Posted by Joe Thompson on Mon, Apr 16, 2012 @ 02:25 PM
The last 2 event dinners we have done have been very successful. We had over 125 guests to the "Chocolate on the Vine" event.
Well..... are you ready for the next one? On Friday, July 13th, 2012 at 6:30 pm we will have our "Grill 'n Grape" event. The event will once again be hosted by our friends at Carvalho Family Wines. This event will feature 6 courses of smoked or grilled items paired with some of the best wines in the area. A unique feature of this event, we will strive to provide a meal that has all items grown or produced within 150 miles of Sacramento. This is perfect for you friends that have become local-vores. The July Sacramento Valley local produce with be at is peak.
Thie event will have a casual backyard BBQ feel with a few surprises. We wil share the menu ahead of time, but will not share the surprises.
So, if you want to have a great time, great food, great wine, and AWESOME company this is an event that you will not want to miss.
Tickets can now be purchased at www.crispcatering.com.
The flyer that can be shared can be seen at http://bit.ly/IgGHZH
We anticpate tickets going very fast for this event.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Joe Thompson
Posted by Joe Thompson on Tue, Feb 14, 2012 @ 01:20 PM
Here we are on Valentines Day of 2012. Such a great day to remind your loved ones of how you really feel.
This day also got me thinking of the Weddings and the trends that we are seeing as we head into the heart of the 2012 Sacramento Wedding Season.
1) The Wedding Dress: White and Ivory are still the heavy hitters. We are starting to see strong colors such as black or red gain some momentum.
2) More and more couples are opting to be married in a location other than a church. Outdoor weddings and weddings in unique and interesting locations have become a popular way to make your wedding differ from the rest. If you would like to use a church, try having your reception in a creative space like a museum or at a winery. Often these types of spaces provide their own decoration and ambiance, and the cost of decorating is minimal.
3) Professional Photographers are the rage once again. We feel this has a lot to do with social media. A profile photo done by a professional photographer is a great way to show off. Not just at the event, but engagement photos as well.
4) First Dance Choreography is big. YouTube has made this fun little part of the special day a big event. It seems weekly a video is shown in the media that show a couple/wedding party really kicking it up a notch
5) Bridesmaids: The big colors for 2012 are Plum and Violet.
6) Photo booths: These were a big hit in 2011 and are still rolling along. The booths now have backdrops to go with the props. What a great way to see you friends enjoying your "party".
7) Beach Resorts: Lazing on the beach beds in the open air at locations completely secluded from public, is being increasingly liked by the modern honeymooning couples. Many beach resorts in the top honeymoon spots have the exclusive facilities for king-sized beach beds for two, equipped with cushion pillows and beautiful & safe curtains for privacy.
8) Local Sacramento Food is still HOT !! We live in such a locale that we are spoiled by the culinary riches of the area. Sacramento Wedding Caterers are very lucky to be working with such great products !!
Happy Valentines Day !!
Joe
Posted by Joe Thompson on Sat, Dec 31, 2011 @ 04:54 PM
As we head in to 2012.... we wanted to take a moment to reflect back on the last 12 months.
We have been very fortunate to establish some great relationships with new clients and maintain stong relationships with clients that have been with us for a long time. We want to THANK each and everyone of you from the the bottom of our hearts. You are the reason we do what we do. We truly enjoy providing GREAT LOCAL SACRAMENTO FOOD and TOP NOTCH SERVICE to our local guests.
As we head into 2012, we look forward to meeting a great group of new people that will become part of the CRISP Catering family. We dont know who you will be yet, but WELCOME!!!
Our vendors and employees are also a huge part of our success and we THANK them all as well. They are the ones jumping through hoops and helping to make sure each event goes off without a hitch.
We are truly blessed !!!
Thank you and wishing you a HAPPY 2012!!!
Posted by Joe Thompson on Tue, Dec 13, 2011 @ 02:45 PM
As we prepare for the upcoming holiday season, we decided to take a look at some of the exciting (and cool) gadgets for the Sacramento Food Lover. Here are some ideas.....
