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Going Green...One Bite at a Time

2012-04-26T13:53:41Z

Green Party

One of our clients called us about catering a party for them that utilized green products and locally grown food. We were ecstatic! In the past few years Chez Gourmet has made an effort to be more "green." We grow a lot of our own produce and herbs in our own garden, collect old produce for our compost pile, use bamboo products and recycled goods instead of styrofoam, decorate using natural products and much more!

For this party we did a Going Green Crudite Station that featured locally grown produce. We also had a small-bite station that featured bite-sized dishes that were organic, locally grown and delicious! The stations are decorated with fresh produce and herbs from our very own garden. There was also a Dim Sum Station and Pasta Station. Guests could order the food freshly prepared by one of our own chefs. The Dim Sum Station was decorated using Bamboo from our own garden and all of the plates and utensils were made from recycled bamboo. Guests also sipped on fresh-squeezed lemonade and orange juice infused with fresh mint.

Check out some of the pictures below...

50s Diner Bar Mitzvah

2012-04-10T14:43:25Z

Kiss My Grits!

We catered a very retro-themed party last weekend...and had a blast! This party was exploding with personality from the giant diner-food centerpieces, colorful linens, 50s pop music and our costumed staff. In addition to the food, we also designed the logo, vinyl record chargers and had much fun melting vinyl records to make the bread bowls. Many thanks to Party Perfect for the awesome decor and white circular dance floor. Everything looked amazing!

We would also like to thank Atlas Party Rental for the adorable checkered linens and colorful napkins, John Canning Photography for capturing every moment (see some of the great shots below), ALB Events and Productions for the great mix of 50s and pop music and Cocktail Hour Entertainment for the fun video games and photo booth.

Check out some of the great photos below!

Bon Appetit!

2011-01-26T18:30:00Z

Bonjour!

We catered a French-themed charity event last week. Guests enjoyed visiting the various French food stations which included Quiche, Tilapia Almandine, Steak and Potatoes Gratin and Coq Au Vin. Dazzle events, yet again, did an amazing job with decor.

Our staff really enjoys themed parties! Oui Oui!

Some of the men of Chez Gourmet

Going Green!

We at Chez Gourmet value the importance of finding new ways to "go green." Thankfully, there are several new products to help us achieve this goal. Check out some of our "green" culinary creations:

Mediterranean Salad Cones with Crispy Herb Chick Peas served

in recycled bamboo cones and served atop fresh wheat grass

Going green sometimes requires thinking outside the box.

Here we used recycled newspaper as the liner for our Fish n' Chips

Striped Tortellini with Kalamata Olives on recycled bamboo skewers.

We also used cucumber wedges to mount the skewers!

This is one of our favorite displays because it is literally green!

We use fresh green vegetables to create this visually pleasing display

Happy New Year!

2011-01-07T00:31:00Z

Cheers to a new year! Here is hoping that 2011 will be a great year for everyone!

A New Year's Eve to Remember

Chez Gourmet closed the year with one of our best and most fabulous parties yet! We rang in the New Year oceanside with a spectacle of entertainers, decor and, of course, food! However, it would never have come together without some great collaboration. Chez Gourmet would like to give special thanks to the following:

Tent n' Events for setting up the floor and tenting

Event Studio Productions for providing the Lady Gaga Impersonator

Top Hat Productions for providing the fortune teller and amazing contortionist

And last, but certainly not least, Dazzle Creative Events who were instrumental in creating the spectacular vision and coordinating the entire evening from the very cool glow in the dark stilt walkers and jugglers to their excellent team of professionals including Jose Graterol Designs who provided the absolutely stunning flowers and centerpieces, SFL Productions for the lighting and technical equipment and Nuage Design for the bold and beautiful furniture.

Now, let's get to the food! We did an exquisite array of butler passed hors d'oeuvres that included Lacquered Scallops with Orange Chili Sauce, Ahi Tuna on Chilled Spoons with Papaya Ponzu, Grilled Calamari Rings with Lemon Aioli, Diced Mozzarella & Tomatoes on Edible Spoons with Balsamic Drizzle and much more.

Grilled Calamari Rings with Lemon Aioli

For dinner, guests enjoyed small plate selections served tapas-style.

Lobster Three Ways - Grilled Lobster Tail with Key Lime Butter, Lobster Risotto, Lobster Cake with Spicy Mustard Sauce

Vegetarian Option - Grilled Portabello Mushroom with Herb Chevre, Roasted Bell Pepper and Arugula

Poultry Course - Chinese Chicken Char-Sui with Mango Salsa and Sesame Noodles

Meat Course - Balsamic Glazed Lamb Chops with Caramelized Onions and Pan-Seared Silver Dollar Potato Crisps

From the Sea - Seared Wild Salmon with Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette and Fresh Tomato Bruschetta on a Bed of Wilted Garlicky Spinach

And finally, thank you to our staff for all of your hard work!

