Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Vendor Spotlight: Millennium Productions

Monday, August 30th, 2010

There are so many great vendors in St. Louis that I love, but one specific company always goes above and beyond – Millennium Productions. Not only do they offer excellent customer service to our clients and outstanding options (where else in St. Louis can you book video, DJ, bands, lighting, AND design all at the same place?!) but they are great to work with from the vendor side also. I can trust them to show up on time, respect our venue, be flexible, and provide amazing services. They also understand the relationship and services we provide our clients and are great team players. It takes many vendors to pull off a seamless wedding reception and I know I can recommend them without hesitation or worry. Every time the Millennium Team arrives, I can rest assured that we’re going to have an amazing night.

Jaci Burgess, Catering Sales Manager for Steven Becker Fine Dining and the Coronado Ballroom

Join Us for Father’s Day Brunch at Nadoz Cafe

Monday, June 7th, 2010

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.

Mothers Day Brunch 2010

Monday, April 26th, 2010

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This year The Coronado Ballroom will host its 7th annual Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday May 9th, from 10-3pm. 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 $45 a person and $20 a child ages 4-10, plus gratuity and tax. Complimentary valet parking and a special “Mom”osa drink are included.

Call 314-367-4848 ext. 100 for reservations.

The Macauley-Velocci Reception

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Over the years I have heard many wonderful stories of how people met. From high school sweethearts to the internet, people can connect in the most wonderful ways. Such was the case for my wonderful bride Kaetlyn Macauley. Kate is a St. Louis girl who went to study in Italy and found herself a husband. I really should travel more…
Francesco is a charming, soft spoken man and although my Italian is a bit rusty, I could tell instantly that he loved Kate just by the way he looked at her. Since Kate and Francesco lived in Rome, most of the planning was done by Kate’s parents, Bob and Geri Macauley. I adore Bob and Geri and I credit them for doing such an amazing job planning when their daughter was on the other side of the world. For Brides who do live long distance, e-mail and Skype are life savers and provide the opportunity for daily dialogue. For me, it seemed like Kate was just somewhere in St. Louis writing from her computer…minus the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain! We were able to make many of the decisions while they were in town for their tasting. The important thing that Kate did was to realize that a winter wedding needs to look like winter. I have seen photos and attended winter events that must have been planned in June or July…the look does not translate. Winter weddings mean less light and require a bit more sparkle. Kate chose deep red and eggplant purple for her event and the contrast of those rich tones against the winter night was striking. The addition of those colors added to the holiday decorations instilled the effect even more. With guests from all over the world, the Coronado Ballroom signature service and Limoncello Martini were hits. The incredible dessert buffet with home made Cannoli was the finishing touch on a frosty and fabulous evening.
Ahhhhh…La Dolce Vita…

Rob Schaefer

Office Staff Holiday Luncheon at The Coronado Ballroom

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Thanksgiving Day Buffet

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Thursday, Nov 26 1:00p to 6:00p
Price: Adults are $50 per person, Children ages 4-10yrs are $25, 3 & under free, plus gratuity & tax
Phone: 314-367-4848 Ext 100

Join us for a spectacular Thanksgiving Day Buffet served in the historic Coronado Ballroom. Bring your family and friends, seating is every half hour from 1pm to 6pm. The menu will include fresh and seasonal items including all of your Thanksgiving traditional favorites and more.

There will be a carving station with Prime Rib, Baked Ham, and Roasted Turkey; a seafood display with Poached Salmon, Smoked Trout, and Shrimp; an exquisite salad buffet, cheese and fruit display, and of course a vast array of desserts. We’ll even have a special children’s buffet for the little ones.
Price includes one signature Champagne drink. Other alcoholic beverages will be available with an additional cost.
We will be validating tickets for Moolah Theater Garage Parking, which is located directly behind the Coronado. Street parking also available.
For reservations call us at 314-367-4848 Ext 100 and leave a daytime phone number we can reach you at.
Or email Jessica@stevenbeckerfd.com for more information.

