Village Crown goes Abroad: Unforgettable Food from Israel!

By Maxime Keyson

I have just returned from the beautiful country of Israel where I was traveling for the past 2 weeks and am delighted to share some exciting experiences from abroad! Here are some of my favorite food moments from across the Mediterranean Sea (and can be found here at Esprit too!):

No wonder everyone loves the Esprit Candy Station! Israel is covered with amazing mouth-watering candy stands! Dive in and load up your bag for only a few Sheckels! 

This amazing Dim Sum stand at the Carmel Market! You can try any dumpling from chicken and beef to sweet potato & spinach and even goose liver!

You can smell the spices wafting around the streets from these amazing spice stands! 

This local Hot Cider stand in the mountainous village of Tzfat - delicious! 

And of course Shwarma! Everywhere you go you can count on a freshly baked pita stuffed with juicy meats and veggies slathered in hummus and tzatziki! Yum!

My Internship with Esprit Events: Mallory Cohen

           

By Mallory Cohen

             I went into my internship with Village Crown and Esprit Events knowing event planning sounded interesting, but not really knowing much else.  I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started my first day.  I just hoped that by the end I would have a better idea of whether the event planning industry was still something I would want to consider for my future career.  And coming on the last day of my internship, the answer to that question is officially a yes.  While catering may not be the exact part of the industry that I want to stay with, this internship has helped teach me a bit more of the inner workings of the event industry as a whole, and given me skills I would need for any job.  

The first skill was talking on the phone with strangers.  Most people my age rely pretty heavily on texting, and try to avoid actually speaking on the phone, especially when it comes to phone calls with random people that last longer than a minute.  However, starting day one I have been on the phone almost every day with people, and have had to learn to be more comfortable with it.

Another skill I used was social media.  While I have been using social media since middle school, I have only used it for myself.  However, I see with the social media work that I have done through Esprit and Village Crown that through a company it may be very different approach, because you are trying to appeal to others rather than whatever you want.  But at the same time it is still fun.  Especially when doing things like making a board for wedding cakes on pinterest.  The easiest way to find and write things that appeal to others is things that you yourself find interesting too.  Social media should try to feel personal for the people viewing it.

I also learned just how important presentation and approach is.  This is a catering company, so you would think how the food tastes is the only thing that matters.  But I see that it is much more than that (even though of course the taste is very important).  When viewing a tasting I notice how meticulous they are in arranging everything so that it looks nice.  Whether it is cutting and stacking the string beans into a pyramid, or rearranging the deserts so that the colorful treats are distributed evenly among the darker chocolates on the platter, they clearly put thought into more than just the cooking.  The food, however, is not the only time presentation counts.  I’ve noticed just with the proposal at the start of the process time is spent to make the layout look nice.  There are pictures spread throughout, and for things like the cocktail stations there are cute names for the stations.  All of this is done with thought, rather than just listing out the food and prices.

The last thing I learned that I am going to talk about are from these blog posts.  The force me to not just witness what the companies I am interning for does, but to be able to reflect on the things I am learning and share them with an audience.  It forces me to put more thought into what I am doing, rather than just writing some numbers down in a chart.  In addition, while writing has never been my strong suite these blogs not only taught me that no matter what field you work in writing is important, but also have given me the chance to improve my writing skills.

           Overall interning for Esprit Events and Village Crown has been a short, but informative and rewarding experience.  I plan to take all the things I have learned and use them in my future career.

Customizing Your Station: Make Your Own Cannolis!

By Mallory Cohen

Food and desert stations are common at bat and bar mitzvahs and weddings.  There are always the popular ones that everyone loves, but everyone has seen.  It is nice to do something unique that no one has seen before.  The best is of course to customize and make up your own station!  If I could make any station it would have to be a desert station.  I would make it an interactive cannoli station with an Italian theme.  There would be the option of traditional, chocolate chip, or chocolate filling, with plain or chocolate shells.  There would be toppings on the table to add to the cream coming out the ends of the cannoli, such as chocolate chips, berries, and nuts.  There could be different flavored sauces (such as raspberry, chocolate, and strawberry) to drizzle over the cannolis, and powdered sugar to top off the shell.  What amazing station would you want to see at your event?

