5 Reasons Why You Should Have Your Corporate Event Catered

Corporate events offer employees the opportunity to network, meet colleagues they don’t typically work with, and unwind from a hectic week. Whether your company is hosting an annual presentation, retirement party, or a holiday party, your guests’ needs must be met. With all the time and effort it takes to coordinate and plan a company event, choosing the right food can seem like a massive undertaking. Consider hiring a team of professional caterers to make the planning process a simple one, and to alleviate any unnecessary stress. 

1. Caterers Will Accommodate Dietary Restrictions

Making note of every employee’s dietary restrictions can be a lot of work, especially when you’re running a business and planning other aspects of the party. Caterers understand how to provide delicious meals and appetizers effortlessly, even for guests with food allergies.

2. Assortment of Food to Choose From

If you’re unsure about what food to prepare for your corporate event, hire a team of caterers. With years of experience, a professional catering team will select food that works for everyone. Caterers also have an assortment of food to choose from, making it easy to select the right meals for your company event.

3. Set the Tone of the Event

Both the food selected and the style in which it’s served will set the overall tone of the event. For instance, a formal dinner with plated food leads to conversation at the table while circulating trays of appetizers encourages mingling among colleagues.

4. Delegate Responsibilities to a Professional Catering Company

Planning even a small get-together can be time consuming. Organizing an entire corporate event will take much more time and consideration. Delegate the food to a professional catering company to reduce stress from your party planning. Catering companies also provide servers, allowing you to enjoy the corporate event. You won’t have to worry about spills or serving disproportionate sizes.

5. Make a Lasting Impression

A festive holiday event, a corporate event with business partners, or a small start-up party all deserve delicious cuisine. Not only is satisfying clients important, but you should be satisfying your hard-working employees. Professionally prepared and served food goes a long way, and presentation is essential when it comes to impressing your clients.

6. Why You Should Choose BG Events & Catering for Your Company Event

At BG Events & Catering, our renowned team of caterers have crafted many menus to accommodate our clients. We’ve developed an exceptional holiday menu filled with an assortment of hors d’oeuvres, including Korean Short Rib Taco LA style, Lamb Sliders, Sausage + Ricotta Torta, Peppermint Chocolate Fudge, and Baked Orecchiette Mac + Cheese. Choose from a chef-attended pop up station, vignette, or build your own buffet with one salad, two proteins and three sides. We also have vegan and vegetarian options as well as plenty of nut-free dishes. Give us a call at 617.581.1150 or fill out our contact form to learn more about our catering services in Boston.

Why You Should Have Your Family Reunion Catered

Family reunions are some of the most meaningful, memorable, and complex events a family may share. Among the seemingly infinite moving parts of a family reunion, food may be the hardest to plan and execute.

How do you find time to...

• expertly plan and shop for the meals?
• please every palate?
• meet the needs of every special diet?
• provide assurance of a quality menu?
• know how to maintain food safety?
• determine correct quantities so there is neither waste, nor the possibility of anyone going hungry?
• deliver on time?
• create beautiful presentations?
• flexibly improvise when the unexpected occurs?
• bring tables, linens, chairs and décor suitable for the venue?
• ensure professional wait service?
• break down + clean up thoroughly?

...and still be a guest at your own reunion, spending quality time with relatives you may not have seen for a long time? The answer is hire the professionals.  Caterers do this every day and every night.  It is our passion, and we are dedicated to making every event a successful one.

The point of a family reunion is to bring family together to enjoy each other.  It's not possible to play dual roles of relaxed guest and focused worker simultaneously.  Ideally, all family members are participating equally, with no one member bearing  inordinate responsibility. Reunions do not come around  every day. Make it as carefree and enjoyable as possible.  Don't turn your Family Reunion into  a amily Reion?   What is that?  Family Reunion without the F ,  the U,   or the N!

Cater Your Family Reunion with Us

From family reunions filled with hundreds of family members to smaller, more casual reunions, BG Events and Catering is here to make it a memorable one. Our staff has years of experience providing families with delicious entrées, appetizers, and decadent desserts. What better way to reminisce with the family than over professionally cooked cuisine made with local and seasonal ingredients? Our expert chefs will work with you to ensure we have something prepared for even the pickiest of eaters.

Of course, we can't forget about cocktails! Enjoy a summery drink filled with fresh, locally grown fruit and during the holidays, indulge in a beverage with a hint of peppermint or cinnamon. Let your imagination run wild and we'll concoct the perfect cuisine and drinks for your next family reunion in Boston. Give us a call today at (617) 581-1150 to learn more about our catering services in Boston!

Guide to Planning a Boston Gala

Gaining support for your mission starts with knowing who you are trying to reach and what inspires them. With this clear understanding in mind and experts by your side, you can start planning an exceptional Boston gala. From choosing your theme to designing your custom menu, let our experienced team guide you to an exceptionally successful event.Our creative team of event planners walks through the steps to planning a gala that embodies the essence of your mission and backs your goals.

The Makings of the Best Boston Galas

Choose a Convenient Date

Eight to 12 months out from your desired event, your date should be finalized so you can start executing on all your event’s needs. In choosing the time of your gala, be sure you consider all parties who will be attending when determining what date will maximize attendance. Also consider any big launches or milestones that your organization has coming up, because these can come forth at your gala and impress guests.

How: Talk to key members of groups who will be attending to make sure the dates you are considering do not conflict with other prominent events.

Embrace an Imaginative Gala Theme

If every guest wants to make others’ dreams come true, your gala will be hugely successful. And your theme can set the groundwork for this desire. Consider a Las Vegas theme that lights up your event and guests’ imaginations. Las Vegas places no limits on lights, action, glamour and indulgence—making it the perfect fit to your extraordinary gala atmosphere.

How: Feathers, dice and cards are all cheap and easy Las Vegas theme decorations. You may even decide to set up a poker table to integrate some themed entertainment into your gala agenda.

Reserve a Remarkable Boston Venue

There is no shortage of local venues suited to Boston black tie events. This means you can find one that is perfectly suited to your gala theme and desired atmosphere. Planning a Boston gala is all about giving guests an amazing experience that speaks to their emotions and spurs action. Look for an impressive venue that really wows guests and whisks them away into your gala and its mission.

How: Use our venue finder to explore 30+ incredible Boston event spaces, including the following top picks for galas:

• The Castle at Park Plaza: 14,642 square feet of flexible event space with soaring ceilings and wrought iron details welcome the grandest Boston galas.
• Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation: Rich in 19th-century history and scenic views of the Charles River, this picturesque venue will take guests’ breath away.
• 9OFS: The Boston skyline is more inspiring than ever when viewed from the open-air garden and modern rooms at 9OFS.
• BSA Space: Being Boston’s first “green” skyscraper, this LEED platinum-certified building is at the forefront of modern event spaces. Let its state-of-the-art design speak to your advanced practices.
• Commander’s Mansion: This exceptionally elegant building situated on seven beautiful acres welcomes guests with an unforgettable historic charm.

Send Out Detailed Invitations

The best gala invitations showcase your gala’s theme and provide pertinent information while making each invitee feel like a VIP. Look for an ornate design that is a wonderful expression of your organization and then fill it in with the color scheme that will deck out your venue. Add in these informative details and you’re ready to press on the stamps:

• Gala’s purpose
• Specialty food provided
• Signature drinks served
• Dress code
• Venue directions
• Cost and availability of tickets
• How to RSVP

How: Order hard copies of your custom invitations along with response cards. You may also want to extend event information on your blog, social media and even local press.

Cultivate an Environment of Appreciation

Before your call to action can be effective, your guests need to be in the right frame of mind. They should be empowered and motivated by the knowledge and passion that fills your gala. Once filled with the spirit of generosity and gratitude brought forth by the sense of purpose fostered at your event, guests will seek ways to give back. Elevate this desire by sparking their sense of wonder—allowing them to believe that ambitious goals can be achieved by united efforts. 

How: Experiential food and hospitality moments give guests unforgettable memories tied to the event and your organization—bringing them closer to your purpose and more excited to back it.

Demonstrate Responsible Use of Resources

In addition to sparking an interest in your organization’s goals, the most effective galas also show that your team is effectively pursuing its mission thanks to the support and funding extended by individuals. This is why it is important to demonstrate efficiency and fiscal responsibility throughout your event. Our extensive scope of services set the groundwork for effortless planning and nimble use of assets. Guests will take note of the way our staff works together to deliver a flawless experience—a direct reflection on your team and its abilities.

How: Our team of experienced creatives specializing in everything from fashion and floral art to set design guarantees your event plans run without a glitch. We can oversee the finest details while managing all the big logistics—convincing guests that you aspire to the highest standards.

Enamor Guests with Fine Dining

When designing your custom menu, think innovative yet refined. The best gala menu items are imaginative yet formal—giving guests a sophisticated sample of what’s possible when experts put their best foot forward to surpass expectations. Served by professionals with a rich understanding of your event goals, guests will relax and enjoy a wonderful meal that speaks to all their senses.

