Real Events | TSE Gala | Restaurant 20.12

Today we are featuring an event so big, it took over part of Downtown Tampa! The Special Event Gala Awards have been held every year since 1986 to honor the biggest stars in the special events industry. This year, a team led by Mark Wells of Hello Florida took The Special Event to the next level with “Restaurant 20.12.” The event team, including Puff ‘n Stuff Catering, worked together to concept and design an evening centered around unique and fresh cuisine served in a fully-functioning “pop-up” restaurant. Preparation for the event included setting up development plans with the City of Tampa, and working with some great vendors to construct Restaurant 20.12 in Cotanchobee Fort Brook Park adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center.  This completely unique and temporary venue was a two-story enclosed tent that housed two kitchens, a stage for the band, as well as accommodations for 580 guests. The interior of Restaurant 20.12 showcased chic decor, beautiful floral arrangements, cool lighting, very modern tables and chairs, and amazing talents that entertained the guests from the center stage.

Catering to the special events industry is no small order, and Puff ‘n Stuff Catering provided five courses with multiple table-side selections for guests to indulge in! Superb plates on the restaurant menu included Classic Cioppino Fresh Seafood Stew, Sweet Pumpkin Ravioli, and Wild Mushroom Rissotto with a Roasted Marrow Bone, just to name a few. After the entrees, upscale cheese plates were served to tables followed by a delicious Maker’s Mark cake for dessert!

The Special Event Gala Awards was an exciting and successful event, and it took seven full days to build the restaurant and bring everything together! Throughout the night, guests were treated to live music performances, exotic dancing, and some truly uncommon spectacles…this night would have made the Rat Pack glad to attend! Scroll below to see some pictures from the night, the full menu, and an exciting video chronicling the steps that made Restaurant 20.12 come to life!

 

Amuse Bouche

 Mediterranean Sampler Hummus, Cucumber Raita and Greek olives, with crisp pita chips and flat bread crackers

Savory Marcona Almonds

 

Course I: Butler Passed Hors D’oevres

Cognac and Brown Butter Seared Foie Gras Served atop a Foccacia Crsip, Brandied Apricot butter, and a candied nut garnish

Pepper Berry Crusted Baby Lamb Chops with crimson reduction and seasonal micro greens

Leek Cheesecake on a Cracker Spoon Savory Leek Cheesecake with arugula pesto, carmelized onions, sweet grape tomato and served on a pesto cracker spoon

Seared Ahi on green papaya salad

 

Course II: Small Plates

A Study in Heirlooms  Chef’s garden wedge heirloom tomato, sun gold, snow white and sugar snack baby heirlooms, Australian Murray River flake salt, micro basil, Piccardo & Savore unfiltered EVOO and B. R. Cohn 12 year white balsamic with basil foam.

Seafood Marriage a scallop and salmon stack, eloquently combined and served with a white balsamic glaze, epic mache greens salad, and citrus supremes

Noodle Bowl  Miso sarachi broth, Thai Chicken, bean thread noodles, snow peas, scallions, enoki, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, napa, bok choy and bean sprouts

Wild Mushroom Rissotto with a roasted marrow bone

 

Course III: Entree

Lamb Three Ways – Osso bucco with fried arugula; ragu over polenta; seared loin with cherry demi and mustard greens

Sweet Pumpkin Ravioli in sage brown butter with candied brussel sprouts, oyster mushrooms, and crushed candied nuts

Classic Cioppino Fresh Seafood Stew with Scallop, Clams, Mussels, and white fish in a saffron seafood brodo with herbed orzo served with a grilled crostini

Coffee and Chili Rubbed Sliced Black Angus Cowboy Steak served with shallot butter and accompanied by creamed spinach and Yukon gold smashed potatoes

 

Cheese Course

Cheese Presentation   France: Billat Savarin & Morbier, Italy: Telaggio accompanied by
wild strawberry and balsamic jam, green tomato relish, natural honeycomb, fresh mission figs, medjool dates, cheese sticks, crackers and flat breads

Dessert

The Cake Makers Mark Chocolate, walnut, and brown sugar crust topped with bourbon soaked genoise cake and Kentucky bourbon caramel sauce

Event Credits:

Caterer: Puff ‘n Stuff Catering

Hello Florida, Inc.

