Catering A Wedding Reception In Tallahassee On A Shoestring

Important celebrations, such as wedding receptions, wedding rehearsal dinners, anniversaries, christenings, graduation parties, birthday parties, retirement parties, book launch parties, or just about any sort of special event that requires recognition must go on even during dips in the economy.

Canopy Rose Catering, a popular Tallahassee area catering company will work creatively with their clients to create an affordable signature special soiree that will have everyone smiling!

Yesterday, I received a call from a mother of a bride. Her vision for her daughter's December 31 Wedding Reception sounded ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL!! The only catch was that the economy had put a sizeable dent in her Savings Account for her daughter's wedding day.

Here is an excerpt from my correspondence to the mother of the bride.

"Thanks for contacting Canopy Rose about catering your daughter's wedding reception.

The menu you have described sounds simply delicious for a December 31 Wedding Celebration.

The food portion would cost in the $20.00 to $25.00 per person range, more or less depending on the actual menu selected.

We offer the following arrangements:

1.) Pick-up (no additional cost)

2.) Delivery & Drop-off (Beginning at $125.00)

3.) Delivery, Drop off, & Set-Up, Pick-Up (Beginning at $175.00)

4.) Delivery, Drop off, Set-Up, Serving Staff, Clean-Up (Beginning at $350.00 + Labor & Gratuity)

5.) Full Service Catering & Event Planning ($$$$$)

I have several suggestions as to how you can provide a beautiful wedding reception on a shoestring budget. First we will need to address the non-negotiables.

Please send me an email outlining precisely what you desire for your daughter's wedding reception and we'll see what we can work out for you that will fit your budget.

Thanks again for contacting Canopy Rose!

Kathi
Kathi Dameron
Food & Entertaining Writer, Columnist, Special Event Designer, Caterer, Teacher of Cooking Classes

Canopy Rose Culinary Arts Studio and Catering Co.
www.canopyrose.com
canopyrose@aol.com
Office 850-539-7750
Cell 850-228-0583



To hire Kathi Dameron & Canopy Rose Catering as your Tallahassee, North Florida or South Georgia caterer, call 850-539-7750 for availability.

Please Book Your Catered Event Early!

The rule of thumb is to book your caterer as soon as you have set your date and location for your event. Six months or longer is not too early! Brides often book the wedding catering 12 months in advance to lock in their chosen date on our calendar.

Just minutes ago I got off the phone with one of my favorite Tallahassee hostesses.
Governor Crist had contacted her and had requested that she host a political fundraising event at her beautiful home in northeast Tallahassee for 100-150 guests for his US Senate run.

Sorry Charlie! Canopy Rose is already booked on June 27, 2009. We would have loved to have catered this event. Next time if we are available we would love to cater your US SENATE FUNDRAISER! Good Luck!!

To hire Kathi Dameron & Canopy Rose Catering as your Tallahassee, North Florida or South Georgia caterer, call 850-539-7750 for availability.

A Catered Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Menu For 50 By Canopy Rose Catering

Wedding Rehearsal Dinners have always been one of my most favorite events to cater since opening the Canopy Rose doors in Tallahassee, Florida in 1994.

For our next rehearsal dinner, on Friday evening June 19, 2009 Canopy Rose Catering will be cooking up a delicious and festive menu for fifty based on the following menu:

Medallions of Pork Tenderloin with Nectarine-Bluberry Salsa

Grilled Chicken with Black Beans, Yellow Saffron Rice and Tropical Salsa

Mixed Greens with Fresh Fruit, Blue Cheese Crumblesand Spiced Pecans

Bread Basket

Roasted Vegetables with Red Skin Potatoes

Lightly Sweet Ice Tea

After the event I'll post some photos for all to enjoy.

To hire Kathi Dameron & Canopy Rose Catering as your Tallahassee, North Florida or South Georgia caterer, call 850-539-7750 for availability.

Thank You For Your Interest In Our Cooking Classes

I'd like to thank everyone for their interest in our Tallahasseee-area cooking classes.

The classes we offer are private and custom-designed. Classes begin at $125.00 per session plus cost of materials.

Private oooking class parties can also be arranged for birthday parties, team building events, etc. Cooking Class Parties begin at $750.00 plus materials.

