Tips to Make your Events Unique

Know your guests –  The background of the guests, their other experiences throughout the day and their needs and wants are key pieces of information. If your guests are coming in from the cold, a hot chocolate bar is a fun way to give a warming welcome. Maybe your guests have been sitting at a conference all day and they would enjoy a little jar of homemade chocolates for an energy boost. Ask a lot of questions to learn more about the guests. Remember to have fun with it, if you are having fun your guests will too.  At One World Catering & Events we create small pre-event surveys and ask guests what they want to eat, drink, see, hear and do.

Connect your guests to the event – Make the event interactive and involve guests by creating a fun and worthwhile activity that will mingle people together and get the conversation flowing. An elegant and approachable local wine and cheese presentation is one of our favorite ways to create a pleasurable experience and engage guests.

Give a parting gift - Give guests a special treat to take with them when they leave.  A pretty embossed handkerchief with a small message of appreciation is a great way to honor the event and make guests feel special. A local flower arrangement can serve double duty as décor for the party and a beautiful gift for the guest.  We often give guests our 1^st place blue ribbon cookie and organic milk treat to take home after events.

Create a custom menu - Ask your caterer for ideas on how to make your menu special. Creating a food experience for guests based on your event theme is a great way to make your event unique.  A custom menu can be created around any aspect of your party, a cultural aspect, guest of honor, age, travel destination, etc.  For many people the food and drink is the most important part of any event. Having a caterer that offers fresh local food is a unique experience for guests because they are enjoying the best Bloomington has to offer.

Consider your guest’s perspective and this will give you the ideas to make each event special. Include your caterer in the conversation and watch your ideas come to life with added value!  Give us a call at 812.334.3663 or email catering@bloomington.com to discuss your upcoming events and how to make them unique!

A natural partnership forms when you find the right caterer. This is key to the overall success of your events. Keep in mind that a good caterer shares ownership and pride in the outcome of your events.

One World Catering & Events is committed to full service catering, which means not only catering all types of events and meetings, it means you get our full attention. Experience counts and even the best food and service can’t make up for mistakes. The success is in the details and we know a great cocktail event isn’t so great if it starts late. We understand the importance of guest comfort and know that not enough seating, food, or beverages can make your role as an event coordinator difficult. You want your partner to handle all the details so you don’t have to.

Here is a quick checklist for partnering with the right caterer:

Good communication - A good caterer should offer suggestions on how to meet budget and give relevant menu ideas based on season and local food availability. Make sure your caterer asks for feedback after every event.

Testimonials and References – Ask your caterer for a list of satisified clients and contact them. Ask current clients if the catering staff is helpful, well prepared, professional and friendly.

Quality Service – Has your contact with the caterer been easy? Have your calls and emails been returned promptly? Did you recieve the menu, proposal and contract when promised?

Budgets – Is your caterer willing to offer ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality?

Partnership – How willing is a caterer to help you succeed? Will the caterer go above and beyond the call of duty to execute a successful event on your behalf? Will they solve unforseen last minute issues to ensure a seamless event for you and your guests?

Essentially, a good caterer delivers on their promises and also fills in the gaps where needed for a successful event. They forsee event needs and are an expert resource for you. Choose a caterer that wants to build a long relationship with you by creating successful events with delicious food and attentive service. To learn more visit www.oneworldcateringandevents.com.

We asked for feedback and got some great advice. Here are some things we did to ensure that the crab boil goes smoothly.

1. Keep all condiments, utensils, etc. at the ends of the tables until the boil is spread down the middle of the table for everyone to enjoy. This keeps everything neat and tidy.
2. We covered the tables with newsprint (butcher paper works well too). Guests can place crab shells off to the side without getting everything too messy. Also you can just roll up the paper at the end of the meal which reduces cleanup time.
3. Serve small bowls of clarified butter, hot sauce, crab forks, crab ‘crackers’, bibs, and wet naps.
4. Serve hot towels with lemon wedges at the end of the meal. No one wants to leave a meal feeling messy.
5. Make sure plenty of cold drinks (wine, seasonal beer, etc) are available.

Some of the Menu Items Included…

Fresh Boiled Crab

Shrimp, Mussels, Carrots & Potatos

 Crayfish & Sweet Corn

One World Catering & Events had a great time spreading Kimchi pancake love and serving Cuban sandwiches to all. Our Watermelon Mint Cooler was a huge hit and we sold every last refreshing cup. We enjoyed serving Taste patrons and received a request (more than once) to “open our own restaurant” in which we politely steered them to our BIG SIS company Lennie’s!

The Herald Times stopped by for sampling and interviewed a mother/daughter duo. They gave us a great review! The ladies said they loved our food and commented on our South Beach decor and eco-friendly bamboo plates and bowls.  Once the quotes made the paper we received great feedback in the online comments (thanks readers!).  Our Mango Pineapple slaw was mentioned as being a great value and super fresh.

On the big day, 500 volunteers were onsite to coordinate the event. Last year I was on the planning commitee and can tell you from experience it is a massive undertaking. A big thanks to all everyone who particpated in the intense planning that made the Taste such a success this year.

One of my favorite moments was when Leo Cook set the Country stage on fire with the Clayton Anderson band. He played the washboard to “Wagon Wheel” and really WOWED the crowd.

We are already looking forward to next year’s event! It was so wonderful to see the beautiful booths and taste the great food that Bloomington has to offer.

2011 Taste of Bloomington Menu

Pressed Cuban Sandwich with Mojo marinated Fischer Farms Pork Loin, Honey Ham, Housemade Sweet and Sour Pickles, Big Stone Stout Mustard on Scholar’s Inn Baguette

Jicama Mango Slaw with Cucumber, Carrot, Poblano Chile and Cilantro with Fresh Pineapple and Lime dressing.

Our (soon to be) Famous Kimchi Pancakes with Housemade Kimchi, Local Oyster Mushrooms and Scallions served with Thai Basil Lime Crema

Watermelon Mint Cooler with pureed Fresh Watermelon, Lime Juice and Mint served with an Iced Watermelon Wedge

One World Catering & Events has an amazing Superbowl Menu that you and your friends will love. Featuring locally sourced ingredients and some regional football favorites, let us cater your Superbowl party!

Available for pick up or delivery, call an event designer today at 812 334 FOOD or email catering@bloomington.com

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Our display feature our raspberry lavender lemonade, caviar new potatoes with creme fraiche, bite sized chicken pot pies, vegetable antipasto, gruyere gougeres, all served on our biodegradable compostable fallen leaf plates.

Check out some pictures from the event…

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