Finding the Perfect Caterer: Step 1

By Mallory Cohen

Trying to find a caterer for your event can be a frustrating stressful experience.  But if you find the right person then they should do the opposite, taking away your stress, and leaving you excited about the possibilities.  The first step to finding someone who will do this for you is a simple phone call.  While on your call here are some questions to think about to help you determine whether you want to work with this company.  

• Do the answers you get match the answers you hoped for?
• Does the person on the other end sound excited to work with you? 
• If you tell them that you’re getting married do they congratulate you?  Do they ask your fiancé’s name?
• If you already know do they ask for details?  Do they try to see exactly what your vision is?
• Do they sound willing to make your vision come true?
• If you don’t really know what you’re doing do they seem like they’ll be able to work with you to help you figure out what you want?
• Are they able to answer your questions?
• Have they worked before in the venues you are looking at?
• How is their pricing?  Would they be able to work with your budget?
• Do they get back to you in a timely manner?
• Do they treat you as a person or as a job?

                After figuring out the answers to all these questions, and finding the person who best fits what you want, you are then ready to proceed into a stress free event of your dreams. 

Wedding Dessert Favorites!

Wedding Dessert Favorites!
By Mallory Cohen

If you’re like me the best part of any meal is always dessert.  For a wedding in the past this has always meant wedding cake.  However, recently people tend to be steering towards mini passed desserts either in addition to or completely replacing wedding cake.  There are many different options that go along with this, some popular, with others a bit more unique.

                One of the more popular options is macaroons.  These come is a huge assortment of colors and flavors.  Because of this and their simple shape there are many different things you can do with them.  You can arrange then is a tier, as shown below, which is a very good option if you want to use them to replace a wedding cake.  You can also use specific colors to fit the theme of your wedding.

              

Another popular option is mini cupcakes.  These bite sized cupcakes lead to no guilt because they are so small. There are adorable with so many flavor and frosting options so no one will be disappointed. Many weddings will also have a wide variety of the mini desserts for their guests to choose from.  Below is a picture from an Esprit Events tasting that took place today.  On the platter you will see things like jello push pops, cake balls, mini mousse cups, fruit, and tarts.  With so many different choices the only downfall is people ending up too stuffed to be able to try them all.

                

LEARN YOUR LINENS

Learn Your Linens

            By Mallory Cohen              

 While the size of your table linens may not be at the top of the list of the things you think about when planning your party or wedding, it is a necessary part of your preparations.  The linens add to the entire look of the room, and you want to make sure you choose the right ones.

                Most banquet tables at weddings are 72” round.  This should sit 12 people.  The linens needed for this table are 132” round.  As always you can go for a plain white tablecloth which is a classic.  You could also go with a plain linen in your color scheme to tie the room together.  If you want to add an extra touch you can go for a pretty, simple design.  .

                You will also need to get linens for your buffet and cocktail tables.  A buffet table is normally a six foot or eight foot long rectangular shape.  This requires a linen length of 90”x132”.  

A cocktail table will be 30” round.  The linen required for this is 90” round.  Once again with each of these you can either go for white, or another color that fits your theme.

          

Need a colorful theme for your next party?

Top three reasons to have a color themed party:

By Mallory Cohen

1)    Everybody loves themed parties.  But if there’s no specific holiday, and people want to stay classy rather than dressing in silly costumes colored themes are the way to go.

2)    They force you to be more creative.  Instead of just doing what you always do, you get to change things up by trying to find food/drinks/decorations that fit your color theme.

3)     It looks good it pictures. (nuff said)

Village Crown Catering Bat Mitzvahs & Bar Mitzvahs

It's Bar & Bat Mitzvah Season! Let us help you decide the perfect catering option for your kid's big day! Not only do we have our upscale division Esprit Events, we have our casual division Village Crown which gives you a wide range of options and menus to fit your vision. Village Crown buffet options include upscale platters and display, staffing and  everyone's favorite tasty finger foods! 