To follow Canopy Rose Culinary Arts Studio & Catering Company, please join us on Facebook, where we post recipes, strategies, tips and photos.

And if you'd rather delegate the cooking and coordinating of a future catered function, call us at 850-539-7750 to check our availability.

Canopy Rose serves the Tallahassee, North Florida, Gulf Coast Beaches, and South Georgia communities.

Canopy Rose Catering Posts Recipes, Strategies and Stories at Facebook

Learn how easy it is to make a Frozen Strawberry-Mango Sorbet!

Canopy Rose has a Facebook page. Read recipes

, discover a popular Tallahassee caterer's secret strategies and tips, browse through pictures and be up to date on the latest scoop by becoming a fan today!

To hire Kathi Dameron & Canopy Rose Catering as your Tallahassee, North Florida or South Georgia caterer, call 850-539-7750 for availability.

Catering Q & A With A Tallahassee Bride Looking For A Very Country Wedding Reception With A Southern Feel

An excerpt of an e-mail received from a Tallahassee bride:

I am getting married at the Retreat at Bradley's Pond. I was looking for a caterer that will do a "southern" cooking theme. Our wedding is very country and southern feel to it. We were thinking of something like chicken, white acre peas, biscuits, macaroni and cheese, fried shrimp, mashed potatoes, and stuff like that. We can only go around $18.00 a head. Can you give me any ideas on what you could possibly do for me? Or if we can set up an appointment to come and taste stuff and to talk to you. I was also wondering do you include the serving? We were thinking more of a buffet style. Do you also do linens? I am trying to get as much information as I can. So I am sorry about all the questions. We are going to have approximately 200-215 guests.
Thanks so much,
*************************************************************************************
An excerpt of our response:

Best Wishes on your upcoming marriage!

A Southern Comfort Reception Theme is always popular! I would imagine that we could do the food that you've mentioned for around $18.00 per person. However, service staff is always addititional. I'm concerned that full service would send the price of your wedding reception beyond what you can comfortably afford to spend.

What some of our clients do is this: They purchase the fabulous food from us and then we deliver it to the reception site. At the reception site, a team of the bride's friends assist with the set-up, replenishing of food from the kitchen and clean up. That is just one way where you can have your cake and eat it too for around $18.00 per person.

We can also send a team of servers. Servers cost $25.00 per hour per server. Naturally, the longer they are on the clock, the more they cost.

As for table linens, we can furnish you with some full-length banquet linens for the 6 ft buffet tables. However, round table linens and speciaty linens should be rented from either a rental company or a speciaty linen provider.

I hope this answers your questions.

This is how we work:

Initially we communicate by email and telephone; if both parties feel it is a good fit, then a deposit of $500.00 will reserve your wedding date on our calendar. From then on, I am happy to meet with you in person, do site inspections, tastings, etc, etc, etc.

As of today, we are currently available on XXXXX to cater your wedding reception. However, please keep in mind that our availability can change on a moment's notice. We only do 1 Wedding Reception per weekend. Therefore, if you would like for us to be your caterer of choice, you should book as soon as possible.

If you would like to get to know me more, please join me on Facebook where Canopy Rose has a fan page and where I also have a page (Kathi Dameron.)

Thanks again for your interest in Canopy Rose as your wedding caterer! I look forward to hearing back from you!

Kathi
Kathi Dameron
Food & Entertaining Writer, Columnist, Special Event Designer, Caterer, Teacher of Cooking Classes


Canopy Rose Culinary Arts Studio and Catering Co.
www.canopyrose.com
canopyrose@aol.com
Office 850-539-7750
Cell 850-228-0583

To hire Kathi Dameron & Canopy Rose Catering as your Tallahassee, North Florida or South Georgia caterer, call 850-539-7750 for availability.

A Taste of Italy Wedding Reception Menu by Canopy Rose Catering

Italian-Style Cuisine is such a crowd pleaser and simply perfect for elegant catered wedding receptions! In this menu, by Tallahassee, Florida area caterer, Kathi Dameron, a fun and festive Taste of Italy Food Station Idea has been created.