Service with a Style

Friday, May 8th, 2009

Insert fine/formal dining restaurant service techniques into a banquet setting serving 150 – 300 guests and you get a new standard for banquet service.  Imagine every guest greeted and pampered as if it was their event being hosted.  Every server’s uniform pressed, crisp, clean and shined.  Every server well groomed.  Every server presenting food and beverages to you and your guests with a service finesse, grace and style that makes him feel like a King and her feel like a Queen.  The service staff delivering the meals with perfect synchronization at each table.  Coffee and desserts served to guests in a fashion rarely seen in banquet service.  Servers that have a passion for service.

This is what I witness at every event served by the Crown Servers of Steven Becker Fine Dining.  I want to give the guests something special, something different, something they have not experienced.  The Crown Service is a form of entertainment.  It’s an elegant style of service.  It’s an added dimension to service that gives the guest a unique and memorable dining experience.  When we perform special presentations to head tables at weddings or VIP tables at other events, the enjoyment I receive seeing the guests’ responses; the look on their faces and reaction, (many times an applause), is fuel that keeps Crown Servers happy with their jobs. Passionate about this business from the “git go”, this feedback is food for the service soul.

I have seen banquet service many times, in many places.  None have the style, grace and finesse of the Crown Service.  Not only with the look of the server, but also the service techniques employed to deliver food and beverages, clear tables, articulate with guests, interface with guests, answering questions and helping them in any way possible.  Our guests feel SERVED when attending a Steven Becker Fine Dining event.

All of this service ideology and technique of Crown Service results in a “Service with a Style”.  At the end of the day, when a bride and mom hug me and say, “This was much more than I could have expected,” …  I sit back, relax… and smile.  On to the next event!!!

It is in my contention that service extended to customers and guests at fast food, casual, semiformal, formal/fine dining restaurants and at banquet facilities all differ.  The one common effect or end result that must be prevalent in all of these services is; MAKE THE CUSTOMERS’ / GUESTS’ EXPERIENCE OUTSTANDING.

Alan C. Sevier, Banquet & Service Manager, Steven Becker Fine Dining Companies

Go Green with One Bottle, One Tree at Your Next Event

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

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Steven Becker Fine Dining featuring exceptional catering and venues, is pleased to announce in cooperation with Glazer Midwest, Trinity Oaks Wine, and in collaboration with Trees for the Future a fabulous new way to help the environment at your next special event.

For every bottle of our house wine we serve to your guests a tree will be planted….It’s just that simple. There is no limit to the number of trees we will plant. Enjoy great wine and support a great cause, at no extra cost!

So, plan your next event at our exclusive venue, The Coronado Ballroom. Or choose another unique St. Louis venue where Steven Becker Fine Dining is a preferred caterer such as The City Museum, The Rialto Ballroom, The Touhill at UMSL, and The Purser Center at Logan College.

We can also bring the party to your office or to your home. We’ve got some great new Holiday Catering menus for every budget. So, give us a call at 314-367-4848 to speak with a Catering Sales Manager about your next event. Visit our website for more information.

For more information about this program please visit Trees for the Future.

The Mast – Huez Reception 12-02-06

Thursday, March 29th, 2007

It seems like a long time ago that I met Brenda and Robert Mast. Isn’t it funny how there are some people that feel like old friends from the first time you meet. That was the case with my special Mast family and one of my favorite wedding receptions of all time.

Bride Shelley and Groom Eric live in Chicago so Shelley and I did a great deal of planning long distance. In December of 2005 we started planning a Holiday Wedding for December of 2006. The best thing about the holidays at the Coronado is that we are so beautifully decorated. I love the magic of the greenery, ribbon and ornaments dripping from every sconce and chandelier. The tree is always stunning and the mantle is glorious. Shelley wanted to add just the right mix of neutrals and ivory to this to create a Winter Wonderland wedding reception that would be magical…and it was.