How: During your personal food tasting and meeting to select hardware and creative installations used to display dishes, your catering experts will help you design a custom menu that is refined and satisfying.

Give Guests Tangible Experiences

With an understanding of your cause and having seen firsthand your commitment to excellence, guests only need to be brought closer to your mission so they are ready to join it. After talking to those who have benefited from your organization’s work and hearing stories of those affected by it, they will be anxious to take action to continue these efforts.

How: Set out tangible objects connected to your cause for guests to handle as they mix and mingle—literally connecting them to your mission and its history.

Bring in Fun Entertainment

Formal events can be very exciting ones too. Your DJ, live band or raffle orchestrator can ensure guests remain energized and motivated throughout your event. Be sure to bring in one performer who can really put on a show and rally the crowds around your mission. Doing so not only increases the value of your event but is also likely to help extend its impact by helping your gala make the news.

How: Talk to local artists and performers about attending your event and supporting your cause. In return, you can offer them some great publicity.

Say Thank You Many Times!

From custom party favors designed to give guests lasting memories of your gala and its mission to thank you cards sent out after your gala, keep the reminders of your gratitude coming. Guests will eagerly await other opportunities to support your cause and appreciate you taking the time to recognize their commitment to it. Continued communication is key to fostering your extensive network of supporters.

How: Giving guests something as simple as chocolates wrapped with your event date shows you care and reminds them of your fabulous gala. You may even send out more with your thank you letter to VIP guests.

Balls in Boston are unique events that call for an experienced team dedicated to realizing all your event goals and surpassing expectations. If you have any questions about how to plan a Boston gala that will have guests talking and giving, contact us online or give us a call at 617.581.1150.

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The Boston Cocktail Event That Inspired Our Clients

We knew our nimble catering team would be the perfect match for a company event that boasted the idea of strength + flexibility and focus + adaptability. Using performance and agility to cultivate success is a concept that resonates with us, so we were excited to plan a dynamic client cocktail event true to this company’s values.Our imaginative planners went all-out to create a captivating experience for the 100 guests who stepped into 9OFS on November 9. We invite you to take a look at the finished product—a flawless modern event filled with personality and inspiration.

Customizing 9OFS for a Dynamic Company Event

Welcome to 9OFS: Enjoy a Cocktail

The black cherry bourbon smash signature cocktail that greeted guests at 9OFS made a fantastic first impression. Bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters, cherry juice and black cherry garnish gave many guests their first taste of an unsurpassed company event.Of course, we wanted guests to have the flexibility of choosing a cocktail that suits their taste and style. On modern white pedestals, guests found these other tasty options:

• Apple cider Manhattan
• Best pear: Grey Goose vodka, pear, rosemary
• Cranberry spiced cider: rum

Bask in a Dramatic Atmosphere

Boston Event Lighting did an incredible job of creating a vibrant ambiance in this breathtaking Boston venue. The beaming blue outdoor lighting and brilliant red indoor uplighting brought extra energy and excitement to guests. Complementary bold red floral pieces added a classy touch throughout the modern space and focused guests’ attention on key areas and offerings.Add in the incredible city views that 9OFS offers, with both stunning buildings and lush grass spreads in close proximity, and it is no wonder guests were captivated by the scene. From the time doors opened at 4:30pm to the event close at 10pm, the talented DJ from Beat Train Productions had quite the backdrop for entertaining guests.But even with energy and enthusiasm at an all-time high, the company wanted guests to be able to relax and unwind. Many great ideas and emotions were shared in the lounge. Guests decompressed in this comfortable modern setting.

Satisfy Your Cravings

We designed a vast menu to reflect how this company delivers everything their clients ask for or could even dream of! Guests may not have even known they were craving some of the delicious small bites until they discovered them in seemingly every corner. That’s what we are here to do—anticipate and meet your needs before they even arise!Tantalized by the clean presentations and brilliant fresh ingredients, guests enjoyed a wonderful variety of passed hors d’oeuvres, French fet and small plates.

 Passed Hors d'Oeuvres

• Sweet garlic toast: roasted garlic, mushrooms, crisp herbs
• Lobster roll: pimenton, micro celery
• Crab croquette: remoulade, hill
• Chicken poutine: maplebrook curds, petite Belgium waffle
• Steamed buns: bao bun, pork belly, quick pickle
• Smoked hanger steak: salt and pepper crust, roasted garlic aioli, rosemary
• Korean short rib taco: gojuchang

French Fet

• Petite tartine: white truffle chicken salad, smoked salmon, avocado smash, roasted beet, crab cocktail
• Fromage: raclette, brie, French feta, Roquefort accoutrements: mostarda, dried fruits, gourmet crackers, BG seeded crackers, grilled baguette
• Charcuterie: prosciutto, salami, pâté de campagne, vegetable terrine, foie gras mousse pâté accompaniments: cornichon, capers, red onion, dried fruit chutney, micro greens, pommera mustard, fruit jam

Baby It's Cold Outside Small Plates

• Grilled chicken paillard: tarragon beurre blanc, wild rice, mushrooms, roasted shallots, herbs
• Pastrami lamb ribs: cipollini—fresno chili relish, yukon gold homefries
• Linguini: celery root cream, apples, truffle salted buttermilk fried shallots
• Little gem salad: roasted chioggia beets, mint, toasted garlic chips, sherry vinaigrette

Seize Opportunities

Guests had no problem finding plenty of desirable food and drinks throughout the event. There certainly was no shortage of either, especially when you take a look at the full bar, which included red and white wines, a phenomenal array of beers, mixers and other favorite alcoholic beverages. It is not surprising that in all the amazing photos David Fox Photography captured there are plenty of drinks in hand!We loved to watch guests pair their favorite small bites and drinks, but we also took great satisfaction in them taking advantage of the perfect pairs that they found at the whiskey and bite tasting bar:

• Quail eggs + hash with Berkshire Mountain corn whiskey
• Smoked nuts with Bully Boy white whiskey
• Petite pork belly + cheddar scone with Hudson single malt

Keep Dreaming and Enjoying: Innovative Desserts

By the time guests got around to visiting the dessert lab, it was time to spark their creativity yet again. Upon a sleek and sophisticated design, guests found these creative sweets:

• Pumpkin cheesecake: salted caramel cream
• White chocolate mousse: caramel popcorn, sugared cranberries
• Apple cider donuts: pastry cream, candied bacon
• Pear + goat cheese tart: rosemary, honey drizzle, sugared almonds
• Chocolate miso tart: caramelized raspberries, cashews

Whether the joy comes from featured guests like former New England Patriots players Rob Ninkovich and Niko Koutouvides or the newest company client, we are always overjoyed to see each guest enjoy a flawless experience. With creativity and professionalism abundant, it was a pure pleasure working together to make this event a huge success.If you want to bring our innovative cuisine and unsurpassed service to your next event, contact us online or give us a call at 617.581.1150.

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Breaks That Increase Productivity at All-Day Boston Events

The best Boston catering companies constantly look for ways to add value to corporate and social occasions. And at all-day events, this means designing menus and activities that sustain energy and enthusiasm. With this in mind, our creative event planners came up with some new ways to get more out of breaks, snacks and lunches.

Unique Break Ideas for All-Day Boston Events

Creative Music Break

During morning breaks, guests have lots of energy to release. So let their artistic spirits soar. One of our favorite ways to do this is through music activities—group- or individual-focused. Simple instruments like maracas are the perfect vehicles for guests to share their unique style or learn from an instructor. This is a great way to break the ice and show guests your company is all for trying new things—even if you aren’t a star at first! Tip: If there is a guest you know has musical talents, set aside a time for him/her to perform for fellow attendees.

Innovative Lunch Buffets

After hours of work or learning, guests’ minds may begin to shut down. So make sure your custom lunch menu sparks the creative side of their brains and gives them the fuel they need to perform at their best. To satisfy guests in a trendy way, skip the ordinary sandwiches and opt for a chilled salad and protein buffet. Many people find that foods with a bit of a crunch and a lot of vitamins keep their brain firing on all cylinders.Some of our favorite hearty and nutritious buffet options are:

• Grains of the world: Dishes like our Asian noodle salad, Greek-style orzo pasta salad and Moroccan pasta are a great choice for companies that value diversity
• Salads of the world: Our edamame and corn succotash, roasted chickpea salad and three bean salad prove vegetarian dishes can be incredibly satisfying
• Lean proteins: With the right seasoning, healthy cuts of meat are absolutely delicious. Guests love our grilled chicken breasts seasoned with lemon oregano as well as our roasted breast of turkey with garlic, sage, rosemary, thyme and lemon

Healthy Afternoon Snack Stations

It is tempting to include an afternoon break with coffee and sweets—but both come with a whole host of unintended consequences. As a diuretic and stimulant, caffeine is certainly not the ideal choice for all-day meetings. Instead, surprise guests with a healthy afternoon snack. Energy bars, kale chips and trail mix are all great pairs to a fresh squeezed juice bar.

