Chapter Three

Catered events need excitement and drama in addition to delicious food

For this reason, themed events are very popular

A theme party transports the attendee to another dimension, another place and time, away from the mundane and ordinary world

Themed events create a magical space of fantasy and fun

Caterers have the opportunity to show their creativity and expertise by developing unique one-of-a-kind events for their clients.

Before developing a proposal or planning a function, it is necessary to know the reason for the event and who will be attending the party

The demographics (age, income, ethnicity, etc) will influence what would be appropriate.

Every function or party should be treated as a special event

A caterer may create 200 parties a year, but it is probably not the case for the client. It may just be another party for the caterer, but for the client, it is truly a special occasion

According to Dr. Joe Goldblatt, educator and author of several special events books:

◦ "A special event recognizes a unique moment in time with ceremony and ritual to satisfy specific needs“

Creativity Food Beverage Entertainment Decor Activities

Fun Flavor Excitement Action Color Sound Entertainment Showmanship Surprise

A caterer should strive to involve all of the 5 senses: Sight, Sound, Taste, Touch and Smell.

Whenever possible, create something out of the ordinary for each event

The key is to INVOLVE and EXCITE It also provides an opportunity to up$ell, by

adding additional components to the event Guests like interactive events.

Lights attract and dazzle the eye ◦ Tiny Italian Tivoli lights, pin spots, strobes, black lights,

beacons, rope lights, fiber optics, neon, laser lights, etc.

Lights are ‘eye-candy.’ Gobo lights are portable spotlights that can

create colors, or focused pattern projection on the ceiling, wall or floor, depending on the metal templates affixed to the lens

The images can be trees, cityscapes, or any image relating to the theme of the event

They are also available in versions that rotate slowly, back and forth, 180º, creating changing patterns that can pulsate in tempo with the music.

Decorating with sound Sound can envelop and create a mood Commercially prepared tapes are available with

the sounds of fog horns, rain storms, ocean waves, cooing sea gulls, tropical birds, clopping horses, the clickety-clack of train tracks, and a variety of other background elements

Music playing in a room upon entry reinforces the theme, such as Dixieland Jazz for a New Orleans theme, the Theme from the Godfather for an Italian theme, or the Theme from Tara for a Gone with the Wind theme.

People in costumes This can be simply the servers and

bartenders in costume and/or actors hired to roam around and entertain

They are part of the décor and add life to the theme.

Outdoor parties can be held on a patio, balcony, by a swimming pool, golf course, beach, etc

Or they can be off-premise at an off-site location.

A rite of passage celebration of a 13 year old boy of the Jewish faith becoming a man

The Bat Mitzvah is for females The religious service is often celebrated with an

elaborate event, sometimes rivaling the pomp and ceremony of a wedding.

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah usually commences with either the Friday evening, Saturday morning or Saturday afternoon service

It could also be on a Monday morning or Thursday morning - anytime the Torah is read

The celebration that follows is often a breakfast, luncheon or dinner with entertainment of a grand variety.

Many Bar/Bat Mitzvahs serve kosher or kosher-style food, depending on whether the family observes the rules of Kashruth, i.e., keeps kosher.

True kosher food must follow stringent rules and pass the approval of a "Mashgiach" who does not have to be a Rabbi, but must be recognized in the community as a person authorized to give certification for kashruth

Kosher-style food may use traditional Jewish recipes, but does not necessarily follow the kosher rules.