Wow it’s already 2011, another year over and a new one just begun. If you are planning a special event in 2011 I am sure you have an idea as to what your theme is and what is required to successfully pull it off. But wait – have you seen the latest trends? Are trends our friends? Well we think they can be. Here are a few ideas that may help you make your event hip and chic.

Party Starters

Let’s start with cocktails. Who doesn’t enjoy a cool and unique beverage especially when you are celebrating? The personalized specialty drink will make a splash this year, in a good way. Party goers are looking for a tasty, colorful and thirst satisfying drink to be presented as guests arrive and throughout the cocktail hour. For martinis try Gin not just Vodka. See our last blog post for a great martini recipe for any occasion.

Wedding Trends

When it comes to food service think user friendly cuisine. Brides and grooms are beginning to lean towards a more comfortable then formal event approach.  The days of exotic menu choices are slowly passing, when I say user friendly I am not so much referring to how you handle it as to how comfortable your guests are with the menu items. Brides and grooms are asking themselves, why serve food no one recognizes? They want their guests to enjoy themselves, so offer them food they’re taste buds are familiar with so they can spend more time dancing the night away and getting reacquainted with old friends.

Instead of plated meals why not try a family style service setting? Not only does that increase the dynamic of menu options available to your guests, but it also provides a more hospitable setting at the dinner table. Here’s a sample menu,  Seared Tenderloin of Pork glazed with Wild Mushroom Marsala sauce or delicious baked Chicken Breast filled with Shaved Prosciutto and Mozzarella cheese? Or how about Beef Short Rib Braised in Red Wine, Tomato Oregano and Garlic over Ricotta Gnocchi’s with Shaved Romano Cheese. Serve this in an attractive Glass or specialty pasta bowl and you have a recognizable creation while using upscale ingredients with a beautiful presentation! Either way there’s enough food and conversation ammo to impress and appease the whole table to spark conversation. And the best part is everyone wins, well at least their taste buds.

Corporate Trends

Green and Organic foods are in and will be for awhile. We should all exercise this practice and you can easily incorporate it into your corporate event plans. With more and more emphasis on health consciousness your corporate guests aren’t always looking forward to a big hearty meal at a meeting anymore.  Impress your customers with your genuine approach to their health, they’ll appreciate it! Boxed lunches as usual are still the most popular item for corporate drop offs, but why not try considering different types of salads with some protein such as grilled chicken breast? If prepared correctly the meals can still taste amazing while saving your customers the worry about working the food off later at the gym. And for those of you who do business throughout the world why not try to add some foreign flare to your menus? Global flavors are on the rise throughout the restaurant industry and your foreign guests will not only be amazed by the taste but also by the thoughtfulness of the menu by including something they are more familiar with. Another tip on impressing your customers and displaying your eco friendliness is to avoid waste and keeping your equipment green! Your caterer should also be able to offer a wide variety of Green disposable plates, cups and utensils. Check with your venders to see if they practice recycling or use cleansers and cleaners that are environmentally sound.

Social Trends

Thinking of having a party for your friends or colleagues but don’t want to go the same old route of buffet and bar service? What about cooking lessons? What’s more fun then learning new and delicious recipes with your friends from a professional? Sit back, sip some cocktails, laugh, and just make sure not to burn the meat! Let us take care of all the dirty work of the preparation and cleaning before and after your lessons so once you’re done you can sit down and relax with your friends.

Here’s a prediction, saving a few dollars will be a huge trend in ‘11! You may consider using your home or your parents or friends home instead of a resort or wedding venue. Think about bathrooms you will need for the amount of guests, areas for food preparation, parking and guest seating to be sure this will work. This is a great way to feel comfortable and personalize your event. Look for other unique venues that may not seem the norm but offer a look of beauty, convenience or just plan fun. They may welcome a little extra revenue for the space rental and will probably offer it at an affordable price.

And who says the culinary fun has to stop after dinner? Afraid that your guests will get buggered out quickly and head for the exits once the dessert is out and the DJ is in full swing? Well in 2011, specialty bars seem to be the new thing and the possibilities are endless. You could go with a cigar and specialty coffee bar for your elder more proper guests, or how about ditching the traditional cake and opting out for a fun dessert and candy buffet? 2011 is the year of informality, you’ve stressed enough about planning the event, so why not let your guests decide what exactly they want for dessert, all you need to do is provide them with a variety to chose from, kick off your shoes and dance the night away!

Make your event your own, I firmly believe that but following a few trends with just a little twist to personalize it is just fine.

Imagine the possibilities!