7-in-1 Smoker and Grill
Take all your kitchen appliances and toss them into one unit and you have the 7-in-1 Grill. This gizmo can steam, deep-fry, smoke, boil, grill, and mmm, what else? Oh — your flame can be propane powered or charcoal. Pretty cool. (
masterbuilt.com, $139.99)
The Gravity Grinder
Spice up your food, space age-style. Featuring a nonslip rubber grip on the outside and a powerful ceramic gear inside, the Gravity salt and pepper grinder automatically grinds fresh pepper or salt once the device is tilted toward food. The grinder "senses" its position and starts and stops grinding according to its angle. Both the salt and the pepper can be adjusted for fineness of the grind, and the device can be refilled easily by lifting the grinder's cap. (bodumusa.com, $39.95)
Ramen Spoon + Fork
Slippery, slurpy ramen noodle soup can be a challenge to eat using Western utensils. If you're not comfortable with the chopsticks (or fork) and bowl-sipping method, turn to this innovative spoon-fork hybrid created by Japanese ramen restaurateur Masami Takahashi. Whether your soup comes from a fancy restaurant or a plastic package, this affordable stainless steel upgrade from the lunchroom spork will make the eating easier. (unicahome.com, $14)
Chocolate on the Vine
This is the 2nd event dinner (first of 2012). Chocolate like you have never seen (or tasted) before. Sweet and Savory. Tickets make GREAT Gifts for the FOODIE in your life.
There is no way you can go wrong with tickets to Chocolate on the Vine. We can send out gift cards for the event!!!! Order Now!!
Happy Holidays ~~~~~
Posted by Joe Thompson on Tue, Nov 29, 2011 @ 05:49 PM
Today (Nov 29th) we are launching our 2011 Holiday menus. For some of you, it might seem a little late, however, we have been getting a ton of calls this year asking for this style of menu.
If you go to www.crispcatering.com you will find the link for these awesome holiday menus on the upper left of the page.
We are offering items like:
- Butternut Squash Hushpuppies with Cranberry Aioli
- Cornbread and Pecan Dressing
- Chervil and Chive Griddled Potato Pancakes
- Creamy Scallop Corn
- Spit Roasted Leg of Lamb with Cherry Port Reduction
- Pumpkin Bread Pudding
CRISP Catering still has some days available for lunch and dinner drop-offs of these fantastic menus
Contact me personally right away via email at joe@crispcatering.com to reserve the time for your holiday party.
Cheers !!!
Posted by Joe Thompson on Wed, Nov 23, 2011 @ 01:09 PM
As we prepare to gather with friends and family for Thanksgiving, Alison and I want to extend out thanks to each and every one of you for all that you do to enrich our lives.
We have so much to be thankful for - our friends and family, of course - but also our vibrant businesses that provide us with much more than just a salary. They provide us with the opportunity to be part of the community, to become a valauble thread in the fabric that binds us in the Sacramento metropolitan area, and for that we are truly thankful. Your support of these endeavors means we can continue to provide excellent service to our customers and help some worthy organizations along the way.
It's only fitting that Thanksgiving centers around a delicious meal surrounded by friends and family. Food is my life. It's long been my desire to help people I meet to enjoy food as much as I do. Not just for the taste and sustenance it provides, but for the opportunity it holds to bring people together. Sharing a meal has been a social event since we first gathered in caves and celebrated a successful hunt. That remains true as we gather in our "caves" tomorrow to celebrate the blessings bestowed upon us over the past year.
Thanksgiving is a time for reflection. What are we happy for and for what shall we give thanks? Surely, it's our friends and family. But how about for the beauty that surrounds us but sometimes goes unnoticed as we lead our busy lives; the simple acts of kindness that reverberate outward like circular waves from a pebble dropping in a pond and touch others and inspires them to do something kind for another? How about being thankful for a stunning sunset or a wide smile and hug from your child?
Give thanks for those small things in life, for they add up to a life that's rich and fulfilling.
I am thankful for everything in my life, and that you are in it.
Be well and be safe this holiday season,
Joe Thompson
Posted by Joe Thompson on Fri, Nov 18, 2011 @ 04:49 PM
With the Thanksgiving Holiday right around the corner, we have been asked to share a few of our favorite recipes. Today I am going to share with you one of my favorite bread pudding recipes. Bread Pudding has been making a comeback again and it is being prepared in all kinds of ways. Please give this recipe a try.... let me know what you think
CRISP Caterings Pumpkin Bread Pudding
1 Cup Heavy Cream
½ Cup Whole Milk
½ Cup Sugar
¾ Cup canned pumpkin
2 Large eggs plus 1 yolk
1/8 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
Pinch of ground cloves
5 Cups cubed left over white dinner rolls
¾ stick melted unsalted butter
1) Preheat oven to 350º
2) Whisk together cream, milk, sugar, pumpkin, eggs, yolk, salt, and spices in a bowl
3) Toss cubed bread with butter in another bowl. Add pumpkin mixture and toss to coat.
