Rob’s Biker Bar Buffet

You can rock out one bad ass buffet with the current biker trends. From graffiti tee shirts to leather, you can make the dress code for servers and guests a huge part of the look. A visit to the Harley-Davidson store in your area can provide a wealth of inspiration. For one recent event, I found cool red graffiti t-shirts at Target and had the staff wear them with jeans and boots…I let them personalize the look with silver jewelry, cuffs and scarves. Think black pleather linens or metallic spandex, chrome serving dishes and novel names for food items like “Back Warmer Beef Cake or “Born to be Wild Brownies”. Inexpensive “Bar Food” is suddenly a delightful surprise and even the standard chicken wings take on a new look. For a dictionary of biker slang, go to www.totalmotorcycle.com. Use auto and bike parts on the hors d’oeuvre trays and bike tires as risers on the buffet. Duck tape, black electrical tape and chrome paint can embellish name tags, place cards and invitations. Light up your space with garage clamp lights. Ask your local dealership to loan out a bike for photo opportunities and have a representative on hand to share information. He or she might just make a sale! A temporary tattoo artist can indulge even the most straight laced executive and may unleash his or her inner demon. Have a local punk rocker with multiple piercings greet your guests at the door. Rock out with a local garage or bar band or play a little Ozzy Osborne on compact disc. This is the one event when I would serve beer in a bottle but you would probably find me sipping a “Metallica Martini” in a glass rimmed in black sanding sugar with the stem of the glass wrapped in leather twine. Peace out.

Rob’s Soprano Supper

Add one part Tony Soprano with 2 parts “Godfather” and shake with a dash of “Casino”…and you have some zesty Italian old school.
Italian cuisine is universally loved and always a good choice for events. Today, there are several wonderful gluten free pastas for those with allergies. A simple lunch with a spaghetti and meatballs or a grilled panini is fun when themed out. Marinated vegetables, risottos and vegetarian pastas are also good choices for the calorie and carbohydrate conscious. Resurrect the red and white checked table cloth and add the Chianti bottle with candle. Cruets of olive oil with good bread can be preset on the table for enhancement. I love a good tomato or minestrone soup year round, but a tomato and basil bruschetta or caprese salad first course is wonderful in summer and fall. A marinated olive bar is also a fun and interesting culinary experience. These can be served in giant martini glasses with containers of picks and plates next to each one.
Vases filled with dried pastas or potted herbs can lend themselves to the theme without going over budget. Italian Cypress trees from the nursery look beautiful on a buffet and can later be planted in the yard. Indicate that the dress code has a Sopranos or mafia theme and you will be amazed at the suit sporting, cigar smoking, hair gel headed men that walk in the door. Track suits and multiple gold chains are always a favorite. Ladies can think along the lines of leopard, lame, liner and lip gloss!

After dinner drinks with cigars are the perfect way to enhance a simple Italian meal. Have a cigar expert on site to explain the nuances of the smoke or a match girl to light up their lives. And for the non-drinkers, an Expresso or Cappuccino machine with cannoli can be the sweet finish to the day. Gaming tables and casino equipment are easy to rent and make a colorful night for all. Light up your event with strands of white or red market lights strung above the guest’s heads. Play the “Godfather” sound track or have a violin or accordion player serenade your guests. They will love it! A great photo opportunity is your CEO dressed like Marlon Brando or get a huge muscle guy from the local gym to be the bouncer /doorman…have him ask for the code word before guests are allowed in. Although wine is the Italian’s drink of choice, you will find me having a “Cement Shoes” Martini made with Limoncello….ah…la dolce vita.
*Bright light interrogations and decapitated horse heads are highly discouraged.

Go Modern Country

Country music is hot and it is a genre that has reached every age group. 20 year old performer Taylor Swift alone has re-defined country music. It is as American as American gets and its message relates to all the highs and lows of life! Say what you want, but southern, home-style cooking tastes delicious. However, do not make the mistake of identifying country with cowboy. Western décor and Modern Country décor are different entities. Leave the stage coach, branding irons and saloon signs in the shed and opt for a look that mixes glamour with down home. Dixie land bands, a guitar or fiddle soloist or even the latest (or earliest) country music can give an event a charming, warm feel. Country line dance instructors could be on hand to teach the basic steps and cause social interaction among the guests.
Lanterns, homemade candles and oil lamps give dining tables a beautiful glow. Go with country ginghams, floral, or denim as table linens. Layer your buffet with burlap or rough cotton cloth but give it the juxtaposition of candelabras blazing with candles or high style floral studded with rhinestones. Mix country store boxes and crates with silver trays and crystal. From iced tea to catfish fritters, there are endless possibilities with comfort food. Is your culinary budget tight, have a chicken wing or rib-let station with various glazes and preparations. Mini BBQ Brisket sandwiches or pulled pork martinis with a baby biscuit garnish are fun, fashionable and easy to eat. Angel food cake and sponge cake buffets with fresh berries and whipped cream, as well as chocolate sheet cake, are a hit as dessert. A staggered display of warm cobbler and homemade pie are a treat in the winter months. Allow the guests to select their favorites and have a server slice and plate it for the guests. Incorporate the guest’s attire as part of this look by encouraging them to wear stylish jeans and boots or a sassy country dress…even a cowboy hat if they like. Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Steve McGraw, and Keith Urban are all stars that one wouldn’t mind emulating. Need a fun photo op, think urban cowboy. A working mechanical bull can still be rented for parties. And a mechanical bull prop can help create great photos and laughs. A whiskey bar, mint juleps, spiked lemonade and hot and cold cider can make your beverage station fun and affordable. You will find me sipping a “Missouri Moonshine” poured out of authentic Ozark jug.
Please see that I get home safely.

