Zackis Catering Creations

Hi everyone, I’m back from my trip to Sicily! First off, thanks to everyone for leaving such kind wishes for a fun vacation – and fun it was indeed. I’m still daydreaming about the beautiful light, colors, smells, and of course flavors of the island, but before I share pictures and impressions from Sicily, I wanted to put up a quick post. I still have mountains of laundry and other enchanting tasks to take care off. Just so I don’t forget I’m back in reality!

My parents have two giant blackberry bushes in their yard, which produce the most magnificent fruit every year. They are best eaten right off the vine when they are still warm from the sun. The day we returned, my parents dropped off a container of freshly picked blackberries – the perfect excuse to bake a cake! I made a simple cake base with ground almonds and vanilla, and topped it off with fresh berries and chopped almonds. If you don’t have blackberries at hand, you can use apricots, blueberries (they go great together!), nectarines, or raspberries instead. The batter is enough for a 26cm round cake pan.

Blackberry Almond Cake
125g soft butter
100g sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla sugar
grated peel of 1/2 lemon
3 eggs
150 g flour
40g ground almonds
blackberries
40g whole blanched almonds, roughly chopped
pinch of salt

1. Cream butter, sugar, vanilla sugar, lemon peel and pinch of salt.
2. Separate eggs and mix yolks into batter one at a time. Mix until well incorporated.
3. Add flour and ground almonds.
4. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
5. Gently fold egg whites into batter.
6. Pour batter into pan and spread evenly.
7. Sprinkle blackberries on top of batter.
8. Sprinkle with chopped almonds.
9. Bake in preheated oven at 180C/350F for about 30 minutes or until golden.
10. Let cool on cake rack before unmolding.

Enjoy!

I’m looking forward to checking out what everyone has been cooking while I was gone! Stay tuned for a post on Sicily coming up next.

In order to pick the right catering company for your event, you must research which company is best for you. Most good catering companies will supply you with some sample dishes for you to try out and gauge the quality of the food, in order to determine whether they’re the right company for the job. Make a list of companies you’d like to use and prepare some questions for them when you meet up or speak with them. Some points you should have ready when you speak to them may be:- * How many guests will you be catering for? * Have you located a suitable venue? * What facilities does the venue offer? * What is your budget for the event? What type of catering do you need? Have you thought about what type of catering you need? Would you prefer a themed event or would you prefer a buffet style? Most catering companies will have sample menus for you to gather ideas from, or combine them into your own custom designed menu. Have you decided whether you want a self service buffet or a sit down meal served by waiting staff? These are all key questions you should ask your caterer when having a consultation with them. Food quality It ‘s important to know what quality of food you will be getting for your money, so why not ask your catering company where they source their ingredients from? Will the meat be organic? Will the eggs be free range? Will the food be prepared fresh in the days leading up to your event or will they freeze the food weeks before? Special diet requirements Do your guests may have special diet requirements? Is the catering company able to provide alternative dishes for people with special diet requirements? Can they produce gluten and wheat free dishes if needed? Do they have experience in catering for these specialist requirements? Waiting Staff Do you require waiting staff for your event? Does the catering company provide waiting staff and at what cost? It’s important to know that your guests will be well looked after by experienced waiting staff to help your event run smoothly and problem free. Extra services Most catering companies include extra services that go beyond just providing food. Ask your catering company what extra services they offer. Can they provide marquees for outdoor events? Can they provide entertainment? Do they help with any other aspects of planning your event?

When planning an event one of the most common questions people ask us is ‘How much food do I need?‘. Underestimating and having your guests leave hungry is just as bad as overestimating and having platters of wasted food. So how are you supposed to know how much is enough? We asked our Event & Sales Manager Heather Wright for her advice…

There are many different factors that will effect how much food you need for your event; whether it be a cocktail reception, company barbecue or a formal, plated wedding dinner.
While there is no set equation for portioning, by taking into consideration the following factors you will have a much clearer idea of how much is enough.