Now “Winter Wonderland” means different things to different people. For some people it is imagining being abducted by a Swedish male super model and wisked away to his Aspen cabin for romantic evenings by the fire…or so I have been told.

My vision was to use various shades of white and ivory to create the illusion of winter…frost and snow. Gold candlabra held snowballs of white lilies, orchids and roses. A mixture of flower height varied from table to table and was bathed in a rich golden light from hundreds of votive candles. A deep matte gold chair cover was sashed with a crisp ivory matte satin bow giving the illusion of a wrapped package. Frosted blown glass chargers and damask napkins folded like snowflakes created a magical tablescape.

The crowd was in awe of the multi-tiered wedding cake in the softest shade of ivory. Fondant snowflakes which looked like Tiffany ornaments cascaded down the side and swept around the cake. Some of the snowflakes were pure white and others were dusted in 24K gold leaf. Icicles and fondant pearls completed the look of this fairy tale creation. I was pretty proud of myself in finding the antique carved gold cake stand and having the entire cake table top mounded in faux snow. The flocked white velvet linen looked frosted and magical pinned in sweeping swags with snow lightly dusting their creases…it was heavenly!

For Shelley I created signature drinks that were beautiful to behold. White chocolate decorated the rims and icicles of chocolate dribbled down the glass. Frozen in white sugar and garnished with a white dipped peppermint stick, Eric’s drink was a true winter wonder and named after his favorite Cardinal player…”The Frozen Pujols”.

From sheer white organza layering the amazing winter dessert buffet to the hors d’oeuvre trays with crystal snowballs and glass icicles, all the special touches of this amazing night made me feel like I was in a lovely Winter Wonderland….minus Frosty and other select claymation characters.
Brenda Mast stole the show in a cranberry red gown with ruby crystal beading. Red is my signature color and I am not upset that Brenda wore it despite the fact that I told her I was going to. I always make it a point at the client’s culinary tasting to point out what I will have on…and I hate competition! It was such a Joan Collins move! Ouch.

Brenda is someone who you can talk to about anything. She is a gifted, spiritual person and she just makes people feel good. We have had many good talks and I am proud to say that she will be a dear friend forever. Robert Mast is a fine man…an officer and a gentleman. I never could get him to call me “Rob” and not “Mr. Schaefer” but it did make me grin everytime he did it! To both of you I send my thanks for your faith and trust.

It was perfect…even without the super model.
Rob Schaefer

Where in the world is Rob OR is Rob thinner and more attractive?

Tuesday, January 30th, 2007

Hello Everyone. I am sorry that I have been away from the Blog for so long. Since fall, I have been swamped with weddings, holiday parties and new clients. As we focus our attention fully on the client, I had to let something slide.

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the numerous calls, e-mails and letters I have received from the readers. I am glad that you miss me and like what I have to say.
From being voted one of the top 20 Sexy and Successful Young Professionals in St. Louis by ALIVE Magazine, my fall feature spread in St. Louis Magazine At Home, Sauce Magazine and the amazing article in the January copy of St. Louis Magazine, I have had a lot of wonderful things going on. Check out the new edition of St. Louis Bride Magazine and learn a few of my trade secrets. The Coronado continues to be the premier venue in St. Louis and we appreciate your business!

Now to the thinner part…I decided to get a trainer and seriously start working out in 2007. Now granted, I hardly show any wear and tear but even the hottest sports car needs some fine tuning. I am a member at St. Louis Work Out and my trainer Aaron is seriously military. Despite the fact that I have been waking up in severe pain and letting out girlish screams when I move, he just won’t let up. I don’t mind the weight lifting but all the diet lectures and the tread mill…yeek…I think I may have a palpatation.

I really liked him before the feeling of being dragged by a truck set in.

Anyway, here is to a new and better body and blog. I expect each of you to keep up with my progress.
Rob Schaefer