frankly speaking

This Months Catering Executives Club Meeting as held last Monday at the Murphy Auditorium.  This is such a cool space. I was wow’d with Limelight Catering’s Menu.  We started with a Sweet Onion tart with Fennel, Endive, Mache and Champagne Viniagrette.  This was followed with a Seared Scallop with Parsnip Potato Puree.  The Entree was  Chicago Spice House Braised Beef SHort rib, Cannellini Bean, Pancetta, with Tomatoe and Rosemary.  The dessert was Guinness Stout Ginger Cake with Lemon Curd Cream.  We enjoyed music by the Ron Harris Music Group, Linens by BBJ, and Rentals by Halls.  We also got to take a tour of the RIchard Driehaus Musuem next door.Â

I was asked to produce the Drake Hotel’s wedding Event.  It was just amazing. We had over 150 brides attend.  Thanks again to the vendors I asked to participate:  Elenteny Designs, Mangel’s Florist, Al Sofia Orchestra, Anthony Gowder Designs, BBJ Linen, Hall’s Rental, Anna Held Flower Shop, Vanessa’s Modern Bride, Rolf’s Pattiserie, Botanicals, Frost, Artists Events and Entertainment, The Adams Duo, Nicholas Joseph, Cort Event Furnishings, Record a Hit, Colette Salon and Day Spa, and O’Dea Entertainment. 

 I showcased 11 new tabletops designs, 3 ceremony sets, a cocktail reception, a Brides and Grooms Lounge, and small intimate wedding ceremony and reception for 18 people. 

 

Attached a few photos from my phone.  Garbo Productions shot the whole event, and I will post a link once the photos are done.�

Those with 10 years or more of experience in the Event Industry and invited to attend the Masters Brunch.  This years was the Hotel Intercontinental in NOLA. (Note: this has nothing to do w/ ABC’s Master Bridal Consultant Designation).   We arrived to the sounds of Gospel Choir and and Ice Bloody Mary Bar.  (Drinking in Church?)  The curtains opened to find a lovely setting for lunch.  Menu was a Pickled Watermelon Salad with Goat Cheese, and a Louisana Seafood Napoleon of Redfish, Crab Cake and Gulf Shrimp.  We ended desserts of Lavender Blueberry Torte, Dark Chocolate Caramel, Chocolate Cake, Raspberry Chocolate Bomb and Coconut Passion Fruit Torte.  These were displayed around the centerpiece at each table.  We enjoyed a panel discussion by Restaurant owners from NOLA.  It focused on “masters” can move ahead in our industry an advance our personal goals.  It was a delightful brunch.

The Coolest thing I found this year at Special Event was “Living Decor”.  I was amazed with the interactive elegance of the Champagne Chandelier, as an aerial Bartender pours flutes of bubbly from high above.  Un real.  (they switch off every 30 minutes, but that is a long time to hand upside down).Â

I was once again passed up for a GALA nod.  Discouraged, but will keep trying!  This years Gala was held at the Convention Center.   Congrats to all Winners. It was great to see alot of new people winning!  We started with Cocktails and HD’s and then went into the award ceremony, and walked the red carpet to find out, we were walking a train (long, several hundred feet) of a fabulous gown!  From here we went to the Celebration.  Dinner was  Anise Scented Butternut Squash Soup with Crawfish Avocado Relish, followed by a New Orleans Charcuterie Plate featuring a Country Style Terrine and Andouille Sausage, with Picked Veggies and Creole Mustard.  The Entree was an Herb Crusted NY Strip with Roasted Shallot Au Jus and Fingerling Potatoes.  Dessert was a scrumptous Red Velvet Cake with Cream cheese Icing and Berry Coulis.

 

The entertainment was AMAZING.  We had something to go with every course. It included the sounds of a girl group who does Classical Music called Bella Rouge, the Joyful! Gospel Choir, Virtuosa Violin Group, and Amanda Shaw, and 18 r old fiddler who was amazing. This was followed by a singer Ingrid Lucia,wo started singing on the streets of NOLA.  We then had a New Orleans Hornets Drumline and Step (such energy) then the New Orleans Hornets Honeybees, disguised as the waitstaff!  No wonder this chick didn’t bring me coffee when I asked.  We had a performance by the Pendulum Dance Theater, doing cool tricks suspended on fabric.   The evening ended with a great club DJ  “Rekka” and dancing.  Was one of the best GALA’s in the past few years.. and I almost didn’t go!  The gala had for me  what I found was my WOW for the whole conference.. see my next blog!

