Features Catering Holiday Best of CT Entertaining Homepage Guide To Connecticut Caterers: 2018 Holidays Made Easy! (sponsored post) April Guilbault September 30, 2018 Less than 90 days until Christmas and less than 70 until Hanukkah. Please don’t hate us, we want to help you! Wonderful, albeit somewhat stressful holiday gatherings are fast approaching and with them come the planning, cooking, and hosting. Looking to streamline and maybe, eh-hem, enjoy your holidays this year? Toss those oven mitts aside, grab a cold, ice-clinking drink and hire a caterer for your soirees! Courteous and attentive staffs, creative and unique presentations, swoon-worthy and drool-worthy foods. When we put it that way, what’s to discuss? CTbites has assembled a list of caterers that are sure to lend that special bit of flair to your gathering, whether it be grand or cozy. These folks are eager to please and ready to tackle the upcoming season with panache. Book now, though, or those oven mitts might be back on your hands.Palmer’s Catering & Events 264 Heights Rd., Darienwww.palmersdarien.com203-655-2077There’s a reason Palmer’s has won so many awards including “Best Caterer”, “Best Bakery”, “Best Gourmet-to-Go” and “Best Desserts” in Fairfield County — their food is out of this world, their service is unrivaled, their ideas are unique and their references are impeccable. Palmer’s has rocked the catering and event world with their exciting flavors, inventive presentations and flawless service. In addition to their catering division, Palmer’s boasts an award-winning bakery and spectacular floral designs, all under one roof, making it seamless to plan the perfect event, wedding or party. Their experienced catering team makes it easy, as they can plan everything from the invitations and menus to table settings and decor. From a plated wedding with 250 guests to an intimate dinner party for 8—they’ve got you covered. All you need to do is show up and have a fabulous time! Hosting a more causal event? Their Gourmet-To-Go menu offers everything you’ll need to make the day easy and delicious! With no minimum order size and a huge selection of freshly prepared items, they’ve got you covered, breakfast through dessert. Don’t miss their house-made Potato Chips with Truffle Parmesan Dip (drool) or their extensive list of stationary platters. Order online and have it delivered...it doesn’t get any easier than that! View menus and photos on their website.Marcia Selden 65 Research Dr., Stamfordwww.marciaselden.com203-353-8000Celebrating 40 years in business, Marcia Selden Catering and Events set the standard for exuberant and inventive entertaining. Named to the Connecticut Restaurant Association’s “Hall of Fame”, and a recipient of the ICA’s “Caterer of the Year” Award, a “Marcia Selden Party” has become synonymous with innovative food and world class service. Their culinary team focuses on seasonal, modern food presented with the eye of a creative director for the most discerning clientele. Team Selden arrives ready to “deck the halls” and get the festivities started with customized food and beverage menus, from interactive food stations to traditional holiday favorites. Whether at home, or at work, or in a venue, they look forward to helping you celebrate your best holiday season ever. Book soon to schedule a sumptuous event!Along Came Carol 2984 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeportwww.alongcamecarol.com203-345-8811Known for impeccable service, taste, and attention to detail, Along Came Carol Catering & The Nook, is one of the top caterers and event venues in all of Connecticut. They take a great amount of pride in surpassing their customer’s expectations. Whether it be the special off-site catering or a party booked in The Nook, they treat your guests as they would their closest friends. The in-house event staff takes your vision from dream to a delicious reality! Cuisine is inspired by Carol’s travels all over the globe; her passion is flavors and spice which “wake up your palate” as quoted by Paul Newman. Your menu is personally designed by Chef/Owner Carol Lentini, former chef to the stars (psst…Michael Jackson). As a hands-on chef, Carol also oversees Friday Night dinners at The Nook, a special weekly event featuring various themes such as French Bistro, which was recently rated as Excellent by Connecticut Post. When you book your holiday catering (holiday season is fast approaching!), mention this article for a special gift from Carol! They also have some exciting new additions coming soon such as the return of Take-Out prepared foods, a walk-up quick eats window, and “Cooking with a Smile”, cooking classes for adults -wine included!AMG Catering and Events 196 Danbury Rd., Wiltonwww.amgcatering.com203-227-5535 This season, deck your halls (or have their in-house event planner deck your halls for you) and trim your table with Wilton-based AMG Catering and Events. Award-winning chef, Alison Milwe Grace and her staff will provide you and your guests with sumptuous food, drink, and a festive holiday experience. As the season of celebrations begins with Thanksgiving, consider an AMG feast from turkey-to-pie, which can be conveniently delivered to your door or picked up at their kitchen. So go grab a drink and forget slaving in the kitchen-woooot! You can also let their team of expertly trained staff seamlessly execute your next occasion. Event Coordinator Olivia Savarese will grant every wish, transforming your home or