AFR Event Furnishings

American Turf and Carpet

Angela Beasley’s Puppet People

Beat Creative

Chic Event Furniture

Dazian Creative Fabric Environments

Dorene Collier’s Event Show Productions

Eklectico

Hertz Energy Services/ Hertz Entertainment

Island Breeze Affiliates, Inc.

Karl’s Event Services

Key Artist Group

Marriott Waterside

Metropolis Productions

MK Shannon Awards and Rewards, Inc.

Panache a Classic Party Rental Company

Party Guys

PTE Productions

Pyrotecnico

Totally Mod Furniture

TS Productions

United Site Services, Inc.

VHVIDEO.COM

Virginia Toy and Novelty

Wire-Free LED

Wedding Stories | Jessica + Ian | Week 3: The Big Day | Orlando Science Center

We are so excited to share the grand finale to Jessica and Ian’s wedding story with you today! After three meetings and plenty of fluid communication with Puff ‘n Stuff Catering Special Event Planner, Heidi Brice, Jessica and Ian were ready to step out and enjoy their magical wedding day. A spectacular wedding like this one is produced by a collection of talented wedding pros working together to bring the couple’s vision and dreams to life. A special thank you to the Orlando Science Center, Encore Creations, VHVIDEO.COM, Chic Event Furniture, Harps Unlimited, The Redcoats, and Kristin Mizo Photography for your incredible contributions to Jessica and Ian’s special day.

Join us and watch the Curry-Garlic wedding day unfold!

Thank you for following Jessica and Ian’s wedding story with us for the last three weeks! We hope their journey inspired you and got you excited to begin planning your own special event. If you have questions or are ready to get started, just give us a call!

Wedding Stories | Jessica + Ian | Week 2: The Tasting | Orlando Science Center

Happy Tuesday and welcome to week two of Jessica Curry and Ian Garlic’s wedding story! If you missed last week’s post, be sure to catch up. Today, we are joining the happy couple just a few months before their big day as they taste the primary dishes in their wedding reception menu. The tasting is every couple’s favorite wedding planning meeting, and it’s ours too!

The cuisine is especially important to Jessica and Ian because cooking together, trying new foods, and discovering unique restaurants truly are a few of their favorite things. And if you haven’t noticed their “spicy surnames” yet, take a moment to think about their incredible fortune to find each other and fall into delicious foody love!

Jessica and Ian have chosen an Action Station menu that will offer their guests a variety of unique dishes prepared live by our chefs and presented as small plates. To learn more about Action Stations, click here!

Please join us as Jessica and Ian enjoy one of the things that set Puff ‘n Stuff Catering weddings apart – their complimentary, personal tasting!

If you watched closely, you caught a sneak peak of the custom dish incorporating both curry and garlic designed by our Executive Chef Paul Lorrain, exclusively for Jessica and Ian’s big day!

Again, thank you to our talented friends at VHVIDEO.COM for capturing this wedding story. Join us next week for the big reveal – Jessica and Ian’s wedding reception!

 

 

Wedding Stories | Jessica + Ian | Week 1: Getting Started | Orlando Science Center

Planning a wedding is one of the most rewarding, exciting, stressful, creative and sometimes confusing personal projects you may ever be responsible for. With one simple “yes!” you are transformed from an average Jane (or Joe) into a full-time event planner! There are countless resources online and in print to help you navigate the wedding landscape, but the most valuable source of guidance will always be from those with great experience – seasoned wedding pros!

The Puff ‘n Stuff Catering wedding team has provided money, sanity and time-saving solutions to brides and grooms for over 30 years, and today we’re starting a new blog series that shows you just how we do it. The first step in our catering process is always a complimentary, private consultation with one of our Special Event Planners to discover your goals, tastes, style and venue. From there, we’ll create a personalized menu and event plan that suits your dreams and your budget!

