Summer is almost here and that means plenty of fun music festivals around the Bay Area. And that means.. FOOD!
The 41st annual Nikkei Matsuri Festival is April 29 9:30 AM to 4 PM in San Jose. Live entertainment will be on 2 stages throughout the day with performances by Shamisen, San Jose Taiko, Bachido, The Wesley Jazz Ensemble, and more! There will be Japanese art, cultural showcases displaying Japanese traditional art and a whole day of celebrating Japanese-American heritage. And don’t miss out on plenty of authentic Japanese cuisine provided by 13 different vendors (so far and if you want to sign up just visit the site) with Tempura, Korokke, Vegetarian Curry, Iced Green Tea, Yaki Soba, Gyoza, and much more.
San Jose’s Japanese-American community started this festival in 1976 as part of America’s Bicentennial celebration and has been going strong ever since. You don’t want to miss it! The Silicon Valley Irish Fleadh is May 12th – 13th in downtown Mountain View. The Gaelic word ‘Fleadh’ is pronounced “Fla” and means ‘Festival.’ This is the 4th annual festival hosted by the Irish Bar & Restaurant St. Stephens Green and is only possible through the help of volunteers. So if you’d like to join in on the fun, head on down!
The local Mountain View Avas Supermarket will be selling Irish treats like Tayto and other popular Irish snacks and local Irish vendors will have Fish & Chips, Corned Beef Rolls, Shepard’s Pie, and much more. There will be plenty of beer and wine of course and you can even get your hands on a commemorative glass at this year’s festival. But an Irish festival wouldn’t be complete without music and this year the US tribute band Zoo Station is returning along with The Black Donnellys, which will be part of their World Breaking Tour of 60 gigs in 50 states in 35 days. There will be other music entertainment throughout the weekend and you can find out more details at their website. Don’t miss the fun!
And that’s barely getting the Summer started! We’ll have more info in the coming weeks on other festivals and events around San Jose & the Bay Area, so check back often and let us know if there’s an event you’d like us to talk about. Need a caterer in San Jose? Give Handheld Catering a call for weddings, corporate event or office catering, and special events. The post Upcoming Summer Events for Food & Music Lovers in San Jose appeared first on Handheld Catering. via Blogger Upcoming Summer Events for Food & Music Lovers in San Jose
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Spring is in the air in & around San Jose & it’s the perfect time to get out & enjoy the festivals. Whether you’re looking for something new to do or eat, the Bay Area has it covered in April. Below are just a few of the many events we’re lucky enough to experience in this fair city.
Visit the newest Dog Haus Biergarten in Belmont as they celebrate their grand opening from 11 AM to 10 PM on April 14 with a FREE food event giving away Haus Dogs all day long. Don’t miss out on “the absolute wurst” giveaway and help welcome them to town or visit their site for additional locations.
Saturday, April 14 from 830 to 11 AM join executive chef Daniel Grice at Maggiano’s Little Italy in San Jose for a kid’s cooking class. It’s $25 per child & each will receive their own chef hat, apron, recipe card, & be treated to a brunch buffet. Mom & dad you can enjoy the brunch for an additional $15.
Also on the 14th – at Cabrillo College is the Aptos Farmers Market from 8 AM to 12 PM. Get your hands on premium quality produce & specialty foods while mingling with the producers. Over 90 vendors available, many of which are certified organic. Certified sushi Chef Carlos Mayorga will teach you how to make crab, shrimp, and tempura rolls from scratch. Join him at the New Leaf Community Markets in Santa Cruz on April 19 from 6 to 8 PM.
The International Chocolate Festival is at San Mateo Event Center April 21 & 22nd. Tickets are $25-$55 & this festival will have chocolate samples, chocolate making demonstrations, demo kitchens, wine/beer pairings, & much more. This is a MUST visit 2-day event for Bay Area chocolate lovers. Watch how chocolate goes from simple concept to taking the bean and turning it into that chocolate bar, bonbon, and the rest of the things we crave so much. A portion of the proceeds go to area non-profits and food banks so get out there April 21 & 22nd for a SWEET time and help some good causes.