 10-Minute Recharge Break

When the battery in guests’ phones starts to run low, chances are their brains are beginning to wear down too. So invite them to visit phone charging refresh lounges where they can power up their cells while relaxing on comfy sofas sipping chilled cucumber water among upbeat décor.Tip: Charging stations have really taken off since they made a big splash at political conventions. And you can take the experience up a notch using dynamic lighting and decorations.

Pause to Simply Breathe

Fortune suggests breathing and stretching exercises for all day-meetings, and for good reason—they are a simple way to help guests relax and refocus. This is especially important if your company will discuss intense topics that require sitting for long periods of time. Simply invite guests to stand up, leisurely stretch out any stiffness and take a calming breath together.

Physical Activity Break

We can’t highlight the importance of breaks enough. The brain gets fatigued long before you might realize it. We suggest short breaks every 60-90 minutes, and they don’t all have to be for snacks. In fact, physical activity may be just the thing you need to foster increased learning and retention.If you select one of the scenic outdoor Boston event venues, guests may naturally take a short stroll during a break. But even a flexible indoor space can accommodate physical activities like a quick dance move or a few jumping jacks. Although a bit of exercise might seem silly, it is actually a great way to help guests wake up, laugh and smile together.Tip: Among BizBash’s 9 innovative ideas for meeting breaks is an attendee-led fitness break—what a fun way to facilitate leadership!

Rewarding Final Break

When your all-day event is about to wrap up, bring out an array of sweet treats for guests to enjoy together or take for the road. Guests always love our !ndulge mini desserts like petite cupcakes, mini mousse shooters and mini pies that incorporate a variety of creative flavors like blueberry thyme. Such innovative sweet treats are the final touch on creative all-day events.To work with our talented Boston catering team to design a custom menu and event that facilitates an exceptional all-day experience, contact us online or give us a call at (617) 581-1150.

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Q&A with Boston Corporate Event Planner Timothy Seeberg

Meet Timothy Seeberg, Director of Major Events at BG Events & Catering

Experience, creativity and a meticulous attention to detail are a few of the qualities that our Boston catering team is trusted to deliver. But honors like Boston Business Journal’s Top 25 Boston Event Planners and Boston.com’s A-List Top 5 Wedding Caterers suggest there is even more expertise and passion behind this catering company.The BG staff works together—and with local venues and partners—to deliver a complete experience. We grow as a team and proud member of the International Caterers Association and International Live Events Association, but we also want to recognize the individuals who make it all happen. Today, we want to shine the spotlight on Timothy Seeberg—one of the exceptional Boston event planners that we’ve been lucky to have since 2010.

How did you get into event planning?

I actually started in the kitchen! In fact, my passion for cooking and entertaining took me to Le Cordon Bleu, where I studied culinary arts. But I must tell you, although adding my personal touch to dishes is fun, what I love even more is working with the personality, dreams and styles of clients. I missed the interaction with them—being at the ground roots of their event vision. That’s why now you’ll find me at the front as an event planner.

Why do you love planning corporate events?

Boston corporate events are my chance to make clients look like rock stars. I get great satisfaction from bringing an initial thought or concept into an exceptional event. Corporate clients tend to have big expectations, and the thrill of surpassing those never gets old.

What are some of the unique details that you like to incorporate into a corporate event?

Raw bars! There is nothing more “Boston” than a selection of East Coast oysters. But any time I get to use familiar ingredients in unique and innovative ways is a real treat. For example, we put a fun twist on the classic caprese salad by using roasted butternut squash instead of tomatoes, smoking the cheese in a chamber and then letting guests choose from a variety of seasonal toppings.

What are your favorite Boston event trends? 

I am finding that recent top events are the result of creative minds that think modern and simple while knowing they can customize and think outside of the box to match any style. For example, petite mini vegetables can replace traditional floral centerpieces and also serve as an amuse bouche. Who would have thought that something as simple as seasonal ingredients could help create a beautiful Boston event?

What are your favorite menu items for a corporate event? 

Because they are cost-effective and bursting with flavor, I love to incorporate seasonal ingredients and trends into custom menus. I like to prove that Boston catering prices within your budget can deliver more than you might have thought! One of the best examples of this comes in the form of short plate bars. These tapas-style small plates allow guests to try many of my favorite dishes, like:

• Beef au poivre: rosemary pomme purée
• Chicken paillard: lemon arugula salad
• Lobster and mascarpone arancini: roasted red pepper sauce
• Truffle and porcini flan: mushroom ragu parmesan cheese
• Orecchiette pasta: cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, garlic lemon sauce

What continuing education do you engage in to stay on top of current event trends?

The Boston catering services and culinary scene are my world—my passion. It is hard to go a day without being inspired by Boston’s newest restaurants and culinary artists. I love bringing these ideas and those of our whole Boston catering company to the annual Catersource event. Here, professionals from all over the world come together to share ideas and gather excitement for another great year in our field.

What are your favorite corporate planning tools?

All seated is my right-hand man for creating interactive floor plans. This event planning collaboration tool helps me design and share a structure that promotes the ideal event flow and atmosphere.

What are your favorite Boston venues and why? 

9OFS provides exceptional flexibility and variety that allows us to customize to the greatest extent. This makes my job—bringing event visions to life—easy. The outdoor elevated urban garden, modern loft space and plenty of transitional areas provide all the options we need to meet even the most unique event goals.

What is the most creative idea you’ve recently seen at Boston events?

The display of chocolate terrariums we brought to a Boston holiday party was simply amazing. Everything in the glass cloche was edible—creating a delicious and attractive dessert that reflected the creativity that top Boston catering companies are known to deliver.

What seemingly small detail can make a big impact at a corporate event? 

Where you place the bar matters more than most people realize. Why? When people enter an event, they typically go right to the bar. So its location has a huge impact on the flow and guests’ ability to mix and mingle. Something as simple as a stationary hors d’oeuvre or specialty cocktail holds the power to attract and engage guests.

How can you personalize a corporate event in an easy, cost-effective way?

LCD signage is an affordable way to customize, light and decorate your Boston corporate event. For example, we can design interactive signage to call guests to our dynamic food stations. And for an added benefit, we can even incorporate your company brand. Just one way our event planners increase value and reduce costs—taking the stress out of event planning.If you would like to work with our expert Boston event planners to find creative and affordable ways to make your event vision come to life,If you would like to work with our expert Boston event planners to find creative and affordable ways to make your event vision come to life, contact us online or give us a call at (617) 581-1150.

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BG’s Smokin’ Stand Featured in Catering Magazine

There is something magical about watching smoke escape to reveal a perfectly seasoned small bite. We got that same feeling as we flipped through the January/February issue of Catering Magazine. The “Smoking Hot Starters” feature is filled with creative applications of this ancient preservation technique.Have you ever noticed how people can stare into a fire, almost in a trance? A smoking station set up by Boston’s top catering company will have the same effect. At the BG Smokin’ Stand, we invite guests to fill little black cauldrons with their choice of fresh ingredients for our chefs to lightly smoke on the spot as they watch in awe.Remove the lid and a puff of smoke reveals a delicious starter like:

• Glazed salmon with a pomegranate-balsamic reduction garnished with the fruit’s blood-red seeds
• Oregano-marinated grilled chicken with mushroom polenta cake
• Roasted butternut squash with wilted greens and mozzarella

No cooking method can tenderize and add the depth of flavor that smoking can. That is why the top catering companies in Boston use this cooking technique to enhance dishes that are already exceptional. For more newsworthy food ideas from Boston’s most trusted catering company, contact us online or give us a call at (617) 581-1150.

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Top 3 Menu Ideas for Home Parties

Whether you are throwing a cocktail party for your closest friends or inviting your neighbors to an open house, offer a tasty menu that flows nicely with the energy in the room. We suggest having a selection of small bites and finger foods—a prime catalyst for mixing and mingling!Let us take you through the Boston home party menu. These little servings of nutrient-packed food will not only satisfy guests’ hunger but also inspire their creativity!

Innovative Menu Ideas for Boston Parties

The best catering companies in Boston know where to source the finest ingredients and how to transform them into a piece of art. And our talented chefs want to share some of their favorite creations with you.

Welcome with Fresh Seasonal Appetizers

You know what they say about first impressions, so make sure the first morsel guests enjoy is a brilliant one. Look for foods with explosive flavors and the freshest ingredients. For example, a simple chicken roulade can be spiced up with cumin zereshk-scented rice stuffing and lemon sauce.To make sure your small bites are bursting with as much flavor and as many nutrients as possible, we also suggest using plenty of seasonal farmed vegetables. Guests will suspect you handpicked the ingredients in these healthy passed appetizers:

• Fried butternut squash ravioli
• Saffron chickpeas with roasted tomatoes, cucumber, fennel, red onion and sherry vinegar
• Brie and green apple crostini with fig jam and arugula
• Scallion pancakes with vegetables
• Butternut squash soup shooters

And do not be afraid to sprinkle in some rich passed hors d'oeuvres. Our sample cocktail menu is filled with to-die-for small bites like balsamic figs wrapped with prosciutto, stuffed with goat cheese and served with balsamic reduction.

