It’s beginning to look A LOT like Christmas

At JPC we have been busy spreading holiday cheer this month!  From corporate holiday celebrations to Christmas wedding receptions, we have been enjoying all that the season has to offer our clients.

Let me share a few of my favorite Christmas events from the past few weeks.

First up: Hosted at the fabulous Buhl Mansion, The Shenango Valley Board of Tourist Promotion enjoyed a cocktail mixer in mid December complete with an elegant food display created by Jody with an 8 foot glass panel, several varieties of fresh pine, cranberries and holiday ornaments.

Displayed menu items included:

shrimp cocktail shots

Eggnog nutmeg shooters

Tomato Caprese skewers (for their seasonal color scheme)

Hot parmesan artichoke dip

Seasonal artisanal cheeses (Cranberry Wensleydale, Date and Orange Stilton, Cranberry Cinnamon goat cheese…)

Hand butlered appetizers were carried on gilded picture frames garnished with holiday bulbs and included:

Spanakopeta

Roasted vegetable tarts

Raspberry, almond and brie in puff pastry

Chocolate shots with Verhona chocolate mousse.

Not to forget the sweet tooth, a dessert display of Southern Pecan tarts, Baby cheesecakes with blueberry garnish, and Peppermint stick shaved white chocolate cheesecake slices tempted guests of the event.

Jody’s personal favorite:  Also hosted at The Buhl Mansion, a fabulous Client Holiday Party/40th Birthday Bash for one of our favorite photographers!  This early December event was a fun celebration filled with live music, cocktails, and appetizers.  With a hot pink and black color scheme filled with crystals and feathers the decor rocked!  From the hot pink enrobed red velvet birthday cake with peppermint stick creme filling (created by Jody), to the feather and ravel hot pink rose garnished cheese display, this event sparkled with loveliness just like the birthday girl.  Happy Birthday Julie!

Weddings:  Christmas weddings are some of our favorite weddings here at JPC because the color schemes are rich, the decor sparkles, and the inherent beauty of the season is reflected in everything.   We created memories for several brides this holiday season at The Grand Ballroom at Cornerstone Commons, and we enjoyed working with DJ Pifemaster, Bortmas Butler Florist, and Bob Mason Photography while doing so!

{photos courtesy of DJ Pifemaster}

Next:  The Grand Ballroom at Cornerstone Commons was host to the annual Butler County Bar Association holiday party mid December.  An appetizer display of artisanal cheeses gracefully displayed on cheese slates with nuts and mixed specialty olives, along with a medley of stuffed mushroom caps and cocktail meatballs commenced the evening.

The dinner menu was served buffet style with a chef attended carving station.

Slow roasted tenderloin of beef with horseradish sauce

Apple Cider Brined Breast of Turkey

Cod Filet with caper butter

Herbed red bliss potatoes

Honey glazed carrots

Dessert was served sit-down in a tri-plate format of Southern Pecan Tart, Baby Cheesecake with strawberry garnish and Chocolate shot with Verhona Chocolate mouse and raspberry coulis.

Finally:   This holiday season we had so much fun making office meal drop-offs from our holiday menu to many business locations throughout Mercer, Lawrence and Butler counties.  It was like delivering Christmas gifts.  The holiday menus were comprised of garden salad, fresh baked egg rolls, choice of two meats, starch and vegetable, and a holiday dessert choice of Pantry baked cookies, gourmet layer cake, or fruit pies.  We received rave reviews on these menus, and thank all of the fabulous businesses that took advantage of this holiday promotion.  {Lunch, brunch and dinner drop off menus are available year round– see our Catering page for business menus.}

Happy Holidays and best wishes for a 2010 filled with success and happiness for all!

The staff and owners of Jody’s Pantry Catering