PhotoBooth Fun!

If you are looking to add some fun and excitement to your next party, a photo booth may be the perfect choice! Photo booths are a great form of entertainment, and they provide a fantastic party favor for your guests. Whether you are hosting an event for kids, adults or both, we find that all ages LOVE this form of interactive entertainment. Since the photos are printed instantly, sharing your photos with fellow party-goers can also be a great conversation starter. Photo booths are a surefire way guests will always remember your fabulous event!

SYR Catering's preferred photo booth vendor is E&H Photobooth. They provide a talented and experienced photographer, along with unique props and costumes for guests to choose from and show-off. Elaine Lee Photography can also create a custom footer with your event logo or a special message. If you would like to book a photo booth for your next event, please contact us today!

Ladies Luncheon with The Blue Ribbon Board of Directors

SYR has had a wonderful start to our week with a lovely luncheon for the Board of Directors of The Blue Ribbon. The premier women's support organization gathered for what hopes to be an annual elegant lunch to celebrate the arts. 

Guests were greeted with our signature "Cucumber-Basil Lemonade" and "Jasmine Iced Tea." The guests were impressed with how good these simple drinks could be, explaining that they were absolutely refreshing and perfectly sweetened.The afternoon was filled with good conversation, beautiful flowers, healthy food and decadent dessert. 

In collaborating with Rrivre Works and Sweet Peas Custom Floral, we were able to seamlessly intertwine a modern and elegant look for the decor. The simple color scheme embraced a sophisticated ambiance that we hoped to create for these brilliant women. 

For a creative and healthy twist, rather than serving a basket of bread on each table, we began the lunch with seasonal vegetable crudité complimented by a fresh herb dip. This starter was placed on wooden paddles on each table for the guests to enjoy with their drinks. 

The three course lunch began with a vegan carrot ginger soup, followed by a pan seared salmon with two mustard creme fraîché and the meal concluded with our irresistible chocolate pot de créme with black lava salt. 

One of the highlights of this meal were the warm popovers served with the entrées. Our heart-healthy popovers are a delicious and healthy alternative to what is usually a buttery and high-caloric pastry. The guests loved this light, yet satisfying side dish and per request, we want to share with you our easy and guilt-free recipe. 

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 45 minutes

Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 1 popover)

Ingredients:

4 Large Egg Whites
1 Cup Fat-Free Milk
1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
2 Teaspoons Sugar
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
Butter-Flavored Cooking Spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. 
2. Combine egg whites and milk, stirring with a whisk until foamy. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, sugar, and salt, stirring well with a whisk.
3. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray, and place in a 450 degree oven for 3 minutes.
4. Gradually stir flour mixture into egg mixture, stirring with a whisk just until blended. Remove muffin pan from oven. Divide batter evenly among hot cups. 
5. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees. (Do not remove popover cups from oven) Bake an additional 20 minutes or until golden. 

Valentine’s Day Recipe: SYR’s Signature Fudgy Chocolate Brownies

Serves You Right has had a busy week catering events that have celebrated one of our favorite holidays: Valentine’s Day! We believe that cooking is a true act of love, so we’re sharing an easy and sweet recipe for you to enjoy with that special someone.

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 35 minutes

Yield: 24 brownies

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, melted

3 cups white sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

4 eggs

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

2 cups unsweetened chocolate (we use 64% cacao cocoa extra bitter Guayaquil)

1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.

2. In a double boiler, melt chocolate (1 cup) with butter. Pull the butter and chocolate off of the heat once melted.

3. Combine the melted chocolate and butter, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Fold in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each, until thoroughly blended (be careful not to cook the eggs). 

4. Sift the flour and salt in a bowl. Gradually stir flour mixture into the egg mixture until blended. Stir in the remaining chocolate (1 cup). Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.

5.  Bake in preheated oven until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove, and cool pan on wire rack before cutting.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Super Bowl Sunday Celebrations

Super Bowl Sunday is a time for football, fun and most importantly, FOOD! We love a good Super Bowl party, and this past weekend Serves You Right! had the privilege of catering two parties for Super Bowl XLVIII.

Inspired by the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos, we incorporated the teams’ colors into the décor at both events.  The food provided at both events featured a selection of tailgate favorites. 

Let the games begin!

The first event was held at the Annenberg Space for Photography. The incredible space allowed guests to watch the game on 14’ Screens in their Digital Gallery. The room was divided into two themed sections: Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos. The sections were decorated with balloons from Balloon Emporium, cheering gear and football shaped containers filled with popcorn and pretzels. 

We featured buffet style service, with buffets decorated with flowers by Sweet Pea’s Custom Floral. 

The Hors D’oeuvres buffet consisted of poached shrimp, fried calamari, glazed hot wings and a loaded nacho bar. 

For dinner, we served grilled skirt steak, assorted gourmet sausages, Italian sub sandwiches, chili, potato skins and a selection of salads.

Our other party was an annual Super Bowl party, which we look forward to catering each year. Some of the highlights from our menu included seared scallops, fried mac & cheese, slow roasted chicken tacos & crab claws. 

C/o PEOPLE Magazine

Another highlight from this Super Bowl event was the incredible dessert buffet, which included a chocolate fountain, warm apple crisp and assorted football themed cookies from the Cake Divas. We also served a specialty cocktail called the “Super ‘Berry’ Bowl,” which was made up of vodka, fresh muddled berries, lime juice and a splash of sparkling lime soda. 

Although our guests would have enjoyed a better game, we considered both parties to be real winners! 

Top Ten Event Highlights of 2013

With the excitement of a new year ahead of us, we wanted to take a look back at some of the moments that made 2013 such a special year for Serves You Right! Catering. The following are a few of our favorite events from the past year.  

