Can you say Vegan?

Last night we catered an incredible wedding at Hans Fahden Vineyard near Calistoga.  The Bride and Groom came in with a request of a vegan menu that no one would know was vegan.  Vegan is definded as no animal products, no butter, eggs etc.  They had spoken with two other caterers that had turned them down.  I took it as a challenge. 

They gave me a lsit of their favorite foods and we worked to creat the perfect menu.

We started with our Farmer's Market Crudites.  Simple enough, just lots of fresh veg with Cumin Hummus and Baba Ganoush, Artisan Breads, Roasted Beet Relish and Tapenade.  Plus our Vegan Spring Rolls of Avocado, Cucumber, Red Bell, Thai Basil, Tofu, Enoki and Bean Sprouts with Ponzu and Peanut Sauce.

Then on to dinner, this is were a vegan menu is most challenging.  We did it in two courses, everything served family style:

First Course

Wild Arugula Salad

with Heirloom Tomatoes, Champagne Mustard Vinaigrette

Artisan Bread Basket

with Caramelized Onion Mori Nu Spread

Country Style Marinated Olives

Second Course

Stuffed Squash Blossom Fritters

Cashews, Chick-peas, Eggplant with

Horseradish Ceram & Avocado Salsa

Green Pea Risotto

Arborio Rice, Green Peas, Onions and Green Pea Puree

Wild Mushroom Ragu

with Oysters, Chanterelle, Crimini

Summer Vegetable Ragu

Sweet Corn, Bells, Haricot Vert

Lemon, Basil and Olive Oil

The highlight of the night was the squash blossoms, the filling had the perfect tooth to feel hearty plus a touch of Cumin in the tempura battered added a great smoky spicy taste.

Thanks to Geoff and Alannah for giving me a great menu and inspiration.

Mushroom Bisque

This is the bisque we served at Dutcher Crossing Winery for their Winter Wineland event.  We've already had several requests for the recipe.  So....

This bisque goes well with the richer red wines. The cream on the palate and the touch of truffle oil add an earthy full flavor. Look for the truffle oil at gourmet food stores and often at Trader Joes

2 tsp Thyme
4 oz Butter
4 oz Onions
8 oz Crimini Mushrooms
16 Tbs Flour
5 cup Stock – chix, veg or mushroom
2 cup Heavy Cream
3 Tbs White Truffle Oil

Sauté thyme, butter, onions & mushrooms.
Add flour & cook 2 to 3 minutes
Add stock & whisk well
After it starts to thicken, finish with the heavy cream and truffle oil
May be served chunky or pureed

Enjoy
A

Buckeye Nursery

This last weekend we were at a great new venue right here in Petaluma, the Buckeye Nursery.  The location is a show place for the work of Bertotti Landscaping.  Set at the base of Sonoma Mountain on the east side of Petaluma it is laid out perfectly for weddings and events.

We comfortably sat 200 guests with room for more in a beautiful natural garden setting.  Perfect for a farm or naturalist wedding.  The couple got married out in the field with hay bales for seating.  Cocktail hour was held pool side with dancing on the black top.

What a great site!

A 

Cool Places!

I never know where my job will take me!  Yesterday we were catering aboard the USS Makin Island, a new aircraft carrier docked in San Francisco for Fleet Week.  We set up in one of the on-board hangers; even got a tour of the ship!  Thanks guys.

Today we're at Merryvale Vinyards, set up in the wine cave for a very elegant lunch.  A great place.

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Full Moon in the Valley of the Moon

September was a very busy month for us with eleven weddings from the sea shore to a mountain top.  Sometimes I forget to look around and see the incredible area that we live in, but some places are just so incredible you just have to notice.  I'm lucky to get to work with the Sonoma County Farm Bureau; this year I donated a dinner to their fundraiser for youth.  It was planned to fall on the full moon in September at a new location that Kunde Estate Vineyard just recently made available on “ the mountain top”.

What an incredible night!  The temperature was perfect and no wind.  We watched the sun set as we served the hors d’oeuvres, enjoyed dinner, then had dessert just in time for moon rise.  I could not think of a more perfect evening.

The menu was a bit challenging.  No water, no electricity, and everything had to be carried in, and had to be worthy of the auction price that was paid for it.

