Brittany and John 2-18-2012

When this unique bride to be met with Best Catered Events owner, Dianne Evans last year, the wishes she expressed for her special day were quite specific.

Brittany wanted a comfortable rustic and very Spring like wedding and reception.  The Port Vincent Community Center was a quaint little building with rustic hardwood floors and a really old feel.  Best
Catered Events worked around the colors that were chosen by the bride and the overall look and feel
of this venue was very different and a true reflection of the bride's personality.

John's uncle made a black pot Jambalaya and a family friend made his special recipe black pot smothered potatoes with bacon.  Best Catered Events rounded out the menu with the bride's choices of Crawfish and
Bowtie Pasta, Green Bean Bundles, Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Stuffed Eggs, Chicken Salad Croissants, fresh fruit and cheese, smoked beef brisket and summer punch.

Precious centerpieces of button flowers and mushrooms were made by a friend.  The ceiling was flanked by paper circles in printed designs and there were dried tree limbs with paper birds hanging from them. Our photographer was Chris Genovese.

Dianne Evans and her team at Best Catered Events wish the newlyweds all the best!

Snooks Retired!

February 15, 2012 was Snooks last day at AJG.  Her coworkers threw her a nice going away reception at the corporate headquarters catered by Best Catered Events. 

Snook's family, friends and coworkers enjoyed her chosen menu:
Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
Assorted Finger Sandwiches
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Spicy Shrimp Dip
Sweet & Sour Meatballs
Crabmeat AuGratin
Fresh Fruit and Cheese
Summer Punch and Soft Drinks

Best Catered Events wishes Snooks all the best.  Happy Retirement!

Leon Murphy Retirement Party - 2-3-2012

Leon Murphy Retirement Party
2-3-2012 C'est Bon Reception Facility

Leon Murphy retired from BASF after 31 years, it was his birthday and December 29, 2011.   His wife of 35 years, Annette and their two daughters Brittany Cormier and Tiffany Murphy wanted to surprise him and celebrate this milestone. 

Along came February 2012, and Leon had been told he was attending a friend's husband's birthday and never had a clue the party was for him!  Upon entering the lovely C'est Bon Reception Facility in St. Amant, LA, Leon was greeted by his two grandchildren Berkeigh and Brogan.  As he entered the ballroom, SURPRISE was yelled and the party got started. 

The band consisted of  the honoree's nephew, Bryce Broussard ( a local Gonzales, La, fireman) and Neal Lambert on percussion.  These two sounded awesome and kept the crowd movin and groovin with special requests and old and new song selections.  Nothing like a live band!


Best Catered Events provided a menu of Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta, Smoked Beef Brisket with freshly baked rolls and condiments, Cold Spicy Shrimp Dip, BLT's, Green bean budnles, Crab and shrimp mushrooms, stuffed new potatoes and a martini cheesecake bar with strawberry and turtle toppings..  The sandwich of choice was our freshly made chicken salad.


Best Catered Events wishes our newest honoree the BEST!

Albany Plantation

Best Catered Events owner, Dianne Evans made the quick trip to Albany, Louisiana today to visit with the owners of The Albany Plantation. 

This lovely home is an absolute must see for all you brides looking for something rustic.  There is a barn, weathered wide picket fences, trees with branches that touch the ground, a pond, a wooden walk over bridge, balconies, actually too many photo possibilities to remember.

The first floor is an enclosed area with air and restrooms.  This area would easily hold 150 guests, the doors swing open to bring the outdoors in and there are brick paved covered porches around this area for additional tables and seating.  Out back there is a courtyard area where yet more tables can be placed.  Their are many ceremony site options, and the owners and Harlee Page are very easy to work with in planning your special day.

Give Albany a call, and go check out this venue.  I'm glad I did, and I can't wait to book a wedding at this location.  If you need a caterer, please give me a call.....together we can create a storybook wedding!

A New Year and A New Outlook

If you are like me, you always plan to make a New Year's resolution, and by now it has been cast by the wayside.

Not this year!  I set a goal to reconnect with old friends and enjoy great conversations.  So far, so good.  I am glad I set my goal so high, because I really didn't realize that I had lost touch with so many.  Catching up is great, and I am enjoying this during our typically slow catering season. 

This is the time of year that we visit with potential brides and grooms, particpate in bridal shows and get all of our important paperwork together for the CPA.  I even got all the paperwork together and in early this year!  That is a sign for me that I am enjoying life.  And time for family, that is what makes each day wonderful and awesome.

So, what resolutions did you make for this wonderful New Year 2012?  If you and I have lost touch over time, call or email me and we can catch up!  I hope to see all of you at an event catered by my company, Best Catered Events. 

Your Friend,

Dianne Evans

Vendor Mixer - January 10, 2012

Best Catered Events owner, Dianne Evans and Team Member, Stephanie Brown joined area vendors for an evening of mingling and sharing information at the beautiful Camelot Club in downtown Baton Rouge.

Having never been to the facility, we were given a tour by Lauren Fournerat, the Catering Director for the facility.  The view is awesome and we thoroughly enjoyed the food provided by the wonderful chefs and staff this evening.  The bar and wait staff also did an excellent job.

As promised, every vendor that I received a card from is going to be linked to this blog, with a shoutout.

