The RK Group News: Turkey and Chestnuts and Yule Logs, OH MY!

“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.”

– Luciano Pavarotti and William Wright, from Pavarotti, My Own Story

With the holidays approaching, Pavarotti’s pleasure will be a more frequent reality for people across the globe. In every country people of varying ethnicity will stop for just a little while to enjoy the different holidays they celebrate. Families and friends come together, passed loved ones are remembered, and employers share the wealth and good cheer with their teams. Holiday parties abound! And of course, every good party has to have… Great Food!

With so much focus on family and where we come from, the holidays are a great time to give homage to one of our favorite food themes - Go local, but go global. It such a lovely contradiction when you think about it…

Go Local

Beautiful buffet using local, fresh
ingredients by Rosemary's Catering

There is a huge push in the world of food to use local vendors and flavor. Farmers Markets have found new life across the nation.
Grass-fed beef from local ranches is sought after. More and more restaurants and catering companies are opting to purchase from nearby growers rather than large suppliers that send out mass quantities of processed food. But it’s not just where the food comes from, it’s the type of foods and how they taste. Large groups who gather in different cities across the nation are sampling local fare wherever they land. They want to taste the culture. For your event, incorporating a menu that is unique to your region ties your guests together with food that that everyone knows and enjoys.

Go Global

Croquembouche by Rosemary's Catering

While we live in the same area and know the same foods, celebrating where we come from is just as comforting. For many, the holidays are one of the few times a year that we pull out traditional recipes from the countries of our forefathers. The French have their Bûchede Noël, a jellyroll-type genoise cake that is frosted and decorated as a yule log. The Germans have Weihnachtsgan, or the Christmas Goose, prepared with wine and stuffed with vegetables like our turkeys. At Hanukkah, fried foods like potato pancakes called “Latkas” are popular to symbolize the oil that burned for eight days in the Temple. Every culture is so rich in traditional foods, that maybe your holiday party could highlight the popular ones from several parts of the globe.

So how do these two themes blend so beautifully? Use local food to create a global experience. Or cook a traditional dish with local flair. The possibilities are endless.

At Rosemary’s Catering, we love this kind of mash-up, and would be thrilled to help you create the perfect, unique menu. We can blend Hanukkah with a south Texas flavor by adding peppers and cilantro to the traditional latkas and present them with delicious, homemade sauces - your guests will swoon. Or, turn the Bûche de Noël into smaller, plated desserts to serve to every guest at your event. Looking for something a little less traditional? We’ll take the traditional holiday comfort foods and add a modern twist. Your guests’ pallets will be craving more and more of the unique flavor combinations and exciting presentation from our extraordinary culinary team. We can’t wait to help make your holiday festivities (large or small) delicious.

“Food is out common ground, a universal experience.”

– James Beard

For more Holiday inspiration, take a look at our Holiday Parties Pinterest board! And, don't forget to follow us on Facebook.

Below are some great links to inspire your inner holiday-globe-trotter:

Say "Aloha" to the Holidays

Hanukkah

Kwanzaa