One of our long-time corporate clients recently hosted an executive dinner to celebrate a company merging. The event was hosted on our client's beautiful campus located in Calabasas, CA. Having catered here before, we were extremely familiar and efficient in the space to ensure set up went smoothly and on time. One of our biggest goals for any space we work in is to make sure we go in with the know-how and forethought to anticipate logistical and operational needs. While it helps to have worked in the space before, we always still come in with a fresh eye as the setup needs of the client may be different or more complex depending on the needs. The aim is to always produce an event that optimizes the use of the space, effectively directs traffic flow, and creates a positive guest experience.
We had A LOT of fun with this menu as it consisted of cocktail hour displays, dinner action stations (my favorite!), and a dessert display with assorted seasonal desserts picked by yours truly. The menu integrated a travelling theme between Maryland and California as many of the guests flew in for the event. For example, the pizza station paid a special nod to signature Californian pizzas like house smoked BBQ chicken as well as Maryland favorites like the White Clam. We brought in authentic pizza ovens to be able to fresh make them in front of guests. In that light, our salad and slider stations each also paid tribute to signature flavors and recipes of the two states - a great way to really incorporate the theme of merging into the celebratory event. Check out the full menu here:
EXECUTIVE DINNER MENU
Happy Hour
International Deluxe Cheese, Charcuterie Display and “Breaking Bread” Display
Five-Cheese Assortment served with Fresh Fruit, Dried Fruit and Assorted Crackers, Artisan Bread, Nuts and Cheese Preserves (includes Pate & an Assortment of Charcuterie, Mustards, Cornichon & Olives
Interactive Olive Oil Tasting featuring 7 Unique California Olive Oils served with Breads & Crostini for Dipping
Vertical Crudites Displayed with Breadsticks, Buttermilk Ranch, Green Goddess & Hummus
Dinner Stations
Salad Station - Selection of 5 Signature Salads: Classic Caesar, Bite Signature Quinoa, Caprese, California Chopped Chef's, Roasted Red & Yellow Beet
Pizza Station: CA to MD 4 Signature Pizzas - White Clam, LA Smoked Salmon, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Pine Nut Pest Pizza
Gourmet Slider Station: Pulled Asian BBQ Pork, Spicy Black Bean, Italian Meatball, Maryland Crab Cake
Italian Meatball Sliders
Cheese & Charcuterie Display
Assorted Oils for Olive Oil Station
Salad Station
Crab Cake Sliders
Veggie Chips in Glass Jar
Assortment of Salads on a Station
Olive Oil + Crudite station
Assorted Kettle Chips
Slider Bar Display with Veggie Chips
White Clam Pizza
Roasted Beet Salad
Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cake
California Chopped Salad
Spicy Black Bean Sliders
EAT Sign
Mini Pecan Tart
Pulled Pork Sliders
Citrus Cupcakes - Lime, Lemon, and Orange
Dessert Shots
Dessert Display
Caprese Salad
Pizza Station Closeup
Slicing assorted pizzas hot out of the oven at a pizza station
Smith Island Cake Shots
Pickles and Pickled Veggies
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Assorted Macarons
Pizza Station
Olive Oil Station Closeup
Mini Cupcakes
Crudite