Helmut Newton Exhibition Opening at the Annenberg Space for Photography

Serves You Right! Catering was honored to produce and cater the opening of the Helmut Newton Exhibition at the Annenberg Space for Photography. Inspired by Newton’s iconic fashion photographs, we created an ambiance of beauty, elegance and sophistication with the help of chandeliers, champagne cocktails and model wait staff.

Beachside Wedding Reception at the Annenberg Community Beach House

Photos Courtesy of Karen Ard Photography

Serves You Right! Catering is proud to be a preferred vendor at the Annenberg Community Beach House. This summer we catered a beautiful beachside wedding reception at the Marion Davies Guest House. Serves You Right tapped Sweet Pea's Custom Floral to design beautiful coastal inspired arrangements for the ceremony and reception. In lieu of traditional cake cutting, the newlyweds torched a large version of their favorite dessert, crème brûlée.

Rustic-Elegant Outdoor Wedding

We were delighted to collaborate with Jowy Productions on several events in 2013. One of our favorite events was a wedding we catered for a very special client's daughter. The bride and groom envisioned an evening of rustic elegance, and we enjoyed executing their vision throughout our menu. From ‘herbaltini’ cocktails to an abundant cheese station, we were able to creatively incorporate the theme. 

Marshall School of Business Fundraising Event

We were thrilled to cater a fundraiser for the Marshall School of Business this year. The event was a great success with a special performance from Grammy Award Winning Performance Artist, LeAnn Rimes. The outdoor celebration was filled with warmth, laughter and of course, the Trojan colors: cardinal and gold.

                                 First Republic Bank Cocktail Reception                                 

at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

In October we catered a beautiful cocktail reception for First Republic Bank, which celebrated a 'Night of Fashion and Wonder'. This was an inaugural event at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, in its beautiful 1933 historic Beverly Hills Post Office building and courtyard. We created French themed food stations, which matched the tone of the evening.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Breakfast 

Photos Courtesy of US News

When POTUS calls, Serves You Right! Answers. We had the pleasure of catering an intimate breakfast with special guest, President Barack Obama. We prepared a brunch buffet with highlights that included an eggs Benedict bar, lemon ricotta pancakes, chicken apple sausage and bacon. 

USC Distinguished Lecture Dinner 

Photos Courtesy of USC News

Within one week we had the privilege of serving not one president, but TWO! We catered an elegant dinner in honor of 43rd President George W. Bush and former First Lady, Laura Bush. He is the third US President to receive our SYR signature food and service.

70th Birthday Celebration 

We have so much fun coordinating events for our long time clients and friends - especially birthday celebrations! This birthday girl has a wonderfully vibrant personality and that’s exactly what we wanted to shine through at her party. We served her guests a family style meal and finished the night with a dessert buffet, specialty birthday cake and plenty of dancing!

USC Office of the President Holiday Parties 

      Every holiday season we look forward to catering a series of dinner events for the Office of the President at USC. This year we had an exciting challenge to cater 8 holiday parties in the span of 13 days, serving over 2,300 guests. This big endeavor was an incredible success and we look forward to taking on this challenge again next year!

Corporate Holiday Party in Marina Del Rey  

Last, but not least, we closed 2013 by producing and catering a company holiday party in Marina Del Rey. We transformed the raw office space into a sleek and sophisticated lounge with the help of Rrivre Works Custom Luxury Rentals. To get into the holiday spirit, we made ‘White Christmas Cosmos,’ consisting of vodka, white cranberry juice & Cointreau w/ fresh raspberry and rosemary garnish. 

SYR Rock's the Who Shot Rock & Roll Exhibit Opening Gala

When the Serves You Right team caters an event, we highly encourage guests to 'party like rock stars'.  And at the opening gala for the Who Shot Rock & Roll Exhibit at the Annenberg Space for Photography, guests couldn’t help but channel their inner rock star persona.

After viewing the exhibit, which features 166 prints of iconic rock photographs taken throughout the past half-century, the 600 party-goers were invited into a tented area built outside the Photo Space. 

The featured drink of the evening was ‘Rock Star Lemonade’, a refreshing twist on lemonade that includes vodka, fresh squeezed citrus, mint syrup and a splash of club soda.

Servers trays passed a variety of hors d'oeuvres:

Menu: Who Shot Rock & Roll Opening
Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice Cake

Coconut Crusted Shrimp with Mango Chutney

Chicken Spring Rolls with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce

Mini Carne Asada Taco in a Taro Root Shell

Kobe Beef Pigs in a Blanket with Ketchup & Spicy Mustard for Dipping

Chicken & Vegetable Shu Mai with Ginger Soy

Sweet Corn Cake with Tomato Avocado Salsa & Cotija Cheese

Miniature Fig Pizza with Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onion

A highlight of the evening was when the rock band Heart took the stage to perform a brief set of their classic hits, including Crazy On You and Barracuda.

Serves You Right was delighted to work with the team at J Ben Bourgeois Productions, who produced the festive evening. 

Serves You Right has catered gala events at the Annenberg Space for Photography since its opening in 2009. Who Shot Rock & Roll runs until October 7th at Annenberg Space for Photography. http://www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org/

Serves You Right! Catering Celebrates National Grilled Cheese Month

Serves You Right! Catering celebrated National Grilled Cheese Month by inviting James Beard Award-winning cheese expert and author, Laura Werlin, to our kitchen to film a video for her Chips and Guacamole Grilled Cheese Sandwich. 

An SYR crowd favorite is our Lobster Grilled Cheese with White Cheddar and Truffle Oil. 

What is the grilled cheese sandwich of your dreams?