Posted on Author Patricia Catering Categories Menus, News

Omaha Summertime Catering

The first day of Summer (June 20th) has just passed and we’re officially in Summer. We’ve been feeling and enjoying the heat for a few weeks now. Here are some tips for enjoying Summer 2020 to the fullest and how we can help.

 

4th of July Omaha Catering

The summer’s loudest holiday is sure to include delicious food and patriotic drinks. A quick google search provides a plethora of fun drink ideas for the holiday. If you are wanting something simple, yet patriotic, pick a red or blue drink and use your garnishes to add that extra color!

 Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries provide a splash of color to your favorite mixers. You can find lots of different straws or decorations at your local party or grocery store to help add pizazz.

Meals for Home

Treat Yo’self to Gourmet meals

Tired of cooking? Need a break from the casseroles? Let PC and C cook for you. Our daily menus are picked off our menu and discounted during this difficult time.

 

Our daily menus are posted on our Blog and Facebook page!

Catering Picnic Specials

This Summer favorite menu was designed specifically for your family and friend get-togethers. While big parties have been limited, Backyard Picnics can be the perfect at-home getaway.

Pull out the picnic blanket, fill up the baby pool with ice for the drinks and cold items, turn on the sprinkler for some relief from the heat, and don’t forget the old football to throw around after chowing down.

Check Out Our 2020 Picnic Menu

Picnic-Menu-2020Download

 

Posted on Author Patricia Catering Categories Menus, News

Celebrating Memorial Day Weekend During Covid-19

We know this is not how you planned your 2020 celebrations. While we all know that there will be hurdles that pop up when planning special events, we definitely were not picturing a global pandemic! Graduations, weddings, and all the celebrations we were excitedly planning are all being reimagined—and not in a fun way. Like winning the lottery. Memorial Day Weekend is usually the kickoff to summer fun. What is usually a weekend full of good food, family and friends are going to look a bit different this year.

Following the CDC Guidelines

In the catering business, we know how to react to an unexpected need for change. While it may not be what we want, we know following CDC guidelines and advice from the experts is crucial. We always advise customers to “let the pros do what they do best!” We are proud to work with professionals in the business from bakeries to wedding planners and understand that expertise is key to success.

Remembrance

Picnics, Barbecues, Pools Opening, the start of summer! Memorial Day is tied to many of our favorite things. Just like all the other celebrations that are having to adjust, so is a holiday we all look forward to. Remembering why the holiday exists can help give us some perspective. Thank you to all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We honor you. And while the extra stuff makes the holiday feel special, what matters most is very much still a part of the day.

Fun and Festive

The weekend air is sure to smell of grills and bonfires. Even with social distancing, everyone can still enjoy the foods we associate most with the holiday. Whether you ordered from our Memorial Weekend Menu or are grilling up your own burgers—we would love to hear what your favorite part of your weekend menu is!

Cocktail Recipe:

A Spicy Strawberry Lime Margarita is the perfect blend of summer: fun, hot, and fresh! Choose a cup that fits your theme or mood: we like the mason jar look.

Spicy Strawberry Lime Margarita

(recipe from Ali Stagnitta)

  • 8 oz. Patron Silver
  • 4 oz. Patron Citrange Lime
  • 12 Fresh Strawberries
  • 4 oz Fresh Lime juice
  • 2 oz simple syrup
  • 2 cups ice
  • Half of a fresh jalapeno

Blend ingredients. Garnish with strawberry and jalapeno coin

Coming up next month:

Graduation Specials!

Posted on Author Patricia Catering Categories News, Notes from the Chef

Omaha Catering Company Providing Creative Solutions

Our team at Patricia Catering and Cocktails prides ourselves on being flexible, adaptable and reactive. Events require detail-oriented planning, out of the box thinking, and sharing the vision of our customers. From the planning process to the execution of a successful event, the event itself requires creative solutions to unexpected situations that inevitably arise.