Entice with Creative Vignettes

Vignettes are a great place to set up impressive food displays where guests can craft their own favorite dishes. Try a sushi bar, winter pies or rice bar, or deck out a contemporary vignette with beautiful small dishes like:

• Parmesan flan with local and seasonal wild mushroom ragu and micro salad
• Ras al hanout sous vide salmon with lentils, kale and saffron parsnips
• Smoking sirloin, root vegetable hash and cherry gremolata

Engage with Action Stations

Your parents probably told you not to play with your food, but come on, have a little fun with your Boston catering. Our friendly chefs love to greet guests and help them design a plate exactly to their liking.Our action stations are anything but ordinary. How about some Moroccan spice-encrusted tuna from the carving station? Or maybe you would like to top your pasta with Prosciutto di Parma? Anything you can dream up, from pot au feu to a smoking station, we can put into action.Action stations are also a great way to bring your culture to life. In the comfort of your own home, let our chefs honor your favorite cuisine. Our Boston catering team loves to create custom menus based on your family favorites.Check out these multicultural action station ideas:

• Irish martini mashed potato bar: truffled mashed potatoes, blue cheese mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, garlic cheddar mashed Yukon gold potatoes
• Asian station: suckling pig with hoisin sauce and flat buns, wok street noodles with scallions and bok choy, vegetable dumplings
• Taco station: grilled mahi, smoked beef brisket, shredded chicken and cilantro lime-roasted veggie tacos

After the main action stations close and your !ndulge mini desserts roll out, keep the energy high with a sweet treats interactive station. Our Boston catering team puts on a great show when our chefs freeze meringues and ice cream pops using liquid nitrogen.Selecting your home as a venue can add serious value to your Boston party. Let our experienced catering team show you how to get the most out of your space and home party menu.To start designing your custom menu filled with creativity and personality, contact us online or give us a call at (617) 581-1150.

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A Beautiful Diner en Blanc Networking Event

Charles River Ventures invests in experts—people who are the best at what they do. So we were honored when they chose our Boston catering team to service their Israeli Entrepreneurs networking event on September 5, 2014.Our corporate catering department created an elegant French-inspired cocktail party that surpassed expectations and proved that we are among the best experts that can turn a great vision into a reality.

A Diner en Blanc-Inspired Boston Cocktail Hour

The inspiration for this white color theme party was the famous Diner en Blanc. This popular, exclusive party has taken place in France since 1988, when it was first held in the Parc de Bagatelle. Although we did not keep the party location a secret as they now do in France, we put together an impressive rendition of the Diner en Blanc.

Customizing a White Party Venue

Each year, the French Diner en Blanc is held at a different (but always very prominent) public location. Charles River Venture wanted to transform the Armony family residence in Arlington into the ultimate white party.We knew just how to make that happen.The yard situated at the edge of quite water was the perfect place to set up modern white furniture and decorations. We brought in sleek white leather furniture and a few small tables draped in elegant white fabric. Custom color linens and runners were no problem at all for our Boston catering company, which loves to personalize every detail. The design of the event, with beautiful Paris gloss white chairs among high- and low-top tables, perfectly echoed the feeling of the home and the Diner en Blanc inspiration.

Celebrating with the Finest Drinks

As the 85 guests arrived, our wonderful staff welcomed them with refreshing beverages and tempting appetizers. We also set up a scotch tasting lounge looking out on the water and a stunning lucite bar so guests could choose from signature cocktails and other fine drinks.Our dr!nk department was proud to offer this fabulous array of beverages:

• Beers: Sam Adams Seasonal, Sam Adams Lager, Harpoon IPA, Heineken Light
• Wines: white and red
• The Macallan 12 Year: the exclusive use of sherry casks to produce this single malt whisky makes it one of a kind. The secret to giving it a unique aroma and flavor is that the spirit coming from the stills goes into casks that have been used to age Oloroso Sherry.
• Glenfarclas 12 Year: an exceptional Highland whisky produced with about 80 percent of the spirit aged in used sherry casks and the remaining 20 percent in barrels once used to age bourbon whiskey.
• Ardbeg 10 Year: widely recognized as one of the smokiest and most complex single island malts, peat-lovers were delighted to find this classic renowned drink.

Pantone Color Library of Mini Dishes

We custom designed a menu of small tastes to represent the many faces of friends and the brilliant color they bring to the world. In addition to passing colored macarons, we set up a contemporary display of stationary appetizers. We lit a custom pedestal buffet with elegant drum chandeliers and hot appetizers. With healthy cuisine continuing to gain a following in Boston, these vegetarian small bites were a big hit:

• Chilled potato soup sips with crispy Brussels sprouts: waffle cone, chipotle maple, celery leaf
• Kalamata olive tapenade on shortbread with goat cheese mousse
• Carrot panna cotta with cranberry compote
• Roasted golden beet coins with micro greens and goat cheese mousse
• Forest mushroom tarts with roasted garlic and ricotta

No mater how tempting our veggie-based appetizers may be, our premium meats are always hard to pass up. Few could resist these appetizers:

• Turmeric-spiced grilled chicken with chilled jasmine rice salad and saffron aioli
• Asian BBQ salmon with chilled Shanghai noodles
• Mini medallions of beef and purple Peruvian potato salad with apples, golden raisins, pickle relish

After an evening of of cocktails, connections and fine cuisine, guests enjoyed one more delicious macaron. Guests could wrap up the evening with a simple espresso-based drink and the option of taking another macaron for the road.To customize your next event to perfection, contact our creative Boston catering team online or give us a call at (617) 581-1150.

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Dan & Bob's NYE Wedding Bash

We were so excited to hear about Dan and Bob’s vision: an intimate Boston wedding on New Year’s Eve. We knew an elaborate custom wedding menu would be a central feature. But we were also prepared for the challenge of adding elements of surprise and New Year’s Eve activities to this immaculate Boston wedding.Check out how we created a New Year’s Eve extravaganza for Dan and Bob’s 131 guests.

A Spectacular New Year’s Eve Wedding in Boston

Dan and Bob wanted to plan a winter wedding filled with surprises and delectable options—two of our specialties!

An Intimate Boston Wedding Venue

Dan and Bob hoped to share their special day in a venue that would feel like a grand version of their Dedham home. Their goal was to create a charming atmosphere that allowed guests to celebrate and feel their joy and passion for life. We could not have dreamed of a more perfect location than the Endicott Estate.This antique mansion situated on 15 acres of lush greens and manicured lawns is stunning in its own right. But to add a bit of New Year’s bling to this big celebration, we used the finest vintage purple and ivory décor. Some final touches and personalization like the gold sequin runners, and we were sure the couple of honor would begin to feel like royalty.The touching wedding ceremony at the Endicott Estate glowed with timeless beauty. The elegant Endicott Estate proved to be the most idyllic backdrop for this couple’s love and family and friends’ support to shine bright. We will never forget Dan and Bob listening to their loved ones sharing stories about them as they proudly stood in front of the hand-carved fireplace.

Unique Wedding Menu Ideas

Dan and Bob wanted a lavish array of food and drinks to arrive in waves from cocktail hour to the New Year.

Fun with Custom Drinks

At 7:30 pm, guests arrived and enjoyed three of the most unique signature cocktails from our dr!nk department. Our drink experts worked with Dan and Bob to craft these truly spectacular drinks at one of our mixology evenings. And based on guests’ reactions, they were indeed a big hit.Dan and Bob also stocked the bar with the most impressive wedding drinks. To deliver these tasty drinks with plenty of style, we brought in all types of glasses. From pilsner to highball and martini, guests were delighted by the amazing presentation of these drinks:

• Wines: rose, red, white, sparkling
• Beers: Sam Adams Seasonal, Harpoon IPA, Bud Light, Heineken Light
• Hard liquor: vodka, rum, gin, scotch, bourbon/whiskey

A Lavish Cocktail Hour

As soon as the ceremony wrapped up, so began the cocktail hour filled with jazz music and delicious appetizers. In addition to an antipasto station with an array of the finest cheeses and small bites like prosciutto di parma and parmiggiano reggiano, guests had trouble passing up any of these passed hors d’oeuvres:

• Grilled beef tenderloin on herb potato cake with horseradish aioli
• Mini crab cake with roasted red pepper aioli and arugula
• Lemongrass chicken lettuce wrap with scallion ponzu dip
• Coconut shrimp with spicy pineapple sauce
• Mini sliders with eggplant parmesan, mozzarella and marinara
• Butternut squash soup shooters with poached cranberry and mini fontina grilled cheese

Dan and Bob also knew that some guests would want a lighter start to the evening, so they added a seasonal crudité shooter with buttermilk basil sauce to the nosh vignette. Way to nail the 2016 wedding trend of healthy food before the New Year!

