JOANNE PURNELL

Golden Beet Tower
with Basil Goat Cheese Pesto
Makes: 3 towers

1 large golden beets you get 3 towers.
¼ lb or 1 cups picked basil leaves
½ Tbl minced garlic
2 Tbl. olive oil
Salt and pepper
10oz goat cheese
3 small leaves of fried basil
Bamboo skewers

Cooking the beets:
Blanch golden beets for 10 minutes and then rub with oil and salt and pepper roast in an oven at 350ºF till soft in the middle for about 1 hour. Put in refrigerate and chill.
When cold, take out and peel the beets.  Slice the beet on the mandolin about ¼” thick.  Then cut the sliced in1½” circles.

Making the filling:
Mix basil leaves with garlic, salt and pepper and olive oil together in the Cuisinart till smooth.  Then mix goat cheese with the basil mixture.

Putting the sack together:
Take one beet circle and put a ½ tsp. of basil pesto mixture on it.  Repeat this process 4 golden beets high.

Put a dollop of basil pesto mixture on top in the middle and garnish with frizzle basil and place in on an angle 3” bamboo skewer.

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.