3 Rules for Finding the Perfect Kosher Caterer

It's hard to find the perfect match, especially when it comes to your caterer. We understand the aches and pains of making your vision become a reality for your special day. Here are some quick guidelines for you to tell if you have found the one: 

1. Responsiveness: Your caterer should be easy to reach and quick to respond. Timing is everything and you should feel secure that your team is on top of it. 
2. Personal Touch: You don't want to work with a robot, your catering specialist should be just as invested in your event as you are. Working with someone who understands you on a personal level and has taken the time to get to know your event makes the process much less stressful (and more fun!)
3. Style: Everyone has a style they want to convey to their guests, whether it's modern, classic, trendy or a mix! Each caterer has their own style as well and you want to make sure they are the  best representation of your taste. Make sure your team is the most experienced at presenting your vision and really wow your guests!

ROSH HASHANAH & SUKKOT PACKAGES

                                              

It's time to host a delicious dinner party to celebrate the holidays! Feeding up to 10 people may seem like a tough task but with our all-in-one package you will receive your selection of 4 mouth-watering courses ready to serve. The best part is that it's all for under $300! Village Crown is happy to present a menu more cost effective than a restaurant and delivered right to your door. Check out a delicious sample menu taken from just a few of our amazing options: 

Salads 

Trio of Hummus, Roasted Eggplant and Spicy Cumin Carrots 

Appetizers 

Salmon with Red Peppers & Tomatoes 

Entrees 

Beef Bourguignon with a Vegetable Medley in a Red Wine Reduction 

Sides 

Carrot & Raisin Cinnamon Tzimmes 

Mujadara of Rice with Lentils and Caramelized Onions 

Desserts 

Flaky Apple Strudel 

The Perfect Pairing for Passing!

What better way to liven up the party than decadent passed hors d'oeuvres paired with a tasty beverage. Especially during the summer when it's warm and your guests are thirsty. Avoid crowding at the bar and pass around a memorable mini beverage to go with your delicious appetizers.

We're absolutely loving this trend, especially the tiny patron bottles with tiny straws! Whether it's mini sliders and beer sips or tiny tacos and micro margaritas, everyone will be interacting, smiling and of course toasting to you! Cheers!

Don't Forget the Bar!

Time to get creative this summer with exciting outdoor wedding ideas! As much as you want your guests to keep from decimating your open bar, you still want them to be amazed while they do it! 

 
We love these rustic and classic looking wood bar ideas for your summer time celebration.Whether you're going vintage, cozy, upscale or unique, make your outdoor bar warm, inviting and interactive. Guests will be clinking their champagne glasses and toasting to an awe inspiring and memorable event! 

Ask our expert catering planners about your open bar package today!

GOAT CHEESE SALAD CROUTONS

Recipe

Goat Cheese Salad Croutons

Go beyond just sprinkling the cheese on your salad and turn it into a cheesy crouton. I like the combo of goat cheese and Gouda because it holds together better. Each crouton adds about 150 calories to your salad, but with a little dressing and lots of veggies, you won’t need much else.

Times

• Prep Time : 15 min
• Cook Time : 8 min
• Ready Time : 23 min

Servings

8 croutons

Ingredients

• 4 ounces Natural & Kosher Gouda, coarsely grated
• 4 ounces Natural & Kosher herbed goat cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon potato starch
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup matzah meal/Passover crumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse or sea salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, for frying
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Mash together cheeses in a bowl, mixing until combined.  Form the mixture into eight balls, then flatten each slightly into thick patties.
2. Arrange three small dishes for dredging stations: Place the potato starch in the first one, beat the egg lightly in the second, and mix the matzah meal and salt in the last one.
3. Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Once hot, fry each patty until golden and crispy, about two minutes per side. It is a little messy; sometimes two forks are better than a spatula.
4. Once browned, remove to a paper towel and then immediately top your salad of choice.  Sprinkle the whole thing with freshly ground black pepper.