Extravagant Wedding Entrees

After the sons and mothers danced, music ramped up and food stations were open for business. Dan and Bob wanted a plentiful array of energizing food so guests could dance and celebrate all night long. The main vignette was a risotto table with braised short rib, heirloom vegetables, mushroom ragu and creamy risotto. Our chefs cooked the vegetables to be a bit softer, per Dan and Bob’s request.Guests also raved about these rich and delicious short plates:

• Ooey and Gooey Smoked Mac and Cheese: BG’s famous Vermont cheddar mac and cheese with crispy fried onion straws and applewood smoked bacon garnished with hickory smoked chicken. We added sautéed garlic broccoli to make this Dan and Bob’s dream macaroni and cheese.
• Roasted Pork: punttanesca sauce, orzo pasta
• Parmesan Encrusted Chicken: polenta, tomato brood

Sweet and Savory Late-Night Wedding Food

At 11:30 pm, Dan and Bob cut the custom designed wedding cake, and guests began to explore the spectacular desserts display. Many guests snagged an !ndulge mini dessert and good cup of coffee before the balloon wish ceremony at 11:40 pm. This was a truly memorable surprise event, complete with LED-lit balloons and guests writing well wishes before the grand release. With energy high, the slider station opened so guests could get a savory small bite before ringing in the New Year.“Slider Alley” featured these creative late-night snacks:

• Grilled Chicken Slider: crispy onions, pickles and buttermilk and basil sauce
• Cheeseburger Slider: pickle, special sauce
• Carolina Pulled Pork Slider: root vegetable slaw
• Portobello Mushroom Slider
• French Fry Cone with sauces

Ringing in the New Year and Wedding Memories

In the ten minutes before midnight, we handed out hats and horns as well as passed champagne. At 11:59 pm, the midnight countdown began, and the rest is history. After much dancing and dining, guests headed for home with New Year’s Eve party favors and amazing memories.Jamison Wexler did an incredible job capturing the joy in this Boston wedding. Her playful and unique twist on Dan and Bob’s wedding photos gave guests one last surprise after the wedding. Guests had fun reviewing the wedding photo albums filled with candid moments and behind-the-scenes pictures.If you want to have creative and customized elements in your Boston wedding, contact our experienced catering team online or give us a call at (617) 581-1150.

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Boston Venue Spotlight: Multicultural Arts Center

We are so happy to introduce a new venue to our list of trusted partners, the Multicultural Arts Center. The Multicultural Arts Center has long been a special place in East Cambridge, and it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.This award-winning venue was originally designed by noted architect Charles Bullfinch in 1814 and finally opened to the public in 1889. In 1985, modern architect Graham Gund provided the plans for the extensive renovation and repurposing of the Multicultural Arts Center now referred to as the "hidden gem."Along with acting as the home for various dance, music, poetry and theater performances, the two fine art galleries boast a regular rotation of artwork from both local and international artists. It can also serve as a perfect spot for your next elegant event in the Boston area, from corporate parties to the most exquisite wedding. Our passion for unique space and creative cuisine matches the vision of the professionals at the Multicultural Arts Center — a splendid combination of the best in the business — any time of year.

Versatile and Elegant Boston Area Venue

The Multicultural Arts Center was originally built for the creative minds in music, dance and theater; however, the dramatic architecture of the three primary rooms is idyllic for weddings, corporate events or other social celebrations.

• Centanni Way Park: Traditional brick buildings line the surrounding lawns with trees and brick walkways. Loving couples can say their vows under the arbor during Boston’s warmer months, and, of course, MAC’s wedding planners can always move the ceremony inside in the event of inclement weather.
• Upper and Lower Galleries: Walk amid the modern and historic art displayed on the walls while enjoying signature cocktails and scrumptious bites of food. The Upper Gallery can seat 40-50 guests and the Lower Gallery can host 30-40 guests for a more intimate environment.
• Historic Theater: As the former Middlesex County Courtroom, the theater has all the elements of historic New England luxury. Picture your guests admiring the decorative high ceilings, full-length windows and the soft teal-colored wrap-around balcony as they step onto the marble floors at your next special event. Guest capacity is 150 for a plated dinner and dancing or up to 200 guests to mingle in a cocktail atmosphere among high top tables.

Décor Ideas for the Multicultural Arts Center

The exquisite Victorian touches in MAC’s theater lend a hand to our professional event planners, as simply adding linens and flowers will finish the look of this historic space. However, the uplighting, spotlights, pipe and drape can also dress up the theater into an intense, artsy scene!

Amenities at the Multicultural Arts Center

Expert wedding planners will help each couple plan every detail of their romantic indoor or outdoor wedding. Amenities include a bridal suite, gorgeous reception area and a kitchen for customized food and drink from the most sought-after Boston catering team.

How Do You Get There?

Public Transportation: The MAC is located just two blocks from the Green Line or a 15-minute walk from the Kendall Square Red Line. You can find specific details about public transportation on its website.Driving and Convenient Parking: The website also has detailed directions to its location on 41 Second Street. We suggest using the East Cambridge Parking Garage that is only one block away from the MAC and is open 24/7. You can also find limited metered parking nearby.

Where Can You Stay?

There are several hotels within walking distance, such as the Royal Sonesta, Hotel Marlowe and the Holiday Inn Express.To start planning your corporate event or social gathering, contact our experienced catering team. If the Multicultural Arts Center seems like the perfect place for you, we can help you coordinate with the sales team at 617-581-1150.

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Boston Venue Spotlight: Frost Ice Loft

We are so excited to announce our partnership with one of Boston’s most unique event venues, a place that is known to stir up both drinks and conversation: Frost Ice Loft!The Frost Ice Loft is so unique because it is designed entirely of ice. Yes, ice! In fact, it’s ice room remains at a brisk 21 degrees to keep the structure entirely solid.Next door to the ice bar is its brand new (room temperature) indoor event space, so your event’s guests can now enjoy an all-encompassing experience found just a walk over from New England’s only indoor ice bar.On May 26, Frost Ice Loft, located at Faneuil Hall, will open as a room temperature event space with dramatic decor. We can’t wait to see what social and corporate events come to life when our creative Boston catering team and clients choose this extraordinary event venue.

The Frost Ice Loft Experience

Venue Specs

 You might think this unique event venue will make the logistics of planning your Boston event difficult. But surprisingly enough, our event planners expect this venue to provide everything you need for a stress-free event that surpasses your wildest expectations.

• Seasons: year-round
• Rooms: 2 rooms totaling 4,000 square-feet
• Capacity: the gallery holds 120 guests seated and 150 guests for a cocktail reception, plus the Ice Loft can add an additional 75 guests to the reception capacity. This means a full venue reception buyout boasts up to a capacity of 300.
• Public transportation: the MBTA, Green Line, Blue Line and Orange Line all service the area making travel to this Boston event venue easy.
• Garage parking: there are several options for parking. 75 State Street Garage is a popular choice, and Frost Ice Loft will be glad to provide discounts for your guests.

Icy Décor and Spectacular Views

We love bringing new event decoration ideas to truly exceptional Boston venues like the Frost Ice Space. Some of our favorite features of the remarkable rooms are:

• The Gallery: features oversized windows with views of Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the famous Quincy Market sign and Boston's booming financial district. It also wows guests with a technology wall and option of an Ice Bar.
• The Ice Loft: sparkling color-washed walls and furniture carved by hand set the stage for a special corporate or social event. But what really sets this event space apart is its meticulously detailed bar that is a small scale replica of the Zakim. Guests will be surprised and amazed by the latest sculptures and drink glasses made of ice. 

Types of Events to Host Here

The 2,600 square-foot room temperature Frost Ice Loft offers interactive space ideal for larger corporate, social and nonprofit events. Our event planners can transform this icy space to match any event theme and goals.

• Corporate events: such a unique venue is fitting for the excitement of product launches and inspires new ideas at corporate meetings and receptions. We expect to provide innovative custom menus for plenty of industry and company events at this spectacular Boston venue.
• Social gatherings: from holiday parties and gala receptions to bar/bat mitzvahs and intimate weddings, the Frost Ice Loft will treat your guests to an unforgettable Boston party.

Customized Experience

The entertainment and catering at your big event are critical to providing your guests with the ultimate experience. Our Boston catering team loves working with such a novel venue to create an unprecedented event and menu.