Because of the nature of this industry, we are adept to rise to the occasion of our current situation.

How We’re Responding

At this time, our kitchen and office remain open. Our healthy and limited staff are following all the precautions advised by the city, state, and CDC. We are taking delivery and pickup orders, and we are available to answer any questions regarding scheduled events and orders, as well as, the events you are just starting to plan.

How the Community Can Help

As other industry leaders have mentioned and brought to attention with the hashtag #SaveEvents, please consider rescheduling events before canceling if your specific circumstances allow. Not only will this give the events industry an opportunity to bounce back stronger, it will also give our community hope and relief that the celebrations will continue on as this passes.

Customized Catering Solutions

Flexibility is crucial for situations like this, and we are happy to help customize the details to create a solution for everyone.

Starting Monday, March 23rd we will have meals available for delivery and pick up. Menus will be posted the day before to help you plan. This service will be available between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for orders with a minimum of 5 people. Payment can be made with a credit card by phone.

To support our community, 10% of sales will be donated to local food banks and shelters.

We are proud to be part of the Greater Omaha community working together through a situation that is affecting all industries. Please remember this is temporary and will lift. Our hearts go out to all the bridal parties, families, venues, vendors and companies who are being impacted.

Build Your Own Menu

Posted on Author Patricia Catering Categories Cocktail Omaha Events, News

The end of a decade

We wish you all happy holy and holly days.

As we are wrapping up the Christmas party season, our office elves delivered some holiday treats to our Avery Plaza neighbors. Delivering sweets always earns a few smiles!

2019 recap

From Corporate Box Lunches to Omaha wedding receptions, 2019 was a year full of versatile events that all shared some common factors—delicious food, professional service, attention to detail and wonderful partnerships with customers.  Everything you might expect from an Omaha Wedding and Event Catering Company.

Looking back, some events that highlight the delight of variety (whether in location, food or service required) stand out in our minds.

Redstone Advertising Business Party at Sozo Coffeehouse

Guests enjoyed a sophisticated Hors D’ Oeuvres buffet at the Downtown Omaha coffee shop.

Life Runners Benefit Banquet

The Pro-Life nonprofit’s benefit included a plated dinner with bite-size gourmet desserts and bar service.

Wedding Reception at Bellbrook Clubhouse

The Bride and Groom had an intimate Caribbean destination wedding, so they picked a color scheme of ocean blues. They treated their guests to Prime Rib carved on-premise and a Host bar of beer, wine, soda and a Blue Champagne signature drink.

Mayors Dinner

The annual Mayor’s Dinner is always a treat to plan with appetizers, a mocktail and summer buffet. China place settings add a lovely touch and the backdrop of the city’s summer festival adds to the fun.

Tree Rush

The Omaha area’s new attraction gives adventurers a different view of the forest’s beauty. We came up with some new menu ideas to best fit the catering needs for social and corporate events.

Camp Confidence

The fundraiser included cowboy-themed signature drink and appetizers: Smoked pulled pork tartines garnished with crispy slaw, radish and goat cheese tartines with fresh herb chiffonade, and locally grown butternut squash wrapped in praline bacon and a just as delicious-sounding themed dinner menu. Their signature Whiskey Mule had a kick!

Retirement Brunch and Reception at the Benny Davis at Offutt

Celebrating an impressive career, the retirement included a brunch, open house and reception. The brunch included all the breakfast favorites. Her open house included her favorite snacks for guests to munch on while visiting. The reception included a pasta and salad buffet.

Beardmore Subaru and Chevy

Beardmore Subaru and Chevy celebrated 100 years with a party at both neighboring locations. Two buffets that complimented the atmosphere of each building were decorated with beautiful ‘100’ ice sculptures by Muzzy’s Ice.

Rehearsal Dinner at the Durham Museum

As the wedding party and family trickled into the Swanson Gallery after the wedding rehearsal, they started the dinner with appetizers that were both at a station and passed. Once everyone arrived they enjoyed a plated meal with an adult and children option and coffee table service. Guests were welcomed to a host standard full bar that included beer, wine, soda, and liquor.