FACTOR 1- What time of day is your event being held?

• Breakfast events are most often perceived as brunches and you should be prepared to offer a balance of filling proteins, expected baked goods and refreshing fruit. Don’t underestimate the hungry morning eater!
• Surprisingly, lunches require the least amount of food. Simple and refreshing menus are essential to ensure that your guests are satisfied without being too full to enjoy the rest of your afternoon event. Ensure that you focus is on quality versus volume or variety and your diners will enjoy a refined mid-day meal without needing an afternoon nap.
• Dinner guests have the highest expectations in terms of variety and volume. To ensure that guests are able to enjoy a substantial offering and variety allow a good portion of your evening to dining so that guests can indulge without leaving feeling too full. Reception canapes, relaxed dinners and late night snacks are all excellent tools for offering variety and volume at a relaxed pace. Rely on your caterer to help set appropriate volumes of food and a comfortable flow to service.

FACTOR 2-What is the guest mix?

• Children under 13 will likely eat 1/2 an adult portion and most caterers will offer a discounted ‘child rate’.
• Teenagers, while less adventurous than most adults, have voracious appetites and portions should be substantial to ensure they are satisfied.
• Adult appetites vary greatly and a caterer will rely on you to interpret your guest list and provide direction as to portioning. Not surprisingly, men tend to have have larger appetites and events with mainly male guests should allow for larger portioning than is standard
• Seniors have perhaps the smallest appetites of all and you can plan for smaller portions
• International guests-consider that our neighbour’s to the South are fairly renowned for their large portions and appetites so ensure you prepare accordingly. By the same token, guests from Europe, Asia & South America are accustom to smaller portions and may be offended by an abundance.

Who doesn’t love barbecue? Summer is officially here when the grill fires up, the coals glow and the sweet spicy smell of caramelizing sauce fills the air. But what happens when you tire of the standard burger and hot dogs, when you want to create a gourmet recipe and take your grilling to the next level.

Our Mango Salsa is a quick, easy and versatile condiment that pairs well with a variety of meats and seafoods fresh from the grill. Try it on lightly seared tuna steaks, cedar plank salmon (this is the west coast after all) and my personal favourite– pork loin.
Alternatively, this tropical fruit salsa also makes a fabulous appetizer with grilled pita chips, roasted garlic and chevre.
With so many variations this recipe is guaranteed to become a staple at any backyard BBQ or picnic.

Mango Salsa

makes 2 cups
prepare 1 day ahead

Ingredients
1 large, semi ripe mango, cut into 1/4? pieces
1 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp red onion, chopped (optional)
1 Tbsp scallion, chopped
1/2 Tbsp sambal
2 limes, juiced
1/2 Tbsp lime zest
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp soy sauce

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a container with a tight lid
*Make sure lid is tightly sealed
Shake all ingredients to combine
Chill in fridge overnight to allow flavours to blend

Variations:
Add some red onion for colour
Try papaya, fresh pineapple or a combination of tropical fruits
The only thing holding you back is your imagination!

Planning the biggest day of your life can be overwhelming and sometimes details get missed simply because you don’t know the right questions to ask. We asked our Sales & Event Manager, Heather Wright to create a handy ‘Wedding Checklist of Questions to Ask Your Caterer’ so there are no surprises and you can relax and enjoy your Wedding Day!