• Signature drinks: in addition to premium spirits, featured cocktails, local brews, wine and nonalcoholic beverages, Frost Ice Loft can design signature drinks for your special occasion.
• Custom menus: our chefs love preparing new dishes crafted to the individual style of your event. We look ahead of current culinary trends by designing innovative menus that perfectly complement this novel event space.
• Ice sculptures: you can request a personalized sculpture of your corporate logo made completely of ice.
• Custom gifts: Frost Ice Loft makes choosing party favors a breeze with their custom gifts and retail items.
• Partner packages: just as Frost Ice Loft works with only the premier Boston catering companies, it also partners with other great local attractions so you are sure to work with only the best.

To start planning your corporate event or social gathering, contact our experienced catering team and share your vision. If the remarkable Frost Ice Loft is your perfect match, then we can help you coordinate with the sales team that can be reached at 617-209-4894.

Boston Corporate Event Spotlight: Eversource

Product launches are one of the most exciting corporate events, and the cocktail hour we planned for Eversource’s corporate event was no exception!This power company based out of New England helps other companies save energy using a tiered approach. To applaud their advancements that help the environment, we wanted to put on an equally innovative cocktail reception. On May 5^th, 200 architects and designers from all over the city gathered to enjoy our exceptional Boston corporate event catering.

A New Twist on the BSA Space

Because the Boston Society of Architects Space is a familiar venue to many guests, the client worried that the Eversource corporate event would not stand out in their minds.We decided that a Cinco de Mayo theme was the perfect way to bring a renewed energy to this Boston event venue while setting the stage for an unforgettable corporate event.Our experienced event planners brought their imaginative minds together and created unique event decorations and custom menus that subtly reflected the Cinco de Mayo theme without detracting from Eversource’s event objectives.

Cinco de Mayo Décor

Our design specialists love the BSA Space because it provides a modern and open floor plan that we can transform to match any corporate event theme. For the Cinco de Mayo undertone, we warmed up the BSA with natural elements while maintaining a modern celebratory atmosphere.

• Wood tables: these large rustic tables always make guests feel welcomed and relaxed
• Stylish LED lights: white rounded lamps added to the lively event atmosphere
• Food signs: crisp white food signs caught the eyes of guests and introduced them to our innovative dishes
• Florals: high top tables, food stations and bars were decorated with stunning succulents, dry air plants and spring flowers in rustic metal and wood containers. In addition, immaculate statement pieces featured a three-tier metal stand and flowers popping in rich orange, yellow and pink hues.

Unique Drinks and Hors d'oeuvres

From the moment guests arrived at the cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., they were surprised with one-of-a-kind appetizers and drinks. We let the client choose from an array of elegant passed appetizers like:

• Brie and Green Apple Crostini: fig jam and arugula
• Corn and Bacon Griddle Cake: tomato relish
• Petite Blue Cheese and Beef Yorkshire Pudding: horseradish aioli, pickled onion

Guests enjoyed these fabulous selections of drinks:

• Wines
  • Bella Sera Pinot Grigio, Italy
  • Canyon Road Chardonnay, California
  • Red Tree Pinot Noir, California
  • Pacifico Sur Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile
• Beers
  • Sam Adams Seasonal
  • Corona
  • Harpoon IPA
• Specialty Cocktails
  • Classic lime margarita
  • Strawberry margarita

International Culinary Flair

Because we are passionate about serving the most innovative food, you never have to remind our Boston catering team to steer clear of generic dishes. So when the client requested stationary food displays to be "different," we knew we needed to jump far ahead of the current culinary trends to surpass expectations. We settled on three stations to treat guests to tasty dishes with a hint of Cinco de Mayo fun.

Taco Bar

What better way to celebrate in Cinco de Mayo fashion than with a taco bar attended by experienced chefs? A taco vignette with red hues reflecting off the backdrop and pipes covered in paper flowers created a dramatic setting for our handmade tacos. We also used white hanging heat lamps, porcelain serving dishes and white river stones atop wooden tables to make sure the tacos shined among the brilliant colors. Guests thought the petite grilled corn on the cob with cilantro aioli and farmer’s cheese was the perfect side to these signature tacos:

• Grilled Mahi Taco: roasted corn and bean salsa, chipotle aioli
• Smoked Beef Brisket Taco: crispy onions, lime scented cream
• Shredded Chicken Taco: aioli, spicy house pickled vegetables
• Cilantro-Lime Roasted Veggie Taco: queso fresco

Mediterranean and Spanish Nosh

We invited guests to nosh the night away at two food stations with beautiful presentations of international flavors. The Mediterranean display featured a rustic wood table with a grass carpet underlay. We surrounded it with rattan vine balls and interlaced LED cafe lights to create an all-encompassing Mediterranean experience. White and metal food vessels were the perfect way to serve these fresh tastes in style:

• Walnut tabouli
• Muhammara
• Lemon hummus
• Whipped feta
• Grilled focaccia
• White bean dip
• Baba ganoush
• Stuffed grape leaves
• Sumac roasted olives
• Pita chips

Spanish Nosh Station

Of course, no Cinco de Mayo party would be complete without some true Spanish cuisine. We used our artistic flair to create a spectacular Spanish nosh station complete with:

• Tortilla de papas
• Grilled garlic shrimp
• Chorizo
• Manchego
• Roasted red peppers
• Marcona almonds
• Jamon serrano

Mexican Churro Bar

For dessert, we brought in contemporary white bookcases to serve up hand fried Mexican churros with classic dips. Guests had fun putting their own favorite twist on such traditional Spanish desserts using these sweet toppings:

• Chocolate cinnamon dip
• Dulce de leche dip

• Powered sugar shakers

It was a true pleasure sharing our creative launch party ideas and innovative cuisine with Eversource to plan and execute this unprecedented cocktail reception. We invite you to take a walk through some of our other exceptional corporate events and contact our Boston catering team to start planning your own.

• MIT Recognition Event
• Aveo Oncology Awards Dinner
• Commonwealth Holiday Party
• C3's Framing Boston Party

Best Boston Corporate Event Venues

One way that BG Events and Catering makes planning a corporate event easy is by helping you choose a venue that is best suited to your vision.Partnerships with premier corporate event venues in Boston allow us to efficiently plan and execute even the most out-of-the-box ideas. This advantage recently helped us garner recognition by the Boston Business Journal as a “Top 25” Boston event planner.After clients use our venue locator tool and consult with our professional event planners, these six exceptional Boston event venues often rise to the top.

90FS

Contact: Jaye O’Leary. Located on the ninth floor of One Federal Street in the heart of the financial district, this stunning corporate event venue offers unparalleled city views from modern indoor and outdoor spaces. The flexible layout makes 90FS ideal for any corporate event in Boston. One of our favorite areas is the open-air terrace that is beautifully complemented by a reflection pool, fountains, elegant trees and the surrounding cityscape. The interior space of 90FS is equally sophisticated and offers dramatic views of downtown Boston. As one of our newest venues offering cutting-edge amenities and inspirational city views, we are excited to unite our innovative cuisine and design ideas with 90FS.

Boston Society of Architects

Contact: Jessica Kriley. Companies looking to bring out the creativity and artistic flair in employees will fall in love with the Boston Society of Architects Space in Seaport. Countless galleries and breakout rooms are especially popular for product launches and corporate employee events in Boston. The BSA’s wonderful patio on the four-point waterfront area also attracts festive corporate holiday parties. From a “Great Gatsby” event to fashion shows, the unique architecture and curated art installations create the perfect ambience for even the most imaginative events.

Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation

The CRMII is ready to welcome up to 300 of your employees to its historic Waltham venue overlooking the Charles River. The 19th-century textile mill sets the tone for some of Boston’s most memorable corporate parties, product launches and seminars. The Puma event took full advantage of the CRMII’s flexible floor plan and stunning features like the 50-foot ceilings in its main exhibit gallery. This famous venue featuring brick and beam architecture with grand windows keeps its technology up to date. This means you can creatively plan a modern event while paying tribute to Boston’s fine history. Wi-Fi and screens expand your options for presentations and entertainment that will impress guests. We love introducing clients to innovative corporate event entertainment ideas that inspire guests to stretch their visions ahead of current trends while celebrating the past.

Cyclorama at Boston Center for the Arts

Contact: Jennifer Whitman. Large corporate events for up to 1,000 guests are drawn to the elegant Cyclorama located in the south end neighborhood of Boston. This grand historic venue is situated among the biggest collection of Victorian brownstones found in New England and features a stunning copper skylight dome above a brick-lined 23,000-square-foot space. We love adding corporate event decorations that complement the urban chic elements of this famous Boston venue. The simple yet stunning Cyclorama provides a versatile and vast space that is easily transformed into the perfect setting for one-of-a-kind product launches, employee recognition dinners and worldwide conventions. Modern features like video mapping also appeal to the most advanced events like c3/Framing Boston.