Harry Potter Event

Every year we look forward to providing the bar for Fontenelle Forest’s Night at the Forbidden Forest. This year we created a signature drink called a “Polyjuice Potion” that was a hit with all the Potter fans!

Looking forward to 2020

We are looking forward to the same variety booked for 2020 and all the events we have yet to plan. Thanks to the new decade, we forecast there will be lots of flapper dresses, 20’s themed parties and new trends that set the next 10 years apart.

Cheers!

Posted on Author Patricia Catering Categories News

Tips for Planning Your Halloween Party

With Pinterest and Google, the ideas for holiday parties are endless. Are you are looking for something easy to put together, or are you ready to tackle an intrinsic design? The internet can help you with both.  The holiday season gets busy for us as an Omaha Catering and Cocktail company, so we’re always searching for new twists and ideas to make our events stand out. So in case you’re busy too we’d like to share some tips for planning your Halloween party if you’re still looking for something.

Halloween Party Idea for Beginners

Hot dogs with puff pastry mummy wrappings. Don’t forget the blood—I mean ketchup.

Pro Tip when menu planning: Know your audience

  • Is the party for children, adults or a combination of the two?
  • As children are very visual, they may not be as adventurous and willing to eat food that looks too spooky or foods that are an abnormal color.

How Messy are the Creations?

The worry: Chocolate fingerprints on your furniture are never a pleasant surprise.

The solution: There are many creative ways you can incorporate your theme into some furniture covers. Just remember to put napkins on multiple services and stock up on sponges for day after cleaning.

The worry: Is it a formal party where guests will be conscious about their clothes and chatting with their mouth full?

The solution: Finger foods – easy bites to swallow between bits of conversation.

 

Halloween Cocktail Ideas

Fall Cocktail

Autumn Sunset—A textured red cocktail that darkens at the bottom

  1. Fill glass with ice
  2. A shot of vodka
  3. Cranberry Juice
  4. A splash of bitters
  5. Top with Ginger Beer and garnish with a lime

Halloween Tricks

Make any of your favorite drinks spooky with these easy tricks

  1. Ice cube shapes: brains, skeletons, candy corn, ghosts…
  2. Cup choice: beaker, cauldron, or something from your collection
  3. Props! Gooey eyeballs, gummy worms, chocolate syrup designs, syringe shots
Posted on Author Patricia Catering Categories News

Our Personal Zero-Waste Transition

 

When Patricia Catering and Cocktails decided to participate in the Zero-Waste initiative, we knew it was important to embrace it at the office and at home. Like any major habit shift, the beginning was not easy. We had lots of questions about what goes where and how to best set up our office and homes to efficiently implement Zero-Waste into our lives. Although it’s been a challenge at times, it’s been a rewarding process, and keeps getting easier the more we learn.

How We’ve Changed

We didn’t become Zero-Waste overnight, but the transition was quicker than we imagined. Many little changes have helped us get closer to our goal. The key is to focus on one change at a time.  One of the first and easiest changes we made was bringing our own water bottles instead of using single-use plastics. Our head chef Beau started an herb garden using Hillside Solutions compost, instead of only buying from vendors. You can find most of our team members at local farmer’s markets on the weekend sourcing fresh local produce and other items.

Patricia (Founder & Owner)

Patricia is now buying compost from Hillside Solutions (our waste removal partner) bringing the cycle full circle. She uses the compost in her personal and company garden to grow farm to table herbs and vegetables. At home, she has incorporated recycling and composting and uses sustainable products instead of single-use plastics.

Beau (Head Chef)

Beau has started using Hillside Solutions compost to grow fresh non-GMO herbs to use in his cuisine. He also uses the compost at home in his personal garden. Beau has also incorporated the sustainable practice of seed collecting from the herbs he grows to plant out the next rotation – a completely self-contained system.

