cash bash menu and pictures

Today, I received the pictures from our recent event for the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. For their Cash Bash, we served 250 people at Beeson Hall. For this fun event, we created a delicious, affordable menu. We decorated the buffet with plenty of green--real grass and fake money. To incorporate the gaming aspect, we used poker chips and gambling accessories.

Our friend, Paula Herlitz (owner of http://www.thegamblersboutique.com/) loaned us some of her items to decorate the buffet. Her site is full of fun gaming accessories, from ear rings to clocks.

CASH BASH MENU

Appetizer Station

Popcorn Bar

A selection of gourmet salts including honey salt, cocoa salt, horseradish salt and beet salt.

Buffet

8 Ounce Rib Eye Steak

A selection of rare to well done.

Bourbon Chicken

Assorted Handmade Sauces

Roasted Red Potatoes

Confetti Green Beans

Freshly Baked Bread with Butter

Fresh from the Garden Salad

Dessert Station

Chocolate Fondue

Premium warm chocolate with assorted goodies for dipping: marshmallows, cookies, Twizzlers and more.

Drink Station

Iced Tea

Fruited Water

Coffee

Friday Night Specials

friday night specials

Today, we introduce a new menu great for hosting small events. The "Friday Night Special" allows you to relax and enjoy your party with minimal fuss and cost. We come set-up, cook, bus and clean up while you enjoy your guests. We serve only the highest quality foods freshly prepared at less than you could take your guests to a restaurant. After working all week, don't you deserve it?

Friday Night Specials

Are you hosting an event on a Friday? This menu is perfect for rehearsal dinners, celebration parties, family get-togethers and more…Treat yourself!
We'll bring our grills and cook on-site.
812.372.9898
www.lemleyscatering.com

Create Your Menu
Yummy BBQ
Pulled Pork Barbecue
Barbecue Chicken
Assorted Bottles of Max Lemley Sauces
Four Delicious, Handmade Sides
Styrofoam and Plastic Serviceware
Paper Napkins
Professional Service Staff
$10 each guest
Cowboy Cookout
8 Ounce Rib Eye Steak
One each guest
Bourbon Chicken
Three Delicious, Handmade Sides
Blue Enamel Plates
Stainless Steel Flatware
Deluxe Paper Napkins
Professional Service Staff
$15 each guest
Only $100 books the date.
Credited towards final bill.
Delicious, Handmade Sides
Black Bean and Corn Salad
Cous Cous
Western Baked Beans
Country Green Beans
Creamy Cole Slaw
Mustard Potato Salad
Pasta Salad
Confetti Corn
Carrot and Raisin Salad
1000 Island Slaw
Crunchy Potato Chips
Red Beans and Rice
Macaroni and Cheese
Carrot and Celery Display with Ranch
Freshly Baked Bread with Butter
Potato Chip Brownies
Chocolate Chip and Sugar Cookie Assortment
Sweet Tea and Fruited Water Station
Add additional sides
$1 each side each guest

Book by March 31, 2008, and we'll include complimentary use of a serving tent, serving tables and plastic buffet covers ($150 value) at no charge.
$500 minimum for service from this menu. Pricing includes up to a two hour service time. Cost does not include Indiana sales tax. This menu is valid only on Fridays. Pricing subject to change without notice (without signed contract). This menu is not valid for events at Simmons Winery, Chateau de Pique Winery, Beeson Hall or Columbus Marriott. Additional charge for events held farther than 25 miles from our commissary. There are certain health risks involved in eating raw or undercooked meats. Our facility processes nuts and peanuts.

Business Events with Food

What Is Important for Business Events with Food?

"The menu and presentation. Does it have any relationship with the theme or focus of the event?"

Christine Lemley, Owner, Lemleys' Catering, Indiana

"For me, food that is easy to eat is important. When you're trying to meet people, shake hands, and EAT. Something that needs a fork (or worse, needs to be cut) makes it totally impossible if the function is stand-up networking."
Cindy Hartman, President, Hartmain Inventory, Indiana

" ...placement of food to encourage an outcome (many stations for networking mobility vs. one long buffet table and seating area). I have been to a lot of catered business functions (more that I can count) where the food was a detriment.
Valerie Alexander, Screenwriter, California

" Be tolerant of religious needs."
Bruce Kane, http://www.linkedin.com/, North Carolina

" What makes a positibe impression for me at a business function with food is the set up for the food...I like the tables to have cloth tablecloths (something colorful) with matching or coordination napkins, plates, etc. I also like to see really cool centerpieces."
Kathryn Brequella, Owner, wb-IT Counsulting, Indiana


Tasteful Tips:

1. Quality is more important than quanity. It is better have five tasty items than 10 blah ones.

2. Relate your menu to your event. You will create a stronger impression with your guests if you "theme" your party.

3. Keep in mind the "ease of eating". Foods that are easy to eat are more enjoyable.

4. Watch for flow. Keep foods and beverages in different areas to avoid crowding.

5. Don't try to do it all yourself. If you're too busy with service, who is networking with your guest?

Prepared By Samantha Aulick, Sales Manager

Wedding Bliss

Wedded Bliss

Today in Lemleyland, we booked a wedding reception at the Henry Breeding Farm for September. It has an upscale barbecue theme. I'm really looking forward to it. The Historic Breeding Farm is located outside of Columbus--not very far from the Outlet Mall. It has a warm, rustic feel that is complimented by wildflower centepieces and foods cooked outside.
http://www.barthist.com/rental.htm

Odon, Indiana

trip to Odon

Today, Chef Alexa and I visited Odon, Indiana. There, we'll be catering a wedding in May.The reception will be at the Simon G. Graber Community Building. The building is HUGE! Chef Alexa has some great ideas for interactive food stations.
Our friend Keith joined us for the journey. He is the owner of Maddox Entertainment and one of our favorite deejays. At the wedding reception, Keith and his wife Cassie will be playing music. You can visit their website at http://www.keithmaddox.net/.