Need to stay up to date with all of the latest and greatest food and art events in the Bay? Check out the Handheld Catering blog! The post Upcoming Food Festivals for Hungry Folks in San Jose! appeared first on Handheld Catering. via Blogger Upcoming Food Festivals for Hungry Folks in San Jose! There is always something BREWING in the Bay Area, and the next memorable event is just around the corner. The Bay Area Brew Festival is back for its seventh year and it looks like it’s going to be bigger and better. The Fest will take place at Pier 35, San Francisco on March 24.
If you have never been to The Bay Area Brew Festival, you are missing out. It is a day full of food trucks, djs, photo booths, breweries and of course BEER!. Admission includes unlimited beer samplings, with VIP attendees getting an extra hour of admission and some specialty beers poured during the first hour.
The Bay Area Brew Fest is put on my the very only, Drink Eat Play . They are a LA based event production company, producing entertaining and memorable experiences. They have events across the country such as 80s and 90s Prom, Tribute fests, food events and of course beer festivals.
This year, The Bay Area Brew Fest’s proceeds will benefit Coppers Dream Animal Rescue whose aim is to rescue dogs from shelters and find permanent homes for rescued pets. Proceeds from the event will towards funding food, shelter, and veterinary bills for rescued pets.
General admission ($45) includes unlimited beer samplings, with VIP ($60) attendees getting an extra hour of admission and some specialty beers poured during the first hour. Designated driver tickets will be sold for $20 cash at the door. DDs must be 21 and over as well to attend. There will also be a “Food Truck Alley” that will showcase some of SF’s favorite food trucks but food will be sold separately.
Love the idea of having a happy hour at your work? Let Handheld Catering bring you the brew to you. Have a monthly brew fest for you team to mingle, eat and drink. Call us at 408 692 4782 SaveSave The post Bay Area Brew Fest Is Back In Town appeared first on Handheld Catering. via Blogger Bay Area Brew Fest Is Back In Town We recently did an event for a large tech company here in the Silicon Valley, and what better place to host it, but our very own Tech Museum in San Jose. The Tech Museum of Innovation is a family-friendly interactive science and technology center located in the heart of downtown San Jose. It has become a landmark for visitors seeking a glimpse of the most inventive place on Earth — Silicon Valley. Not only are we so lucky to have such an amazing resource in our area, but the fact that we can use it as a venue is AMAZING! Check out some of our highlights of the event. The Tech’s large floor plan is adaptable, providing space for everything from an intimate seated dinner to a large corporate reception. They have interactive exhibits providing an exciting, unique backdrop and built-in entertainment that will make your event an affair to remember. Bonus: The Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater is also available as a one-of-a-kind addition. Give Handheld Catering a call and experience our full service catering services for your next corporate event. The Tech’s exhibits are never the same twice! So why not make it an annual event. Too far to drive? The Tech is within walking distance of The Fairmont, Hyatt Place, Marriott and Hilton hotels. For our last event, we started off the night on the upper level where the guests enjoyed 3 signature cocktails for the night. MCCing Double Aged Bourbon, Lemonade and Iced Tea Markowitz Mule: Moscow Mules in Classic Copper Cups RWBees Knees: Non Alcoholic Pear Sparkler with Pear and Lemon Juice, Honey, Sugar, Club Soda, Dash of Nutmeg, Rosemary Branch Stir Stick To go along with the drinks, our chefs served 4 different appetizers cooked fresh from our pop up kitchen downstairs. The appetizers were out of this world! Polenta Tonnato: Fried Polenta Cakes, Tuna, Scallions, Capers, Lemon Aioli, Parsley, Shredded Egg Petite Vegetarian Spring Rolls with Spicy Mae Ploy Sauce Butternut Squash Risotto Cakes with Sage and Lemon Aioli Mini Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers with Pineapple The dinner reception was then moved to the lower floor where the guest enjoyed multiple station buffet. The stations consisted of 5 full stations with 3 to 4 options per table. A fresh station where the Chinese chicken salad was the star. The Mexican Station that had the best street tacos you can ask for. The Indian Station with the Chicken Tikka Masala and fresh Naan blew people away. The Classics was by far a crowd pleaser, we could not pick between the Seared