While the possibilities are unlimited, here is one sample menu idea that draws on the foods of Italy for inspiration. It includes all the wedding favorites...fruit, veggies, seafood, chicken, beef, cheese, appetizers, pasta, bread, gourmet coffee and even a fabulous Italian dessert. Yum!! What a delicious way to celebrate the beginning of a marriage!

Imagine:

A Garden-Style Brushetta Station (Twice Baked Crostini with olive oil, garlic, cheese, and wonderful topping selections)

Tuscan Marinated Shrimp Shooters (Served in shot glasses)

An Antipasto Station with Marinated Cheeses, Meats, Olives, and Vegetables

A Pasta Station with a Trio of Delicious Pasta Entrees

An Artisan Bread Station with Flavor-Infused Olive Oils

A Fresh Crudite Table with Fresh Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

A Gourmet Coffee Station

Canopy Rose's Chocolate Kahlua Tiramisu Torte served in stemmed glassware

How I work:

Initially we communicate by email and telephone; if both parties feel it is a good fit, then a deposit of $500.00 will reserve your wedding date on our calendar. From then on, I am happy to meet with you in person, do site inspections, tastings, etc, etc, etc.

Please keep in mind that our availability to cater on a certain day can change on a moment's notice. Therefore, if you would like for us to be your caterer of choice, you should book as soon as possible. We will only cater 1 wedding per weekend.

If you would like to get to know us more, please join Canopy Rose & Kathi Dameron on Facebook!
************************************************************************************
To hire Kathi Dameron & Canopy Rose Catering as your Tallahassee, North Florida or South Georgia caterer, call 850-539-7750 for availability.

Popular Tallahassee Caterer Spills Secret Strategies For Creating The Wow!

Create the wow this season! Canopy Rose Culinary Arts Studio and Catering Company has a Facebook page. Find a serendipitous scattering of a caterer's secret strategies, a few favorite recipes, fun ideas, menus and much more. Simply go to the Canopy Rose Facebook page and sign up to be a fan.

To hire Kathi Dameron & Canopy Rose Catering as your Tallahassee, North Florida or South Georgia caterer, call 850-539-7750 for availability.

A Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Menu

Rehearsal Dinners (those wonderful occasions that preceed the wedding day) have always been one of my favorite events to cater.

At Canopy Rose we offer everything from simple pick-up or drop-off party foods to full service catering. The choice is yours and we will guide you in making a choice that will best fit your unique set of circumstances.

Here is a sample Rehearsal Dinner menu. Very delicious!

Medallions of Pork Tenderloin with Nectarine-Blueberry Salsa

Grilled Chicken with Black Beans, Yellow Saffron Rice and Tropical Salsa

Mixed Greens with Fresh Fruit, Blue Cheese Crumbles and Spiced Pecans

Bread Basket

Roasted Vegetables

Lightly Sweetened Ice Tea

To hire Kathi Dameron & Canopy Rose Catering as your Tallahassee, North Florida or South Georgia caterer, call 850-539-7750 for availability.

Canopy Rose is on Facebook!

Join Canopy Rose on Facebook

To hire Kathi Dameron & Canopy Rose Catering as your Tallahassee, North Florida or South Georgia caterer, call 850-539-7750 for availability.

A Sample Catering Menu For Tallahassee Area Parties

A Sample Menu By Canopy Rose ~

This menu would be simply delightful any time of the year for a special celebration.

Cocktail Hour:
Southwestern Fiesta Dip with Nacho Chips

Skewered Fresh Fruit on a Pineapple

Iced Shrimp Display with Cocktail Sauce

Assorted Marinated Cheeses

Bruschetta

Dinner:
Grilled Chicken with Black Beans, Yellow Rice and Tropical Salsa

Mixed Greens with Fresh Fruit, Blue Cheese Crumbles and Spiced Pecans accompanied by Sweet & Jazzy Dressing

Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

Banana Bread

Dessert:

Strawberry, Raspberry and Blueberry Cheesecake

Sweet and Unsweet Ice Tea

To hire Kathi Dameron & Canopy Rose Catering as your Tallahassee, North Florida or South Georgia caterer, call 850-539-7750 for availability.