For the next three weeks, we’ll join Jessica Curry and Ian Garlic as they plan their reception from start to finish with Puff ‘n Stuff Catering. Today, they are meeting with Special Event Planner Heidi Brice to discuss their vision, and taking a road trip to their venue, The Orlando Science Center!

Special thanks to our friends at VHVIDEO.COM for capturing the magic!

Join us next week to see the one of the tastiest steps in Jessica and Ian’s planning – the tasting!

Thank You | Kristin + John | The Ballroom at Church Street

 

We love working with great clients like this sweet couple who was married on St. Patrick’s Day at The Ballroom at Church Street. And we are so grateful when we receive kind thank you notes like this one!

 

“I just wanted to say thank you for all of your help throughout the entire planning process and on our big day! We had the best wedding day I could have asked for, and you and your staff were a huge part of that. The food was delicious, the room was beautiful, and the staff were all great- we have gotten so many compliments on all three. You and Damien are wonderful and we appreciate all of your hard work and thoughtfulness so much. I wish I could do it all over 5 more times- it was really a dream come true! Thanks for everything ”

Kristin + John

 

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your special day!

Photo by: S&S Photography

Trends | Centerpieces | All Eyes On the Center!

While we hold many wedding traditions dear, we love inspiring, of-the-moment centerpiece creations! The new trends show that brides are using their creative license to imagine, create and showcase their personalities through centerpieces. With so many DIY tips and tutorials available on sites like Pinterest and YouTube,  original and crafty centerpieces are rising to new heights on today’s tablescapes.  Whether your style is glitzy and glamorous, au natural, or modern chic, the possibilities are endless!

Using themed centerpieces unique to each table is a great creative trend right now. Fruit is also making a fresh new statement on the tablescape, from accents in floral arrangements to baskets and goblets brimming over with ripe fruits. Brides are also utilizing new materials such as wood rounds, paper products, color dyes, and earthy elements like rocks, sand and plants such as echeveria to make the centerpieces their own unique masterpiece. Check out the collages below for some of our favorite trending centerpieces!

Modern Marvels

 

Garden Paths

 

Natural Love

Collage 1:
Left: Paper Doiley Chandelier
Top Right: Bubbly Balls
Bottom Right: Designs by Ahn

Collage 2:
Top Left: Tea Cups & Saucers
Bottom Left: Layered Vases
Top Right: Terrarium
Bottom Right: Clipboard Candles

Collage 3:
Left: Ripe Fruit
Top Right: Woodsy Wedding
Bottom Right: Apple Blossom

Real Weddings | Jenna + Tyrell | The Ballroom at Churchstreet

Today we are featuring another beautiful wedding at The Ballroom at Church Street; the celebration of Jenna and Tyrell!  Their elegant palette of pink orchids and roses were perfectly accented by venue’s stained-glass windows, delicate chandeliers and flecks of gold.

One of our favorite things about this wedding was the joy and excitement that Jenna and Tyrell’s friends and family brought to their special day. The couple’s celebration began with guests mingling in the Ballroom’s atrium while sampling appetizing bites including coconut chicken brochettes, gourmet Polynesian meatballs, stuffed mushroom caps, and crowd pleasers – bacon-wrapped potato tots and the chicken in the egg. Guests were ecstatic to enter the grand ballroom, toast the newly wedded couple, and continue on with the celebration! The bride comes from a large, closely-knit family, and the toast given by Jenna’s sister was so moving, Sandy George, Puff ‘n Stuff Catering Special Event Planner, said it was the best speech she’s ever heard. It truly was a spectacular night filled with fun dancing, outstanding food, great people, and a happy couple. We’re so honored to have shared in Jenna and Tyrell’s special day!