Guest Arrival

Point Ryes Blue tarts with Fresh Fig Jam

Crane Melon Soup Sips with Prosciutto Crisps

Liberty Farms Duck Confit Taquitos

First Course

Tomato Caprese Martini

Balsamic Drizzle

Main Course

ServedFamily Style

Rosemary Rubbed Beef Tenderloin

Caramelized Onions

Cauliflower and White Cheddar Grain

Pearl Cous Cous with Roasted Butternut Squash

Dessert

Individual Berry Cobblers

Clover Stornetta Ice Cream

I know the guests had a great time and I personally got to take a moment and savor our own back yard.

A

A Perfect "Pear"

It's a very special occasion when I get to do an event for one of our own staff members.  This weekend we had a wedding for a staff member of 6 years.  She was the mellowest bride that I have ever had, I asked her why and she simply said “ I have you” and after having worked both in the kitchen and on events she knows how smooth things go.

Their location was at The Bridal Path in Santa Rosa.  A private venue that specializes in horse carriages. The bride arrive in a white horse drawn carriage with her father and then enjoyed a carriage ride and champagne with her new husband.  This location was just beautiful with a pond and spring time flowers.

Congratulations!

Her mom hand made all of the Pear shaped candles as the wedding favors.  They are such a perfect “pear”!

Redwood Hill Gardens

Just outside of Sebastopol is a hidden hill side garden, Redwood Hill Gardens.  Rosie and Pat have put together a private redwood park setting for events.  It's a beautiful place good for 20 to 100 guests with a sunny lawn area and a poolside patio for dancing.

Thanks to Rosie and Pat for all of the help this weekend.

A

Rancho Wikiup

The other wedding last weekend was at Rancho Wikiup. 

It's a very pretty spot and relaxing (except for the wedding part).  With rooms available for the wedding party.  A great place for a smaller wedding, family reunion, or company retreat.

Another Beautiful Place

One of the bonuses of catering is that I often get to see spectacular locations.  One weekend I might be overlooking the ocean from a barn above occidental or out in a vineyard with the sunset.  Just today I did a site visit with a bride for an upcoming wedding at a location that I hadn't been to before.

The Ralston White Retreat center is located in Mill Valley.  A beautiful home that was built in 1913 as a wedding gift to his wife.  A grand classic house that you can rent out for the entire weekend.  The wonderful surprise as you drive up is that the front lawn in the shape of a heart; what a romantic place for the ceremony.

It is located north west of downtown Mill Valley just beyond Blithedale Park, a beautiful redwood grove.

What a nice Sunday Drive.
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Valentine's Day at Kunde Estate

We do a lot of work for and at Kunde Estate Winery, weddings, catering for winery tours, special events...  It's a great place with some lovely event venues, and, of course, the wine!  We're working with Kunde on their Valentine's Day romantic dinner and wine tasting.  The menu is styled as a romantic dinner and carefully paired with their wines.  This is going to be excellent.

Seared Sea Scallop with a Strawberry Avocado Relish

2008 Gewürztraminer

Dry Jack Risotto with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Rosemary

2008 Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc

Braised Beef Short Ribs in Potato Cups with White Truffle Oil

2006 Syrah

Lamb Pop Chops

with a Rosemary, Garlic and Cocoa Wine Reduction

2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Lemon White Chocolate Mousse

(Amuse-Bouche / Palate Cleanser)

Hazelnut Espresso Daquoise

Dark Chocolate Chunks

Zinfandel Port

Petaluma Golf and Country Club

In the last couple of weeks we have catered a couple of weddings up at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club.  For many years it was members only, with only one caterer allowed; that has changed.  They have now opened it up for rental to the public, and (Yeah!) we can cater there too.

Such a beautiful view out over the Petaluma hills and the golf course.  The golden hills help to set the perfect back drop for the Fall themed wedding that we did last weekend, the blue and gold tables with Fall accents just set the mood perfectly.

It comfortably held the 160 guests with room to dance.  Cyndy (the club's Event Planner) is doing a great job helping the big events plan and run smoothly.  If you are starting to look for next year- stop in and take a peek.

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What a site!

This last weekend we did an incredible wedding at St Vincent’s School for Boys. Tucked off the highway between Novato and San Rafael, it is a beautiful catholic church and court yard.

We put together an Italian family style dinner in the central court yard for 230 guests. Here are a couple of pictures.

Video to come next.

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