Wedding Catering Checklist

1. Who is the main contact person?
   Will the same person you work with when planning also oversee meal service on the day of the wedding?
   *you want this to be the case
2. Will the Caterer work any other weddings on the same weekend, the same day, or at the same time as your?
   *you want to be sure they will devote enough attention to you
3. Menus
   Does the caterer offer custom menu design?
   Is there an additional charge for creating your own menu?
   Can they prepare special meals for just a few of your guests to accommodate dietary concerns; vegetarian, kosher, kids, gluten-free, vegan, low-sodium, halal etc.?
   Does the caterer offer a menu tasting?
   If they do charge a tasting fee will that fee be applied as a credit to your final order?
4. Food Preparation
   Does the caterer have a license?
   *This means the business has met health department standards and has liability insurance
   When and where will the food be prepared; at the venue or off-site and warmed up?
   How far in advance will the food be prepared?
   Does the caterer make all their own food?
   *If any elements of the menu are outsourced ensure you look into the reputation of that company as well
5. Presentation
   How will the caterer arrange the food on the buffet?
   or if you are having plated service:
   How will the caterer arrange the food on the plate?
   Can you see photos of previous work displays?
6. Staffing
   Does the caterer have their own team of service staff or do they outsource to a staffing service?
   How many staff would they recommend for the size of your wedding?
   What will the waitstaff wear?
   *Top caterers will always use their own serving personnel, even if the site’s staff is available, because they understand the caterer’s way of doing business
7. Beverage Service
   Do they charge for beverage service?
   If you want to provide your own wine, champagne and liquor do they charge a corkage fee?
8. Venues
   Has the caterer worked at your chosen venue previously?
   *this is important as many facilities have hidden nuances that can provide challenges to caterers who are new to the space
9. Equipment Rentals
   Can the caterer provide tables, chairs, linens, plates, silverware, glassware and more?
   Do they sub-contract these items or have their own supplies?
   *In either case; ask to see these items to make sure they are acceptable
10. Hidden Service Costs
    What service costs are included and what are additional?
    Are set-up and clean-up included?
    How much is overtime if the reception runs long?
    Are gratuities included?
11. References
    Can you speak to previous clients?
    *Get at least two references that had a similar number of guests and a similar menu style

The colour of sunshine, a refreshing blend of sweet and tart– lemon just may be the perfect summer dessert.
Chef Louis’ lemon curd recipe is a versatile dessert that has many different uses; filling for a sweet dough tartlet, served over fresh berries or with a berry shortcake as a nice alternative to whipping cream.

Chef Louis’ Lemon Curd Recipe

Ingredients
5 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 lemons, zested
6 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut in small cubes

In a double boiler over medium-high heat combine egg yolks and sugar
Whisk vigorously for 1 minute
Add lemon juice and zest
Whisk vigorously for additional 1 minute
Lower heat to low and stir constantly until mixture thickens
*do not let mixture get too hot or eggs will scramble
Once thickened remove from heat and allow to cool
Lemon curd may be stored in the fridge for up to 10 days

Perfect for company barbecues, family picnics and a great idea for a backyard wedding this easy recipe is sure to impress…Who doesn’t love popcorn? It is so simple and yet there are so many creative seasonings and flavours you can play with to spice things up! Our smoked paprika popcorn is always a favourite at receptions and events.

Smoked Paprika Popcorn Recipe

Ingredients
popping corn
olive oil
smoked paprika
course ground sea salt
*note there is no preset measurements.
You can make as much or as little as you want!

Instructions
*make sure to use a pot with a sturdy handle and tight fitting lid, and one big enough to accommodate the popped corn!
In a heavy bottomed sauce pot over high heat,  pour enough oil to liberally cover the bottom of the pot.
Pour in enough popcorn kernels to barely cover the bottom of the pot.
Sprinkle with course sea salt.
Cover with lid.
Move the pot back and forth over the element constantly so the kernels don’t burn.
Continue until all popcorn is popped.
Remove from heat, take off lid and dump the popcorn into a large bowl.
Sprinkle generously with smoked paprika and toss until popcorn is well coated in spice, adding more as needed.
*again, you can put as much or as little as you want!

While most folks will enjoy this by the handful we like to present the popcorn in individual small paper cones. This is an easy way to give everyone their own popcorn in a neat little package.

Try these other gourmet popcorn flavour combos too:
Truffle Oil & Cracked Black Pepper
Parmesan & Lemon Pepper
Cumin & Sea Salt

Vancouver has no shortage of parks, galleries and banquet halls; gorgeous venues for hosting corporate and private events. A simple google search will reward you with no less than a dozen commonly used spaces. But you are not common and neither should your event be.