Filet of Salmon with a Soft Miso Glaze on a bed of Seaweed or the New York Steak that was carved right in front of you. And to finish with a bang, the Sweet Bite Station that had the creamiest Panna Cotta! Our team know how to make a menu and our chefs know how to execute it to the max. After the meal, the guest dance for the remainder of the night. Let Handheld Catering handle your next event. Our event planners will handle all the details from booking your venue, creating a menu and all your rental needs. Contact us today. The post A night at The Tech appeared first on Handheld Catering. via Blogger A night at The Tech We are in the middle of crab season which only means one thing. The Bay Area’s event Are you in the mood for some seafood now? Wish you can have it delivered to your Local Rockfish (dusted in flour and pan seared and finished with a white wine butter sauce) Wild Salmon with a Provencal White Wine Sauce Grilled Salmon with a Meyer Lemon Gremolata Local or Alaskan Halibut with a Spring Herb Nage Chipotle, Honey and Lime Glazed Grilled Prawns Oysters on the ½ Shell and served with a Saffron Mignonette Cioppino (classic SF favorite, tomatoes, seafood, shellfish, white wine, grilled peasant bread) Check out our full mouthwatering menu! For those of you who still have not gone to any of the crab feed events, do not worry, 36th Annual Crab Feed: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Sequoia H.S. Booster Club Crab Feed Dinner & Auction So what are you supposed to do in-between eating all that delicious crab? Auction! Milpitas Chamber 25th Annual Auction & Crab Feed MILPITAS – MARCH 2 FFA Booster 11th Annual Crab Feed & Silent Auction These events can get a little long, but with the right entertainment, time will fly! Check SAMCAR Foundation Crab Feed & Lip-Sync Battle Police Officers 9th Annual Crab Feed & Casino Night Lobster Feed & Dance 2018 Cioppino is in! Why wouldn’t it be? These groups are elevating the crab eating Rotary Club 40th Annual Cioppino Feed & Entertainment 8th Annual CHP’pino Feed – CHP 11-99 Foundation SAN JOSE-MARCH 24 Have you decided which one you are going to? Better yet, go to as many as you can! SaveSave SaveSave The post Calling All Crab Lovers appeared first on Handheld Catering. via Blogger Calling All Crab Lovers BACON BACON BACON!!!! We can already smell the Bacon sizzling for this weekend’s event at Levi Stadium. The Beer & Bacon Classic has been a hit for the last 2 years and this year, it looks like they are not going to disappoint. What is the Beer and Bacon Classic? You have 100+ beers from regional breweries, 30+ bacon-infused dishes from local chefs, a blind beer taste test, the Hormel® bacon eating contest, lawn games, music, and more. All here in the heart of the Bay Area, Santa Clara. This year, there will be big names like Psycho Doughnuts participating but what makes the Beer & Bacon Classic so amazing is that they use local spots that have killer menus. Places like this make the Bay Area a must-go-to destination for great eats! We are excited to try places like: A modern take on various comfort foods from all over the world. Influenced by various countries from Asia and many cultures found along the Mediterranean Sea. A competition BBQ team bringing you the best BBQ in the Bay Area! They bring their custom smoker to smoke the competition. But Bacon is not the only thing on the menu. Of course, there is all you can drink beer too. They always have our favorites like Goose Island Beer Company and Lagunitas Brewing Co. but this year local breweries are stepping in. We are excited to try: Faultline Brewing Company in Sunnyvale is where you need to be! Eat..Drink..& join their family! Simply put…it’s BeerBrewedRight! Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company Certified Sustainable Craft Brewery in the Heart of the SF Bay Area Peninsula. Family owned and operated for 15 years! -What do you do at the Beer & Bacon Classic- EAT: Indulge in unlimited bacon dishes from the best local chefs. DRINK: Sip on endless craft beer and ciders from regional breweries EXPLORE: The Levi Stadium -What’s Included- B&B Cup: Sip out of your very own ceramic souvenir cup and fill up as many times as you want. PARTY: Play giant Jenga, comets in the Hormel bacon eating contest, blind taste test beers and more! GIVE BACK: Feel good knowing we partner with local food recovery organizations and national charities Bacon fest isn’t the only time to enjoy yourself at a memorable event. Let Handheld Catering take care of your next special private or business event where you can relax knowing everything is going to be perfect and people will be talking about the food you offered for a long time.