See original recipe HERE

Mother's Day Madness

What are some of your favorite Mother's Day treats? Village Crown loves making these yummy chocolate strawberries, fresh fruit slices and mini cupcakes! 

Favorite Kosher Recipe: Pumpkin Empanadas with Mint Dipping Sauce

Tired of the same old thing? Try something fun and delicious like pumpkin empanadas!! Pumpkin isn't just a fall flavor, use this tasty treat with mint dipping sauce to surprise your guests:

Makes 20

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 ½ cups pure pumpkin
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 cup currants or raisins, softened 10 minutes in hot water to cover
Store bought pie dough or homemade pie dough
1 large egg, slightly beaten
Cilantro Mint Dipping Sauce (below) or other chutney

Preheat oven to 375°. Rub a rimmed baking sheet with 1 tbsp. oil. Spread pumpkin on sheet and roast, uncovered, turning once, till tender when pierced, 30 minutes. 

Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tbsp. oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in spices and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. 

Transfer onion to a medium mixing bowl. Drain currants and stir into bowl. Add warm pumpkin and mix well, mashing with back of a spoon to create a slightly chunky mixture. 

Working with one pie-dough disk at a time, roll dough on a lightly floured surface into a 1/8-in.-thick round. Using a 4-in. ring cutter, cut out 20 circles, rerolling scraps.

Mix 1 tablespoon water into egg and brush onto dough rounds. Spoon 1 tablespoon pumpkin mixture into center of each round, fold over, and seal edges with tines of a fork. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. 

Arrange empanadas on sheets, spaced slightly apart.
Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with chutney.

Make ahead: Follow recipe through step 5. Freeze in an airtight container. Then bake from frozen, 25 to 30 minutes at 375°.

Cilantro Mint Dipping Sauce

1 jalapeno chile, stemmed
2 cups cilantro leaves
12 large fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a food processor, pulse jalapeno, cilantro, and mint until reduced in volume by half. Add 2 tbsp. water, the oil, lemon juice, and salt. Whirl until smooth, adding 1 more tbsp. water if needed.

Recipe from: http://www.gourmetkoshercooking.com/2014/03/pumpkin-empanadas-with-mint-dipping-sauce/ 

Garden Party Time

Spring is in the air and that means it's time to have a garden party! Seek out your nearest park, backyard, rooftop and more for this summers grand opening act! Here are a few ideas to get you inspired:

1) Get a garden! It doesn't have to be upscale, it just has to be outside! Find a quiet spot in the park or a scenic rooftop corner to get the right atmosphere going for your guests.

2) Decor Galore! Spring means flowers, sunshine and vibrant colors. Create your own homemade centerpieces out of spring flowers or make your table setting out of grass! Be creative.

 

3) Spring Snacks! It's all about the light finger foods to go along with your fresh squeezed juice cocktails. Try a delicious platter of vegan garden sushi or some cocktail finger sandwiches to go with your iced tea. 

   

4) Enjoy! Toast to your friends and family or support a cause. Spring garden parties are the best excuse to dress up and soak in the sun. Ask us for recommendations @ 212 207 3888.

Favorite Kosher Recipe: Potato Kugel Crunch Cups

Recipe

Potato Kugel Cups

The best part about them is that every piece is a crusty corner piece, so nobody has to fight over that coveted crunch.

Times

• Prep Time : 15 min min
• Cook Time : 1 hour
• Ready Time : 1 hour, 15 min

Servings

4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup olive oil, divided
• 3 whole eggs
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper
• 6 large Idaho potatoes
• 1 large onion, quartered