 

 

Butler Passed Hors d’Oeuvres

Coconut Chicken  Brochettes with tropical salsa

Gourmet Polynesian Meatballs in a Polynesian sweet ‘n sour sauce

Bacon-Wrapped Potato Tot with sour cream & chives

Baked Stuffed Mushroom Caps filled with spinach & feta

Chicken in the Egg deviled eggs filled with spicy southern fried chicken

 

Displayed Hors d’Oeuvres

Imported & Domestic Cheese Display with crisp gourmet crackers & fresh fruits

 

Plated Dinner

Signature Fresh Garden Salad with tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, toasted sunflower seeds, house-made Parmesan croutons and our house champagne vinaigrette 

Freshly Baked Artisan Breads 

Grilled Fillet Mignon with a wild mushroom Cabernet-thyme reduction

Twice Baked Garlic Smashed Potatoes with cheddar cheese

Chef’s Choice of Fresh Seasonal Vegetables with Italian herbs & butter

-or-

Chicken Piccata with garlic lemon-caper sauce

Saffron Rice with Orzo Pasta, red pepper & onion herb coulis

Fresh Green Beans with red pepper ribbons

 

Event Credits:

Venue: The Ballroom at Church Street
Caterer: Puff ‘n Stuff Catering, Sandy George
Photography: Sandra Johnson Photography
Cake: The Sugar Suite
DJ: White Rose Entertainment
Florist: Colonial Florist

Trends | Wedding Shoes | The Perfect Pair

The plain and simple white heel that’s been around for ages is finally stepping back. Walking the bride down the aisle is an important job requiring style, and lots of it! So in with the hot pops of color, philanthropy, words of love, and elegant additions!

Pops of Color
Colored shoes have made a grand entrance into many weddings from bright colors to mix-and-matching bright colors. Not only do bold heels add an element of fun, they give you a good reason to show off your dancing shoes!

Shoes with a Purpose
Another trend we’re seeing is shoes that give back. With all the money spent on weddings, it’s great to know that the shoes you’re wearing not only look amazing, but are also helping someone else in need. One of our favorite companies is TOMS Shoes. For every pair of shoes purchased TOMS matches a pair of shoes for a child in need.

Words of Love
It’s all about the details from head to toe… including the bottom of those beloved wedding shoes! From appliques and stickers to writing a sweet note to remember, Brides & Grooms are finding clever ways to share their words of love, special dates and of course the ever famous “I DO.”

Elegant Additions
You’re wedding shoes should be as unique as you are. From pearls and embellishments to flowers and glitter, there are so many fun ways to dress your feet. Whether you’re going for classy, elegant or trendy, the possibilities are endless with these pretty little additions. Look below to see some of our favorite wedding shoes!

Pops of Color

 

Shoes with a Purpose

 

Words of Love

 

Elegant Additions

Collage 1:

Top Left: My Glass Slipper
Top Right: Cherry Tree Lane
Bottom Left: Etsy
Bottom Right: Bridal Buds

Collage 2:

TOMS Wedding Collection

Collage 3:

Top Left: Zank You
Top Right: Contemporary Bride
Bottom Left: Zank You
Bottom Center: Zank You
Bottom Right: Etsy

Collage 4:

Top Left: Etsy
Top Right: You & You’re Wedding
Bottom Left: Pinterest
Bottom Center: Pinterest
Bottom Right: Net-a-Porter

Real Weddings | Michelle + Patrick | The Ballroom at Church Street

Today we are featuring Michelle and Patrick’s New Year’s Eve wedding held at The Ballroom at Church Street, and we can’t stop raving about this wedding!  Their gold and red decor dressed The Ballroom to it’s finest and the subtle “ball drop” theme brought all of the elements of this night together. From the elegantly hung centerpieces of crystals and rose balls to the trays of champagne & sparkling cider, every detail was executed to perfection.

In true Puff fashion, Michelle and Patrick worked with Special Event Planner Heidi Brice to design a custom menu that perfectly complemented their personal tastes, style and the glamorous occasion. The evening began a breathtaking candlelit ceremony, high on the Ballroom’s atrium steps. With the antique stained glass windows as a backdrop, the mahogany chairs and romantic florals popped! The festivities started off with delicious butler passed hors d’oeuvres such as mini turkey & cranberry wellingtons, purple potato cubes, and Parmesan spoons to tease their taste buds. Dinner service followed with an elegant three-course meal featuring a selection of perfectly paired wines. The celebration hit a sweet note with a 2012 Balloon au Chocolat dessert station presenting a unique dessert that doubles as entertainment; check out the video below to see this exciting dessert in action. And as the ball dropped at midnight, a larger-than-life screen displayed the Times Square festivities while guests enjoyed late night snacks and a confetti cannon sounded to ring in 2012. We can’t think of a more perfect way to start the new year!