UMB Campus Center

The University of Massachusetts Boston Campus Center is the perfect place for educational corporate events and product launches. It offers a multi-purpose space with gorgeous views of the city skyline and Boston Harbor. Conveniently located on the oceanfront, its 8,100-square-foot ballroom can be transformed to any corporate event theme while smaller breakout rooms provide a more intimate learning environment for 10-75 guests. The UMB Campus Center’s modern technological amenities, including state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, also make it a premier location for companies introducing advanced products and ideas. These companies work with a top Boston catering company to ensure event décor and food are equally innovative.

Waterworks Museum

Contact: Christine Monahan. The Waterworks Museum features a late 19th-century building that reminds guests of Boston’s “Golden Age” while your company celebrates one of its own milestones. The Richardsonian-style building made with rock faced granite and sandstone trim stands three stories high and provides a majestic setting for some of Boston’s most unique corporate events. Massive, steam-driven engines and views across the Chestnut Hill Reservoir create a truly exceptional setting for product launches and employee recognition parties in Brookline.To see how we transform the best Boston event venues into spectacular celebrations, we invite you to take a walk through some of our other most innovative corporate events. Then contact our professional team to start planning your own exceptional corporate event.

• Microsoft Holiday Party
• MIT Recognition Event
• Aveo Oncology Awards Dinner
• Commonwealth Holiday Party
• C3's Framing Boston

Employee Appreciation and Company Award Party Ideas

Adding a creative twist to current event trends will make for an employee appreciation party that surpasses all expectations.If your company encourages employees to strive for innovation, excellence and attention to details, then be sure to convey these at your event!In this post, we share 11 tips for planning a stunning employee appreciation party that will wow your guests.

11 Employee Recognition Party Tips

1. Striking employee appreciation party flyer: include all the basics such as time, location, RSVP and guest information with an exceptional flair. Invitations should jump out at employees with eye-catching images, bright company colors or logos and fonts that match your corporate style. You also may email a version with a fun introduction to forward to family if invited.
2. Custom menus: magnificent custom menus will reflect your company’s energy and appropriately reward employees with extraordinary dishes. For formal events, we suggest plated dinners with innovative dishes like filet of beef and grilled salmon with lemon aioli served with herbed risotto cake and sauté of haricots verts. We also encourage you to include vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menu options to ensure everyone enjoys the dining experience.
3. Tempting desserts: sweets are often considered a reward, so encourage guests to indulge in our collection of couture desserts. Small bites like salted caramel petite cupcakes and blueberry basil mini mousse shooters are the perfect ending to a delicious meal.
4. Indoor-outdoor venue: we love the idea of having a formal dinner and awards inside and then taking the party to an outdoor setting. To keep a business theme in mind, you can select a venue like the sophisticated 9OFS that overlooks the business district.
5. Social floor plan: although this is a formal party, you also want to encourage guests to relax and celebrate amongst good company. The furniture and how it is situated can have a big impact on how the party flows. We suggest selectively dispersing lounge furniture to allow plenty of space for a high-energy event with highboys for cocktail and appetizers.
6. Thank you messages: employee appreciation party decorations should remind your guests about the party’s key message. We love the idea of weaving “Thank you!” and your CEO’s signature into party decorations for a genuine touch.
7. All-inclusive presentations: thank-you speeches and awards are an important part of any employee recognition party. Be sure staff award categories recognize all different departments, talents and milestones. It is also important that your venue is set up so all guests can easily hear the speakers.
8. Project spotlight: if you know some employees who are particularly proud of their work and enjoy public speaking, offer them the opportunity to present their projects. Moments like these moments will shine at your employee appreciation party.
9. Raffles and spinning prize wheels: another way to reward employees is by giving away prizes. Announce a few hot prizes in advance to amp up anticipation and have some big surprises that will keep guests talking long after the event.
10. Gracious staff: the catering team you hire should reinforce your company’s values including its appreciation of all employees. Professional event staff will greet guests with a friendly smile and sincere admiration.
11. One-of-a-kind thank you gifts: think of high-end gifts that employees will use on a regular basis, and customize them with your company’s logo and colors. These will serve as a thank you and a continuing reminder that your company appreciates hard work.

These ideas are just a starting point to spark your creativity when planning an employee appreciation and awards party guests will remember.From custom menus filled with signature dishes to creative displays and decorations, BG will help you create a vibrant party.For examples of how innovation meshes with corporate event visions, check out these events:

• MIT recognition event
• Aveo Oncology awards dinner
• Commonwealth holiday party
• C3's "Framing Boston" Event

Event Spotlight: Worldwide Financial Banking Event in Partnership with C3

We partnered with the creative event planners at C3 to host an unprecedented Boston experience for 380 guests at this client appreciation event.

A Stunning Corporate Event with Boston Pride

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Setting the Boston Scene

In September 2014, beams of purple light and a “Framing Boston” banner welcomed guests to a most exceptional worldwide financial event. From framed city pictures to dinner menus and table numbers, the Boston skyline was elegantly weaved throughout the event décor. This business theme was perfectly contrasted by natural elements like smooth stones, gorgeous bouquets and wooden tables. Leather couches and small tables with modern stools also contributed to the contemporary yet authentic “framing Boston” atmosphere.

Innovative Hors d'oeuvres

Guests began their dining experience with small tastes of divine food. The tomato caprese water sphere displayed in the trendy shadow box was a guest favorite. But we made sure to offer options to match every drink and taste.

• Black pepper shortbread beef tenderloin cherry compote smoked salt
• Maple glazed duck in petite cone with sweet potato mousse and citrus confit
• Seared salmon cake with parsnip mousse and celery leaf
• Mini smoked corn custard tartlet sweet local cranberry

Specialty Cocktails

Many enjoyed hors d'oeuvres with a specialty cocktail highlighting Boston’s fantastic drinks. We offered a New England Harvest of apple cider, bourbon and crushed cranberries as well as a Crantastic made with cranberry infused vodka, ginger liqueur, white cranberry juice and thyme.

Local and World Renowned Drinks

In addition to specialty cocktails, local beers like the Sam Adams Lager and Seasonal Brew showcased Boston pride. We also served drinks from around the world including Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier from Germany, Veuve Elise Blanc de Blancs from France and Bacardi Rum made in the Caribbean.

Fall "Caprese" Carvery

Beautiful fall signs called guests to this appetizer station of house roasted butternut squash medallions, grilled local apples and fried sage leaves. Guests watched a chef smoke mozzarella in an encased Lucite chamber, while other chefs hand carved their order. Guests further personalized these tender small bites with toppings, such as port-braised cranberries, confit of duck and truffle salt. Enjoyed on clear Lucite small plates. With the aroma of the smoking chamber in the air, this station immersed guests in the New England fall. 

Seasonal Plated Dinner

Guests sat down to enjoy a touch of fall and BG cuisine with traditional Boston favorites in mind.

• First course: we featured local lobster and corn flan with sides, such as sweet potato straws and pumpkin leaf

• Intermezzo: cranberry sorbet with hints of pumpkin and ginger were the perfect transition to the main dish.

• Main course: we offered guests their choice of a duo of petite grilled filet with demi-glace and striped sea bass or the vegetarian alternative of polenta napoleon with late summer vegetable ratatouille, grilled asparagus, wilted Spinach and charred tomato brood.

Dessert Trio

No Boston culinary experience would be complete without some local favorite desserts. Guests savored Boston crème pie cheesecake, s'mores brownies with graham ice cream and petite apple pie with cinnamon pulled sugar.

After Dinner Dessert Stations

The end of dinner did not mark the conclusion of guests’ dining at this spectacular Boston event. After dinner, dessert stations encouraged guests to mingle and socialize among their worldly company.

• Boston whoopie pies: we displayed these old time Boston favorites in a shadow box to put a contemporary twist on a classic dessert.

Cheese and Port Station

We knew guests would enjoy drinks throughout the evening, so we made sure complimentary snacks were also available by the main bar. Guests savored the finest cheeses from Vermont and Massachusetts with local honey, fig jam, nuts, fresh fruits, dried fruits, crackers, flat breads and crostinis. Although this station may seem less significant than the main fare, it is vital because it helps guests stay engaged and social throughout the event.

Our Awesome Partners:

Overall Design, Event Production and Event Management - C3Audio Visual - AV PresentationsLighting: ALPSEntertainment: Acro Arts ProductionsPhotographer: Ken Richardson Photography 

Measuring Your Return on Investment for Hosting Corporate Events

How can you tell if your corporate events are worth the investment? How can you measure their success?Firstly, as you already know, there are so many reasons to host an event, and that’s where this entire process begins! Some of those celebrations might include:

• Product launch
• Grand opening
• Employee appreciation
• Holiday party
• Milestone celebration
• Client appreciation

The list is endless. We commend all companies that offer up an experience to employees, clients, VIPs, families and more. We also believe that the benefits of hosting a very successful event will always do more than justify the investment.However, measuring those benefits and the event ROI aren’t always so easily quantified.Throughout this article, we are going to walk you through some of the ways to help you determine your event ROI!

