Tonight's Show - Event Solutions Spotlight Show and ICA Catie Awards

Tonight's show is going to be amazing!
Jason has been helping award winning Über-Caterer, Pauline Perry from Good Gracious! Events with tonight's menu.

The headline act is Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge and there are many more performers.

Here's a YouTube Teaser...

100th Post - Vegas Pictures

The party we went to on the first night was at the Cherry Nightclub at the Red Rock.

Planners from around the world danced the night away in 8,500 square feet of sleek club space that flowed out into a private pool area with heated cabanas. In a desert-chic atmosphere, guests sipped on specialty drinks and noshed on delicate desserts such as a caramelized banana dome, chocolate berry puff napoleon and vanilla raspberry floating island. An in-house DJ spun old favorites and new pop mixes as planners boogied alongside go-go burlesque performers jiving on mini-platforms around the club.

How did they know I love Vodka Red Bull?

On Monday we met and listened to Laura Schwartz, former White House director of events for the Clinton administration and national media personality, keynoted a high-energy Grand Opening Session.

Check out a great YouTube video about the party and the opening session!

(Can you see me in the Opening Session video...at 1:08?)

Good Intentions

So I promised I'd be blogging every day out here in Vegas...


There's just too much too experience to be at a computer!
I've been using Twitter a lot, though. THAT I have time for.
All the pictures, classes, round tables, dinners, discussions...there's just so much to take in.

I really hope I have time to share some photos with everyone tomorrow.
I'm just getting out of an amazing mock wedding event and trying to figure out what to do next.

Here's one concept I want to do this year...
His and Her's wedding stations!
Do "His" food choices on one side of the facility (chicken wings, beer samples, etc.) and her's (salads, tapas, etc.) on the other side.
Why haven't we been doing this already??

More to come....

Arrived in Vegas!

I'm posting from the Catersource free Internet computers. I am going to try to post photos from the show on this blog all week.

At 2:30pm I will go to my first session, Masterful Banquet Service - Basic Training for the Service Arts Professional. Following that session, at 4:30pm, I will be at a sales session.

From 5:30pm to 6:30pm, I will be at a little event called "Cocktails & Connections", a networking event. To end the first day here, I will be at the Opening Night Event until 12:00am.
Then it's 7:15am for my first session tomorrow!

For now, check out my Twitter Page for little updates throughout the day!

Wedding Reception Tip from The Perfect Wedding Guide

A tip for brides I found very interresting on The Perfect Wedding Guide website is the following:
Does the wedding professional belong to a local or national industry association?

This question is directed at DJs but I think it's just as, if not more, important for Caterers.
Our answer is YES!

Our main affiliation is with the International Caterers Association, or ICA. Jason is on the Culinary Council of the ICA and we work with often.

Here's a picture of Jason at the ICA's Second Culinary Symposiumwas held in July 2008 at the National Center for Hospitality Studies, Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky.

Here is what the ICA offer us in their own words:


ICA is geared to the On and Off-premise caterer and vendors/suppliers to the catering industry who are passionate about the industry and where it grows to from here. ICA, as the premier catering professional association, is all about:
· Education for continuing growth
· The heightened off-premise catered experience
· The heightened on-premise catered experience
· Networking around the world with all styles of caterers
· Sharing of ideas, recipes and concepts
· Building of life-long relationships/friendships


The ICA is a major sponsor of the Catersource convention I will be at in Las Vegas next week.
Since the session we are in charge of is about blogging, I will try to blog each day at the show.
I have added a link to my Twitter page as well. I also "micro-blog" on that pages too.



Much more to come!

50 Best Food Blog's - London Times

London's "The Times"has listed their picks for the top 50 Food Blogs in the world.

Looks like I've got some more reading to do now!

Click on the picture to read the article

Google Blogger For Dummies

I Just purchased: Google Blogger For Dummies

The "For Dummies" books are often hit and miss but, so far, this book seems to be really well structured. I've only just begun reading it but I plan on finishing it while I'm in Vegas next week for Catersource 2009.

Here's what this books is about:

• Learn the parts of a blog, what Blogger does, and how to choose goals and blog topics.
• Choose a domain name, learn to use the dashboard, pick a template, and configure settings.
• Dress up your blog with themes and find out where to get plenty of free ones.
• Learn blogging etiquette and some secrets for long-term success.
• Make money from your blog with Google Adsense, contextual and text link ads, and merchandising with CafePress.
• Set up multi-user blogs or branch into mobile blogging, podcasting, or video blogging.
• Take advantage of social networking sites and learn simple search engine optimization techniques.
• Maintain your blog with tools like Blog This! and Quick Edit.
• Moderate comments effectively, track your stats, and more

I want to post some great food shots that I think everyone will appreciate

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

Sesame-Crusted Ahi Tuna with Wasabi Mayo & Kimche
Mango Soup Shooter

Brie Crustini with Blackberry and Green Peppercorn

I'll post more soon!

Interesting Image from Italy

Here's a picture from Jason and Terry Clark's visit to Italy this year...

Can you spot what's interresting about it?

More information on Terry's Italy photos to come!

My Wedding Anniversary

Today is the one year anniversary of my wedding here at Bella Sera.

My lead wedding photographer, Terry Clark, chose these pictures today as his favorites from one year ago today.

Wine Dinner Tuesday February 10th

THE WINE DINNER SERIES AT BELLA SERA BY GRECO'S

Bella Sera by Greco's is proud to host international wine expert Fraser McKenzie on February 10, 2009.

Enjoy four dinner courses with specially paired wines from Australia and New Zealand. Come for the wine and cuisine, leave with valuable knowledge and a full stomach!

Pondering what to do for your special someone for Valentine's Day? Register as a couple for $145 (10% off) and receive a special gift that night for your sweetheart!

* - vegetarian and non-seafood alternatives available - please specifyallergies/preferences when registering

Chef's Choice Hors d'oeuvres

Specially selected hors d'oeuvres for the first 30 minutes of the event.

NV Lindauer Brut (New Zealand)

Yabbies on the Barbie*

Sweet and Succulent Crawfish grilled w/ zucchini and a tangy blood orange sauce.

2007 Brancott Letter Series "B" Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)

Tasmanian King Salmon Sausage*

Grilled Tasmanian Salmon in a Bratwurst-Style Sausage and served w/ grilled tomatoes and a light sour-crème based fingerling potato salad.

2006 Brancott Letter Series "T" Estate Pinot Noir(Marlborough, New Zealand)

Aussie Lamb Pie*

Braised Lamb Shank in a natural reduction in a puff pastry w/ creamed spinach and leeks.

2004 Jacob's Creek Heritage Collection Centenary Hill Shiraz(Barossa Valley, Australia)

Pavlova

Baked Meringue w/ macerated berries and a kiwi coulis.

NV Wyndham Estate Sparkling Shiraz Bin 555(Southeastern & Hunter Valley Australia)

Tickets are available for $80/person by calling us today at 724-745-5575 (ext. 101) or EMAILING US.

Terry Clark's Top Knot Picture (From My Wedding!)

From Terry Clark's Blog -

The "Top Knot" is an annual contest to award and showcase the best wedding photography in the world. The contest is judged by the top wedding and photo professionals working today. Tens of thousands of entries are received from across the globe. Only a tiny handful are selected as the best.

The next step is the announcement of the top prize in each category from among the finalists. The winners (including finalists) will be published online and in PDN magazine later in the year. Details and links will be provided when available.

Here's the photo from my wedding:

Read more and check out Terry's other Top Knot shot (that's right, he got two in!) for 2008 at Terry's Blog: !The Buzz!