Happy 2011 Everyone!

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-23T13:34:00Z

Chez Gourmet would like to wish everyone a very safe, happy and healthy holiday season! We can't wait to see what is to come in the new year!

Check Out Photos From Our Most Recent Temple Event!

Thanks again to Linzi Events for doing a tremendous job with the decor! It was a spectacular night!

Sushi Display

Colorful Martinis with Colored Cherries

Mediterranean Salad Stack

November Events: A Sampling

2010-12-06T19:51:00Z

Beautiful Night at the Flagler Museum

We recently did a wonderful event at the Flagler Museum. What a beautiful venue! Guests were butler passed Main Lobster Pot Pies, Tuna Tartar, Stuffed Cremini Caps, Short Rib Sliders and Lamb Bruschetta.

Tuna Tartar

For dinner, several food stations were set-up which included Buffalo Tenderloin, Cedar Plank Salmon, Fiocchi, Seafood Station with East Coast Oysters and Jumbo Shrimp and Crab Martinis.

Seafood Display

Oyster and Shrimp Bar

Buffalo Tenderloin Station

Elegant desserts like Warm Cinnamon and Sugar Beignets with Caramel Bourbon Sauce, Chocolate Espresso Bread Pudding with Bailey’s Irish Cream Infused Mousse, and Key Lime Martinis were passed around. Before guests left, they enjoyed drinks from the Cappuccino and Espresso Bar with a decadent array of Chocolate Truffles and Vanilla-Honey Pistachio Biscotti.

Cheese Display

Colorful Temple Event

At Temple Beth El, we catered a very fun and colorful B’Nai Mitzvah. Guests munched on the following butler passed hors d’oeuvres:

Baked Brie Tartlets with Apricot and Candied Walnuts
Grilled Margarita Flatbreads with Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella
Grilled Chicken and Broccoli Rabe Sausages with Honey Grilled Apple
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Orange Chili Beef in Mini Wonton Cups
Seared Tuna on Chilled Spoons with Mango Ponzu

In addition, guests enjoyed the Sushi Bar and Carving Station with Garlic Marinated Beef Tenderloin. Entrée stations included a Mediterranean station with Lamb Schwarma, Tahini and Mango Chutney, Israeli Couscous, Cucumber and Tomato Salad and Pita Bread and an Asian Stir-Fry Station with Chicken Stir-Fry, Stir-Fried Vegetables, Fried Rice and Lo-Mein Noodles.

Carving Station

Sushi Bar

After dinner, adults were treated to a Volcano Cake Station while kids enjoyed the Candy Bar and Chocolate Fountain.

Candy Bar

Gone Fishing

Linzi Events did an excellent job with decorating at an event we catered at the Fishing Hall of Fame. Guests enjoyed the underwater décor while dining on hors d’oeuvres that included:

Hoisen Glazed Baby Lamb Chops
Franks in a Blanket
Turkey and Brie Sliders with Caramelized Onions
Seared Tenderloin on Crisp Potato Pancake with Horseradish Cream
Peking Style Duck in Mini Cones
Macaroni and Cheese with Truffle Oil in Demi Tasse Cups
Baked Brie Tartlets with Apricot and Candied Walnuts
Baked Clams Oreganato on the Half Shell
Sushi Station
Jumbo Shrimp and Snow Crab Display

Franks in a Blanket

Shrimp and Snow Crab Display

For the first course, guests sipped on Fresh Tomato Gazpacho accompanied by Mini Burratta. The entrée was a dual plate of Grilled Filet Mignon with Crispy Steakhouse Onion Rings atop Savory Herb Risotto Cake and Maine Lobster Tail drizzled with Mango Beurre Blanc atop Cream Spinach Terrine.

The kids loved the Slider Bar with Curly Fries, Chicken Fingers and Caesar Salad Cones. After dinner, they enjoyed fresh fried Donuts, Cheesecake Lollipops and Ice Cream. They also sipped on Frozen Hot Chocolate throughout the night.

Here We Go Again!

2010-11-15T17:09:00Z

The temperature is dropping, traffic is terrible and the snowbirds are flocking back, which can only mean one thing…It’s season! We are excited for all of our upcoming parties and to unveil some of our new culinary creations! We will be posting plenty of pictures and details about past parties and events on our blog this season. We hope you follow us and see what we have to offer.

