Top Chef 8th Birthday Party

This past weekend we had the pleasure of hosting a Top Chef themed 8th birthday party at the Serves You Right! Kitchen and in our venue, The Jefferson. The birthday girl loves cooking shows and wanted us to bring a cooking competition to life for her family and friends. 

The guests were invited to participate in a cooking competition, which was divided into three rounds: Appetizer, Entree, and Dessert. Each team was also provided with their own 'pantry' full of grocery items to create their signature dishes.Upon arrival contestants were split into five teams; each team included 4-5 contestants and one adult supervisor. 

Once the contestants were divided into their teams, the rules of the competition were explained:

1. Teams need to work together, decide on one recipe, and make one large plate together. 
2. All contestants must be wearing gloves
3. The contestants must complete the plate themselves; adults can only supervise.
4. Contestants may use any or all of the pantry items 
5. Contestants must clean their own work station.
6. The most important rule of course is to HAVE FUN!!

During the appetizer round contestants made salads full of fresh and healthy ingredients. During the entree round contestants made macaroni and cheese using a variety of savory items from their pantry. For the dessert round contestants made parfaits, which contained fresh fruit, assorted puddings, and toppings. When the whistle was blown all contestants had to put their plate at the edge of the table to be judged and put their hands up in the air.  

After the competition was complete, the contestants and their parents were invited over to The Jefferson for food and activities while the judges deliberated. The contestants were evaluated on five categories: Teamwork, Presentation, Taste, Creativity, and Cleanliness. The judge's scores were very close since the contestants did such a great job!

Besides the competition, other activities included a Photobooth provided by Elaine Lee Photography, an apron decorating craft table, and a dance floor where guests could show off their moves.

We wanted the birthday girl to have her favorite foods, so we featured a slider and hot dog station, as well as mac and cheese, Caesar salad, traditional fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, and corn on the cob. 

What kind of birthday would it be without cake and ice cream? We featured an interactive ice cream sundae station, and an absolutely delicious Top Chef themed birthday cake provided by Joanie and Leigh's Cakes.

Happy Birthday Olivia, we hope you had as much fun as we did!!!  

A Year in Review

As we look forward to 2016, we wanted to review some of the events that made 2015 such a special year for Serves You Right! Catering. The following are our favorite highlights from this past year: 

1940's Birthday Party

Serves You Right! was thrilled to work with Magnolia Event Design on their 1940’s themed birthday party in Santa Barbara. Walking into this party was like taking a time machine decades into the past. Magnolia truly set the stage for our 1940's inspired small plates dinner menu to shine. We hope to work with these ladies more in 2016!

Sundance Institute Benefit Gala

Serves You Right! was delighted to cater the Sundance Institute Los Angeles Gala once again. Bounce AEG produced a beautiful event and it was excellent, as always, to work with these true professionals. Special thanks also goes to Jason Merritt, Alberto Rodriquez, and Getty Images for photographing the night. 

i.am.angel Benefit Gala

This past February Serves You Right! catered the i.am.angel foundation's TRANS4M Gala. Empire Entertainment produced the flawless event, which raised over $800,000.00 for youth empowerment in the East Los Angeles Area. Serves You Right! had so much fun catering this gala.

WPO Kitchen Wars at The Jefferson

Serves You Right! recently hosted The World President's Organization, City of Angeles Chapter for a preview of our new event space. After their meeting they were divided into groups and began WPOCA Kitchen Wars! The first set of teams participated in a cocktail making competition while the other attendees were invited into the kitchen to compete in a trifle making competition. Serves You Right! Catering had a blast creating this event with the fabulous ladies of Hold the Date Events, and we look forward to hosting more events like this at our venue, The Jefferson, in the future!

Brilliant Bat Mitzvah

‪When it comes to Bat Mitzvah's, Serves You Right! Catering goes all out. We transformed our clients backyard into a sleek and sophisticated lounge with the help of  Rrivre Works Custom Luxury Rentals. This event was a pleasure to both produce and cater! 

USC Office of the President Holiday Parties 

For a fifth year consecutive year Serves You Right! Catered a series of Holiday Parties for the USC Office of the President. Each year Serves You Right! is tasked with the challenge of catering 9 holiday parties in the span of 12 days, serving over 2,100 guests. The events were once again an incredible success, and it is always a joy working with the Presidential Events Team.

Corporate Holiday Gathering 

Last, but certainly not least, we brought 2015 to an end by catering a holiday inspired corporate luncheon in Beverly Hills. To emulate the season, we ended the luncheon with Hot Chocolate Pot de Creme and house-made Holiday Donuts! 

We wish everyone a Happy New Year, and look forward to reporting on more events in 2016. 

Kitchen Wars with Serves You Right! Catering

Serves You Right! recently hosted World President's Organization, City of Angeles Chapter for a preview of our new event space. When guests arrived they were invited to explore the venue before sitting for a brief meeting. 

 

After the meeting, guests walked next door to the Serves You Right! Lounge and Kitchen, and were divided into groups to begin WPOCA Kitchen Wars! The first set of teams participated in a cocktail making competition which was led by Luke Barr of The Grand Bevy. Luke gave the groups an introduction to cocktail making, and explained that the team's cocktails would be judged on presentation, taste, and creativity. The teams were given 15 minutes to create their own special concoctions! 

        

  

    

The other attendees were invited into the kitchen to compete in a trifle making competition. Michele Gan, owner of Serves You Right!, and Joan Spitzer of Joanie & Leigh's Cakes gave teams an introduction to the elements of a great trifle. Teams then had twenty minutes to work together and create their trifles. The teams were also judged on presentation, taste, creativity.  

  

The final products of the Trifle making competition: 

 

Following the competition, guests were invited back to the Serves You Right! Venue for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while their creations were being judged. Some of our featured appetizers were Kobe Beef Pigs in a Blanket, and Sweet Corn Cake topped with Tomato Avocado Salsa and Cotija Cheese. 

At the beginning of dinner, the winning cocktail was served for all of the guests to try. The first course of the evening was an Heirloom Tomato Salad with Burrata and Balsamic Pearls followed by Grilled Skirt Steak served with Chimichurri Sauce and Balsamic Glazed Chicken for the main course. 

Serves You Right! Catering had a blast creating this event with the fabulous ladies of Hold the Date Events. We look forward to hosting more events like this at our venue in the future.