I take the birthday party very personal. This event is a celebration of the time you have been alive on this earth and who you have become. It’s about the soul, the spirit and energy you have embraced and the many people you have touched in a lifetime. It is the annual event that focuses only on you and the way your loved ones surround and cheer your existence. It’s your own personal holiday and always reason to celebrate, mile stone or not. That’s why when family members organize a birthday party it is very important the caterer listens and understands who this party is for. Ask many questions. What do they love? Favorite colors? Favorite foods!! Anything to connect and make this party their own.
Many events are catered in the home or apartment of the celebrated, so it becomes even more up close & personal. The apartment setting can sometimes become quite a task for food prep and set-up especially in the spatially challenged New York City /New Jersey area. Fallier Food thrives on what most caterers would classified as an uphill battle, but we have managed to perfect and work the snags out of the space dilemma with systematic timing and totally insane organization.
This particular party was a celebration of three guys of varied ages: from 7 to 60 to 72 years, all being born either on the same day or near each other. All three being from the Celtic persuasion impacted the menu in a big way. British fare was a given but I also needed to consider the other guests with a diverse menu of vegan, vegetarian and summer favorites. For Dessert, The Birthday Guys each had their own birthday cake with number candles and some vegan cakes were added to the mix. (See Menu Below). We had the luxury of the balcony space which contributed as an extended outside room off the kitchen where the beverages were located in ice filled tubs. The apartment balcony seemed to be an attraction for many to eat, drink and enjoy the view. The weather I ordered for the day showed up.
It was a glorious day!
It was important the color scheme worked with the apartment setting but even more so with the playful characters of the three birthday boys. Purples, Aubergine/Violet & Willow/Olive Greens seemed to fit the bill. My choice was somewhat generic, tastefully whimsical and the guys loved it. For the food buffet I selected a black tablecloth as the canvas, then layered it with amethyst table runners, willow green vases and Allium flowers. Colorful String lights were worked into the food displays for light and color. Wanted to add height, shape, energy & motion to the room so I designed table and floor displays of Antique Fuchsia & Olive Green balloon clusters. Balloons always seem to spark good energy and they totally manufacture Happy Air!
At the end of the day the guest count accumulated to about 50 people give or take… including Patches the dog who enjoyed the chipolata sausages and London Broil probably more than any of the other human guests. But the feedback was good from both.
The Music was a Spotify Playlist of Lush Indie Dance, Synthpop, & Electronic sounds of Atella, Satin Jackets, The New Division, Cinnamon Chasers, Kauf, Goldroom, Du Tonic, Tesla Boy & Anarack. Most definitely threw in some Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Canned Heat for the 60 & 70’s music lovers. And many more great tunes. We had a very diverse age group but everyone grooved out.
The mood was perfect.
The Menu
APPETIZERS
- Tiny Cucumber Vegan Gazpacho Cups
- Spicy Vegan Jerk Tarts
- Scottish Smoked Salmon Cones with Crème Fraiche & Caviar
- English Chipolata Skewers with Pineapple
- Chicken-Apple Pigs in a Blanket with Coleman’s Honey Mustard
- Assorted Tortilla Chips with Black Bean Cilantro Salsa
Sides
- Vegan Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts, Roasted Peppers & Kalamata Olives
- Vegan Roasted New Potatoes, Onions & Peppers
- Corn on the Cob
- Potato and Cole Slaw Salad
Entrees
- Bangers & Mash
- Fried Chicken
- Vegan and Chicken Sausage with Assorted Rolls and Garnishes
- London Broil with Portobello Mushroom Gravy
DESSERT
- Multiple Birthday Cakes
- Carrot, Chocolate Mousse & Fruit Tart
- Vegan Cakes
- John 77 Aston 7 & Neil 60
BEVERAGES
- Assorted Beer, Wine, Juice, Bottle Water & Soda
