How do YOU carry your hors d'oeuvres?

Look at these really neat innovative passed hors d'oeuvre presentations. These beat a regular ol' silver tray with a stick! Check it. More in a bit!

photos: BizBash

These are a few of my favorite things:

JBC's innovative presentation

Of all of the catering companies that have rolled through here, I've definitely had more than my fair share of their food (apparent in a dang 15 lb. weight gain when I first moved to Charleston; but that's neither here nor there). Having learned how to control myself when the passed hors d'ouevres come around, I've found I have favorites that I still crave, and here they are, please feel free to share your faves too!

1. JBC Catering- anything with their fried oysters. James Burns does this thing with a fried oyster on a yummy cornbread thing with a dot of remoulade, to die for. Also, for our Smith Circle Dinner last winter they did a crisp oyster atop wilted baby spinach with gorgonzola, pancetta and a maple cider vinaigrette... yeah, it was freaking good!

2. Hamby- Love, love, love how they make shrimp and grits into a passed hors d'oeuvre. Shrimp on a small grit cake, that melts in your mouth, with the fixin's on top! And of course the famous finger sandwiches, my favorite's shrimp salad.

Stephen Duvall's awesome glamour shot

3. Stephen Duvall- We booked them for our gala last year and this soup they did for the first course was AMAZING, curried butternut squash bisque with toasted pumpkin seed oil and fresh chervil, I wish I could order that in bulk :) Let's see, they also did a yummy mandarin orange creme brulee with fresh raspberries.
4. Mediterra- Their roast beef po'boys at Jesse's wedding were so simple, yet SO GOOD! For another Gibbes party last year, Made in China, they fried fresh panko-breaded drunken chicken skewers with a selection of sauces, and fresh fried food is the best.
5. Good Food - Orzo pasta salad with dried cranberries, pine nuts, roasted vegetables and olive oil... I tried to make this at home, there is no comparison. They also did this shredded pork basted with Bermuda honey on a sun dried tomato crostini, better than any shredded pork I've ever had!

Granville's take on a nicoise salad

6. Granville's- yes they cater! South African sweet peppers filled with goat cheese; creamy, tangy, sweet and spicy! Do I sound like Giada with my food porn descriptions?

7. Ted's Butcherblock- Among the tons of good stuff you can get here, the best and freshest catering item I've tried is a simple caprese-style hors d'oeuvre with mozarella, plum tomato and basil on a fresh crostini drizzled with balsamic glaze. I tried to make this one at home, too, but it just wasn't the same.

Photos by JBC Catering, Stephen Duvall, and Charleston Picture Company

Democrats party in style!

Remember that teaser post that was up for, like, a second a few weeks ago? No? Well anyway, it's BACK and totally major. Most of you may remember that the Democratic debates took place at the Citadel on July 23 where all eight of the Democratic presidential candidates duked it out, so to speak... Yeah, yeah, but what about the dang after party, right?

Right, the after party was held at the Visitor's Center bus shed, and what a transformation it was! Stephen Duvall Catering & Events, and the Decor department in particular, really did a number on that space. Not to mention PDA, Other Brother Ent. and all the other people that made it something to blog about. The length of the structure was converted into 6 different rooms, each with a totally distinctive theme and look. For example there was the "Backyard" area where the entire ground was covered in real grass with cabanas and sleek leather ottoman groupings. Another stunning room had pure white shag carpet, red velvet sofas and white leather globe chairs.

The performance section looked amazing with an illuminated red bar, mod furniture and none other than SC-bred Edwin McCain taking the stage, by OBE. Enough cannot be said about PDA's absolute meticulous commitment to everything lighting and technology-related (as you can see), like whoa!

As for F&B, Stephen Duvall created a beautiful dessert tower with everything in the color scheme of the night (red, blue, yellow, green), as well as other stations with light hors d'oeuvres. The drinks were festive with glow-cubes, and other details included jars and vases filled with candy for party-goers to rifle through.

All in all it was a FANTASTIC event, and just give you an idea of how Dem donkeys party... it started at 9:30pm on a Monday night and the clean up crew didn't leave until 5 the next morning, I wonder if Obama Girl was there!

all photos by Stephen Duvall Catering & Events

It's a Gelato kind of summer!

For those of you who know about Paolo's Gelato Italiano on John Street next the Rue de Jean, you know what I mean when I say it's full of charachter! Paolo Dalla Zorza is the uber-charasmatic owner of the authentically unique gelateria and he is one of the nicest people, like, ever. In addition to his Charleston shoppe, he also own's a Paolo's Gelato Italiano in Atlanta (which has appeared on the Food Network), and has many other ventures including being a pet chef.

beacon of yummy goodness

The flavors of gelato, which are whipped fresh daily, range from Italian favorites like Straciatella and Nutella to interesting options like 1,000 Roses, Olive Oil, and Chianti; check them ALL out here.

Me and Paolo, just chillin'

The reason I'm blogging about Paolo and his gelato is because it's a fun addition to your summer events! Paolo rents out a cart filled with your potions of choice and it's nothing but self serve FUN! We had this at our spring Rodin preview party and I chose Straciatella, Raspberry, and Pistachio flavors in the colors of the Italian flag... you know, a Spoleto thing. I don't know how much it usually costs to rent because we got the hookup, but check it out, it's a great alternative to a regular dessert display.

photos by Charlestonpicturecompany.com