Last Monday, we had the pleasure of catering the National Association for Catering and Event’s Baltimore meeting at Ten Oaks Ballroom in Columbia, Md. For our menu, we went with a farm to table concept to showcase locally farm-raised meat and produce. Our catering company utilizes fresh, local products in our menus whenever possible. Our recipes have even been featured in the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Buy Local Cookbook for their outstanding flavors and for utilizing locally grown Maryland ingredients.
Keeping with using local Maryland ingredients, we served a variety of sliced meats, chicken liver pate, pickled vegetables, coarse grain violet mustard, bacon jam and balsamic jelly for appetizers. The appetizers were placed on a gorgeous, rustic farm table that fit the theme perfectly.
After the NACE board elections and a great lecture from Avish Parasher, Innovation Speaker and Motivational Improviser, it was time to serve our farm-to-table menu. With such a large venue, we were able to entertain with a stations style menu. At one station, we had our Creekstone Farms Braised Beef Cheeks with a port wine pan sauce and parsnip puree. With such a tender meat, we served this entree in martini glasses.
The next station was our Arborio Risotto Bar with assorted toppings that guest could choose from; in addition to, arugula pesto and a traditional risotto sauce. Our chef was making each risotto plate to order, so guests could customize their risotto entree.
Last but not least, our third station featured our chicken roulade in an apple cider reduction with an apple and cranberry stuffing. We served this with our creamy grits and our cinderella pumpkin bisque. For dessert, we served our pumpkin bites with maple bacon icing. Yes, these are as dangerously-good as they sound.
Although we provided the food, it can’t go unsaid all of the other amazing vendors that made this NACE meeting so great. It was a pleasure working with Party Plus Rentals, Innovative Party Planners, MLC Designs, Bialek’s Music, Gary Jackson Photography and Maryland Productions. We look forward to attending the next NACE Baltimore event in December.