Camelot Club- Beautiful  facility in downtown Baton Rouge
Narcissus Affair- Kentrell is awesome.  Highly recommend
Bliss Events by Rachel - Nice
Simply Beautiful Stationery/Wedding Accessories/Gifts -Work looks great!
High Definition Media, Inc - Very personable, would be easy to work with
Bella's Occasions Wedding and Events Plannning -Heard good things!
Ashley Manor Catering - Great Location, large facility, give Melanie and her staff a call
Weddings and Events by LaSonja, LLC -Highly organized, must check out her work
Divine Catering Met Executive Chef, very nice, heard great things
Good Times Event Planning Well represented at mixer, hope to work with soon
A. Marcelite Salon Located downtown...easy to work with
Main Hall Weddings and Special Events- Alicia is passionate about her facility!
Bridal Brooch Bouquets- Been seeing these works of art alot...new trend for sure!
Crusade Production - Saw some of their features displayed.  Awesome, must check out!
Ambience Salon Check them out!
Simply Expressions by Inga Sweet owner, must see their samples, look great
Prince Photography Can't wait to see their work
Verde Beauty Studio- Located off Sherwood Forest Blvd, They will come to you!
White Oak Plantation Give Jordan a call to book a showing of their facility...beautiful!
 T & T Sweet Treats Tomeka can bake you up something!
Discreet Limos- The owner is a blast..If he doesn't have it, he will get it!

I promise, if you arent' listed, I don't have a card.  Call me and I will add you!

Thanks to you all for an enjoyable evening in downtown!

Dianne Evans
Owner/catering specialist
Best Catered Events, LLC

Goodbye 2011....Welcome 2012

As we say goodbye to 2011, we will remember both happy and sad times over the past 12 months.

We have watched as family members have gone on and good friends have lost their spouses.  We continue to watch our dear friends as they struggle day to day just to stay alive.  We watch what our government is doing and not doing.

We have seen new lives this year....baby Luke is bringing alot of joy with his happy self.  We are getting back in touch with our family after being away for oh so long.  We are trying diligently to reconnect with some of our old friends but to no avail.  It is hard to lose a friend when you are older, they are just such a treasure and one you want around you.

We have watched those we love and care about fight daily battles with cancer, kidney failure, heart problems, alzheimers and other medical conditions. 

We have watched from afar things that were once so beautiful, not ever look quite the same.

But through it all, we have SURVIVED 2011!  Bad weather, a move back to the Baton Rouge area, new clients, new babies, yes, we have survived. 

2012 is fast approaching....what will it bring....we pray for continued health and a good solid foundation for our small business.  People know they can count on us, and we want them to....that is our wish...May God Continue to Bless Each of You and Shower you with Love.....Amen

To our small team....we wish to thank you for believing in us....for hanging in there with us...for working so hard ....and for being our friends throughout this past year...to our family....you are the reason we started this whole crazy catering thing all those many years ago...one day soon, Bailee, Ty, Dylan and Evans can cater if they like it....or they can, as some of my friends used to say..(before they started doing this catering thing and fell in love with it too)....'GET A REAL JOB!......Happy New Year!!!!!

Matt Sibley and Devon McDonel 12.30.2011 Louisiana Old Governor's Mansion - Baton Rouge, LA

When Devon McDonel and her mom first met Dianne Evans of Best Catered Events, it was almost a year ago and there was an immediate connection.  This connection came full circle this evening in beautiful downtown Baton Rouge in the Rose Garden at the Louisiana Old Governor's Mansion. 

Devon married the love of her life Matthew Sibley surrounded by family and friends under the starlight and encompassed by a wall of white roses.  A string trio played lovely soft music as the bride was escorted down the 12 steps holding onto her daddy's arm.  Earlier, Mr. McDonel told me a story about how Devon was about 4 and it was Halloween, "she never meets a stranger", he told me and he knows her so well.  I am going to miss all the planning and conversations leading up to today!  Her daddy was so proud of his daughter and so very excited to see this day finally get here for her.  I could tell in his voice just how much love he holds for his daughter.

After exchanging vows the couple made their way inside the Mansion to be greeted in the main ballroom by all those in attendance.  There were special dances and Devon and her daddy did a special dance, one which this caterer won't forget!  Truly a fun loving and happy group, there were passed appetizers, bars, grits and gumbo, gourmet cocoa and coffee station and a a wonderful buffet set up in the main dining room.

Tonight's menu provided by Best Catered Events was: 

Crab Mornay Cups
Southern Grits with Gulf Shrimp and Crab Gumbo
Appalachian Spinach Puffs
Stuffed New Potatoes
Shrimp and Crab Mushrooms
Mini B L T's
Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
Chicken and Wild Rice
Chicken Salad Croissants
Smoked Beef Brisket with freshly baked rolls and condiments
Fire Grilled Vegetables
Fresh Fruit featuring Louisiana strawberries
Blackberry Iced Tea

Carl Will of Sweet Impressions created the wedding cake and also 3 flavors of bread pudding for the groom's cakes.  These cakes were so popular and raved over the entire evening.

Doug Olinde of Doug Olinde LLC, provided tables, chairs, outdoor heaters and linens and did a perfect job, just like always I might mention.' Cammie with the Old Governor's Mansion was everywhere and kept the timeline perfect.  I appreciate all of your attention to detail with events at the Mansion.

Bray Danielle was the photographer and she and her assistant were everywhere!  Melissa Duhe did the florals and I have one word....breathtaking, she could not in my opinion have possibly done a better job....a shout out to you Melissa! 

The event was flawless, beautiful and one to remember from start to finish.  What a way to end 2011.

As the evening was winding down, the little Bentley showed up out front to deliver our bride and groom to a local honeymoon suite for the night.  Tomorrow they will arise bright and early, and leave for Hawaii for a week....I'm gonna miss you Devon!  Stay my friend on facebook, check out the blog when you can,,, and keep on being you.  Thank you so much for the confidence you showed by choosing my small catering company for the Special Day we all enjoyed so much.

Best Wishes to you and Matt.....from your Best Catered Events Team.