs from your super grocery store. Fresh meat normally can be found at your local butcher or area farmers market.

Tip 2 - Deciding what type of ribs to serve depends on how much you want to spend and who your guest will be. There are basically two types of cuts for ribs. There is the St Louise cut and the baby back rib. The St. Louise cut is much larger and contains more meat but are not as lean and tender as baby back ribs. This cut normally costs much less than the baby back ribs. Baby back ribs are a leaner cut and will dry out faster than the St. Louise cut so you need to take more care when cooking.

Tip 3 - Cook your ribs very slowly over low heat. You need to cook your ribs at two hundred and seventy degrees for several hours. You can do this in your oven but a smoker is much better. You will know when the ribs are done when you can tear the bbq ribs easily by pulling on two of the bones.

Tip 4 - Put the BBQ sauce on the ribs at the end of the cooking process. Since you are cooking the ribs over a long period of time you don't want the sauce to burn. Most BBQ sauce contains sugar and this will burn.