America's Got Talent!

Today The Chicks will be found at the Tacoma filming of America's Got Talent!

Hippie Recipe

One of my closest childhood friends (Becky La Terza) came to visit this week and she brought the best present possible for a foodie... a new simple, delicious, healthy recipe. Of course, I need to share this information with you in order to pay it forward. She calls this recipe Roasted Vegetables.
In her honor, I am calling it Terza Vegetables;

Chop the following into 1/2 to 1 inch bite sized pieces;
Yams
Potatoes
Carrots
Broccoli
Cauliflower

Toss in Olive Oil to get a nice even coating
Shake Italian Seasoning and Garlic Salt onto the mixture
Toss again

Place vegetable mixture in a glass casserole dish

Bake in oven at 360 for about an hour

Cheers!

Stuff it!

Cooking with The Chicks!

What? An interactive cooking class that starts off with the basics and takes you where you want to go… from the Novice to the Veteran cook, this delicious journey will be a treat!

The Theme for this class is STUFF IT!

Stuffed Chicken
Stuffed Tenderloin
Stuffed Pasta

Stuffed Salad

Stuffed Appetizers

Trust us, you will leave Stuffed!


Where? Our commercial kitchen at 3822 S. Union Avenue Tacoma, WA 98409

When? Saturday May 2nd from 4:30pm-7:30pm

Why? Because Food is Fun!

Tickets are $45 ($100 value)

If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, please email us at chicks@threechickscatering.com or call us at 253-475-8333

The BOAB – Bride On A Budget (Saving some Green)

It really doesn’t matter what the stock exchange is doing, Brides have always wanted to get the most for their money when it comes to their big day. Here is some food for thought on this subject straight from the Three Chicks Catering kitchen.

1. Research – Just like you found this blog, research every company involved in your wedding and reception. Google the company and the main people you will be consulting with in order to find out if it will be a good fit for you. You want to work with people and companies that are transparent about their business ethics, pricing and attitude about working with brides. Take a look at professional profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc. This will give you the big picture of who they are and what they stand for.

2. Pretty for Pennies - Catering does not necessarily mean that you have to hire servers. There are plenty of “drop off” options that my fit your needs. Most of the time, “drop off” means disposable chafers and plastic trays, but solving this dilemma can be as easy as hiring one server to simply wait until the event is over to gather the “real” platters and chafers. Most catering companies will work with you on this.

3. Going Green to save some Green – A nice (and cheaper) alternative to renting china for your big day, is to purchase compostable plate service for the reception. Normally, if you served your guests with disposable plates they would think you were cutting corners, however, “going green” makes an eco-conscious statement and is usually around the same price as your typical plastic plate service. Most catering companies carry this option. Our line is called Green Chicks© and it composts within 36 hours.

4. Collaboration – Your catering company should have relationships with other vendors so that you can have a “one stop” shopping experience. Ask your caterer who their preferred Florist, DJ, Audio/Visual, Venue, and Rental Company’s are. Sometimes you can even get a discount by going with a referral. Most Catering companies will put everything on one proposal/invoice and coordinate with the other vendors so that you don’t have to worry about all of the logistics. If you can rely on one event coordinator instead of organizing is yourself, your stress level will drop and you can enjoy your special day!

5. Menus for less Money – Talk to your caterer about what your budget is. This makes it easier to create a menu that will be tasty, beautiful and affordable. Typically pasta and chicken options are the least costly because, as a general rule, the food cost is lower and preparation is less labor intensive. Seafood is one of the most expensive entrees available, but if you mix it with pasta, it becomes more budget friendly.

6. Special Diets – Make sure that your catering company is familiar with your specific dietary needs. Do not try to make a square peg fit in a round hole. Let your vendor know if you need Vegan, Gluten Free, Kosher, Vegetarian, Low Glycemic Index, etc offerings so that they can work these dishes into the menu plan and your guests don’t feel left out because of their dietary needs.

7. The Reception – Most caterers will offer you cake cutting and Champagne toast services at no additional charge if you opt for a full service experience. It never hurts to ask!

8. Ask! – Ask for a deal. If you are open for ideas for your menu, ask your caterer what foods are in season/cheaper and see what they can put together for you at your desired price point.
Hopefully this post is helpful for you in your search for answers. If I can be of any further assistance, don’t hesitate to email me at chicks@threechickscatering.com or give me a call 253-475-8333. I am always happy to help!

Cheers!

Blog on Blogging

Today I am Blogging on Blogging… which sounds akin to eating a “Hot Pocket© flavored Hot Pocket©” (Jim Gaffigan.) In our last few marketing classes, people keep asking what the point of blogging is. Why does writing out thoughts for everyone to read benefit you, your business, and the entire human race? I actually have an answer for this! If you have already heard my chicken bones story, feel free to skim over the rest of this post, however, if you haven’t, get ready to have your mind blown.

My dog is a giant Alaskan Malamute who literally devours every food scrap he can get his paws on. One evening after preparing delicious Chicken Enchiladas (from scratch) I discarded the bones, gristle, and remaining undesirable parts of the chicken. About an hour later, my dog (Atreyu) busted open the garbage can and ate EVERYTHING. Once I realized what happened, I started freaking out because everyone knows that you should never let your animals eat cooked bones due to the fact that they splinter and cause choking, internal bleeding, and many other horrific maladies. Of course, it was the middle of the night so I turned to the world wide web for answers before I rushed down to the Animal ER. I googled “dog ate chicken bones” and happened upon a blog run by a veterinarian. Her post told me exactly what to do, what to look for, and when to load up the 120 lb dog and head to the ER. I followed the instructions which said to feed the dog bread and other food products that would pad the stomach lining and hopefully prevent punctures, bleeding, etc. Don’t take my word for it… take hers! She’s the Doctor.

My point in all of this is that you never know who wants to know what you know. I am forever grateful to this faceless blogger for getting me through a very stressful night as a dog owner with a guilt trip. When you blog, keep your reader in mind. How can you help someone else solve a problem that you could navigate blind folded with your hands tied behind your back. It’s like giving your reader a reassuring hug through your blog… a Blug….

And on that note, I am signing off with a heartfelt CHEERS!