local venue with flair and a dash of whimsy. Every holiday needs a good dose of whimsy, right? Just imagine a winter wonderland of antique sleds filled with gingerbread martinis! AMG is known for their “small bites” such as Shrimp & Grits on tasting spoons, one bite “carnitas”, and Steak Frites with Bernaise Aioli, to name just a few. Don’t miss their mini holiday dessert tables and holiday harvest tables are sure to keep your guests happy all season long. An EP Experience www.anepexperience.com203-873-7790An EP Experience (EP…Exquisite Palate, Exquisite Pastry, Exquisite Planning) prides themselves on being a one-stop shop. You can achieve a great event from start-to-finish with this business which provides event planning & full service catering. You can literally have an event designed, catered, hosted/served, and cleaned without lifting a finger! Their menus are fully customizable to each event, focusing on culture and preference of cuisine. Over the years, Chef Kevin has enhanced and honed his craft by traveling and training with a plethora of chefs focusing on cuisines such as Latin, Italian, British, Modern American, Asian, Indian, and his personal favorite, Caribbean. Nice to know, vegan cuisine is also included in this list. With his recent travel to Jamaica, he was able to perfect his signature dish, Caribbean Jerk Chicken, which you will want to try They have catered and designed in amazing locations from rooftop lounges in NYC to Farms in upstate CT/NJ/NY and they guarantee an Experience like no other with their food and design!Festivities 2 Wilton Ave., Norwalkwww.festivitiesevents.com203-847-7774From bar to Buche de Noel, get festive with Festivities! From global to home-grown traditions including regional favorites, their holiday offerings include “Roving Foods” and a “Food Truck Parked in the Kitchen”, all making holiday get-togethers joyously fun! Join them for “Holiday Artful Foods” in their favorite galleries or “Holidays in History” in a wonderful historical setting. Whether in the office, at home, or in one of many partner venues, your holiday gatherings will be unique and well-remembered. For those who love to cook and entertain, Festivities “Party Express” is a mere phone call away. With small batch cooking from the freshest seasonal ingredients, your party will be delivered to your door. Party Express makes entertaining family and friends a welcome thought. Pre-season, join Executive Chef, Bill Kaliff, For “Holiday Entertaining Styles” at their new studio and explore with Chef Bill your entertaining style with recipes, food demos, and entertaining tips from 34 years of setting the holiday table. For dates and times email kathryn@festivitiesevents.com. For further information and a party consultation, please call or email at roe@festivitiesevents.com Gourmet Galley Catering 138 Norwich-Westerly Rd., Stoningtonwww.gourmet-galley.com860-415-9589For over 20 years, Gourmet Galley Catering has been offering award-winning, custom events; intimate celebrations to drop-dead chic weddings, business openings to family reunions and sophisticated cocktail parties for over 300. They provide all the trimmings from napkins to twinkling lights and don’t go home until the perfect party is complete. As the holiday season approaches, Gourmet Galley offers a full Thanksgiving feast conveniently delivered to your home that will truly delight your friends and family or will simply provide some unique dishes and desserts that will support your home cooked favorites and allow you time to enjoy your guests. Holiday parties become cherished memories when their talented event coordinators work with you to plan every detail from the festive drinks that greet your guests such as a Bourbon Gold Rush and Spiced Cranberry Gin Fizz to the holiday themed menus that will please even the most discerning foodie! You will love their comfort-food dishes with a twist such as a Risotto Bar with your choice of flavors and Roasted Rack of Colorado Lamb. Sweet endings such as Buche de Noel are expertly prepared on site either in your home or at your favorite venue are sure to make your holiday celebrations merry and bright!La Cuisine Cafe, Market and Catering 750 East Main St., Branfordwww.lacuisine.net203-488-7100Fresh, delicious, handcrafted, creative food. Personalized events. Award-winning for over 35 Years. Some say they are obsessed and it’s true. La Cuisine is obsessed with serving outstanding food that is artfully presented and graciously served. The number one priority is to make you, their guest and client, delight in eating with your eyes, nose, and mouth. A total sensory experience. Their creations are always made from quality ingredients which are local and seasonal (when possible) and include all-natural meats. Find out why for 35 years clients have made La Cuisine their Number One source for all things food and entertaining! Think Chicken and Waffles with Maple Bourbon Glaze, Butternut Squash Arancini, Warm Gingerbread with Brandied Sauteed Apples…ah, yes!ONTHEMARC www.onthemarcevents.com203-274-6808Hello, Holidays! Like it or not, we're a blink away from sweater weather, wrapping paper and rosy cheeks, which means event planning season is here! At ONTHEMARC, their mission is simple: to produce events they are proud of. The ONTHEMARC team pinches themselves everyday in disbelief that they get to do what they love; and what they love, to be clear, is to make happy clients. Let them put the happy in your holidays! This