The Special Event Welcome Event “Festivals de la Louisane” was presented by NACE. (Ntl Assoc of Catering Execs).  I twas held a Mardi Gras World, the company that makes all the floats for the Mardi Gras Parades.  After getting off the bus, we walked thru the warehouse that houses many of the floats.  Great music, boas, hats and The “Hurricane” were enjoyed by all.  We then were guided to their event center, throught a courtyard and botanical garden complete with Cajun Revelers.  We then entered a “Mansion” guided by beautiful southern belles in hoop skirts.  A room was devoted to Degas, who lived in New Orleans in the 1800’s. Many pieces from his home were on display, as well many of his paintings coming to life, with live actors “striking a pose”.  From here, we went to the porch of the mansion. My first thought was “Crap, it’s outside and I don’t have a coat”. WRONG.  We were in a space that was a “Swamp” with bridges, trees w/ hanging moss, and little shacks.  Clouds and stars in the sky, but we were INDOORS.  They recreated an outdoor expereince indoors. I was blown away. Throughout the event. over 30 NACE caterers and restaurant members had a “taste of New Orleans”.  We had everything from Alligator Sliders to Jambalaya to great southern desserts.  The evening endes with fireworks over the Mississippi RIver.   Great way to open the conference.

This years TSE Wedding Luncheon (the highlight of the Conference  for me) was so well done.  James Clawson and Sarah Hall , our co-chairs did a great job! We enjoyed the music of the Soul Rebels, a great New Orleans Band, and we fixated as our keynote, Darcy Miller from Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine, shared her highlights as the magazine celebrated it’s 10th Anniversary.   The tables were done in Earth and Water themes.  The tables creating the river in the middle of the room were round tables of different sizes set in a meandering pattern, to resemble a river. Blue Delphinium joined the different sized round tables.  The “Land” tables were done very organic, and were all on raised platforms at each side of the room.  These were all done by Urban Earth Studios.  Lunch was wonderful0– enjoyed the following menu:

                                      Cucumber Wrap Salad of Organic Lettuces with sliced Creole Tomatoes, Mississippi chevre and sweet basil infusion

                           Abita Beer Braised Bison Short Ribswith Baby Root vegetables with an asiago and white truffle polenta cake

 

Untraditional Wedding Cake of Vanilla Sponge Cake with toasted almond cream with mixed berry compote

 

It was a delightful afternoon.  Before (VIP guests) and after the lunch all invited guests were able to visit the Wedding Gallery (see previous blog). 

 

I was thrilled to be asked to share my talent in this year’s Wedding Gallery at the Special Event. This year, we were all given an element to base our designs on –Glass, Metal, Wood and Paper. I as in my previous post showed that I did Metal.  Sasha Souza did wood, with a great woodland themed gallery, and Janet Flowers did paper, complete with cardboard table and chairs (that hold up 500 lbs!)  The person doing glass was not able to attend a the last minute.  Pastry chef Tariq Hanna, who has been featured on the Food Network’s Challenge, did a cake to match each elelment. It was interesting to see how each of us interpreted the theme were we given.  

Every year, I speak the the Special Conference, and for the 8th year (I think Ive lost count) I opened the wedding track of education.   Courses are divided so attendees can follow one track or go to several.  They are Food, Design, Managment, Marketing etc.  I presented “So, yo want to be  Wedding planner/Coordinator/Consultant.  It was a 2 hour session that covered the basics of going into my industry.  I was very honest, and shot from the hip, explaining that this all not fixing flowers and fluffing trains.  I got great comments from the audience, and pretty much everyone stayed for the whole seminar. I have done things like “60 favors in 60 minutes”, “Adding Retail to your busniess: the good and bad” and What’s new in the Wedding Word” in years past.

After sitting through numerous runway shows at the Bridal Markets both here in Chicago and New York, I have seen alot of gowns!  Here are the highlights of what I am seeing as the new trends:

 

. Strapless is still strong, but I am seeing a slight shift from this.  One Shoulders are huge!  Also Tank silhouettes, and V necklines are strong.

. Jackets and boleros are popular.  This way you can cover up for the ceremony and have a whole new look for the reception

. Embellishments such as Swarovski Crystals and beading are used in alot gowns, but sparingly.

. Pockets!!! I was thrilled to see some have hidden pockets for the bride in the skirt. 

. Subtle Color.. Ice Gold, Cappucino, light blue, pink, cinnamon,  are under the light see thru fabrics to give just a hint of color.

. Speaking of color, I didnt see much in stark white. Ivory seems to be number one.

. Ribbon Sashes and Belts are on alot of gowns.  This can be added for the reception to give a touch of glam.

.Layering Fabrics and mixing different fabrics .

. Lace is back in a big way

. The A line is shown alot.

. Ballgowns are making a comeback.  call it “Soft Drama”

. Veils are being used only for ceremony, if at all.  Feathers and hair jewelry are being shown. Again, different look for ceremony/reception.

. I saw a number of short dresses.  (Reminded me of my Mom circa 1962).  It’s really sophisticated.  Also great look for a change for the party. 

No matter what the trend the advice I give every bride is you will know the right dress when you put it on.  You need to feel special and spectacular.  Try on things you don’t think would look good.. you’d be surprised.  Great dresses are available in all price points.  So get the wedding dress of your dreams!