Catersource
Dan Smith
I am so lucky to be involved in such a creative industry! Nearly every day I am allowed to stretch the boundaries of creativity in event design, writing menus, and mixing up delicious cocktails to be enjoyed at one of our very special events.
I like to think that no ingredients are “off limits” when creating a cocktail! Just this year my recipe book has grown to include drinks featuring caviar, beef jerky, whole vanilla beans, star anise, shrimp, homemade bitters, bacon, and even sno-cone syrup.
When creating new beverages, it’s OK to grab your favorite cook book for inspiration. Look for flavors that pair well in salads and salsas. Chances are these fruit and herb combinations will find a nice place on the bar menu. Some of my favorite pairings are blueberry with rosemary, peaches with thyme, green chiles with fresh lime, strawberry with black pepper and fresh honeydew with basil.
Cheers! And enjoy my favorite margarita recipe featuring vanilla bean and agave nectar!
DOUBLE AGAVE VANILLA MARGARITA
(martini glass)
2 oz Premium Tequila
1 oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
1 oz Cointreau
½ oz Vanilla Agave Nectar
½ each Vanilla Bean, split
Ice
In a martini shaker pour all liquid ingredients over ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with the vanilla bean half.
PROFILE
Company Name: Good Gracious! Events
City: Los Angeles, CA
Owner and President: Pauline Parry
Type of Company: Off-Premise Caterer
Years in Business: 25
Facility description: In mid-city Los Angeles, 6500 sq.ft. facility including office and kitchen space. Off-site storage warehouse separate.
Annual sales: $5-10 million
Employees: 14 full-time, 150+ part-time
Awards and recognitions:
2009
International Caterers Association, Chef of the Year – Joanne Purnell
Catersource I3 (Inspiration, Innovation, Instruction) Inaugural Award – Pauline Parry
BizBash - Best Catering at an Event - “City Warehouse Indulgence”
2008
Catersource Achievement in Catering Excellence Award
International Caterers Association CATIE Award, Best Use of Food as Decor
International Caterers Association CATIE Award, Innovative Mixology
International Caterers Association CATIE Award, Best Barbecue or Picnic
International Caterers Association CATIE Award, Best Marketing Collateral
Websites: www.goodgraciousevents.com
Company Description: Good Gracious! Events is an award-winning event design, wedding consulting and catering firm. Founded by Pauline Parry in 1986, Good Gracious! has become the definitive industry leader and won numerous awards for its innovative planning, design and food presentations. Good Gracious! team of dedicated and creative professionals has earned the long standing trust of a diverse set of clients, and gained a reputation for unique, quality design and thorough attention to detail.