full-service caterer has extensive experience in off-site catered events and venue management. Their events-only business model enables them to focus singularly on the client at hand and they have the unique expertise to work anywhere and a growing list of exclusive venues to prove it. Think of them as your personal pop-up restaurant. Their team of chefs and producers brings passion for food and service to every event. Seasonal, bespoke menus are a signature foundation for an inspired, gastronomic experience, and all are designed for each event to be gorgeous and tasty. For further information please call or email at info@onthemarcevents.com.Some Things Fishy Catering Bethelwww.somethingsfishycatering.com203-722-2444Boasting a wide variety of organic food from various cultures along with innovative and creative dishes, Some Things Fishy Catering is a catering company in a class of its own with over 26 years of experience creating delectable cuisine. Operated and owned by Michael Bick, Some Things Fishy Catering features menus that continue to evolve with unique and delicious tastes; from their signature Caramelized Baked Brie to their Poached Lobster Bites on a Lotus Raft that are perfectly swoon worthy. Specializing in farm-to-table fare, their food is prepped to meet the highest culinary standards and is prepared by hand with natural ingredients from local farms, butchers, and purveyors across the tri-state area. In short, they offer fresh, healthy food. Spanning Fairfield County, Westchester County, and Greater New York City, they are experienced in a variety of events from galas and fundraisers to intimate gatherings or large scale weddings. They offer full service event planning and customized catering to bring the event of your dreams to life!Spice Catering Group 73 High St., Derby www.spicecateringgroup.com 203-516-5665 Established in 2010, Spice Catering Group is a full-service catering company, specializing in weddings, galas, corporate and social events. The team consists of chefs, managers and event planners to make your event one that you will remember for a lifetime. They pride themselves on not having too many “packages”, as they really enjoy customizing menus for clients’ specific taste and budget, whether it be for a high-end barbecue party or an elegant plated dinner (and everything in between). Their chef-created stations are popular, offering a variety of sliders, tacos, seafood and more. Love signature cocktails? They have that covered, too, with in-house spirits and mixers or even unique touches with fresh flavors such as cranberry, lime, lavender or rose. Lastly, no meal is complete without dessert. Top off a delicious meal with a strawberry shortcake station, flaming donut holes, or other unique and fun stations. Spice Catering Group event planners will help you choose your menu, rentals, linens and more, to create the perfect stress-free event. They have been voted one of the top 10 caterers in the Best Of Connecticut poll, and have also earned Wedding Wire and The Knot badges.Tim LaBant Catering 34 Cannon Rd., Wiltonwww.timlabantevents.com203-843-0095For over 10 years, Tim LaBant Catering by The Schoolhouse at Cannondale has been creating unforgettable celebrations with innovative food that never forgets its roots (pun intended!). With renowned chef Tim LaBant at its helm, their team is made up of the ultimate foodies who pride themselves on quality, integrity, and excellence. They work hard to find the best sources of ingredients from local and sustainable farms and then treat them simply and with respect. Menus are custom-built for client’s tastes and preferences, ensuring that each vision is executed with perfection. And to top it all off – clients get their own event planner who will handle everything from staffing to rentals, vendors and day of coordination! Can we get an “Amen!”? So, to put it simply, let Tim LaBant Catering create the perfect celebration for you with none of the stress. This team is dedicated to the details and will make sure your event is everything you could possibly imagine…and then some.Watson’s Catering & Events 1 Glenville St, Greenwichhttp://www.watsonscatering.com/203-532-0132If you want to have as much fun as your guests at your own party, then your first phone call should be to Watson’s Catering & Events. Watson’s has been in business for over 25 years and wins “The Best of Greenwich” from Greenwich Magazine year after year. Everyone on their team is passionate about food and hospitality. They receive just as many rave reviews on their friendly, dynamic staff as they do on their food. The planners will listen and help design the perfect event whether it is in your office, home, or one of our unique venues. They will also help you customize a menu that will have your guests dreaming about that delicious food, long after they’ve gone home. Watson’s chefs are committed to using fresh, seasonal ingredients and are always developing new menu items to wow their guests. Watson’s is known for even the ordinary being extraordinary. For example, they will take a common snack, like a chicken wing, and elevate it to a scrumptious Buffalo chicken meatball with celery stick toothpick. Some new holiday additions include mini veal osso bucco or pistachio crusted sea bass and you can always count on Watson’s classics such as cabernet braised boneless short ribs or seafood paella. Call Watson’s to help deck your halls and make your guests jolly this holiday season!