Whether you are hosting a business sales event or celebrating your nuptials with friends and family the venue you choose should celebrate your uniqueness.

We asked our Event & Sales Manager Heather Wright for her suggestions on ‘Hidden Gem’ venues–stunning locations that have flown below the radar. Below are Heather’s Top 5 picks of lesser known venues:

1. Waterfall Building – Named for it’s minimalist waterfall; award winning architect Arthur Erickson’s Waterfall Building creates a dynamic space ideal for any sophisticated event. The stunning courtyard and glass atrium offer a modern, neutral backdrop allowing the flexibility to add personal touches to your event. The manager is also a pleasure to work with taking a lot of stress out of any event planning.

2. Vancouver Lookout – This venue offers a unique space with fantastic views. Conveniently located downtown the Vancouver Lookout is an ideal location for corporate events with a smaller space for intimate receptions and private meetings. It also hosts a larger space perfect for networking functions, class reunions or modern weddings. We also have to note that Heather is dying to do food stations at 430 ft!

3. Creekside Community Center – A legacy of the 2010 Olympic Games Creekside Community Center is a new venue quickly garnering attention. A beautiful space that is ‘totally WestCoast‘ the Community Center offers amazing views and neutral, flexible spaces at budget-friendly, affordable rates.

4. Jellico Station – As one of the very few venues in North Vancouver, Jellico Station stands out for many reasons. The bright, open rooms with their gorgeous exposed wood beams offer a warm and inviting space to host a variety of events from wedding receptions and retirement dinners to school functions and business award banquets. With three rooms, the venue is ideal for small, intimate functions but has the capacity to host larger events as well.

5. Louis Gervais Bistro – Ok, so maybe this is a tad biased but come down to the Bistro and you might be surprised. By night the modern bistro becomes a unique and flexible venue ideal for cocktail receptions and intimate dinners. Throw open the garage doors to expose the colourful studio kitchen and add an element of entertainment, taking your social event to the next level.

These are just a few of the many, many venues Heather and the team at Louis Gervais Fine Foods has catered events in. For a full list of venues we recommend you can visit our Catering webpage.

In order to pick the right catering company for your event, you must research which company is best for you. Most good catering companies will supply you with some sample dishes for you to try out and gauge the quality of the food, in order to determine whether they’re the right company for the job.

Make a list of companies you’d like to use and prepare some questions for them when you meet up or speak with them. Some points you should have ready when you speak to them may be:-

* How many guests will you be catering for?
* Have you located a suitable venue?
* What facilities does the venue offer?
* What is your budget for the event?

What type of catering do you need?

Have you thought about what type of catering you need? Would you prefer a themed event or would you prefer a buffet style? Most catering companies will have sample menus for you to gather ideas from, or combine them into your own custom designed menu. Have you decided whether you want a self service buffet or a sit down meal served by waiting staff? These are all key questions you should ask your caterer when having a consultation with them.
Food quality

It ‘s important to know what quality of food you will be getting for your money, so why not ask your catering company where they source their ingredients from? Will the meat be organic? Will the eggs be free range? Will the food be prepared fresh in the days leading up to your event or will they freeze the food weeks before?
Special diet requirements

Do your guests may have special diet requirements? Is the catering company able to provide alternative dishes for people with special diet requirements? Can they produce gluten and wheat free dishes if needed? Do they have experience in catering for these specialist requirements?
Waiting Staff

Do you require waiting staff for your event? Does the catering company provide waiting staff and at what cost? It’s important to know that your guests will be well looked after by experienced waiting staff to help your event run smoothly and problem free.
Extra services

Most catering companies include extra services that go beyond just providing food. Ask your catering company what extra services they offer. Can they provide marquees for outdoor events? Can they provide entertainment? Do they help with any other aspects of planning your event?