Sarah (Administrative & Marketing)

Sarah has incorporated recycling and composting at home. Instead of just throwing stuff away, she tries to think of ways to repurpose items and recycles what can’t be repurposed. In addition, Sarah has committed herself to using more sustainable products instead of single-use plastics.

Bree (Lead Server)

Bree has incorporated recycling at home. She bought recycling cans and labeled them to make it easy for her family to know where to put each item.

Emma (Lead Server)

Emma has become more conscious of what is trash and what is recyclable. She is educating and encouraging her family to pay more attention as well.

Chris (Dishwasher)

Chris lives in an apartment complex that doesn’t offer recycling and compost. But that hasn’t stopped him. He still separates his trash and brings his recyclables and compost to our facility.

Want to Join the Zero-Waste Initiative?

Incorporating Zero-Waste into our personal lives has been an empowering experience. We feel like we’re actively participating in helping make the world a better place. One person can’t change the world as a whole, but when you change your personal world, you’re making an impact.

We look forward to keeping you posted with our Zero-Waste journey, and hope to see you at your next event!

Posted on Author Patricia Catering Categories News

Patricia Catering and Cocktails is Now Zero Waste

We’re excited to announce that Patricia Catering and Cocktails is the area’s only Zero Waste caterer!  We are now focused on reusing, recycling and reducing our waste in all aspects of our operation. We have phased out all Styrofoam, and now use 100% compostable plates, cups and napkins. Our kitchen and office are 100% zero waste, and we now offer sustainable products and zero waste events for your next company event or Omaha wedding.

What is Zero Waste?

The simple answer is zero waste aims to send nothing to the landfill. We reuse as much as we can, send recyclables to get recycled, and compost the rest.

The more in-depth answer is that zero waste is about redefining the system. Currently, the system the majority of people are participating in is linear. We take resources from the Earth and then dump them in a giant hole in the ground.   The goal of zero waste is to move to a circular system where whatever extras we have the Earth is able to absorb or compost them naturally.

How do We Do It?

We’ve partnered with Hillside Solutions, an organization that was created to connect schools, apartments communities, and businesses with landfill, recycling, and compostable hauling services. Their focus is diverting materials from the landfill, providing people with sustainable alternatives, and enabling and inspiring the community to live a zero waste lifestyle. Hillside solutions partners with Gretna Sanitation and Soil Dynamics to bring zero waste to Omaha.

The Problem with Landfills

The average American is sending 4.4lbs of trash to the landfill every day. None of the materials get sorted out, and some of it composts, and a lot of it doesn’t. Because everything is just thrown together, landfills have become toxic. They’re responsible for 20% of the methane emissions in the U.S. and aren’t adequately aerated for optimal decomposition of natural materials. Toxins from cleaners, batteries, small electronics, and other items leach into the soil and run off into the ocean and groundwater. Plastics, in particular, are causing problems in our oceans. Plastic doesn’t biodegrade – it just gets smaller.

Why Recycling can’t Solve the Problem

Recycling is great, but it can’t be the only solution. There’s simply too much to process. And processing takes energy! Only 9% of plastic gets recycled. Most of our recycling isn’t even processed in the U.S. It’s processed in China. The three R’s of sustainability are: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” The last line of defense is recycling, and in the future, it will likely be dedicated to the recycling of technology components.

What Does this Mean for Patricia Catering and Cocktails Clients?

This means that your next event can be a zero waste event.  If your event requires hot foods, we use stainless steel pans and containers that will be washed and reused rather than disposable aluminum.

Recyclable Items

  • All plastics
  • Cardboard
  • Tin cans
  • Paper
  • Styrofoam

Compostable Products

  • 9 oz. and 12 oz. cups
  • Palm leaf constructed plates
  • Cornstalk and sugar cane constructed bowls
  • Napkins
  • All food scraps

Do You Want Your Next Event to be Zero Waste?