SaveSave SaveSave The post Bacon & Beer Taking Over The Bay appeared first on Handheld Catering. via Blogger Bacon & Beer Taking Over The Bay Vegetable dishes aren’t very exciting, especially when it comes to kids. Adults—we’re all guilty of pushing away our veggies or “forgetting” to make them with dinner, so start putting them in the dinner instead. These recipes will knock your socks off as they incorporate vegetables into some of the most delicious dishes you’ve ever had. This dish is a little more straightforward and right to the point: vegetables can be amazingly delicious, so they should be the star of the dish. Apart from making veggies the star attraction here, this dish is inexpensive and rather quick to make. If you’re trying to make dinners healthy, but you’re also strapped for time (aren’t we all?) giving this a shot will be a surefire way to please the table, and feel good about what you’re serving up. When it’s done right, spinach can be one of the most delicious vegetables to include in any dish. If you’re looking to sneak in a healthy bit here and a touch of deliciousness there, super-packed and ultra good-for-you spinach is certainly the way to go. You can barely taste the greens through the onions and creamy mashed potato flavor, making this a table staple from this moment onward (we bet). This is a dish that’s become quite popular in recent years, and for good reason—it’s got crunch, it’s got munch, and it’s certainly filling without over spilling your budget. One pro tip to get the most out of this dish is to only use fresh green beans—nothing canned or frozen. Not only do fresh green beans keep more of their nutrients when they cook, but it keeps a great texture to the dish that’s sure to have your children asking for it again in the near future. When it’s homemade, this dish can be extremely healthy. Getting the consistency down pat can take a few passes at this recipe; it’s rare to see a child who doesn’t want this for dinner again. Pair it with some homemade multigrain croutons for added texture, and you’ve got a dish you can feel good about serving (and eating, too). Better Health, Better You We should all try to incorporate more veggies into our dishes when we can. The key is to make the vegetables the star, while including enough other ingredients that your kids (and your spouse) won’t think twice about digging in.
And this applies to our catering offerings also. We only use the freshest vegetables in our soups, salads, and sides and we make them look amazing. Check out our soup and salad catering menu.
The post These Dishes Will Make You Fall In Love With Vegetables Again appeared first on Handheld Catering. via Blogger These Dishes Will Make You Fall In Love With Vegetables Again If you’re not utilizing proper event planning and catering, you’re not fulfilling the potential of your event. There’s a lot to be said after the balloons come down, and the VIP list gets forgotten—people remember how an event goes. You can’t spare any details, no matter how small they may seem. These are the three types of events that you might not be catering, but you definitely should be.
The common mistake that people make here is getting “catering trays” from your local supermarket. It just doesn’t have the same effect. Those who will be paying close attention to how the event is going will be certain to comment on the lack of a proper catering presence, because it’s not just about the food—it’s about the people, the atmosphere, and the service. An exceptional spread is only half the battle.
This is a pretty big deal for the graduate(s) in question. They’ve entering the adult world, one way or another, and it’s a rite of passage to have a graduation party. The most common type of party is thrown in a hall where buffets are laid out, and the bar is serving up wine, beer, and not much of anything else. Newsflash: nobody is impressed with a buffet style spread when there’s nobody maintaining the area or bringing out food. Even if you’re going for a buffet style lineup, you’ll be paying out of the nose for large portions of food from local restaurants. It’s the same food they’re serving up in brown paper bags; only a true catering company knows what excites, and what makes your event unique.
It’s sort of like a graduation—you’ve now left the working world and you’re heading into retirement. It’s a blessing in and of itself, and it should be celebrated justly. Common mistakes people make is “ordering out” and putting up a BYOB mass email the day before. You may not be networking at this event, you may have made all the connections you needed, but it’s still leaving an impression on your guest list. (Besides, you’re retiring—you should get to enjoy fantastic food.) Your Bay Area Catering Needs Hosting one of these event types in the Bay Area? Allow top-notch Bay Area caterer Handheld Catering to take care of your event planning and catering; we’re inline with top planning companies in the area, bringing you a full experience with minimal effort on your end. Take a seat and lean back—we’ve got this.
