"10,000 Lights" - Auburn Wessman and Anna Peters - 11.12.2011

When Anna and Auburn came to Best Catered Events for a tasting, they were shy.  It didn't take long for them to get to know us, and our food.  Auburn loves our pecan smoked wings and Anna had her favs as well. 

Today, November 12, 2011 was their wedding day at the Chapel at Lamar Dixon in Gonzales, LA.  The couple chose this special place to pledge their love one to the other and it made a lovely and quaint setting.  Vicki's Passion For Flowers provided gorgeous fresh florals for the chapel as well as the reception site.  Soft flowers in shades of ivory, white and deep purple completed the beautiful garden setting back at the couple's lovely home. 

The sky overhead was strung with 10,000 tiny white lights.  It was like being under a cover of twinkling stars once the sun went down.  There were heaters and a fire pit going and plenty of eating and visiting.  This bride and groom created an absolutely breathtaking setting for their reception. They strung all 10,000 lights just for this event.

The couple chose their menu which was.
Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
Pecan Smoked Wings
Bacon Wrapped Green Beans with a Honey Drizzle
Louisiana Crawfish Stuffed Bread
Voodoo Cheese Dip
Apache Dip in Bread Bowls
Finger Sandwiches
Fresh Fruit
Summer Punch

Auburn had also made one of his favorite drinks called, Honey Whiskey...He used 9# of fresh honey (complete with honeycomb) and 3 large bottles of Makers Mark.  He told me that he poured the bourbon over the honeycomb and let it ferment for about 3 weeks.  Then he strained it and ran it through a coffee filter.  It smelled divine and was a rich honey color.  I was on the clock so didn't partake, but those that did, told me it was great and I could tell they were enjoying it alot. There were also galvanized tubs of beer, lots of beer and cute Koozies to put around them in the purple fleur de lis pattern.
Inside Anna had created a precious candy bar with all purple choices.  It smelled like grapes and everyone was getting a little bag to enjoy on the ride home. 

This was an absolute perfect site for Auburn and Anna on this most Special Day.  Everything fit, and it came together so beautifully.  

Best Wishes to Our Couple with the 10,000 Lights.....that is a first....and it was an awesome day!

Oh, and Auburn, call me when you crave those wings....

Rhanada and Michael Vasquez Eiffel Tower Theme 9-3-2011

Rhanada Thomas had a vision and she made sure the vendors she chose for her special day all knew it!

Lisa Dupont of  Cake Creations created an Eiffel Tower cake featuring 4 different flavors along with an Ohio State Groom's Cake.  The bride's cake was so unique and large, that the guests thought it was a sculpture, but were thrilled to learn it was cake.

A Memory Lane was created and the bride and groom were surrounded by their attendants waving sparklers as they made their grand entrance.

This was a a well thought out reception, and we are thrilled to have played a small part in your special day!
Best wishes always!

Venue Recommendation - Ascension Parish, LA

Rarely do I give recommendations for "empty' buildings, but today is an exception!  I met with a future bride earlier today and she was considering a property located on Hwy 431 in St. Amant, LA. 

The venue is appropriately called The Venue Rental Hall.  What a surprise for me!  Not only is there a huge concrete parking lot, plenty of lit signing (your guests won't drive by without noticing) and an overall nice, clean  look.  There are several businesses located in the center, such as a wedding planner, notary, hair salon and of course St. Amant Decorating has their showroom there as well.  This complex is a hidden secret if you don't go down Hwy 431.  Best of all, there are 4 different facilities from which to choose, depending on the size of your event and the amount of space needed.

With our South Louisiana weather, you and I both know that a huge percentage of weddings and special events are going to be inside.  The owners didn't even know to expect me and the facility was comfortable, so cold air is definitely a given and a lifesaver with our humid, hot days.

On this visit, I only looked at The Venue that is the largest of the four. This bride plans to have her ceremony in the church, but if it doesn't work out, her plan could allow both her wedding and reception in the same location, and it should work just fine.  There are nice restrooms for women and men, a large stage, big  Projector Screen (for that slideshow or company presentation) and stained concrete floors.  There are 15- 5' round tables in the storage room, so you can use as many or as few as you need for your event. There are white folding chairs, all on racks in the storage room, as well as several long rectangle tables for your use.  The ceilings are quite high and the lighting is very nice and uniform, something you don't usually see in halls.  I also know that the lights are on dimmers so you can create a nice ambiance with little effort.

It is my understanding that you can get as much or as little as you want done at this facility.  There is a DJ room to the right of the stage.  My bride told me that there is a fee, but how great would that be?  No obtrusive equipment and a neat look and no floor space taken up if you have a large crowd!

I can't wait to cater the first Best Catered Event at The Venue in St. Amant!  Pictures will be up after the event, which is scheduled for November 19th.  Kudos to the owners and managers of  The Venue, you have done a wonderful job of providing clean, modern and affordable event facilities for the area!

LSUHSC Graduation Reception - June 25, 2011, Alexandria, LA

Coughlin Sanders Auditorium was once again the site of the graduation ceremony of the LSUHSC Family Medicine Program in Alexandria, LA.

Best Catered Events, Prairieville, LA provided the food and service for the Pre Graduation Reception immediately prior to the ceremony.

Guests enjoyed the Tiger Mist, a signature drink created especially for the occasion along with an open bar.

Best Catered Events staff members passed appetizers of tomato basil dip in mini grill cones and our signature "Voodoo" in Basil mini cones, along with jumbo bacon wrapped shrimp.

Fresh Fruit Tinis were served up in square martini glasses and drizzled with our Gran Marnier Creme. 