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Liberally oil six (6-ounce) Pyrex glass dessert dishes or custard cups. Place custard cups in a 9 x 13-inch disposable pan.
3. Place the pan of cups in the oven to heat.
4. Place eggs in a small bowl and beat. Add salt and pepper, mix well and set aside.
5. Fill a large bowl with cold water and, as you peel potatoes, place them in the cold water to prevent browning.
6. Heat remainder of oil in a small saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat.
7. Cut potatoes lengthwise into halves or quarters so they fit into food processor feed tube. Process potatoes and onions using the blade that creates thin, shoestring-like strips.
8. Transfer potatoes and onions to a large bowl, add egg mixture and heated oil from stovetop, mix very well. Remove any large pieces of potatoes or onions that weren’t processed properly.
9. Remove heated cups from the oven and spoon potato mixture evenly into hot, oiled cups.
10. Bake at 425 degrees for 1 hour, or until the tops look crunchy and sides look golden and browned. Loosen edges with a knife, unmold and serve on a platter.

Tips

To make this as a potato kugel pie, bake in a 9-inch round glass baking dish for about 1 hour or longer, depending on desired crunchiness.

View original recipe here: JoyofKosher

Post-Purim Healthy Snack Ideas

We know you had a fun weekend but now it's time to get back on track! Try these delicious snacks before or after your next meal to give your stomach a break from all that hamentaschen:

1) An Apple & Skim Milk
This duo will give you 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber for just over 200 calories

2) Cottage Cheese-Filled Avocado
For 200 calories, you'll get 9 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber

3)Canned Tuna on Whole Wheat Crackers
For about 200 calories, you can enjoy 3 ounces of light tuna and 6 whole-wheat crackers—complete with 3 grams of fiber and 20 grams of protein

4) Sunflower Lentil Spread with Pita Bread
This savory recipe makes four 180-calorie servings, with 10 grams each of protein and fiber.

5) Warm Pear with Cinnamon Ricotta 
Each serving contains 8 g protein, 5 g fiber, and 170 calories. 


Check out more delicious, healthy snack ideas at health.com

Drink of the Day: St. Patty's Punch

Done partying but still want to be festive today? Try this yummy non-alcoholic green punch! 

St. Patrick’s Day Drink Ideas Non-Alcoholic St. Patty’s Punch

- 1 container of Lime Sherbet

- 1 can of pineapple juice

- 2 liter of Ginger Ale

How to Order Catering in 5 Easy Steps

Village Crown knows how hard it is to plan the perfect event. You don't have to do it alone, here are some important tips to help you when you're ordering:

1) What is your event? We know that seems like an obvious question but it's important for your caterer to know what type of event you are having. You may need more (or less) food then you planned depending on the time of day and style of event. This can prevent late guests from finding empty platters on their arrival or having a fridge packed with leftovers.

2) What time is your event? Don't forget it may take time to set up the food, especially if it's hot. Always take into account extra time to get ready so you won't have to rush when the guests start to arrive. If your building has strict security or a separate freight entrance that your delivery guy doesn't know about, your food could be delayed. Be sure to make a detailed note for your caterers so you won't be surprised.

3) What's your menu? Will you be snacking on hors d'oeuvres platters, filling up on a hearty meal or a mix of both? Know the flow of your event so your caterer can make helpful suggestions to ensure your guests don't fill up on heavy apps or overeat the main course. Splitting two meat entrees can be tricky since most guests will want to try both. This could leave some guests hungry in the end, make sure you plan accordingly.

4) What else do you need besides food? Catering is much more than just delivery. Do you need plates? Forks? Cups? What about beverages or a custom cake? Make a list from start to finish of what you will use for your event so that nothing is left out. If you are ordering beverages you might need an ice bucket. If you want your food to stay hot you may need chaffers and sternos. Let your caterer know how you plan to serve your food once you receive it so you aren't left with the wrong temperature item.

5) What is your budget? Catering can get expensive. If you have a tight budget for your corporate event we understand that your options may seem limited. Don't fret, we can help you choose the right items such as a heavier appetizer that will fill up your guests faster or a package deal that includes all the food you will need in one set price. On the other hand if you are catering to impress, be sure to ask about china dishware options. The extra charge is worth it in the end if you are entertaining important guests. A nice display goes a long way.

The more details you provide in your inquiry, the more we can help you! Let's work together to make this a memorable event.