Rob Schaefer
An Inspiring Person and St. Louis Wedding Professional Hall of Fame Inaugural Inductee

Missouri Meetings & Events and Steven Becker Catering would like to invite you to attend an Open House & “Familiarization” tour at Coronado Ballroom and Meeting Facility

When: Thursday, October 20, 2011 • 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Coronado Ballroom and Meeting Facility 3701 Lindell Boulevard | St. Louis, Missouri 63108 – (next to St. Louis University)

Why: Learn how to improve your holiday company party while keeping under budget. Also…
* Unique behind the scene KITCHEN tour of the Coronado
* Sample food STRAIGHT from the oven and enjoy signature cocktails
* Special presentation by Rob Schaefer that will include tips for planning an event with displays for both holiday and non-traditional themes!
* Every attendee will receive a parting gift

WIN BIG! The company that donates the most cans will win breakfast for up to 10 people delivered to the office, courtesy of Steven Becker Catering.

Think a company holiday party is too frivolous this year? Or maybe, YOUR COMPANY IS PRACTICING “The Fear Of Cheer” Learn how to party for a cause while helping others this holiday season!

Cost: Admission to this event will be in the form of donating canned goods for Food Outreach.

What to bring: Food Outreach is able to immediately incorporate the following canned foods into its nutrition center: Tuna Fish, Turkey, Chicken, Salmon, Corn, Green Beans, Mixed Vegetables, Mandarin Oranges, Pineapple Chunks, Peaches and Applesauce

Parking: is available on the Scottish Rite Lot for $1 per hour and the Moolah Garage (maximum $3). Street parking is also available.

Please RSVP by Tuesday, October 18, 2011. Space is limited to meeting and event planners, so call or email today! Vikki Matthews, (314) 781-8880, ext. 103, vmatthews@meetmags.com

Check the label! FRESH goods only, please. For more information, visit www.FoodOutreach.org

Join us for this special FAM & open house to help Food Outreach stock their shelves!

Rob Schaefer
A very slow eater and St. Louis Wedding Professional Hall of Fame Inaugural Inductee

2) Always consider the 5 human senses and appeal to each one…sight, sound, taste, touch and smell.
Examples:
*Potted Herb and Flowers Mixed with Ornaments or Fruits
*A Piano Player or Holiday CD Music
*A Focused Menu of Local or Seasonal Fare (Traditional, Local, Italian, Asian, Latin)
*Embellished Linens with a Mixture of Serving Pieces – Mix it Up!
*Floating Candles in Glass Cylinder Vases with Greenery

3) Focus on 2 to 3 KEY elements about your event and use them to create a strong impact.
Examples:
*Add Casual Tableware to Your
Formal China for Color and Impact
*Floral or Greenery to Suit the Mood
*A Signature Drink or Bar to Carry Your Theme
*An Amuse Bouche or Tidbit to Greet Guests
*Live Music

4) DO NOT DO EVERYTHING YOURSELF – assign duties or use a
Catering and Event Professional. Call Rob at 314-367-4848 x 108

5) Proper Lighting is Critical! It redefines space.
Lighting should be used to create a feeling of progression during
your party. Colored bulbs, beaded shades and candles make a
huge difference.

6) Try to use Flowers and Ingredients that are in season. This is when
they look and taste the best and cost the least!

7) Focus your menu – having a limited menu of really delicious
food, drink and sweets is ALWAYS better than a lot of average fare.

Always have supplies available to create an emergency centerpiece (clear glass
bowls, food coloring, cranberries and floating candles) and purchase at least 3 “on call” gifts for the
forgotten birthday/anniversary or the
unexpected guest. And take a small hostess gift when you go out!
One of my favorites is a candle from Smelly Things Candle Company.

9) Never place bars or food stations near doorways. You will create bottlenecks.
Place your bars “deep” inside the house or yard so guests will not stand near the
front door and create a jam. Passed drinks and hors d’oeuvres should be near the
front door. And remember that the kitchen is the hearth of the home – people are
drawn to it. If the Hostess spends a lot of time in the kitchen, so will the guests!

10) A great event has a beginning, middle (crest) and conclusion.
The Host and Hostess set the tone for the event. If you aren’t having fun…nobody else will.