A Graduation Menu

Yum! Here is a sample menu that is fairly light on the pocket book and simply perfect for your next warm weather soiree. This menu was designed for a high school graduation party, but I could see it working for all different types of events.

The bright colors spell C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-I-O-N!!!

Chicken on a Stick

Beef Kebabs

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Display with Dip

Paella Salad with Shrimp, Chicken and Vegetables

Tuscany Cheese Spread with Crackers


To hire Kathi Dameron & Canopy Rose Catering as your Tallahassee, North Florida or South Georgia caterer, call 850-539-7750 for availability.

Ideas For Your Southern Comfort Wedding Reception

Think barbeque, chicken-fried steak, catfish, smothered pork chops, black-eyed peas, grits, biscuits and gravy, fried green tomatoes, collard greens, okra and sweet potatoes. You get the idea. Just tell us what you love and we will be tickled pink to dream up some sample menus for your wedding reception with a Southern Drawl.

Oh and now we sure wouldn't want to forget the fresh chilled vegetable display with fancy dipping sauces, chocolate dipped strawberries, an iced shrimp station and one or more regional food stations showcasing low country boil, Cajun Jambalaya or even a fun pasta station. These are all crowd pleasers!

To hire Kathi Dameron & Canopy Rose Catering as your Tallahassee, North Florida or South Georgia caterer, call 850-539-7750 for availability.

A Sample Southern Comfort Menu

A sample Southern Comfort Menu by Canopy Rose Catering...

The Southern Comfort Food theme is a popular choice for wedding receptions around the Tallahassee area. In the following menu we've taken Southern Comfort uptown with the addition of Iced Shrimp, Sea Scallops Wrapped in Bacon and our beautiful and delicious specialty salads.

Hors D’oeuvres for the Cocktail Hour:

Cascading Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Display

Cheese & Crackers Display

Sausage En Croute with Dipping Sauce

Iced Shrimp Display

Scallops wrapped in Applewood Smoked Bacon

Buffet Dinner:

Baked Chicken
BBQ Pork
Canopy Rose Crab Cakes

Garden Party Salad with Sweet & Jazzy Dressing
Mixed Greens Salad with Fresh Seasonal Fruit, Spiced Pecans and Blue Cheese Crumbles Accompanied by Sweet & Jazzy Dressing

Mac n Cheese
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans Almondine

Sweet AND unsweetened tea
Lemonade

To hire Kathi Dameron & Canopy Rose Catering as your Tallahassee, North Florida or South Georgia caterer, call 850-539-7750 for availability.

Wedding Questions and Answers

The following questions and answers are an excerpt from an email exchanged today with a bride who is beginning to plan her wedding reception.


We're looking for a caterer for our wedding and I was wondering if you could answer some questions for me. If we are interested after we hear back from you, I will call and make an appointment so that we could talk in person.

At this time that date is available on our calendar.

How many years have you been in business?

Canopy Rose opened its doors in 1994 in Tallahassee, Florida.

What is your price range for a seated and buffet dinner?

It really depends on many different factors (such as the menu and type of services offered. Wedding receptions generally range in price from $30.00 to $100.00 or more per person. However, there are certainly more economical options as outlined on the www.canopyrose.com website.

Is gratuity included in the price?

Sometimes. You will always know upfront what your total costs will be.

What is your specialty?

Creative cuisine

Do you work with the same servers on a regular basis? What is their attire?

We have a group of 30 plus servers who work with us on-call. The attire is black slacks & white tuxedo-style shirt with bow tie and cumberbund. Other staff attire can also be arranged, if desired, to coordinate with certain themes.

What do you provide (linens, plates, flatware, glassware)?

We will work with you to coordinate rental.

Do you have a license to serve alcohol? If so, are we allowed to bring in our own alcohol for your bartenders to serve?

We are fully licensed and insured for all your food catering, but we do not sell alcohol. I am happy to provide great bartenders to serve your alcohol.

Do you charge a fee to cut the cake? If so, what is it?

NO, we never charge a cake cutting fee for full-service catered weddings!

Also, do you have a price list for dinners that you could send me?

Our website has all our prices. However, I may be able to give you some better prices on certain items.