Ways to Measure Corporate Event ROI

When it comes to being able to measure ROI, all events must begin with event objectives. After all, you need to know what figures you’re interested in measuring to determine your return!Some examples include:

1. Increase productivity levels.
2. Boost employee morale and engagement.
3. Introduce a new product to key clients.
4. Build brand awareness.

Once you establish your S.M.A.R.T. goals, the next step is to establish the ways you can measure how successful your event is or will be.

Measuring Corporate Event ROI: Pre- and Post-Event Surveys

Companies looking to boost or maintain high levels of the aforementioned can incorporate pre- and post-event surveys for their line-level and manager-level employees.Employee appreciation events include, but are not limited to: holiday parties, annual picnics, quarterly parties, company anniversaries, retirement parties, etc.Countless publications offer tips to positively impact things like employee morale, productivity levels, psychological health and well-being, employee engagement, company culture and happiness levels. Those tips frequently involve celebrations, events and employee recognition/rewards.Some of the most successful companies have a strong link to healthy levels of the above-mentioned. This leads us to deduce that the most successful businesses are the ones that host events!

How to Measure the Success of Your Appreciation Events:

Select a sample of employees and give them your survey before the event. Make sure you are asking questions that specifically quantify what you’re measuring (the above list is a good start).

For example: ask survey responders to place a value on unquantifiable things, such as their energy levels and feelings. Use a 1-10 rating scale.

After the event, give the employees who answered the pre-survey the same (or a similar) survey, once again asking them to quantify those intangibles. Assess the results to determine how successful your event was in boosting morale, improving employee engagement and in bettering the overall well-being of your company.

There are pre-made surveys that can help you quantify these difficult-to-measure factors, but we recommend creating your own survey and setting it up through an online survey program that will sample your selection so that your responses are custom to your company.

Measuring Corporate Event ROI: Financial Statement Comparisons

Financial figures are some of the more basic tools you can use when measuring your event ROI. Most often, if your numbers increase over the past year (all other things considered staying relatively the same), then your event was probably a success.However, that’s obviously not the best way to compare your event’s success because there are other factors that would impact the actual ROI and financial statements. You can break down your measurements even more so that you can determine how successful your event needs to be in order to prove a return on your investment.Assess Your Financial Statements with These Modifiers:

If you’re interested in measuring productivity increases or sales impacts, narrow down the time frame in which you’re collecting data to compare the results. For example, after your first quarter employee party, measure pertinent financial figures over the next two weeks. Compare those results to last year’s results during the same two weeks, or you can measure the results from the month following the annual company picnic with the results from the same month in the previous years.

Are you launching a new product or celebrating a specific brand achievement? Often times, these are public or invitation-only events. Therefore, you would need to measure the success of the event based on your event’s launch or brand interaction goals. It is simple to measure whether or not you reached those goals by the event turnout, number of sales at the event (i.e., product launches or client appreciation events) and the amount of social media interaction (i.e., facebook likes, tweets, hashtags, etc.). Plus, you can measure several other quantifiable marketing tools, such as increases in website hits for the next several weeks, promo codes used, etc.

Measuring Corporate Event ROI: Behavior

Launching a product? Opening a new location? Interested in running a sales competition?In general, measuring the return on events involving your employees’ or clients’ behaviors is relatively straightforward and easy to measure when using promotional codes, materials or offers. In other words, you are measuring their behaviors as a result of the event.

Measure your sales at the actual product launch or grand opening celebration.

This one is a little backward because you will see the return on the promise of an investment first, with the actual event coming second. Reward staff with an event when they meet certain sales goals; the event is now the motivator.

As a thank you for attending your client appreciation event, send guests home with a promotional code or offer. In addition to the increased brand confidence and association, you will learn from a well-run event that you can measure the calls to action through those special offers.

Measuring Corporate Event ROI: Focus Groups

Focus groups are expensive and time-consuming; however, the results derived from them are often worth it.How You Can Measure Using Focus Groups:

For those very large events with goals involving employee morale or engagement, consider conducting a focus group with employees after your event to see how effective your execution was. For an additional fee, you can hire third-party groups who specialize in conducting these types of studies.

For large events with goals involving brand awareness, brand loyalty, etc., consider conducting a focus group with clients and/or event attendees to assess the effectiveness of your event execution.

Corporate Party Return on Investment

Unfortunately, providing hard and accurate corporate event ROI is difficult. More often than not, the benefits are so intangible or not directly related to one specific measurable goal that the real benefits of an event can get lost amongst the quest to prove its value.Fortunately, a number of other organizations have conducted numerous interviews, written hundreds of articles and put in a lot of work to study the real return of a corporate event.The results are overwhelmingly positive: timely, well-executed events help your business grow.For additional reading on the topic, here are some resources:

• Seven Events You Can Run to Grow Your Business Right Now
• 8 Reasons Why Running an Event is Good for Business

For more sources as to how you can prove the ROI on an event, check out these articles:

• How to Prove the ROI of an Event
• Measuring the Value of Events and Meetings

More Articles You Might Like:

• Boston Event Trends for 2015
• Awesome 2014 Event Photos
• How to Host a Green Event
• Spring Party Trends in Boston

Awesome 2014 Boston Event Photos

2014 was full of delicious Boston events in which we are truly proud to have taken part. Alongside countless memorable and wonderful clients, we produced plenty of fun, entertaining events that we will never forget. Below are some of our favorite event design, event set up, culinary and decor moments that made our 2014 so terrific, and we cannot wait to see what 2015 brings our way. For more information on how we can make your 2015 event something to remember, take a look at our menus or visit our photo galleries.  We look forward to helping countless more groups celebrate their milestones in the coming year, so give us a call or email us today.

BG's Spring Party Trends 2014

As you look outside your window you finally see the flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and the people on the street are transitioning from heavy snow coats to light jackets. This can only mean one thing; spring has arrived. Now that a new season has emerged, a new type of party has as well. Here are BG’s four new trends for the 2014 spring party season!

A splash of color

Who says color trends only apply to fashion? Color is a vital part of party planning as everyone loves aesthetically pleasing décor! Color Solutions International has given the trendiest colors for the spring 2014 season. The warm tones you can use to decorate are magenta, classic reds, yellow, and bittersweet oranges. Cool tones consist of lime greens, emeralds, and true blues. Lastly, a huge new spring trend are pastel colors of baby blues, light pinks, or lilac. Use these colors for table décor, wall art, hanging décor, and even implement them through your bowls and utensils.

Buy me flowers

When someone says spring, we say flowers because flowers embody what this season is all about. Flowers work as excellent décor and have various designs, shapes, and colors you can hand pick and customize! You can go from a simple flower arrangement to a fancy one, but always make sure to add a bit of color for the new season.        

The ultimate spring menu

Craving for something other than hot soups and stews? For your party, be a little more creative and cater towards the opportunities the spring food market has brought for you. This season is the time for fresh and bold flavors and more produce so here are a few of the trendiest spring ingredients to use in your recipes. For vegetables, we say go for everything. As vegetable produce is prominent during this time, try to incorporate them into you meal, especially new spring ingredients like asparagus, fennel, artichoke, and radish. Food Network rates the meat of this spring 2014 season as baby lamb. Incorporate this juicy and tender meat into your entrées and you will sure be the talk of the town!   

Don’t forget the drinks

A party is never complete without drinks! As spring emerges, so has the time for different types of fruits and other flavors like mint. These flavors leave you refreshed, satisfied, and wanting more! For this spring season, make sure your drinks are colorful, playful and fruity! Whether it’s a pink lemonade cocktail, fruity mojitos, margaritas, or sangrias, or custom drinks like tall tale, mint julep, and income tax. Each one of these names has a link for the recipe so try these and more out! A cute interactive play on spring could also be a fruit bar where you could add any fruits to your drink like mimosas or sangria. As you try out any one of these trends, hashtag #bgspringtrends with a picture of how you used these trends in any one of your spring parties on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or just by commenting on this post!   

New Year's Resolution-Approved January Catering Specials

This month will be party after party to celebrate the holidays and the New Year.  Come January, though, there will be new things on your mind—and on your co-workers’ minds too: resolutions.New Year’s resolutions frequently revolve around food and eating healthy, and we’re no stranger to that.  This January, we are starting a new initiative of our own in order to help you reach yours by offering monthly specials filled with fresh, new, innovative drop-off catering menu items.  The best part?  With our new specials, eating healthy doesn’t have to break the bank.Beginning in January, just in time for those New Year’s resolutions, we will be offering two monthly specials:Breakfast Package

• Egg white veggie scramble
• Fresh fruit
• Yogurt parfait
• Coffee, tea and orange juice

Lunch Package

• Choice of butternut squash soup, tomato basil soup or cream of broccoli soup
• Mixed greens salad with light balsamic vinaigrette
• Fresh fruit salad

Of course, there are still plenty of other menu items available to satisfy all of your drop-off catering needs.