The post Three Events That Require Top-Notch Catering appeared first on Handheld Catering. via Blogger Three Events That Require Top-Notch Catering There’s nothing better than cooking with your family; it builds bonding, it’s loads of fun, and allows you to foster creativity. However, having an awesome and tasty end product doesn’t hurt either—try these winter recipes for a fresh spin on chilled desserts. There’s never a bad time for coffee and doughnuts. This recipe is like converging the two reasons you visit a coffee shop—coffee for mom and dad, doughnuts for the kids, and the whole family is happy. This is the perfect treat to scoop over a hot brownie or chocolate chip cookie. Curl up on the couch and watch your family holiday classics after a nice dinner, and spend some quality time bonding over this frozen delicacy. When is chocolate not a good thing? These are one of our favorites for more than one reason: they’re easy to make, fun to put together, and you get a crowd pleaser that just about everyone can agree on. Children and adults alike will be able to sink their teeth into these pops. It’s a mouthful to say, and a mouthful that you won’t be able to resist. If you’re a fan of buttery, rich desserts, you’ll be able to sink your taste buds into one of the most decadent treats we’ve come across in a long time. Cream cheese, caramel sauce, whipped cream—it’s a sugar rush just thinking about it, and the flavors don’t disappoint. This is one of the best things to serve just after dinner. If you’re looking for a lighter, more palate cleansing type of dessert, you’ve just found it. With light layers of lime, buttery richness, and some crushed pretzels for amazing texture and flavor, you’ll have a dessert that your guests and family surely haven’t had before. Leave them wanting more, and reserve it for the holidays to build up anticipation for next winter. Making up some sweet winter recipes are the best way to bond with family around the holiday season. Take some time to craft up some fun treats to share with the dinner table, or just for a night of relaxing around loved ones. Whichever way you slice it, food brings us together! And if you need special event catering, Handheld Catering is who you want for pulling off a perfect event. The post Frigid Fun Winter Recipes to Enjoy In the Cold appeared first on Handheld Catering. via Blogger Frigid Fun Winter Recipes to Enjoy In the Cold Winter comes on quickly, but Christmas comes on like a bullet train. There never appears to be enough time—you have a business to run, decisions to make on behalf of your company, and it’s exhausting to plan a brilliant Christmas party in the meantime. Well, you don’t have to go it alone. Christmas catering can be the least stressful part of the holidays, especially when it’s done right. You Don’t Need to Make Fifty Phone Calls Handheld Catering is inline with a bunch of top party planning providers in the Bay Area. We’ve befriended the best in the business to help make your time less stressful. If you need to rent chairs and tables for the party, get decorations taken care of, or anything in between, there’s a good chance we have the exact solution to contour to your expectations. All you have to do is let us know. Stress Ruins the Party If you’re buzzing with stress, guests will feel constricted and won’t relax enough. That is, until the wine starts to flow. You should be able to sit back and enjoy the Christmas party as well. You paid for catering, for decorations, and you’ve got your own at-home Christmas agenda to worry about on top of all this mess—you don’t need to put yourself into a panic attack over getting the event going; you can just leave it to us. Show Your Employees You Care How many times in your life did you go to an obligatory Christmas party? A lot, we’d be willing to bet. Even if your employees come into the party expecting it to be a drag, you can still show them a good time by having everything taken care of and showcasing your dedication to your crew, all with some top-notch Christmas catering and a well put-together event. You want to ensure that next year, they look forward to another fantastic Christmas party, hosted by you, catered by Handheld Catering. Christmas is a tradition; awesome parties should be too. Your Bay Area Christmas Catering Company If you’re trying to squeeze in a last-minute Christmas party for the crew, have no fear. Give us a buzz and let us take care of the guesswork for you, and, of course, the excellent spread of fantastic food that’s certain to make it a memorable night. You don’t need to stress and worry about the party—it’s a party, after all, and you should be enjoying yourself right alongside your crew.
The post Make the Corporate Christmas Party Stress-free This Year appeared first on Handheld Catering. via Blogger Make the Corporate Christmas Party Stress-free This Year |
Handheld Catering
The name Handheld Catering embodies our philosophy on food. We believe the food we eat should be plucked from the earth by the hands of farmers and then lovingly prepared into something unforgettable by the hands of the chef. We offer farm to fork fresh, casual to formal wedding catering services, corporate catering and full service event catering to the San Francisco Bay area from Silicon Valley through San Jose. Over 60 dishes to choose from. |