Rob Schaefer
Inaugural St. Louis Wedding Professional Hall of Fame Inductee

-Think Upscale
Fall is more than Scarecrows and Corn Shucks. Sleek black vases filled with cattails, clear vases of berries with floating candles, massed out branches with hanging votive candles and outdoor tables strewn with golden leaves look amazing.

-Focus on Impact
Limit your menu and make every course or station an experience.
I have one client who is having cinnamon martinis and butternut soup squash shots while guests walk up the driveway flanked by copper lanterns. Roasted pork mini-sandwiches on tidbit plates with autumn vegetable risotto in martini glasses are featured inside with Fall Sangria and Mulled Ciders. The Backyard will focus on burlap wrapped cocktail tables with pumpkin damask overlays from Party Arts and a lavish chocolate S’more and Crepe station created from old wine barrels and wooden planks. Guests are taking home a fluffy, fleece throw as their parting gift which they can cuddle in all evening long.

-Create an Environment
Lighting – Fall means less light so choose tall scented candles, lanterns and a fire pit or bonfire to create the look. Change your light bulbs in the house to amber bulbs as well.
Music – I love a solo violinist or guitar to get a fall party started and then you can always merge into quality cd or IPOD as the evening progresses.

Live music is an amazing treat for your guests and helps to set the mood.
Decor – I love mixing linens and textures and using my client’s materials to create a great party. Grandma’s mason jars look great on a patio with candles burning in them. Mom’s copper pots and cake molds make great buffet decor and that old orange afghan Aunt Doris gave you makes a great table top linen.
Dad’s Wheel Barrel makes a great statement filled with Iced
Ciders or Sodas.

Rob Schaefer
Inaugural St. Louis Wedding Professional Hall of Fame Inductee

This year The Nadoz Cafe will host our annual Father’s Day Brunch on Sunday June 20th, from 10am-3pm.

The hot and cold buffet selections will include plentiful seafood, a meat carving station, made to order waffles and omelets, homemade artisan breads and extravagant desserts.

The cost is $35 a person and $12 a child ages 4-10, plus gratuity and tax. Complimentary valet parking and a special mimosa drink are included.

Reservations are suggested. Call (314) 367-4848 x100 or Email to make a reservation.

Lindsey was a 12 year old going on 24 when I really started working with her. I will save you the drama, as every teen event has a little, and just tell you that defining the look was not the easiest decision in our process. OY! Finally inspiration took hold and she embraced not only a fabulous concept but a stunning look. I think Debbie and I cried but I can’t be sure. Add one part Tiffany blue to two parts Rob and the combination was “Lindsey and Co.”.

Diamonds truly were a girl’s best friend on this glittering night filled with sparkle and world famous signature colors. From the moment that guests walked into the Lobby, the tone was set for a dazzling evening. The Lobby Attendant was decked out as a Grand Dame and dripped in ropes of pearls and costume jewelry. Escort cards were lined up on sterling silver holders designed to look like high-end earrings. Placed on black velvet linens, they had the look and feel of a jewelry case. A huge ice sculpture dominated the bar bearing the guest of honors name in the signature “Tiffany” font of her favorite store. Decadent signature drinks were at every bar. “The Silver Sensation” was a Tiffany blue hypnotic martini served in a glass with a thin film of edible silver leaf and the “Lindsey Frenzy” was garnished with silver sugar. A tiny piece of dry ice in the drink caused it to fog. Hors D’oeuvre trays with real lights, black and white feathers and cut crystals glittered as servers walked about the room.

When guests entered the young adult dining area, they were stunned by the dramatic Tiffany blue and black color story which was reversed in the adult area. From the chandeliers, multiple strands of black diamond beads hung above the young adult’s heads and sparkled brilliantly. A towering display of chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese icing was prominently displayed with a white chocolate garnish featuring the letter “L”. A spun sugar diamond from France adorned the top of each cupcake. Black feather strands ran down the length of each table and hung from each wall sconce to the floor.

The adult dining room was resplendent with black on black linens sprayed with loose rhinestones, black satin chair covers with Tiffany blue sahes, silver chargers and a Tiffany boxed favor at each placesetting. However, instead of the ribbon stating Tiffany and Co., it bore Linsey’s name in the same font! Tiffany blue sashes were woven through all the sconces around the ballroom and giant silver art deco vases held masses of white calla lilies and greenery. The entire ballroom had a glamorous art deco feel!

I of course looked stunning with my black suit and shirt and my Tiffany blue tie and SHOES. Yes…it is a long story that I’ll save for another time. Lindsey was in a gorgeous silver and Tiffany blue party dress and we looked like runway models as we compared our good jewelry. Feasting and merriment continued throughout the evening and the night concluded with Marilyn Monroe’s song, “Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend”.

So am I.

Rob Schaefer

There is just nothing quite like it! The Easter Brunch at the Coronado is truly spectacular!! Reserve your table today for one of the most decadent brunches in St. Louis!