To hire Kathi Dameron & Canopy Rose Catering as your Tallahassee, North Florida or South Georgia caterer, call 850-539-7750 for availability.

Graduation Party Catering in the Tallahassee Area

Celebrate this joyful Rite of Passage with a catered party by Canopy Rose!

Think festive and fun food stations, bright colors and good times!

To hire Kathi Dameron & Canopy Rose Catering as your Tallahassee, North Florida or South Georgia caterer, call 850-539-7750 for availability.

Save The Date!

The Second Annual Taste of Tuscany is scheduled for October 2009. For all the details about this fabulous food jaunt please call the catering offices at 850-539-7750.

Planning a Garden Party this spring?

Canopy Rose creates a dazzling collection of springtime foods that are perfect for Tallahassee Garden Parties. For a custom-designed menu call the catering office at 850-539-7750.

Wild Greens with Strawberries, Gorgonzola, Avocado, Candied Bacon with Tangerine Vinaigrette Bacon

Another beautiful salad from Canopy Rose.

A Taste of The Southwest

A Southwestern Fiesta Dip from Canopy Rose

Valentine's Day Fun at Canopy Rose

French Country Stew

Imagine a leisurely roasted stew of beef, veal, pork, onions, garlic,
carrots, potatoes, etc. Perfect for February hearthside gatherings.
Add some crusty French bread, a signature Canopy Rose Catering Salad
and a spectacular sweet for a meal that is hard to beat! For all your
Tallahassee catering call Kathi at Canopy Rose at 850-539-7750.

Playing With Picks In The Tasting Room

We love picks of all sizes at Canopy Rose Catering!

Tomato Rose

Gilding the lily with a festive tomato rose!

Sunday Afternoon Cooking Classes Near Tallahassee

Our next cooking class will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2009 in downtown Havana, Florida. Havana is a short drive west of Tallahassee. Here are the details of the cooking class:

Class Style: Demonstration and Hands-on instruction. We will be making the popular, Chicken Florentine Pasta Squares Casserole. This is a Make-and-Take class, meaning that at the end of the class you will be able to take home a pan of what you make.

Cooking Class Instructor: Chef Kathi Dameron

Level of Difficulty: This class is appropriate for all levels of culinary experience. It is an excellent class for beginners or intermediate level cooks.


Participants will receive:

1. Samples

2. Instruction (Demonstration & Hands-on)

3. All ingredients necessary to make one pan of the Canopy Rose Chicken Florentine Pasta Squares Casserole. This is a very popular main dish that Kathi created in the early 1990's for cafe and catering customers. The Pasta Square Casseroles are one of the top requested entrees at catered luncheons, dinners and other events in the Tallahassee area.

4. Class Hand outs

Price: $99.50 All reservations must be paid for in advance to secure your place in the class.

How to reserve your spot:

Call Canopy Rose directly at 850-539-7750 to check to see if there is still space.

Checks can be mailed to Canopy Rose if there is still plenty of time for the check to be received prior to the class. We can also take advance payment via credit cards, however we do add a small credit card processing fee to cover the fees we are charged for the service.

Would you like to have your contact info added to our mailing list? Contact canopyrose@aol.com with your name, phone number, e-mail address, etc and just tell us you want to be added to our Cooking Class Mailing List.

Mediterranean Whitefish

From the catering kitchen of Canopy Rose: A delicious whitefish pan
sauteed with white wine, butter, olive oil, onions and later topped
with spinach, feta and
Kalamata olives. A marvelous medley of European flavor created by Chef
Kathi Dameron.

Iced Cocktail Sandwiches

These cocktail sandwiches get iced with a special sour cream sauce,
dill and an orange pepper garnish for a November catering gig in
Tallahassee Florida.

Goat Cheese with a Cranberry Holiday Tapenade

Goat Cheese with a seasonally-inspired tapenade is a popular selection
for catered parties in the Tallahassee area. Canopy Rose Catering
whips up this one for a November reception at Dorothy B Oven Park.

Mixed Greens with Blackberries, Blueberries, Blue Cheese Crumbles and Spiced Pecans

Another beautiful salad from Canopy Rose Catering-prepared for a
catered tented event for ESPN in Tallahassee, Florida.

tag: tallahassee catering