 

Butler Passed Hors d’Oeuvres

Champagne & Sparkling Cider

Purple Potato Cubes Peruvian purple potatoes filled with figs & cashews

Miniature Turkey & Cranberry Wellingtons

Parmesan  Spoons with savory cheesecake, fig preserve & roasted Vidalia onion

 

Course I served with Le Crema Chardonnay

Truffled Calabaza Soup with cinnamon, sour cream, & toasted pepitas, presented in a acorn squash bowl and garnished with baby greens and a champagne vinaigrette

Freshly Baked Artisan Breads each basket featured a “2012″ logo on a sourdough loaf with whipped butter, extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic & finishing salt

 

Course II served with Le Crema Pinot Noir

Chicken Caprese Tower Souse-Vide marinated chicken breast on an eggplant crouton with tomato ragout & basil chiffonade topped with fried basil

Piped Garlic Mash with fried potato wafers & crispy arugula

Fire Roasted Vegetables

 

Course III

Espresso Braised Short Ribs

Mascarpone Grits garnished with fried leeks

 

Chef-Attended Dessert Stations

Balloon au Chocolat white chocolate dome covering a flourless raspberry, caramel and chocolate torte with a festive 2012 garnish

Wedding Cake carrot, lemon with raspberry & red velvet provided by Bake Me a Cake

Cream Puffs

Cupcakes

 

Late Night Snacks

Truffle Fried Cones with Burger Slider served with tomato & mustard

Grilled Chicken Caprese topped with fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, basil cream sauce & basil chiffonade

Garlic Smashed Potatoes

Fire Roasted Vegetable Display

 

Event Credits:

Venue: The Ballroom at Church Street
Catering: Puff ‘n Stuff Catering, Heidi Brice
Photographer: Caroline Johnson Photography
Wedding Planner: Weddings Unique, Heather Snively
Cake: Bake Me a Cake
Floral: Raining Roses
Lighting: American Audio Visual
Linen: Connie Douglin
Pianist: Concert Pianist- Jane Moore
Reception Band: LoganMania
Videographer: Cinemedia

Trends | Save the Dates | Share Your News!

Sending a Save the Date is a way to announce your big day to loved ones and ask them to reserve the day for celebrating with you! Although the norm has been to send a card, engagement photo, or magnet – we’re seeing new, sweet motifs incorporated like balloons, desserts, clever photos and almost anything you can think of to adorn with your beloved details. We love what we’re seeing and collected a few of our favorites to share with you:

 

 

 

Collage 1:

Top Left: Take a picture holding hands to form a “M”, you can either hire a photographer to do the work or use a design program such as Photoshop or InDesign.
Top Right: Purchase numbers from a local craft store and paint them,  for the text you can either hire a photographer to do the work or use a design program such as Photoshop or InDesign.
Bottom Right: Craft each of the words for your Save the Date and nail them to a tree, then have some one take your picture.

Collage 2:

Far Left: Print or design how you want to show your save the date. Find a photobooth or have some one take individual pictures and have them assembled and put together; this can be done at a local print or stationary shop.
Top Center: Buy these clever match boxes here
Top Right: For an underwater photo shoot, hire a photographer to take the photos, and take the photos to a local print or stationary shop to print it.
Bottom Center: Design these clever characters here
Bottom Right: You can hire a photographer to do the work for you, or you can purchase a design program such as Photoshop to edit the photo yourself!

Collage 3:

Top Left: Cut cardboard or wood for your design and paint it to your liking.
Top Right: Take a photo in front of a back drop and use a design program such as Photoshop or InDesign to edit and insert text onto your photo.
Bottom Left: Buy this cute calendar here
Bottom Right: Buy this ribbon reminder here

 

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