4) Transfer to an un-greased 8 inch square baking dish and bake until custard is set. Roughly 25 to 30 minutes
This recipe goes great with a hot cup of cider.
As CRISP Catering looks to the year 2012, we are excited to work on so many Sacramento weddings. Our wedding business has increased in each of the last 3 years. More importantly, we have made great new friends.
We appreciate all of our followers and clients.
Happy Start to the Holiday Season!!!
Joe and Alison Thompson
Posted by Joe Thompson on Tue, Nov 08, 2011 @ 12:44 PM
On Saturday, March 10th, 2012 at 6:30pm CRISP Catering will be hosting the next Event Dinner.
"Chocolate on the Vine" will be held at Carvalho Family Wines (at the Old Sugar Mill) in Clarksburg.
Owner Joe Thompson and Executive Chef Jerrad McConnell have looked inside their souls and found the inspiration for this 6 course meal. Once again each course will be paired with the fantastic wines of Carvalho Family Wines.
We will be using the freshest local ingredients we can find mixed with various types of chocolate. Some describe chocolate as the worlds perfect food.
Once you depart this meal, you will realize that chocolate has so many facets and uses in the culinary world. It is not just for dessert (or snacks).
Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.crispcatering.com. Click on the "Chocolate on the Vine" icon and away you go!! Tickets to this event make a great Holiday gift for friends, family, and co-workers. We can even send out a Gift Card with the "tickets".
We hope to see you there!!!!
Posted by Joe Thompson on Wed, Oct 26, 2011 @ 05:48 PM
If you are really into the local Sacramento food arena like we are, you have been a little confused lately on what is available. This warmer weather in October has really thrown a wrench into the normal seasonality of this great area.
For that reason, we have waited until now to post our Fall menus for 2011/2012. We just could not wait. There was finally a little chill in the air today and we felt it was the perfect time to LAUNCH these menus.
Here is a little list of some items that you will see on these lunch/dinner menus
- Roasted Local Winter Vegetables
- Grilled Bledsoe Farms Pork with Black Cherry and Port Wine Reduction
- Roasted Apple and Radicchio Salad with Cider Vinaigrette Pomegranate Dressing
- Chard Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Brown Butter
- Bacon and Blue cheese Yukon Gratin
- Red Wine Poached Pear Cobbler
These menus start at 12.95 per guest plus tax and service charge and go up to 16.95 per guest for lunch. The are raised 2.00 per guest for dinner.
It will be very hard (if possible at all) to find a caterer in this area that can offer these types of menus and service delivered right to your office or home.
A little over 2 years ago, we started providing this style of menu because this is what our clients wanted. It has now become a very large part of our business. Have you missed out?
We hope to hear from you soon to book an upcoming event. We have a few days in December that are already booked..... don't delay.
Cheers
Posted by Joe Thompson on Thu, Oct 20, 2011 @ 05:03 PM
We usually blog about items related to food and the Sacramento Local region.
Today we are letting you know about a program we started for the month of October. October happens to be BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.
CRISP Catering has a facebook page (http://on.fb.me/p1Cxhm) For the month of October, we will donate .25 for every new person that "likes" our page, up to a $250.00 donation. So why this cause at this time you may ask.........
Breast Cancer has been "hanging around" my family for a few years now. My Step Mom (she likes me to call her my "Wicked - Step") is a 3 time surviror. Over the years, we have watched her and my Dad battle this affliction that needs to cured. I can tell you that they both have very strong faith and that has helped them make it this far both mentally and physically. If it wasn't for the faith, the path they are on would be really rocky. How do they stay so happy? Everyday is a celebration of life!!! They finish everyday with a "toast" to each other and a kiss. (I think they should kiss first as Scotch and Champagne dont go well together in my book)
Over the last few years, the economy has hit everyone hard. I wish we could do more to help end this devastating disease. This program is our chance to offer some help.
There are many organizations out there that offer help. Please check out http://ww5.komen.org/
Can you help us out by liking our page and reaching the goal of $250.00?
Thank you