Reception

outdoor reception planning

Today, Chef Alexa and I met with a bride to be and her family to discuss her wedding reception. She will be having it her family's home. Mark from Ellis Tents and Events is helping them plan out where to place the tents.
In a smart move, the family is utilizing the services of Cathy Teeters for wedding coordination. Over the years, Lemleys' Catering has worked with Cathy many times. You can visit her website at http://www.cathyteetersbeautifulweddings.com/. This picture is at a wedding reception for which Lemleys' Catering provided delicious foods, Cathy provided beautiful flowers and Ellis Tents and Events provided tents, tables and gorgeous fountains.

Chef Online

picture of chef online


Today, we learned that the Republic posted a picture of Chef Alexa on their ColumbusWed website. In the picture, Chef Alexa is creating Sweet Coconut Canapes at the Republic Bridal Show last week. You can view her in action at http://www.therepublic.com/ftp/bridal/soundslides/bridalfair/index.html.
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In the above photo, Chef Alexa and I are at the Columbus Area Wedding Professionals Bridal and Event Showcase earlier this month. I'm on the Advisory Board for Columbus Area Wedding Professionals. The group is comprised of professionals in the wedding and event industry. You can learn more by visiting the Website at www.columbusareaweddings.com.

Valentine's Day

I love St. Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine's Day!
At Lemleys' Catering, we love this day set aside for romance and sweet foods. In fact, we are offering a free bottle of Moet champagne for couples who book their weddings with us on February 14.
Today, I attended the Greater Franklin Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon. As a member of the Greater Franklin Chamber of Commerce, I volunteer on the PR Committee. We're catering the Cash Bash next Saturday at Beeson Hall. Tickets are available from the chamber office at http://www.franklincoc.com/ . We'll be serving steaks and bourbon chicken. Also, attendees will enjoy our chocolate fondue. This is a great way to support the chamber and taste our delicious foods

Columbus Youth Camp

Columbus Youth Camp

http://www.columbusyouthcamp.com/Reeves.htm

Today, I received an email from Columbus Youth Camp (CYC). I learned that they posted a link to Lemleys' Catering on their website! Above is a picture of the Reeves Center--a beautiful former home that now hosts events.

http://www.columbusyouthcamp.com/Noblitt.htm

Last year, we catered meal service for the Institute for Self Actualization retreat weekend at the Noblitt Shelter. We served breakfasts, lunches and dinners for the group. For them, we cooked foods on site. They loved our cheese scrambled eggs and yogurt bar. We provided a country cookout for their last meal with foods prepared on grills. They have already booked for 2008.
CYC is great for anyone who wants to appreciate nature while having an event. Smaller events (business meetings and intimate weddings) are perfect in the Reeves building. For a larger wedding, a tent can be posted on the grounds. Also, medium events can utilize the Noblitt Shelter. I love this space. To really appreciate it, I think you have to see it.
Aunt Wanda, we miss you.

Strawberry Soup Shots

strawberry soup shots

Recently, several brides have wanted to know what we are serving in this picture on our Website, http://www.lemleyscatering.com/. These are strawberry and rose petal shop shots created by Chef Alexa for a wedding last summer. Chef Alexa blended rose (yes, this is really made from rose petals) martini mixer with cream and fresh strawberries. She topped them with organic rose petals. During the reception, we passed these and some other appetizers for the guests to enjoy.
We're glad to create soup shot to coordinate with any bride's choice of colors.

Limoncello Wedding Favors

limoncello wedding favors

While the snowstorm blusters outside, Chef Alexa is busy bottling some sunshine. Right now, she is scrapping the pith from 16 Meyer lemons to make limoncello. In a couple of weeks, we'll enjoy this Italian liqueur.

To create her limoncello, Chef Alexa combines the lemon peels, some sugar and a bottle of 100 proof vodka. A refreshing treat, it makes me remember the warmer times. I can almost feel sunshine and smell ocean breezes.

For summer weddings, limoncello makes a tasteful favor--especially if you make it yourself. You can put it in pretty little bottles and use ribbon to attach a tag. Easy and inexpensive, this makes a great, personal way to thank your friends and family for attending. No one will throw this away!
Here's a link to a good recipe: http://vinoevittles.blogspot.com/2006/03/limoncello-recipe.html.
Here's a link to good pictures of creating limoncello: http://www.italylogue.com/food-drink/limoncello-recipe-in-pictures.html.
While organic lemons are healthier, we couldn't find any Meyers that were. I think that any type of lemon will work fine.
If you have any questions about making limoncello, Chef Alexa is glad to answer them. Just write her at lemleyscatering@sbcglobal.net.