Chef Shane Smith tended the pasta station where guests feasted on our Pasta Sauce with their choice of toppings.  Many could be seen going back several times for this tasty dish, served up with pepperoni, grilled chicken, pepperoncini, black olives and parmesan and romano cheeses.  We also offered fresh prepared to order Caesar Salad at the Pasta Station.

Our Asian Station featured a crowd favorite, our Spring Rolls with Crunchy Peanut Sauce served in black Asian boxes with chopsticks.  Appalachian Spinach Puffs, Louisiana Stuffed Crawfish Bread, Mini BLT's, Spicy Shrimp Dip on Asian Spoons, Strawberry Dippers, Crudite Cups, OOey Gooey Bars, Lemon Bars, White Chocolate Drizzled Apricots, our Red Hot Caramel Apple Bar, and Blackberry Tea rounded out the selections for the one and a half hour event.

One of last year's graduates, Dr. John Matt Rainey and his lovely wife Sally Choi Rainey were in attendance and this owner was delighted to see and visit with both of them!  Best Catered Events was their caterer last year when they got married and they were complimenting us once again for the job well done.  It is always such a pleasure when we see clients and they remember us by name!

This event was very nice.  The decor was breathtaking and the facility as usual was clean and in good order.  It was a pleasure to once again provide food and service for this event.

Best wishes to the six newest graduates.  Now that we have relocated back to the Baton Rouge market, we hope you don't forget us!

What Happens in Vegas....Comes Back With Best Catered Events!

Dianne Evans attended the Catersource Conference and Tradeshow in Las Vegas for the past 5 days.  So many classes to attend, so many new items to see at the Tradeshow, so much networking and so much fun!

International Caterers Association presented Dianne with a full paid scholarship to the conference as well as a cash award.  Many thanks to the committee members for their consideration and honor.

The Tradeshow was exciting and Dianne even won a large prize at the EMI YOSHI booth.  She got to select 5 full cases of anything featured in the booth.  Talk about a caterer with a blank check!  Thanks to EMI YOSHI for the prize and all of your assistance at the booth.  Looking forward to unpacking the boxes when they arrive at the commissary.

When you are planning your next event, give us a call.  We are energized and ready to show off our new ideas......ARE YOU ?

An Evening At Oakleigh House of Receptions 10-29-2010

Best Catered Events owner, Dianne Evans and her staff catered the reception for her Godchild, Christopher Lane Hughes and his bride Jana Schwartz Hughes at the Oakleigh House of Receptions in Denham Springs LA on Friday evening, October 29, 2010.

The 200 or so guests enjoyed the food and the band.  The cakes were provided by Best Cakes and not only looked great but tasted awesome!

The menu featured our Louisiana Crawfish Pasta, Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta, Beef Brisket and Peppered Pork Loin, crawfish pies, seafood stuffed mushrooms, spinach artichoke dip, mini muffelettos, spicy shrimp dip, festive mexican bean dip, chocolate dipped strawberries, crudite cups, raspberry hazelnut torte, brandied apricot and fig torte and a whole lot of love!!!

Best Catered Events Catered this event with a heart full of love for Chris and Jana..........

love, Aunt Dianne

Scott Moore Rehearsal Dinner At Greenwood Plantation in St. Francisville, LA

Scott Moore hosted the rehearsal dinner for their families and friends on Friday, October 29 at Greenwood Plantation in St. Francisville, LA.

The menu offered up Shrimp Etoufee with rice, Smoked Beef Brisket with freshly baked rolls, sweet and sour meatballs, raspberry marscarpone, finger sandwiches, stuffed new potatoes, crudite and fresh fruit and ended with chocolate Mississippi Mud Pie.

Best Catered Events  thanks the happy couple for allowing us the opportunity to provide food and service for your special occasion.  Best Wishes from our staff!

Society for Historical Louisiana Gala-Old Governor's Mansion-Baton Rouge, LA

Excitement, good food, music, dancing and a silent auciton were all a part of the Gala at The Louisiana Old Governor's Mansion in Baton Rouge, LA. 

Best Catered Events hosted our Grits and Gumbo bar.  Guests enjoyed our creamy polenta and fresh corn grits topped with our Chorizo Sausage, Lobster and Crabmeat Gumbo.

So many nice vendors visited with Best Catered Events owner Dianne Evans and her assistant Kathy Jones.

Carolyn from Heirloom Cuisine and Rhonda from Courtland's Catering did an excellent job of coordinating the food for the event. Special thanks to Allie Wester of Weddings by Allie, who did a fantastic job once again!

See you next year as we help to raise funds for this worthwhile cause!

Community Healthworx Palate, Plate and Pleasure

Community Healthworx held it's second annual Palate, Plate and Pleasure wine tasting event on Thursday, May, 27, 2010 at the beautiful Alexandria Country Club in Alexandria, LA.

Best Catered Events featured our "Super Action Bar" for the event. This "Bar" was actually a box made of tables which were raised 8" and action stations were on three of the four sides.

Guests enjoyed a "Salad Bar" , "Potato Bar" and a "Grits Bar" throughout the evening. Several wines were available for their tasting pleasure as well as representatives on hand to answer any specific questions they might have. A silent auction took place with beautiful items to bid on.

If you were not at this event you missed the following: Crispy Bacon Roll Ups, Salmon Mousse on a slipper spoon, crab cups, Sakitini Salad, Margartia Salad, Cosmo Salad, Shrimp and Grits, Crawfish and Grits,and any combination of potato "mixed ups" as you can imagine with both sweet potatoes and baby skin on mashers. You also missed warm praline bread pudding, lemon creme pie and our famous chocolate Mississippi mud pie.

We hope to see you next year at this worthwhile event! Best Catered Events thanks Community Healthworx for allowing us to participate in this event for the second year.