If you’re interested in learning more about zero waste and making your event zero waste, please call us. Once we learn more about your event, we can design a plan to ensure it’s zero waste, and still meet all of your expectations for an unforgettable event, whether it’s a beautiful Omaha wedding or a celebration event at your company.

Posted on Author Patricia Catering Categories Cocktail Omaha Events, Events, News

Pop Up Event with Chips & Salsa Bar!

Patricia Catering & Cocktails was pleased to serve another Pop Up Happy Hour event last night. This event was hosted by Heartland Family Service in conjunction with the annual Omaha Gives event. The Happy Hour was held at the SAC Federal Credit Union atrium on Hwy. 370 and 72nd Street.

There were four different wines by the glass to choose from and a variety of domestic and import beers, too. Mixed drinks with Call and Premium liquors were available and a Specialty Drink – a Mai Tai – was only $5 and it was amazing!

The biggest hit, however, was a build-your-own Chips and Salsa Bar with house-made flour and corn chips, a hot queso dip, a pineapple and fresh fruit salsa, traditional salsa, fresh house-made Guacamole and Pico de Gallo, served with fresh-cut limes and Jalapenos.  We received many compliments on the Hawaiian Pineapple Salsa that was served.  Muy Bueno!

If you are planning a summer event of any kind, we’d love to help you make it a success.  We highly recommend you try this Chips and Salsa Bar idea, as it was a huge hit with our event attendees last night!

Our  kitchen staff is the best at making the food for your event just what you envisioned, and our servers are eager to please.  We specialize in a number of Bar formats and will tailor one of them to meet YOUR needs.  Specialty drinks are a favorite with us, so keep us in mind for your next event!

Besides, who can resist warm chips and all those fresh goodies on a warm summer evening (by the pool, perhaps?)?!!  Did someone say, “Margarita – with salt!”?

Posted on Author Patricia Catering Categories News

What Makes PC&C Special

I have worked off and on for PC&C for many years and wanted to say a little about what makes this caterer so special.  First, the service is impeccable!  Ask a former customer – they all rave about the service.  And that doesn’t come by chance.  Patricia herself emphasizes that we are here to make the customer happy!  The amount of time put into planning and attention to detail is unbelievable!

Second of all, the food is always ample and delish!  Patricia’s comes up with some of the most wonderful dishes and they are always freshly-made and full of flavor.  As an example, the Antipasto skewers use fresh cherry tomatoes, small basil leaves (generally grown on site), and fresh Mozzarella balls – all on a small skewer and topped with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and seasonings – what could be fresher or tastier?

Last of all, this caterer is the most flexible!  We do breakfasts, appetizer bars, Nacho bars, chicken and waffles brunch … you name it!  Need an idea?  Just call and talk to one of the friendly and helpful staff.  Have an idea?  Give them a call and be surprised at what they can do!  — Sharon

Posted on Author Patricia Catering Categories News

Valentines Day Cocktails

With all the pressure of Valentines day it’s important to remember to spend quality time with your significant other. Why not take some time to relax at home with a specialty drink made by your own hands? Here are a few simple drink recipes for some one-on-one time for that special someone.

Soft Love 

3/4 oz. Creme de banana

3/4 oz Cherry Vodka

3/4 oz Heavy Whipping Cream

1 Tsp. Grenadine

Fill a shaker half way with ice and pour in all ingredients. Shake well and strain into a cordial glass. The berry-banana flavor is tied together with the whipping cream, though this drink is on the sweeter side, it pairs well with salty treats and snacks.

Blushing Lady

1 Oz Pama Pomegranate Liqueur

2 Oz. Vodka

1 Oz Pink Grapefruit Juice

Fill shaker with Ice and add all ingredients. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist. This citrusy drink packs a punch, completed with a sweet/sour note from the pink grapefruit juice.

Share a picture of your valentines day drinks on our Facebook page, we would love to see your creations!

Cheers! Anna and the Crew at Patricia Catering and Cocktails

Photos and recipes from mixthatdrink.com and liquor.com