OCTOBER EVENTS

We had some wonderful parties take place this past October (We still can’t believe it is already November!).

Outdoor Party in Miami

Our fingers were crossed for good weather at an outdoor party we catered in Miami. It was a beautiful night and Linzi Events did a fantastic job with décor.

Guests enjoyed butler passed hors d’oeuvres which included:

Mojito Marinated Grilled Shrimp

Tamarind Spiced Lamb Loin on Wonton Crisps with Mango Drizzle

Mini Lobster Macaroni and Cheese Martinis

Flatbread Pizza with Prosciutto, Goat Cheese and Pesto

Seared Tuna with Papaya Ponzu

Artichoke Filled Mini Portobello Mushrooms

Chicken Parmesan Filled Mini Phyllos

In addition, the Florida Crab Cake, Mojo Tenderloin and Duck Pancake performance stations were a big hit! And we can’t forget to mention the Grown-Up Ice Cream Sundae Bar with Kicked-Up toppings that included Warm Chili Chocolate Sauce, Blueberry Cobbler, Chocolate Espresso Beans, White Chocolate Shavings, Toasted Coconut, Caramelized Bananas, a selection of liqueurs and much more!

Development Opening

We had great weather again for a development opening late October.

Guests were greeted with Island Rum Runners and enjoyed a great selection of hors d’oeuvres including:

Fresh Tomato, Pineapple and Prosciutto Pizzettes

Conch Fritters with Habanero Sauce

Duck Quesdaillas with Tomato Salsa and Drunken Goat Cheese

Chilled Jumbo Shrimp Marinated in Tequila, Lim and Garlic

Turkey Char Sui Skewered with Grilled Apple

Herb Rubbed Tenderloin on Crostini with Caramelized Onions and Balsamic Drizzle

Conch Fritters with Habanero Sauce

A small dessert bar with skewered grilled fruit and mini key lime tartlets was set-up for guests that needed a sweet treat.

Mini Dessert Station

Winter Wonderland in Florida

Although the temperature hasn’t dropped too much, it was still cool enough for a Winter Wonderland Bat Mitzvah at Temple Beth El. Many thanks to Dalsimer for providing the décor and Full Throttle for the great music and entertainment.

Guests sipped on Polar Ice Martinis and enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres such as Crisp Potato Pancakes with Apple Chutney, Duck Spring Rolls with Sweet Chili Sauce, Mini Sushi Rolls with Sweet Soy Drizzle and Hoisin Glazed Baby Lamb Chops.

Stationary Hors D’oeuvres stations were also set up. The pasta station with Four Cheese and Pear Fiocchi in Lemon Asiago Cream Sauce and Penne a la Vodka was a big hit.

The guests were also treated to two Gourmet Performance Stations. The first was Cedar Plank Salmon with Honey Lime Chipotle Glaze and Warm Mango Chutney accompanied by Coconut Infused Basmati Rice. The second was a delicious Stir-Fry station served to guests in colorful Chinese to-go boxes with chopsticks.

And what is a Winter Wonderland without sweet treats! Guests made their way around to the Cheesecake Bar, S’mores Bar and Ice Cream Sundae Bar.

Ice Cream Sundae Bar

Of course, we couldn’t leave out the kids! The children enjoyed frozen snowball drinks, sirloin sliders, pizza, pasta, grilled chicken skewers, curly fries and much more!

WELCOME

2010-10-06T18:15:00Z

Welcome to the Chez Gourmet Blog! We're excited to share with you our culinary creations, event designs and new industry trends!

First, a few things about who we are and what we are about...

(Founders, Jack and Sheri Jacobs)

We started Chez Gourmet in 1996 and have gained a devoted following among both private and corporate clients for our personalized service, creative spirit and attention to detail. We bring to each and every event a diverse culinary background and a desire to please your palate with the most delectable flavors from around the world.

Today, Chez Gourmet has grown beyond our highest expectations, encompassing both catering and party planning that has delighted thousands of customers. Chez Gourmet has been featured in Palm Beach Illustrated Magazine (November 1998) and Boca RatonMagazine’s annual Fine Dining issue as one of the “Caterers We Love.”

Our Philosophy...

For us, creating an unforgettable dining experience for our clients and their special guests is a true pleasure. Whether the event is a surprise birthday party, an open house or a romantic outdoor wedding, we will help make your party dreams come true.

Fabulous food and gorgeous presentation are just not enough, however. We owe so much of our success to our wonderful and professional service staff who are always ready to bring a smile to every guest. Many of our chefs are graduates of the Culinary Institute of America and some have international backgrounds. Our service team is always willing to go the extra mile to make every event a memorable success.